From:  "L-Soft list server at Indiana University (1.8d)" <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
To:    "ARTF@MemoryAlpha.nil"
File:  "LOISCLA-GENERAL-L
LOG9901C"

=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 00:05:37 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Karen Ward <ward8120@MACH1.WLU.CA>
Subject:      Re: Names for Characters
In-Reply-To:  <d38b8cac.369ea82c@aol.com>
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<snip>

>Do certain names "say" evil to you, or good to you as you write? Are there
>certain characteristics that we have unconsciously assigned to different
>names? I mean, what do you think of when you hear "Gabriel"? Angelic? Or
>"Jake"? Is he a rakish (and not because it rhymes!) man? Is Benny (not
>Benjamin) destined to be a mobster?

LOL!  I just couldn't stay silent when I saw this.  It just so happens that
two of the villains in my fic "Tomorrow's Past" are named Jake and Benny.
Apparently, certain names do "say" evil to me. ;)

Karen :)
aka KamikazeKaren
'cause she's suicidal on skis ;)
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 03:47:10 PST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Sue Modolo <smodolo@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Don't Tag on Superman's Cape
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

Can someone who maybe has the script from DToSC post the dialogue
between Sm and LL when they are in the cage and he says he won't be able
to touch her or something that effect.

Thanks.

______________________________________________________
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=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 03:49:25 PST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Sue Modolo <smodolo@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Farm Boy/City Girl
Mime-Version: 1.0
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I wonder if someone can help me out -

In many of the fan fictions I have read, L&C refer to each other as Farm
Boy and City Girl.  Is that something that started in the fanfic, or on
the show.  If it was on the show, does anyone know in which ep it
started.

Thanks.

______________________________________________________
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=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 08:46:44 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         No Name Available <Larus2407@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Farm Boy/City Girl
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In a message dated 99-01-15 07:17:56 EST, smodolo@HOTMAIL.COM writes:

<< If it was on the show, does anyone know in which ep it
 started. >>

In the pilot, Lois said, " Don't fall for me farm boy. I don't have time for
it."

I dont' think Clark ever called her City Girl on the show.

--Laurie
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 09:51:50 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Joy N Sowell <jsowell@METLIFE.COM>
Subject:      Re: Things that don't make sense
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***<Well, I can endulge in the first two while writing :) The spicy food
(in
abundance here in New Mexico) is okay if it's not *too* hot. I need the
exercise, too. With our calm, warm weather, I can get out of the house to
do it :) >***
     I'm so jealous; I miss calm, warm weather.  In northern Virginia we
are from suffering power outages, slippery roads, and ice ladden
windshields.  If I cross my fingers, we may see a high near 40.  That would
not be so bad if this latest cold snap had not cancelled my riding lesson.
Hey, it's only 65 more days till Spring, not that I'm counting.  :)
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 07:33:36 PST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Robert Bergeron <arnbee@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Things that don't make sense, part ??
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>Date:         Thu, 14 Jan 1999 16:40:04 EST
>Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
>              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
>From:         "Ann E. McBride" <Aerm1@AOL.COM>
>Subject:      Re: Things that don't make sense, part ??
>To:           LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
>
>
>Just a small question-- is Dean Cain left-handed?  There are a number
of
>scenes in various episodes where he is using his left hand (eating,
catching,
>throwing, etc.) and will change hands, almost as if he has realized
he's using
>the wrong hand.
>
>Ann

Maybe Superman is ambidextrous? :-)

Rob

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Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 10:35:49 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Charlotte Fisler <Cdfisler@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Things that don't make sense
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In a message dated 1/12/99 2:12:22 PM !!!First Boot!!!, carvalho@LEXMARK.COM
writes:

<< hink Clark should be less clothed on this scene and
 have his hair tousled and without his glasses. What do you think?
  >>
Need you ask?  Come on which one of us wouldn't want Dean less clothed?  Who
cares about the plot.

Charlotte

P.S. I am way behind in my e-mail.  I hope to catch up soon.  Apologies to
anyone who might have already written what I do.
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 10:35:28 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Charlotte Fisler <Cdfisler@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Krytonians learning English
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In a message dated 1/12/99 4:23:23 AM !!!First Boot!!!, kathyb@FGI.NET
writes:

<<
 I agree completely.  I think they are equally intelligent, and are both in
 the top small-% of the population -- highly intelligent, but still within
 "normal" human parameters, Lois and Clark *both*.

 Kathy >>

YES!!! Who needs a superintelligent Superman - Siegel & Shuster didn't
envision him that way and neither do I.

Charlotte
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 11:27:55 -0500
Reply-To:     bird@sentex.net
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         The Bird & I Company <bird@SENTEX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Things that don't make sense
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>
> << hink Clark should be less clothed on this scene and
>  have his hair tousled and without his glasses. What do you think?
>   >>
> Need you ask?  Come on which one of us wouldn't want Dean less clothed?
Who
> cares about the plot.
>
> Charlotte
>

Hear! Hear! Am 100% with you there!

