Bakasi,
Thanks so very much for writing this story. I saw above that you had to fight the urge to make this an epic story but I wish you'd gone that way. I absolutely love long, well-written stories like this one has the potential to be. I waited until the whole story was posted, as I usually do, and I finally got around to reading it. I feel you hit the relationship between Clark and Lois spot on. I especially liked the insight Lois reading Clark's journal gave. Having Lois read Clark's thoughts and integrating them with her experiences gave her both sides of the story. It completed the missing pieces that allowed Lois to understand where Clark was coming from. The part about New Krypton was especially enlightening. It showed how Clark was affected by the war and by the squabbling after Nor had been defeated. That was unlike anything anyone has written about NK and it was refreshing, and I consider, accurate a portrayal of the New Kryptonians. I never thought they were as ready to follow Zara and Ching so your take supported my impression. Although most people were probably stunned when Clark told Lois there was nothing more for them now I was not surprised. Your journal entries showed how hurt Clark was, both with her breaking up with Superman, flirting with Scardino and then not falling in love with Clark, he had to be sure that, especially after three years, his feelings for Lois were over. The scene where Lois kissed Clark on the cheek before walking out of the suite was poignant and it made me feel for the characters. Then when Clark comes into the Planet the next day and they reconcile had me cheering. I think Martha was right and his reaction to Lois seemed to bear this out because all of a sudden his heat vision is back and he can shave and cut his hair. I'm glad they got together at the end and, if your muse allows, I know I'd love to see more of how their relationship develops. I wonder how Lois would be as a mother to little Sara, could be interesting.
Ray
