To start off with, my apologies. I did not mean to be gone so long. I just got SO busy. In addition to Thanksgiving last weekend, we had friends in town, and it was my husband's birthday. So, I had no time on the computer at all. And since then we've all been sick. I came down with a cold just before Thanksgiving which I passed to my DD and then just as I was getting over it, I seemed to get sick again and now we're all sick. I do hope to get the next chapter up today (maybe even two, but that may be optimistic), but I have a business trip this week so I also need to pack. And to be kind, DH is going to join me with DD (it's just a little bit from our house, but long enough hours that I can't come home at night) so there's packing for her to do as well. All in all, there's already more to do today than I'd like for a day I'm sick and would love to just spend curled up on the couch.
Kathy – I like the idea that his love for Maddie was teenage love and for Lois is adult love. One of the things I like best about it is that it doesn't sideline his feelings for Maddie. I feel like there's often a sense that Clark can't have been in love with anyone but Lois, but I do really feel like he loved Maddie. Of course, I do also feel that his love for Lois is different (and, of course, will turn out to be more enduring).
Sarah – I think you are right that they are too scared to move forward, and I also don't see this changing without something big happening to force it. I basically see them as acting a bit like mice on those wheels – spinning around and around and around. They keep coming back to the same issues and nothing is being resolved yet. Soon, though…
Patrick – Yes, I think you can see a bit of MadDogLane here – that's largely as I think Lois' experience with Paul has brought her closer to the Lois we know then Clark is currently to the Clark we know.
Michael – No comment on the Clark's not knowing what to write thing. I think Clark finds a topic soon (although I always remember embarrassingly little about what I wrote). Sorry about the emotional cliffhanger. It just felt like a good place to stop…
IolantheAlias – Well, while we can't know what Clark will do, I can promise you this – ala Patrick's comment – he will hurt her.