Sue
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 14 Jan 1999 11:44:37 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         EmmyRose <emmyrose@SPRINT.CA>
Subject:      Re: Fan Fictionn, Toronto, etc
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Demi wrote:

<<There was an Ontario fest about two years (or three?) back as I recall,
held in TO. :)  I think this is sort of neat, we're seeing a lot more
Toronto area FoLCs come out of the woodwork lately, I remember when it was
just lil' ole me for all those years...*sniff*  ;)>>

So my next question is:  Are we going to make this happen?  I'd be willing
to organize a one-day "OFF" if there's a good response.  If you're
interested, email me privately and I'll take it from there.

emmyrose@sprint.ca

(new email address for me, you can chuck the old one)

Torontonianly Yours,

Tanya "EmmyRose"
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 12:44:35 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      Re: Farm Boy/City Girl
In-Reply-To:  <95c596e.369f46c4@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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At 8:46 AM -0500 1/15/99, No Name Available wrote:
>In a message dated 99-01-15 07:17:56 EST, smodolo@HOTMAIL.COM writes:
>
><< If it was on the show, does anyone know in which ep it
> started. >>
>
>In the pilot, Lois said, " Don't fall for me farm boy. I don't have time
for
>it."
>
>I dont' think Clark ever called her City Girl on the show.

This is correct.  This line from the Pilot is the only time Lois has ever
called Clark "farmboy", but it has appeared in fanfic many times.  "City
girl" is a fanfic creation.  That term was never used on the show.

Kathy

______________________
Kathy Brown
kathyb@springnet1.com OR kathyb@fgi.net
http://userweb.springnet1.com/kathyb/
KathyB on IRC
______________________
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 20:00:23 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         No Name Available <Larus2407@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Farm Boy/City Girl
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In a message dated 99-01-15 13:44:08 EST, kathyb@FGI.NET writes:

<< >In the pilot, Lois said, " Don't fall for me farm boy. I don't have time
for
 >it."
 >
 >I dont' think Clark ever called her City Girl on the show.

 This is correct.  This line from the Pilot is the only time Lois has ever
 called Clark "farmboy", but it has appeared in fanfic many times.  "City
 girl" is a fanfic creation.  That term was never used on the show. >>

YES!! My memory was confirmed by Kathy!!! Way cool!!! ;)
(Of course it did help that the pilot was on recently on TNT <g>)

--Laurie
=========================================================================
Date:         Sat, 16 Jan 1999 00:43:03 -0000
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         LabRat <labrat@DIRCON.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: Names for Characters
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-----Original Message-----
From: K.M. de Castro <ChoirGirl2@AOL.COM>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 15 January 1999 02:30
Subject: Re: Names for Characters

>Labrat wrote:
>
><< Malcolm was clearly supposed to be a
> Joseph. Hours of muttering later as I continually typed in the wrong name
> for the wrong guy I finally had to accept the inevitable - Malcom just
> didn't *want* to be called Joseph.  >>
>
>Okay, I'm still sifting through scads of mail here, so this may have been
>addressed already:
>
>Do certain names "say" evil to you, or good to you as you write? Are there
>certain characteristics that we have unconsciously assigned to different
>names? I mean, what do you think of when you hear "Gabriel"? Angelic? Or
>"Jake"? Is he a rakish (and not because it rhymes!) man? Is Benny (not
>Benjamin) destined to be a mobster? Is "Jaime" gonna be a tomboy? Or for
that
>matter, what about Sam(antha), Jo(sephine), and Billy (Wilhelmina!)?
>
>
>Hmmm....
>Marie,
>ChoirGirl2@aol.com
>(who sings Second Soprano at her Church...)

Can't say, personally, that I ever really attribute good or evil to a
character in this way myself, Marie. Once I name them they seem to leap into
the frame as a complete package and I suppose whether they're villains or
not is mixed in among the mess. And they can change sides too along the way,
I have to add. Just to be irksome. In CF, I had in mind originally that
Evangelist, Dale Karvin was the villain of the piece, but he wormed his way
into my sympathies pretty quickly and I realized that he was just weak
willed and had kind of lost his way after the death of his wife, rather than
being genuinely bad. So I let him off the hook. In the past the good guys
have had a habit of dying on me unexpectedly too - which is somewhat
disconcerting when I thought they were heading for the sunrise and happy
ever after. <g>

LabRat :)
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 20:13:05 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         "Eileen F. Ray" <Eraygun@AOL.COM>
Subject:      L&C Fanfic Writing Session January 16, 1999
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Hi Everyone,

We hope you'll be able to join us Saturday, January 16.1999, for our fanfic
writing session.  This week's premise:

So far Morgan Edge the Daily Planet's smarmy L.A. Bureau chief temporarily
helping out in Metropolis has been little more than a minor annoyance to
Lois
and Clark, but that changes suddenly when Perry decides to spend some
quality
time with Alice and Edge is left in charge of the newsroom. With Edge in
control there are big changes in store for the DP and for hottest team in
town,  and is there a sinister motive behind his actions? ;)

We would still like to hear from you if you have any story premises of your
own that you would like us to explore together.  You can either email them
to
me at:

        eraygun@aol.com

Or better still, just bring your ideas with you when you join us this
Saturday
or for our weekly "story bouncing" sessions on Wednesdays on #L&CFicOrg,
starting around 9:00 PM EDT.

