Lois & Clark Forums Forums Fan Fiction Lois & Clark Fanfic FDK: Pt. 2 Nighttime in the Daytime

Hi Folcs. More movement now on the relationship. Any questions on the techie or organization stuff, feel free to ask. I created a whole backstory on this stuff, but most of it doesn't make it into the story.
Hope you enjoy.

Artemis

Nice part. Setting up a logical reason for the creation of Superman. Nice. Looking forward to more.

meeting the folks - this is moving mighty fast! need more soon...

What is the Yarkovsky effect?

(oh, all right, I'm lazy..../heads off to wikipedia for hopeful explanation for non-techie/)

Yarkovsky Effect

And thank you for putting it in, because I learned something today.

And may I say that I'm impressed that you worked this into your fic. You've really done some research here! This isn't just adding corroborative detail for verisimilitude, this is way beyond that!

Thanks for the feedback:
Framework Sometimes I drown in the details and forget the WAFFY stuff. Glad you are enjoying this. There is more groundwork to come in Part 3.
sarahg The folks are going to have a bigger role in this world. Heroman is going to need help getting a shot at the moon. Speaking of which, there is now a picture of said moon at the end of the chapter.
Iolanthe Ha, ha. Made you look! I wondered who would take the bait. Truth be told I had no clue about it until I ran across the term on wikipedia. I'll tell you I now know more about craters and holes in the Earth than a sane person should! Glad you are enjoying it. I love the techie stuff too much sometimes. Actually, I have a leg up on this stuff. I have a degree in physics. It's the writing part that's hard.

Artemis

Yeah, yeah, looking it up was good for me and built my character.

I love the picture of the moon. Excellent shot!

What I'm finding interesting is the distance and majesty of the orbital mechanics, the asteroid, etc. - contrasted with the day-to-day lives that our characters (and face it, us too) lead. Lois is going about her investigations, looking into Luthor, worrying about lunch from the deli, snapping orders at Jimmy Olsen. Lois certainly doesn't know that Nightfall is coming and even if she did, what could she do?

And Clark would no doubt never consider becoming "Heroman" without Pete's knowledge and urging. But Clark, unlike Lois, has the power to do something about Nightfall. But even a superhero needs backup (or a mission control team.) So you've effectively forced Clark's hand, because he's going to have to become "Heroman" and build up trust so that his mission control team will be ready when the time comes to deal with Nightfall.

I'm hoping that Clark won't have to ram the asteroid with his head as per TV canon. Is there any possibility of deflecting the asteroid, as some fics have shown? You seem to be writing this fic with an attitude of scientific accuracy, so I'm counting on you to come up with a plan!

A really interesting premise. I'll be waiting to see how Clark deals with his second job as "Heroman", now that he's already an FBI agent and also working at the Daily Planet. And romance will no doubt bloom between Lois and Clark....because that's how things are.

Whew! You're throwing a lot at Clark. I'll be tempted to see when Clark decides to share the burden with Lois - or will he?

See - you've already got me asking a whole bunch of questions.

Great! That's the idea! Ask questions and think along with it. I'm also playing clue with it and try to leave hints along the way. As to this:
Check Pete's words to Clark about he might deal with the asteroid. Now this Clark has a degree in Engineering Physics, remember, so he knows about this stuff. It's not all new to him. Here's my notes on his bio:
One of the things that surprised me was that with the velocity of the asteroid it was only one hour to Earth from the orbit of the moon. We could hope the asteroid would crash into the back of the moon, but then I wouldn't have a story!
Glad you are enjoying this.

Artemis

Wow, that's really interesting.

1) Velocity of the asteroid is that fast? One hour from Moon to Earth? (Shows what happens when you actually do the research and sit down and figure it out.) If it gets close to the Earth at all, we'd better not take any long lunches.

2) Clark's bio is pretty interesting too. Interesting that you had him become an emancipated minor. Was that important? Did I miss something in the fics that told me why?

3) Also interesting that Clark joined law enforcement. It seems odd because we know that Superman would never kill, and a police officer might be faced with that decision some day. (I'm assuming that Clark would be able to use his abilities - secretly if possible, overtly if not - to avoid using lethal force.)

Hi Iolanthe:
1)The distance from the center of the Earth to the center of the Moon is 384,403 kilometres (238,857 mi). At 47,000 mph that is 238/47=5.0821 hours. Ooops. Guess I need to change the story! See, we all make mistakes. BRB.....Fixed

2)I made him an emancipated minor to show that though he appreciated the help of the Ross's, he felt he could take care of himself. He wanted to go explore the world and if he got into trouble somewhere, he didn't want them to be responsible for bailing him out. He wanted to get out on his own. Also, this Clark did everything young.
He is younger than Lois.

