Oh, my God! What a wonderful way for him to reveal himself! Thank you for NOT pulling a bait and switch! Do we get the aftermath? Please? There wasn't an "End" yet...

Fave bits:

"She was not going to go down jerking at it frantically, like the monster bait chicks in one of Clark’s B movies."

"How many times had he stood in a breach between worlds, blocking it with his body, and told no one? Like writing an article for someone else’s byline.

Clark, I know why you love him. He’s a lot like you, after all."

"there was nothing he could say that would astonish her"

Sigh. Thanks for the great action and lovely update!

OMG! You're killing me. I've never read such a suspenseful build-up to the reveal we are all dying for. At the same time, the tension is so luscious you could eat it with a spoon. No crit - drag it out as long as you like, I'll stay till the end and beyond. :)

I was so wonderfully surprised to see this update so soon!

My favorite part:

Something inside her unclenched. She sighed. “And then what is it? Strength, then speed, and bulletproofery…” He smiled. “And then heat vision, then the hearing and the x-ray vision…”

“Deep vision,” he corrected her, absentmindedly.

She looked up at him. “What?”

He looked at the ground, then back up at her, with a rare flash of his old sheepishness. “Don’t you think it sounds better?”

That's just great. And I actually DO think it sounds better:).

Oh, and I also love the amnesia kiss reference. And the fact that he lets her decide if she wants to know. And . . . well, everything else:)

Mep! *gnaws on knuckle* You just HAD to end it there, didn't you? Gah, the cliffie, it hurts... X-O

You have written one of my favorite interpretations of Clark ever. This chapter gave me nothing but the warm fuzzies despite the mounting dread of what's going to happen next. He and Lois are just wonderful together, and this way of revealing his secret is so superb...blargh, I'm going to run out of adjectives.

More, please, before I lose a finger!

Oh, my. I just found this today and it forced me to sit down and read it all in one go. What a phenomenal, engrossing, excellent story. I love your characterizations, the subtle heartfelt thread of romance weaving itself through the story, and een the meaty subplot which is both stealthily horrifying and weirdly mysterious at the same time.

I especially adore your Clark, who has a surprising joyousness at times considering how deadly serious he's sometimes portrayed as being. His cheerfulness and confidence in this scene are very refreshing and I think fairly unique. Bravo! He and your Lois have great chemistry together too because they seem like they really understand each other. In fact, he's so lovable that now I'm filled with an unspeakable dread that he is in fact finally and literally going to be eaten alive by whatever comes through that door. Please, no!

Well, whatever you decide I hope you put your readers out of our misery by updating fairly soon. I can't wait to read more of this fascinating story.

Personally, I like the flashbacks. If they work, use 'em!

Having said that, the characters' current situation is so heavy and urgent, it seems that this chapter would have had to stay in the now just to cover the distance needed, so I believe you made the right choice. Another excellent entry!

Aah! Evil cliffy! This is still indescribably wonderful. More soon please!

Okay...so probably the cliff hanger to end all cliff hangers! Great chapter...thank you for updating so quickly. And despite what people say about the flashbacks, I quite like them. I love the way you have brought the whole concept of "Clark's secret" about. The fact that Lois is warned ahead of time was something I have never considered, but that I like tremendously. It seems more sincere. Excellent, and please keep posting...I'll be looking for updates!

Wonderful! Thank you for the quick update. I can't wait for the next one. I need to find out how Lois reacts when she realizes the truth.

and people say i'm cruel! What a way to end a chapter! But really, that was one of the best pieces of writing i've ever read. And you got the pair of them down without simplifying things, or making them unrealistic. Thank you so much.

Another wonderful chapter. Wonder conversation between Lois and Clark. Wonderful hope for what will happen next. And the backstory drama is almost as interesting. Great combination.

I can hardly wait for what comes next. Keep up the good work.

Gah! I knew it! I was watching the tiny little scroll bar move ever so slowly down the right side of the screen, just knowing the chapter was going to end any moment... I now become Lois, "Tell me." Gah!

Okay, I was very happy to see that you had quite a few reviews after the last chapter. This is such an amazing story, so original and full of narrative weight. I officially have my next recommendation for the end of my next chapter. I've recommended you on other sites and forums, though!

I feel like I understand more of what is going on now - thank you! - and I can't wait to find out what bursts through that door!

Oh, and Clark is SO romantic - God, if he looked at me the way he looks at Lois, I would melt into a Super!Pile of Mush.

Bah! Cliffhanger! Please, please continue soon!

~DM

I can't believe you just left us there! But then again, chapter 7 came fairly soon after you posted 6, so maybe we will get lucky and see 8 soon.

"There is no… I don’t know, magical kiss of amnesia, to take that weight away.” Great line :)

And as for all the weird creatures: great story but very high ew factor. Not that that's a bad thing!

So sorry for not reviewing and replying earlier. I'm having a horror month for exams and assignments:o/ And I saw the story alert and just *couldn't* resist procrastinating for two or three hours. I wouldn't of reviewed til next month but I was just so appalled by the lack of reviews! Honestly, have NO idea why this story doesn't have over a hundred reviews. It's amazing. Even if I didn't have an account, I'd get one just to review this story. Once again, flabbergasted.

Anyway... to answer your previous question about the technical stuff. I read over the story (again, heh) and have come to understand the technical details better, but still don't know if the picture in my head is how you intend it to be. I imagine the inside of the speaker to look something like a gramophone ' Heh. Oh well, it's not like it detracts from my enjoyment the story:o) And I think it's more a reflection of my poor knowledge than any lack of skill on your part.

Ooh, but this chapter... *squeal* SO good! I think my favourite parts are when she's talking to Clark in her head, and it really is what Clark would say. And once again I'm blown over by the way everything just connects in this story. How Paul Grant and "wise, gentle Clark" both have the need to confess. I would never have looked at it that way.

And does it seem that Lois is getting some of her gift back? Btw, that was nice too, the scene in Clark's apartment, their reasons for getting into newspaper journalism, the reason for her introducing all those contacts to him.

Love this line: "The first time she had seen this, seen him drop like empty wrappers the hundred little habits and mannerisms she had thought were him, she had been astonished almost to the point of fear. " Perfect.

And, btw, did you edit some of that scene? Clark's explanation of the system vs the 'episodes' seems more rounded out now. But maybe I didn't read properly first time round seeing as I was laughing so hard on the kung pao/pepperoni joke:o)

*sigh* this story is so good.

Can't wait for the next chappy!

~Daze