We generally meet Saturdays starting at 3 PM EDT and try to start writing
fairly soon thereafter.  You can come and join the fun at any time, however.
We are usually there for several hours since writing a story takes time.

Since #L&CFanfic is on occasion "invite only" please message if you want to
join us.  If an official "inviter" is designated, we will let you know.
Some
of us should be hanging out on #Loiscla.

A note on procedure here ;) : When people need to be caught up on the story
in
progress after being bounced off IRC or just joining the session late,
please
try and avoid pasting the story directly into the channel window.  Please do
that in a private message or dcc-chat window instead.

Hope to see you all there!

Cheers,

Eileen
Eraygun@aol.com
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 20:35:18 -0600
Reply-To:     mfwillia@flash.net
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         WILLIAMS <mfwillia@FLASH.NET>
Organization: THE SKYWATCHER
Subject:      Re: Krytonians learning English
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Joy N Sowell wrote:
>
> It was a good episode.  The kids were intelligent already, but only
"SMART,
> smart" after taking the metamide 5.  Wouldn't their usual IQ be
measurable?
> Besides, does anyone know how reliable those tests are anyway?  I'd be
> interested in being retested.  :)

Yes, the vast majority of geniuses have measurable I.Q.  The
measurements are pretty accurate.  However, some take exception to them
because they only measure a couple aspects of intelligence, and it is
known (I don't remember exactly how many) there are about 50 aspects
unmeasured.  After 135 increased numbers do not mean as much as
creativity.  Many people with high I.Q. have a larger than average
amount of creativity and that helps them to do even more with what they
have got.  Most educators will tell you after 135 creativity is more
important than additional I.Q. points.  Those without it can (and have)
wound up doing common work, e.g., in the post office.  There are a lot
of "dumb" people paying "smart" people to work for them.  So not being a
genius doesn't make you a failure.  If you really want to raise your
score, on this or any other test, study how to take the test.  Being
prepared is half the battle.

Jacqueline
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 20:39:08 -0600
Reply-To:     mfwillia@flash.net
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         WILLIAMS <mfwillia@FLASH.NET>
Organization: THE SKYWATCHER
Subject:      Re: Krytonians learning English
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Kathy Brown wrote:
>
> At 6:24 AM -0500 1/12/99, The Zoomway wrote:
>
> >he could have been fluent in a few of the major
> >languages, but only have a knowledge of "greetings" and "ordering dinner"
in
> >the others ;)
>
> Thanks Zoom; this is exactly what I was trying to say, but didn't put it
> nearly so succiently. <g>  I'd even go so far as to say that Clark was
> fluent in *several* or *many* of the major languages.  But as for the 347,
> I think once you hit the major languages, there are many dialects that
kind
> of fall into place.  Not all, of course, but many.
>
> On vacation, my husband and I and another couple spent 2 weeks in Italy
> several years ago.  None of us spoke a word of Italian, but 3 of us had
> taken French in college and the other was semi-fluent in German.  We did
> just fine, including greetings and ordering dinner. <g>  We certainly
> couldn't read a newspaper, but when it came time to look at a menu, we
> could pick out main categories, with only minor help from the Berlitz book
> ... "beef", "chicken", "fish", "salad".  Also, French was helpful when
> getting directions ... it amazed us how we could understand directions in
> Italian -- the major terms when combined with hand gestures -- by knowing
> French.
>
> Of course, then there was our friend who decided he must be genetically
> programed to understand German because he was of German descent -- "Hey, I
> understood that woman when she spoke German and I've never taken it!!"
> "Todd, she said 'Vas is dat?'"   Oy. ;)
>
> Kathh (who won't get into our reaction in one Italian restaurant when the
> waitress encouraged us to get the "fish" ("fish, you'll like!") and then
> put down a plate full of what looked like starfish in front of us. <g>
> Actually, it turned out to be cuttlefish, which we had never heard of
> before.  Once we got over our squeamishness and decided to try it, we all
> agreed it was one of the best meals we'd had all vacation. :))
>
> ______________________
> Kathy Brown
> kathyb@springnet1.com OR kathyb@fgi.net
> http://userweb.springnet1.com/kathyb/
> KathyB on IRC
> ______________________
My sister took a year of French when I was finishing 3rd year Spanish.
She was really surprised to find I could read more French than she could
because romance languages are so close.

Jacqueline
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 15 Jan 1999 22:56:53 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         "Ann E. McBride" <Aerm1@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Don't Tag on Superman's Cape
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I believe that Clark/Superman says to Lois, " I wish I could touch you."
She
responds, "Well, you can, with your words. "  She then goes on about how
part
of him always made sense to her, even when  a large part did not.  "That's
the
part that touches me."

Hope this helps.

