IolantheAlias - Thanks. No need to be profound. I'm pretty much always tired right now - my daughter is going through a spell where she refuses to sleep much at night - so I don't understand profound anyway.
Sarah -
Patrick - Thanks. I have to admit to having a huge soft spot for Maddie. I think it's hard to write without having some of yourself in some of the characters. Maddie comes as close to being me (or at least the me I wish I had been back when I was in college) as anyone I've ever written. I wasn't always good about confronting my close friends when I saw them making mistakes, but I did try and I thought right about then, Clark needed a friend like that.
Michael - I have to admit, I have only a vague notion of where Paul will end up. All I really knew was that his career as a journalist isn't over yet.
Amber - Thanks! I'm on Lois' side, too, although I do feel badly for Clark.