Hi everyone,
Thanks for your patience and your kind words. The vision in my right eye is excellent and the left eye is getting there, so I was back to work as usual today.
Of course, thank you for the wonderful comments.
Maria, I'm glad you enjoyed this part. More is coming up soon.
Hi Tank. Thanks for your comments. I also like it when Lois tells the spineless politicians to stuff a sock in it. She does righteous indignation better than just about anyone. And I don't think this will be as long as War and Peace, but I do think it's the longest story in Lois and Clark fanfic (but I'm not putting any bets on it).
LLWB, thanks for the feedback. The last few years have definitely taken their toll on Lois. Without Clark around, she's internalized things an awful lot, and that can't be good for anyone, even someone as strong as she is. Martha, Jonathan, and Jon, are indeed, still around, and will be back in upcoming parts (it's hard to juggle all these characters!)
Hi, Ann. I like writing Dalton a lot. He might be on the side of the angels, but he isn't a naive idealist and he's definitely sarcastic. I think he makes a good foil for Ultrawoman since she doesn't really have to worry about hurting his feelings.
You're right that Talan didn't want her brother to know about her feelings for Clark, but I don't think his teasing or its implications are necessarily nefarious. Serick has demonstrated that he teases his sister pretty mercilessly, since no one else on the entire planet would dare to do so. I think, given his own commitment to his family, he respects Kal El's love for his wife, even if it means unhappiness for his sister.
Lancine is another incredibly minor character I really like using in this story. Unlike Dalton, he actually is pretty much a saint. And while Ultrawoman often needs a tough guy in her corner, she also needs to have a great idealist on her side.
Finally, I totally agree that a trial can be like reliving traumatic events for the victim. I've prepared several clients for trial who have been through terrible ordeals, often as the victims of domestic violence or persecution and torture in their native countries. I find it emotionally exhausting and I'm just the lawyer. I know that I can't begin to imagine how bad it is for them.
Hi Carol, thanks for your comments. I agree that Serick is very dedicated to his family. With respect to the line you quoted, I can see how it can be interpreted that way, but hopefully, Serick's future actions and words will demonstrate his true beliefs. As for his comment about Talan being noble, I think about it in the context of his previous comment to Talan - that he was sorry that Kal El was married. She didn't even take the opportunity to commiserate. She wouldn't show one moment of jealousy toward Lois and that makes her pretty damn noble, if not a downright saint.
Thanks again for your comments, everyone. More is on the way!
Regards,
Rac