Ann
=========================================================================
Date:         Sat, 16 Jan 1999 08:42:43 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Cassie Neil <jnc57@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Wordsearch Again
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Sorry to post this again but I like to share ! Anyone who still needs the
LnC wordsearch I found in a chessy TV puzzle book please let me know and
this time I will wait about a week for all responsive to get to me before
I bulk mail.    Thanks

~~~~Gotta Fly
~~~~~~~~~~CASSIE~~~~~~~~~~~~
SuperCAS or KryptnCAS
JnC57@Juno.com & JnC57@Bauercom.ent
I'm on ICQ are you?
=========================================================================
Date:         Sat, 16 Jan 1999 12:20:58 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         "Juli E. Hale" <JuliHale@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Off-topic: Beauty and the Beast tapes
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Hi, everyone!

I know this request seems inappropriate for this list, but I couldn't help
but
notice some of you mentioning you were also fans of 'Beauty and the Beast.'
I
was just a kid when that series was on the air, but fell in love with it
just
like I did 'Lois and Clark' years later.

Anyway, to the point: Is there anyone out there who would take it upon
themselves to make me copies of their videos of BATB? I would gladly send
blank tapes and pay you for your trouble. If you're interested, please
e-mail
me privately.

Thanks,
Juli :)
(who for some reason is desparate to see a tv show that she hasn't seen in
close to ten years--go figure :)

JuliHale@aol.com
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 06:25:17 PST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Sue Modolo <smodolo@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      The Last Time I saw Elvis
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

Well, today is the day.  I can hardly wait.  My stove died a month ago
and I have been feverishly trying to find another one.  They deliver it
tomorrow and I have a house to clean in the meantime.  So when I get my
house done, it will be great to be able to catch up on oura favourite
couple.

So Martha had a past, hmmmmmmmmmm.  Well as she said in to Clark in THE
HEIR - BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - "And you two think you invented sex" LOL

Well, if she was really mugged then, I don't want to be the mugger with
Superman/Clark or Jonathan around, if you know what I mean  LOL

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Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 15:01:11 +0000
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Jenny Mills <j.mills@NETCOM.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: New Fanfic - Auld Acquaintance
In-Reply-To:  <6cbeaba5.369c5e13@aol.com>
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Gang

Thanks so much for this New Year Round Robin - I'm from South of the
Border, so I'll not get into the 'Hogmanay gifts' thing; but it was a very
neat story, with a lot of L&C feeling about it.

Nice to see Dom is still about (Hi Dom, I've missed you) - and kudos to all
involved; I loved it

Cheers, and A Good New Year (I'll dispense with the accent)

Jenny
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 15:09:51 +0000
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Jenny Mills <j.mills@NETCOM.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: Toronto
In-Reply-To:  <000e01be40a5$1a8bbea0$6e9194d1@default>
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Hi Torontoarians

Wanted to know how you are all coping in the dreadful weather you are
(reportedly) currently 'enjoying' - I have spent New Year in Ontario, so I
do know what 'cold' means there!!

Anyway - thinking of you all

Jenny

At 11:44 14/01/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Demi wrote:
>
><<There was an Ontario fest about two years (or three?) back as I recall,
>held in TO. :)  I think this is sort of neat, we're seeing a lot more
>Toronto area FoLCs come out of the woodwork lately, I remember when it was
>just lil' ole me for all those years...*sniff*  ;)>>
>
>So my next question is:  Are we going to make this happen?  I'd be willing
>to organize a one-day "OFF" if there's a good response.  If you're
>interested, email me privately and I'll take it from there.
>
>emmyrose@sprint.ca
>
>(new email address for me, you can chuck the old one)
>
>
>Torontonianly Yours,
>
>Tanya "EmmyRose"
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:19:14 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: TV show
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Hey

It probably is strange that we are all fans of a show that hasn't been seen
(except for repeats that is) but hey, each to their own.  I always thought
it was a great show and I watch all the re-runs that are on.  Currently,
they are on the terrestrial TV on Saturday mornings and on the cable network
on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, so you can get quite a fix if you want
to.

Speak to you soon
Eileen
-----Original Message-----
From: Kristen <Kristen036@AOL.COM>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 10 January 1999 09:17
Subject: TV show

>Hey, I was just wondering if all you fellow fanfic-ers think that it's
strange
>that we are all still obsessed with this one TV show that hasn't actually
been
>on for almost 2 years.  I mean, I'm just obsessed as the next guy/girl, but
>still, what other TV show has these kind of fans, all other shows that get
>canceled are usually just forgotten about.  So, just out of curiousity do
you
>think it's strange that we are all like this?
>
>Kristen
>Kristen036@aol.com
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:20:23 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: TAN: Surnames, etc.
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Hey you lot, you should have a surname like mine (Barnard) that always gets
changed to barnyard and I live in London, miles from the countryside, with
not a rooster in sight!

Eileen
-----Original Message-----
From: trish <trish@HOTKEY.NET.AU>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 09 January 1999 17:35
Subject: Re: TAN: Surnames, etc.

