Well, Ann, my story is darker than the canon Buffyverse. First, the horror was doled out in smaller chunks over many episodes. Secondly, the characters lightened things with a sense of humor and bright characters.
Also, Buffy was comfortable with what she was for the most part. She had people who loved and supported her, and she knew exactly what was happening to her.
Lois is in the dark. She doesn't know what is happening or what is going to happen. She's a little like a prepubescent who's body has started to change, but who has no one to explain why.
Also, we never really got to see what happened to Lois in the Congo. She didn't die and presumably her counterpart in Alt-Clark's world did. Sometimes just regular post traumatic stress can be enough to take the fun out of life.
Next chapter has some darkness, but also has some Lois and Clark interactions that might open some chances up to lighten things up.
I'm glad you liked the chapter, Laura. THE Key has a very specific meaning in the Buffyverse... and was integral to the knights' stories.
The nice thing about this story, Marcus is that I have felt free to have Lois make wrong conclusions. I'll bet Lois won't be the only one.
Thanks Terry, for the feedback. I can neither confirm nor deny any speculation...but since I'm posting them as I write them, good ideas will be taken into consideration. <g>
Of course, sometimes I've already had them.