Michael And is it possible that it was Moyne himself who abused his aunt?
I thought about having a tie-in - not Moyne, but possibly his father. I decided against it - at this stage, who raped Phoebe won't be a part of the story.
Kathy And what amazing plotting to have the accusation of rape be the thing that both acted as Menzies' moral line in the sand and saved his marriage.
How far Moyne went with Lois was one of the most difficult decisions in the fic. I think Menzies' 'line in the sand' works better if Moyne had actually raped Lois (or at least come closer than he did.) But I really didn't want to go there - for many different reasons.
As awful as the situation was, it gives Clark the chance to take care of Lois for awhile, and I think that's going to be very helpful in putting them more on an even footing in their relationship.
You're very good at looking 'through' a situation and seeing why things 'really' happen.
DW Also, Lois has been through a lot - with the whole Linda episode, seeing the injustices done to Clark, and Moyne attacking her twice - that I am glad you didn't gloss over it. Lois needs to deal with those emotions in herself - rage, mostly I think - and Clark will be able to help her once she lets him in.
I did sort of gloss over it for a while!
MozartMaid You make us interested in, fear, sympathize with, and worry about secondary characters,
One reason I like long fics is that there is the time to do that.
Bellarase Boy, Lois and Clark never catch a break, do they?
I wouldn't say 'never'.
Laura Lois needs Clark. That should be fun!
Evelyn It makes it so much harder since she never really has dealt with her feelings about Linda and that whole nightmare she went through, and that is why she is now numb, almost catatonic in the aftermath of Moyne's attack and barely functioning; she's in shock, which one would expect from anyone in reaction to the recent attack, but even worse for her due to the previous awful experience with Linda.
Great explanation!
Vicki Interesting conversation re: Lois. I didn't see a professional closing off the extraneous in order to focus on the essential; I saw a woman hanging by a thread and, to quote Emily, "in a bad place".
One thing I love about these boards is how readers have different takes on what happens.
I think Lois was 'hanging by a thread' and because of that, she reverted (because of her training?) to being the aloof professional.
SJH I dont think we've seen the last of Moyne. There just has to be a Clark-Moyne face off of some kind.
Uhmm. There will be a 'face-off'.
Joy I like to think that any decent man finds the idea of rape abhorrent.
True Love although I doubt it was Moyne, since she would not have been so protective of him
Exactly why I didn't make it Moyne or his father.
Emily Now let's just get back to fixing Lois and Clark!
Sounds likes a plan.
Many thanks for all of your comments.
I have to go and make some dinner for my family. After that, I'll be back and post Part 15.
Corrina.