>Well, I like this thread so I thought I'd join in :)
>
>I have a polish surname, Rosowski (ski meaning 'son of' and roso meaning
>'rose')  and translated down it means that the name was probably derived
>>from someone that worked in or near a garden <g>.
>I have people spell my name wrong constantly, even after I tell them how to
>say it (Ross-ovf-ski). I have had people say Rozouwski, Rozosky, one of the
>nurses when my mother was in hospital called her 'Mrs Rozzowhiskey' (LOL),
>and it is so funny because at my  work when they need to call me over the
>p.a they usually just say Tricia or Tricia Rose.
>My grade six teacher tried particularly hard to get all the surnames of the
>students right on graduation day (and made a special point of saying mine
>because my mother kept correcting him all the time!!) but he had a more
>troublesome name than mine to pronounce <g> -- one of the girls in my class
>has the longest name I have ever seen: Sutharshini Kamaleswaran (which is
>pronounced for those wondering 'Sudthasheeny Camelezvaran') and takes a bif
>of practice to get your tongue around :)
>I like my surname because it is pretty unique where I live (there is only
>one person in the phone book that isn't related to me) and gives me some
>insight into my past (something I have almost no knowledge of and it is
>really starting to interest me) although I am sure I will be happy to trade
>it in when the time comes..... mmmm (I'm thinking 'Tricia Louise Banks'
>sounds nice -- in my dreams! LOL)
>
>trish
>
>trish-r@bigfoot.com
>
>"If equal affection cannot be,
>let the more loving one be me"
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:23:52 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: TV show
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Dear desert Rat,
Just writing to tell you that you have great taste and if you wanna have a
chat about Red dwarf then just Email me
Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: Desert Rat <desertrat@USWEST.NET>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 10 January 1999 14:25
Subject: Re: TV show

>Who are you calling obsessed?  Just because I record each episode of L&C,
>watch each tape a few dozen times a week you think we're obsessed.  Okay
>maybe we are.  Wow, what a concept... I have to think about this one.  But
I
>do have to put my vote in for RED DWARF.
>By the way, is there a better search word for revelation stories in the
>archive, other than "revelation"?
>-----Original Message-----
>From: LabRat <labrat@DIRCON.CO.UK>
>To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
><LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
>Date: Sunday, January 10, 1999 2:18 PM
>Subject: Re: TV show
>
>
>>>Hey, I was just wondering if all you fellow fanfic-ers think that it's
>>strange
>>>that we are all still obsessed with this one TV show that hasn't actually
>>been
>>>on for almost 2 years.  I mean, I'm just obsessed as the next guy/girl,
>but
>>>still, what other TV show has these kind of fans, all other shows that
get
>>>canceled are usually just forgotten about.  So, just out of curiousity do
>>you
>>>think it's strange that we are all like this?
>>>
>>>Kristen
>>>Kristen036@aol.com
>>
>>Actually, I don't think it's unusual at all, Kristen. There are still
>active
>>fans for two SF/Fantasy shows this end of the Pond which have been gone
for
>>over a decade: Blake's 7 and Robin of Sherwood. Conventions are still
held,
>>fanzines written, websites abound. I can think of more thriving fandoms
for
>>long cancelled shows consigned to the mists of TV archives in the US than
I
>>could name here. The truth is quality and imagination never die. I've been
>>privileged to be taken to more worlds of the imagination than I can count
>in
>>20 years of my interest in TV SF/Fantasy and none of them have died in my
>>heart. That I'm not alone in remembering the Golden Ages gives me hope for
>>the world, to be honest.
>>
>>LabRat :)
>>
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:24:52 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: TV show
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You have our vote for Red Dwarf as well.

If you want to chat then Email us.

Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: Gillian B Tanz <aliendove@JUNO.COM>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 10 January 1999 14:48
Subject: Re: TV show

