Please write more of this, i've been following it for weeks! i know that life has a tendency to get in the way of writing but this is too good not to continue. You've got a great ear for dialogue and your characterisation is spot on. And also you don't simplify what is in fact a really complicated relationship. So keep on goin', please!

This story is really great. I look forward to the next installment. This is really well written. Please continue soon!

What took all his strength, what left him trembling and short of breath, was keeping himself from peeling off their handcuffs like paper, lifting her off the floor and cradling her dark head against his chest and saying, “It’s all right, honey. Superman’s here.”

Ah why didn't he just do that...okay, kinda confusing chapter :P

Great chapter, as always! You've done a terrific job of transitioning between the more emotional chapters and the start of the action. And you're also doing a really good job of slowly tying together all of the details from your previous installments.

And the details are fantastic, as always, like the thing about Clark lacking the human panic response, and his cell phone getting bad reception when he's carrying it (hmm ... is that because he has some kind of force field around him? I think I read that somewhere, as an explanation for why his clothes don't get torn or anything ...). And that was cute that Clark put his fish tank out in the hallway so that his pets wouldn't die ... typical ... hehe. :)

This whole chapter was so dark and desolate, though ... it's giving me chills! I can't wait for more! :D

I noticed after submitting my first review that many people were quoting their favorite lines. I thought this was a nice idea, so I'm adding my two cents:

"In novels he had read, this was the part where the characters went into merciful shock and went home to sleep for twelve hours. It didn’t, so far, seem to apply to the sons of Krypton. He hoped that maybe it did to the daughters of Earth."

This line really captures Superman/Clark's character. He is accepting of his responsibilities and duties, while maintaining completely unpolluted affection and devotion to those he cares for. As you point out in your story, bitterness never gets mixed in with Superman's love.

Your story does what all good Superman stories do: it makes me wish there really were people like him in the world (powers or not), and makes me want to do better to be more like him myself.

I just caught up with this story, and . . . wow. This may be the best fic I've ever read. Complicated, realistic, and emotionally nuanced, it's not just good within the confines of fanfic; it's just plain GOOD.

I absolutely cannot not wait for more.

You are producing a really interesting mix of the traditional and innovation here. Your intimate prose has created a powerful budding romance between Lois and Clark, while Lois seems somewhat intimidated by Superman, all of which builds a wonderful tension to the relationship.

Just a few bits and pieces I think deserve special mention:

"Otherworld-weary Metropolis" - what a lovely play on the phrase.

Lois on speaking to Superman, "This is so much easier, with the help of exhaustion and disaster."

I have really enjoyed the way you've pinpointed the core of Lois' character and her evolving concept of truth and how to produce justice with it.

"She looked over at him, thinking of the strength that could bend the course of planets curled up at rest in those massive arms, always ready in the way eternity was always ready." As nice a description of Superman as I have ever seen.

"It was as if the earth beneath her had suddenly turned lucid" - and as if that turn of phrase wasn't lovely enough, "to reveal vast and nameless behemoths gliding along silently that had been there forever, under her feet."

By the end of Chapter Three you have a wrought a fascinating turn on their relationship, with Lois realizing Clark has a front but not having her immediately jump to Superman. Kudos on pulling that off!

The toll on Lois of keeping a secret was also a clever turn, deepening the characters in an original way. To top it all off, you have an interesting plot going. Excellent work!

There are no words to describe how good this is! OK I'll try... you write with such depth and understanding of how people tick. Your imagination is amazing and your story is all the more exciting because you have built up the characters so well. Very impressed. Can't wait for your next update.

*clutches heart* My goodness, how the tide has turned... I'm quite fascinated by how you wrote this chapter. I mean, it's pretty action-packed and suspenseful, but through it all, it's got this really cute underlying funniness. *Love* the fact that Clark puts candy bars in his pocket. LOL. And his poor fish. Superman keeps fish? Nice. Oh, and Lois! Hehe, love how although Superman is the 'hero' she's not your typical damsel in distress:o)

Nearly embarrassed myself at school when I read this:

"Lois, for the love of God, could you try to hold it in?" LOL!

Interestingly, I was able to follow this chapter better than the previous chapter. The casual pace of the beginning made the discovery of Lois' kidnapping all the more intense. Although I must admit, the scientific detail kinda flew over my head the first time I read it, but second and third time round, it started to make more sense. Can't wait to find out exactly what Lois' cryptic notes were all about. Or did you already explain that? Argh, hope I'm not exposing my daft side.

*squeal* I really like your quick update! Here's hoping the next one comes soon!

~Daze

So exciting! I am actually frightened! I have no idea what is going to happen next! Wow.

Love this story. Wish it were going on forever.

This story is amazing! Please update again soon.

That was absolutely fantastic! I just can't wait to read the next chapter. Love the Clark character, keep up the good work.

You have quite a monster here. Wow. I'm enjoying every moment. Hope to see another update soon, but take your time and do your best! :) I like the internal thinking you've got on Clark here. It's really like getting into his head. He's a huge thinker, so I can tell that you spend a lot of time writing and trying to get everything down that comes into your head about how he would approach a problem. Excellent job.

I realize I’m teetering precariously on the border of gushing here, but gosh darn! Each time I think this story can’t get any better, it does-and to think, we’re only five chapters in! I don’t know how you do this; as many have no doubt already mentioned, you write so intelligently, so descriptively, and you weave such an intricate, plausible plot…plus, you keep everyone extraordinarily true to their characters. You should be writing for the Superman comics, or helping Bryan Singer and his writing team develop the screenplay for the supposed SR sequel; you’re really just that good, and this is not meant as mere flattery. Never stop writing, and if you ever write (or have written) an original story, get it published! You're truly an amazing writer; I can't wait for more from where this came from. Cheers!

oh, wow. Still great. I love the message he sent to her pager. Now I just hope she gets it.

And to answer your question, the clarity is fine. I actually followed this chapter a little more easily than the previous two.

Looking forward to chapter 6!