I have to take you to task on this one. There are some things in this part that don't match the character of the Clark that you have formed for us. I'm not saying that he doesn't match the Clark of canon; I'm saying that he isn't acting like the Clark you have portrayed for us.
So far your Clark has never lied. He might have omited things, but he has carefully never told lies, even though it makes him sound smart alecky.
While I understand that people act differently sometimes when they're depressed, normally they don't exchange one set of values for another. Your Clark values honesty more than canonical Clark. I can't see canonical Clark as telling a lie without at least crossing his fingers and being swamped with guilt. I find your Clark telling a lie as being even more out of character. Not only do you have Clark lieing about the birthday present, but you also don't have him feeling anything but mild embarassment about it. I don't buy it.
Elisabeth
PS You know that I only cricize stories that I like. If I don't like it I just quietly quit reading. However, I think this one has enormous potential.