>Unless I'm mistaken, there's a whole genre section of the archive
>dedicated to revelations.  In fact, isn't there a Revelations 1 and
>Revelations 2?  Just check out the search by Genre section :)
>-Jill-
>(hoping she's given good advice)
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>Mark: "Scherzavo.  Volevo solo vedere se lei capiva il mio italiano."
>Commesso: "Capisce la parola *fuori*?"
>Mark: "I was only kidding.  I wanted to see if you understood my
>Italian."
>Commesso: "Do you understand the word *out*?"
>
>PS:
>In my Italian book (Learn Italian The Fast and Fun Way), next to the word
>for "to get dressed" is a man opening his shirt to reveal a red Superman
>S on a blue tank top!   How COOL is that!?
>
>On Sun, 10 Jan 1999 15:15:21 -0700 Desert Rat <desertrat@USWEST.NET>
>writes:
>>Who are you calling obsessed?  Just because I record each episode of
>>L&C,
>>watch each tape a few dozen times a week you think we're obsessed.
>>Okay
>>maybe we are.  Wow, what a concept... I have to think about this one.
>>But I
>>do have to put my vote in for RED DWARF.
>>By the way, is there a better search word for revelation stories in
>>the
>>archive, other than "revelation"?
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: LabRat <labrat@DIRCON.CO.UK>
>>To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
>><LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
>>Date: Sunday, January 10, 1999 2:18 PM
>>Subject: Re: TV show
>>
>>
>>>>Hey, I was just wondering if all you fellow fanfic-ers think that
>>it's
>>>strange
>>>>that we are all still obsessed with this one TV show that hasn't
>>actually
>>>been
>>>>on for almost 2 years.  I mean, I'm just obsessed as the next
>>guy/girl,
>>but
>>>>still, what other TV show has these kind of fans, all other shows
>>that get
>>>>canceled are usually just forgotten about.  So, just out of
>>curiousity do
>>>you
>>>>think it's strange that we are all like this?
>>>>
>>>>Kristen
>>>>Kristen036@aol.com
>>>
>>>Actually, I don't think it's unusual at all, Kristen. There are still
>>active
>>>fans for two SF/Fantasy shows this end of the Pond which have been
>>gone for
>>>over a decade: Blake's 7 and Robin of Sherwood. Conventions are still
>>held,
>>>fanzines written, websites abound. I can think of more thriving
>>fandoms for
>>>long cancelled shows consigned to the mists of TV archives in the US
>>than I
>>>could name here. The truth is quality and imagination never die. I've
>>been
>>>privileged to be taken to more worlds of the imagination than I can
>>count
>>in
>>>20 years of my interest in TV SF/Fantasy and none of them have died
>>in my
>>>heart. That I'm not alone in remembering the Golden Ages gives me
>>hope for
>>>the world, to be honest.
>>>
>>>LabRat :)
>>>
>>
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:25:50 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: TV show
Comments: To: bird@sentex.net
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I have the same fantasy, but only if Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher are in the
title roles.  I'm sorry I just can't picture Nicholas Cage in tights and a
cape!

Eileen
-----Original Message-----
From: The Bird & I Company <bird@SENTEX.NET>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 10 January 1999 15:26
Subject: Re: TV show

>Obsessed huh? I might be a late convert to L&C but I think I'm quite
>happy being obsessed! Think I had more fun now in my obsessed days then
>I had before!
>
>Oh yes, other shows do have a great following still....like Star
>Trek...must confess, I have been a Trekkie for years...guess some shows
>really touch the imagination of people and they just live on
>
>Always have this private fantasy that someone out there will realise how
>great L&C was and do a movie version, like they did for Star Trek!
>
>Sue
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:33:47 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: Things that don't make sense
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I agree, it was unreal, I don't know of any guy who can recover that quickly
and dress himself, all in the space of what seemed like seconds, if the
storyline is anything to go by.
But then anything to get a better look at Dean's body!

Eileen
-----Original Message-----
From: Celia Carvalho <carvalho@LEXMARK.COM>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 12 January 1999 06:09
Subject: Things that don't make sense

>Ann (Aerm1@aol.com) wrote:
>
>>I do have one question.  In "Never Ending Battle" why does it take him so
long
>>to change clothes in the men's room?  The guy on the roof could have
fallen
>>off before he got there.
>
>I really don't know the answer to this question. Some things sometimes
don't
>make much sense to the viewer. This is a problem of the people who wrote
the
>stories, I think.
>
>Here's some more questions:
>
>1) Why didn't Clark figured out that he was marrying to a clone instead of
Lois?
>Why did he take so long to see that? I mean, Lois figured immediately out
that
>it wasn't Superman kissing her when his clone did. I hated to see Clark
kissing
>the "frog" without realizing it wasn't his Lois. I know he *is* more
sensite and
>intelligent as that. Well, to be honest, I didn't like these eps much. And
the
>episode when they actually married wasn't one of my favorites either. I
think
>they could have done a better job with it, as Debby Stark did with her 5
>alternate stories on this subject. You have to read it if  you haven't done
it
>yet.
>
>2) And another thing didn't felt/look very right in one of the episodes
where
>Vixen character appeared (sorry, I don't remember which one rightnow!).
It's
>right at the beginning of the episode, and L&C are both sprawled on the
>kitchen's floor after making love before breakfast. For what Lois lets us
know,
>it was wonderful ("Oh Clark, if you only knew just how different you are
from
>other men" - sorry if these weren't exactly her words). I know Supes can be
very
>fast, but to have him fully clothed and ready to go to work after such a
moment
>didn't look right to me. I think Clark should be less clothed on this scene
and
>have his hair tousled and without his glasses. What do you think?
>
>Celia
>carvalho@lexmark.com
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:53:04 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: [Re: Things that don't make sense]
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Yeah

I really wondered that as well, though I always assumed that Superman could
hold his bodily fluids as it is mentioned in one episode that he doesn't
have to eat or drink but likes to.  As for Lois, I like to think that there
was a little part of the floor that slid back to reveal a toilet but maybe
my imagination is just running away with itself!