3)This Clark had a talent for science and an interest in helping people. Assume he was intrigued by the CSI shows and thought he could help in the lab. The law enforcement part came later after he found he could help surreptitiously.

Artemis

Interesting part, Artemis. I enjoyed the trip with Pete and the interaction between Lois and Clark. It's been a while since I read the prequel to this, so was Clark supposedly distant at the end of the last story or was it in between?

So much is happening with Nightfall and the gun-running and meeting the new characters and getting used to the changes with the old characters. I hope I can keep things straight.

Oh, and I notice how Lois adapted from cowboy to farmboy pretty quickly. I wonder how soon she'll start calling him flyboy?

BJ

Hi BJ:
At the end of "All the Daytime and the Nighttime", they were making out on Lois' kitchen counter top when she got a phone call from her mother reminding her of the Sunday dinner with her family including "The Admiral." Clark suddenly realized Lois' father was Admiral Lane, Clark's boss 3 levels up. It's not cool to romance the boss' daughter when you've just started work there. So he put the brakes on the sexy part. Check out the nfic side for a more detailed version of what was going on. It's called "nEnd.All the Daytime and the Nighttime."
Yep, you ain't seen nothin' yet! I'll help on the FDK threads.
It's going to be a while. She's got to get used to the "God in Tights" first. Yes, there is angst to come, but not too much.
Glad you are reading!

Artemis

Artemis, I think this is truly a first:
Superman long-term planing

Here, too, how much does Sam already know about Clark's relationship with Lois? I know, it's been way too long

Quite a bumpy ride. Fun-bumpy

Michael

Hi Michael:
Glad you enjoyed it.
She knows nothing about his abilities. She was surprised at the water tower dumping down, be he tip-toed out of that one. She would find it inconceivable he took his brother to Antarctica in one weekend. That's a journey that takes humans a week with the help of an airplane.

I swear I wrote that part, but can't find it!
I'll have to get back to you. But basically, Sam knows there's a guy named Clark Kent working with Lois temporarily. Sam had a reaction to the name, but didn't know him by sight.
O.K., panic attack resolved. It's in the new ending (Chapter 12) of All the Daytime and the Nighttime and the right version is posted here.

Artemis

Just to make sure you all see it, I'll repost the changed ending to "All the Daytime and the Nighttime" here. It's pretty critical to the relationship stuff to come.

Lois Lane drove to her parents' house in a state of confusion. That had been pretty much her state since a month ago, the Sunday after Lex Luthor's White Orchid Ball. She had had a really good time with Clark as her date at the Ball and had captured Lex Luthor's attention, thereby managing to snag an interview with the elusive billionaire. The interview over dinner at his penthouse had gone as well as could be expected, she reasoned. He was pretty reticent with information on himself and seemed more interested in hitting on her in a high class, albeit creepy manner.

What bothered her most was Clark Kent's behavior. Directly following the Ball, mysterious people in a large SUV had attacked them. Clark saved them by jumping them in his high-powered car over a bridge under reconstruction. She still didn't know who those people were or who had ordered the attack on them.

But the worse part was Clark's behavior the morning after the attack. He had comforted her directly after bringing her home and seen her safe to her bed and come back the next morning with breakfast. As they ate the croissants at breakfast, sparks had sizzled between them and they wound up making out rather vigorously on her kitchen counter. She still had fond memories of that and occasionally patted her kitchen counter. But then her mother had called to remind her of that month's dinner and Clark had slowed them down rather abruptly.

Since then he had been attentive at the Daily Planet, where he still came in for his cover as a reporter in their separate ongoing investigations. But the spark between them had died or been buried by him. It was just as well, for Lois Lane had her third rule "never sleep with a coworker." Still, Clark technically worked for the FBI, not for the Daily Planet.

This Sunday, Lois drove up to her parent's townhouse complex in the upscale Mt. Rose section and found a free parking space near their front door. It was time again for their traditional monthly dinner.

Lois rang the doorbell and Ellen opened it immediately. "Come on in, Lois. The Admiral is at the grill." Ellen, like many military wives, habitually called her husband by his rank instead of his name. It was rather old school, but Lois was used to it.

Ellen enveloped her daughter in a big hug and took her coat. It was cold weather time in Metropolis and the grill being used was the indoor Jenn-Air appliance with the large fan that popped up from the back of the cooking island when it was in use.

Sam greeted his daughter over the grill as she came into the spacious richly appointed kitchen. "Hi there Princess. How are you this cold evening?"

"Just fine, Daddy, just fine." Lois waved a hand. "Busy at work, you know."

Sam's eyes narrowed at his daughter, examining her more closely. The statistics of international trade, criminal activities and threats to the country wasn't the only kind of intelligence he brought to the table. But he said nothing, even though he had a feeling all was not sunny in Loisland.

