Like Onaleia said, this chapter offers so much food for thought. I am, obviously, one of those who absolutely don't want to see Clark and Mayson together, but after reading this, I found my mind churning with a million questions:
Does Clark normally meet his male sources over lunch or dinner to discuss cases? If not, what does it mean that he wants to meet Mayson this way?
Is Clark only being an old-fashioned gentleman? Is he being polite to Mayson as a woman? Is he somehow assuming that a woman wants to be shown little courtesies, such as being treated to lunch?
Is Clark serious about wanting to have Mayson as a friend? If so, what does he think this friendship will imply?
Could it be that Clark just finds it relaxing and gratifying to spend time with a smart and beautiful woman who likes him as Clark Kent? Or does he truly appreciate her as a person? Does he like her integrity and drive?
Or is it even possible that he could actually be dreaming of more than that? Could he possibly be thinking of a future for himself and Mayson? Or could he be dreaming of a little flirt, a little fling with her?
But has he asked himself what any of this would do to Mayson? She and Clark are both singles. With his super-senses, he should be able to tell that Mayson seems to become physically affected around him. Shouldn't he be able to guess that she is in love with him?
Hasn't he thought that he may be hurting her? Treating her inconsiderately?
But then again... Mayson is a DA. Clark really does need to talk to her from time to time. Is it his fault that she is in love with him? Should he avoid seeing her just because of her feelings for him? How considerate does he have to be?
And... Clark is not a saint. What if he is, on some level at least, slightly interested in Mayson? Perhaps he isn't quite sure that he and Lois are meant to be? (Okay, Clark, if it's up to me, you'd better be sure of that, but....) Would that make it so wrong to spend some time with Mayson, trying to explore what they could possibly have together?
Let's toy with the idea that Clark is so grateful to Mayson for liking him as Clark that he decides that a relationship with her would be worth it. Of course, Mayson doesn't like Superman. But then again, given time, maybe she'd get over her suspicions of Superman? But if she doesn't - seeing how Clark lied to Lois about his double identity for two years, would he be similarly willing to lie to Mayson?
Could Clark possibly court Mayson without telling her he is Superman? Could he marry her without telling her about Superman? Could he make love to her without telling her?
Suppose he married Mayson while pretending he was just plain old Clark Kent. And suppose Mayson decided that she wanted children, so that she stopped using birth control. And suppose she got pregnant with Superman's child. What would she say when she found out?
Hmm.... Interesting questions, these. Well, I hope no one decides to write the story where Mayson really does marry Clark and has his child, so that we can find out what her reactions to the true paternity of her child would be!
As I said, I hope nobody will write that story. Does that mean that I don't like this story, either? Don't take it like that. The Clark/Mayson relationship, whatever there was to it, was definitely a part of the ABC TV show. And, God knows, it's not as if Clark has never looked at another woman in the comics. Your story is not only legitimate, but it is exploring some extremely interesting aspects of Clark Kent (forgive me for being slightly less interested in the Mayson angle). I'm so curious about whether you will answer any of the questions I have posed here, Angelic!
Ann