Eileen
-----Original Message-----
From: Sheila Harper <sharper@CNCC.CC.CO.US>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 13 January 1999 19:21
Subject: Re: [Re: Things that don't make sense]

>At 03:59 PM 1/13/99 MST, DEBRA GRAY wrote:
>>In DToSC, Jonathan Frakes
>>tells Sman & Lois that they'll talk about their feeding schedule later.
>>Always made me wonder (since there were no little tiny toilets in those
>>cages) about hygiene... Also, it'd be
>>awfully hard to keep Superman confined *all* the time.
>
>>Yeah they WERE pretty stupid, even if he WAS First Officer on the
Enterprise.
>>G. Maybe they figured that Superman didn't have to worry about bodily
>>functions. And Lois? Well, maybe they thought they could just escort her.
>
>Except that the only thing that kept Superman in his cage was the threat of
>Lois being blown up if he came in contact with either his or her
forcefield.
>The instant they escorted her out of that cage, Superman would have been
free.
>
>Yeah, *really* dumb villains :) but I liked the whole L&C interaction in
>that episode so much that I didn't care.
>
>Sheila
>sharper@cncc.cc.co.us
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 22:08:14 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: Farm Boy/City Girl
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I don't know but I really would like to know as well.
Eileen
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Modolo <smodolo@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 15 January 1999 04:16
Subject: Farm Boy/City Girl

>I wonder if someone can help me out -
>
>In many of the fan fictions I have read, L&C refer to each other as Farm
>Boy and City Girl.  Is that something that started in the fanfic, or on
>the show.  If it was on the show, does anyone know in which ep it
>started.
>
>Thanks.
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 22:09:21 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: Things that don't make sense, part ??
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I think that he is ambidextrous!

Eileen
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Bergeron <arnbee@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: 15 January 1999 07:33
Subject: Re: Things that don't make sense, part ??

>>Date:         Thu, 14 Jan 1999 16:40:04 EST
>>Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
>>              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
>>From:         "Ann E. McBride" <Aerm1@AOL.COM>
>>Subject:      Re: Things that don't make sense, part ??
>>To:           LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
>>
>>
>>Just a small question-- is Dean Cain left-handed?  There are a number
>of
>>scenes in various episodes where he is using his left hand (eating,
>catching,
>>throwing, etc.) and will change hands, almost as if he has realized
>he's using
>>the wrong hand.
>>
>>Ann
>
>Maybe Superman is ambidextrous? :-)
>
>Rob
>
>______________________________________________________
>Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:10:57 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Genine Murray <SuperGem4@AOL.COM>
Subject:      N-Fic?
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Hello FoLCs,  :-)

I would like to know who I can contact to be added to the N-Fic list ... if
it
still even exists that is.  I belonged to it briefly about a year ago, but
since I've switched to AOL I haven't been able to find the address to write
to
in order to join.  Would the person who is in charge of this please contact
me, or else could someone on this list let me know how I could get in
contact
with them?  I *am* over 18 BTW, just turning 19 in a few days in fact.  ;)

One more question regarding N-Fic.  How do I go about getting the password,
etc., to access N-Fic online?  It's been a while since I've dealt with
anything N-Fic, can ya tell?  <g>  Thanks in advance for any help.  Take
care
FoLCs!  :-)

Genine
SuperGem4@aol.com
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:02:24 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      S6, Ep4, The Last Time I Saw Elvis, part 1/8
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

"Lois & Clark", Season 6 .... episode 4

THE LAST TIME I SAW ELVIS
by CC Malo <Ccmalo@aol.com>

(edited by Laurie Farber and Lynda Love)

Original Air Date:  January 17, 1999

                * * * * *

        Metropolis is a city of many cities.  The daytime city swarms with
workers chasing deadlines, tourists attacking "must see" lists, and cabs
racing to appointments.  The nighttime city, smelling of fast food and
alive with club-goers, theatre-goers, and movie-goers, pulses with music
and staccato energy.  Night and day, the street city is always open for
business, a place where rendezvous are kept, deals done, and desperate
lives led.  Isolated from all this is a remote sky city, inhabited by the
wealthy, aloof in their penthouses and corner offices high above the
ordinary Metropolite.  And there is also a subterranean city of people who
are lost or trying to escape.  Sometimes these cities sprawl into each
other and boundaries blur.

        On a Thursday night in January, knife sharp with the cold, two men,
one of them middle aged and grey and the other younger, bulky and tall,
walked west along a darkened side street, its pavement dusted with a light
cover of new snow.  Both men huddled against the wind, the older one
managing successfully to light a cigarette with the skill of one who has
had years of practice outside.  Neither spoke as they continued walking
along the mostly deserted street.  When they reached the intersection, they
crossed into the bright lights and traffic of one of Metropolis's main
streets, its sidewalks lined with not quite fashionable restaurants, movie
theatres, clubs, and businesses of a more dubious nature.  Slowing their
pace, the two men turned and walked north, beginning a conversation in
which they were soon absorbed.