The Lane's sat down to a dinner of steak for Sam and skinless chicken breasts for Ellen and Lois, with a salad of sliced greenhouse tomatoes alternated with fresh mozzarella cheese drizzled with good olive oil and a dish of fresh baked ziti. Their years in Italy had switched them to mostly a Mediterranean diet, which they found healthier. Lois noticed her father eating his steak in the European manner, fork in the left hand, tines down and spearing the bit of steak.

Dinner at the table was pleasant as they caught up with each other's doings. Sam's golf game, now on the indoor practice field since the weather was so grouchy, was improving. Lois shared that she was making progress toward her black belt.

"That's wonderful, Princess." Sam exclaimed. "Did you know your Mother is now the coordinator for all the Navy Relief in New Troy?"

"No, I didn't. Wow, congratulations, Mom." Ellen had always been active in the charity for the young enlisted men and women. It was a traditional military wife's role, but she brought great energy and organization to it.

Lois smiled and raised her water glass in toast to her Mom. Sam followed suit. Ellen smiled in appreciation and gave a little nod with her head. "Thank you all. It really is sad that the young military can barely scrape buy with the salary they are paid. It's a privilege to help them. And their young babies need help with the layettes and supplies. The Metropolis seniors group is very active in knitting and crocheting the items needed and giving them to us."

Cutting more steak and pushing it onto his fork, Sam asked his daughter, "So, how's work at the Daily Planet these days?"

"Just fine, Daddy. I've got several big stories I'm working on." She hadn't mentioned Clark at the last dinner because her feelings were still so uncertain and confused. "Oh, and I have a partner some of the time now. His name is Clark Kent."

Lois noticed her father maintained his same expression, but switched the fork to his right hand, tines up, to stab a piece of steak. That struck her as very odd.

Sam cleared his throat. "Clark Kent, you say? Where's he from? Is he a good journalist?"

"He's from Kansas originally. He's an adequate writer, but a great investigator."

Lois couldn't figure out the expression on her father's face as he over vigorously chewed his steak. "Is that so?"

Driving home after dinner, Lois was still mulling over her father's reaction to the name of Clark Kent. She was a good investigator herself - her father's daughter he told her - and something was out of whack. As far as she knew, Clark was a new young FBI agent in the Metropolis office. On the other hand, Admiral Sam Lane was working in the local Navy District office, presumably as the head of it. She suddenly realized she didn't know for sure. When was the last time she had seen her father in his uniform?

Maybe she should turn the Lane investigative capabilities on Special Agent Clark Kent.

THE END

Hi Artemis,

I promissed myself that before 2010 started, I would get to reading this and I'm so happy I did. Sorry for the delay in FDK, but I wanted to wait until I got my Nightfall work through everything that looked like we might overlap. I figured mine was far enough along now so here I am.

First, I have to congratulate you on bringing an element of real plausible science to Nightfall. I am a little embarrassed that I didn't recognize the "Yarkovsky effect."

My favorite part is this: I like it when Clark is more up-front with Lois. Is part of this that Nightfall is motivating Calrk to "think about the future"? I get that impression but I may be projecting. That is what I did in my Nightfall piece. (and interestingly enough, in Chapter 2 )

And I liked the meeting between Clark and Lois's dad. I think that relationship could be a lot of fun.

Bob

Hi Bob:
I'm happy you are reading. I must admit I'm not reading yours yet, because mine is still being written and I don't want to be influenced. I did catch some of the feedback and I know I'll enjoy it when I get this story finished.

No, it is just this Clark is a different person, more self-sufficient. He truly had never had a woman affect him like Lois did in "All the Daytime and the Nighttime." He suddenly found true passion. How he deals with it is another issue

BTW, LabRat just e-mailed me that "All the Daytime and the Nighttime" is in the upload queue, so it should be on the Archive soon.
This story is getting to be a lot longer than that one!

Artemis

Hi readers: Wow, December 30, 2009 and now it is September 29, 2012. Where does time fly? I'm bumping this up to let you all know that I'm getting "Nighttime in the Daytime" ready for the Archive. Turns out I've forgotten a lot and your great questions have helped me get back in the groove. I've put off submitting the story to the Archive because I wasn't happy with the ending and I hope to make it stronger. I'll try to answer some of your questions, too.
But this isn't the last story in this universe. The rest of the story needs to be created.
Thanks for your interest, kindness and patience.
regards
Artemis

The Agent and the Admiral is said to be set before this story, and it does predate Clark seeing the eclipse with Pete. However, we then have two alleged first meetings of Clark and Admiral Sam Lane. Is this going to be reconciled?

Hi John:
Thanks for noticing! Yes, I'm going to put The Agent and the Admiral inside Nighttime in the Daytime. Actually Agent was meant to be the first time that Clark came to the Lane's house. They had met before in their professional lives, but couldn't tell Ellen. It's like being a spy. I'll clear all that up.

Artemis