Thank you for the comments! And sorry for the huge delay in replying. My new schedule leaves no time online during the week (this is a rare treat).
I know that means I missed posting the next chapter, but doubt I have enough time now to get to that (we have a short break while DD sleeps), and as I got about 200 words of writing done total in the last two weeks, I could probably use the extra buffer. I'll aim for posting every Saturday from now on as I doubt Fridays will be do-able.
Amber - I know it's frustrating. But like you said, understandable. I think Clark's arguments will start to mature at some point, but not quite yet.
Michael - Yeah, I feel for Maddie. It has to be hard to see Clark doing the same things with Lois he was doing to her. Particularly as Maddie sincerely cares about Clark, so she really does want him to be happy, but she knows his current behavior is not leading there.
IolantheAlias - Yes, Maddie's noticing is a lot different than Lois'. Quieter and honestly, a bit more like Clark's. I see Maddie and Clark fitting well together because they are so similar, whereas Clark and Lois fit as they are opposites (in terms of temperment, I mean).
I don't think Maddie really knows Clark's secret, if that's what you're asking, but I do think she knows it's something big and not the "family secret" Clark claims it was.