        In the section of town from which these men had just come, the
darkness of one small part of the subterranean city had just been
penetrated by an interloper on an errand of mercy, the brightness of the
primary colors he wore incongruous in this dank, dark setting.  In a blur,
he raced towards a far corner in the cavernous tunnel where his
extraordinary vision had spotted two people who were sleeping, huddled into
the warmth of their bundled possessions.  If not for his awareness of the
danger of gas fumes in the area, he would have hesitated to disturb them.
Carefully nudging them awake, he encircled each person in one arm, and half
flew, half ran to the exit of the tunnel and then up to the crisp air on
the surface.  Gently, as though he were carrying something precious, he let
each person go.

        "Are you okay?" his soft voice revealed his concern as he looked at
them, searching for signs of harm.

        The reply was belligerent. "What did ya do that for?  We was
asleep."

        "You might not have been for very long."  A young paramedic, the
stubble on his face an indicator of the long hours he'd put in, approached
the trio.  "There's been a gas leak and we're evacuating the area until
it's fixed.  Superman's making sure we haven't missed anyone."  Calmly, he
took the arm of one of the two people and escorted her to the nearby
emergency vehicle.  Her companion followed.  "If you don't mind," the
paramedic said, "we'll check to make sure all traces of fumes are gone from
your lungs and then we'll find you a place to stay for the night."

        Superman was already searching another part of the tunnel system.

* * *

        Not far from the tunnels that Superman was searching, Martha and
Jonathan Kent, accompanied by Perry and Alice White, sauntered out onto the
sidewalk from "The Nostalgia", an old movie theatre specializing in film
revivals.  The foursome was clearly having a good time, laughing as they
talked about the highlights of the old movie they had just seen.  The film
was "G.I. Blues", part of a retrospective screening of the films of Elvis
Presley, a much under appreciated oeuvre according to Perry White.

        "Oeuvre?" Alice raised her eyebrows at the word.

        "That's right, darlin'. 'Oeuvre.' Been readin' the Arts section of
the weekend edition."  Perry swaggered a bit as he said this.  "Must get
them to do a piece on Elvis."

        "Now, why are his films so unappreciated, Perry?" Martha asked,
mischief in her blue eyes.

        "Ah, well, you see, Elvis is what the South was like for us when we
were kids," he drawled.  "You know, small dusty towns, not much money, but
good friends, great cars, all chrome and polish.  And the music!  Ah, the
music.  Great balls of fire!  Nothin' like it since."

        Martha had started to reply, when Jonathan suddenly pushed against
her left shoulder as he was jarred by a big, shabbily dressed man,
oblivious to his surroundings as he argued with his companion.

        "Hey, man, watch where you're walkin'."

         Martha turned to look at the speaker and then her eyes caught the
face of his companion, the harsh incandescence of street lights
highlighting the ascetic angularity of his face.  For a moment, their eyes
met, puzzled and half aware, neither of them hearing the large man.  Martha
was speechless and then the two men quickly vanished into the crowd of
people on the sidewalk.

        Shaken, Martha said, "That's not what I remember about the South."

* * *

        Later, in a small bedroom in a townhouse many blocks north of the
movie theatre, a sleepy Lois Lane was softly singing the lyrics of an old
Stephen Foster melody which Perry White would have recognized.  "For my
darling, I love you and I always will."  She made up some of the lyrics as
she sang, her dark hair falling forward as she bent over the small bundle
contentedly nursing at her breast.  For that matter, Lois was contented
too, absorbed in the very basic and pleasurable task which she was
performing, fascinated by every small expression that fluttered across her
baby's face.  For a while, she babbled to her child, soft fragmented bits
of nonsense about the wonders of the world, only stopping when Laura
sputtered, her tiny mouth relaxing its determined grip on her mother's
breast.  Lois smiled; Laura had fallen asleep.  Slowly rising from the old
rocking chair in which she had been sitting, Lois carried her daughter to
the crib and tucked her in for what she hoped would be a solid night's
rest.  Kissing her finger, she bent over the crib to touch Laura's cheek.
"Good night, sweetie."

        For a moment, Lois leaned against the doorframe, gazing at her
sleeping baby. Then, as she reached for the light switch, she felt her
husband's arm slip around her waist and she turned her head slightly,
smiling a greeting.  Neither spoke as they stood for a moment in the
darkness, watching their child.

        *  *  *  *  *

        The next day, the Kent household was up early, the rhythm of the
morning determined by Laura's routine and the fact that both her parents
would be going in to work.  In the upper hall, Clark Kent carried his
freshly bathed, diapered, clothed, fed, and burped daughter, holding her
against his shoulder as she gurgled her thoughts about the upcoming day.
Grinning, Clark looked at her.  "Okay, sweetheart, whatever you say.  Come
on.  Let's go say hello to your Grandma and Grandpa."

          Since returning from their travels, Martha and Jonathan Kent had
once again, along with Ellen Lane, resumed their pattern of caring for
Laura on those days when both Lois and Clark were at the Planet. Lately,
the older couple had been at the townhouse more frequently, giving Ellen a
chance to travel to Florida with three of her friends on a trip which had
been planned back in the fall.  Besides, after the stress of the court
case, the very busy time that the Superman Foundation had faced over
Christmas, and pressure from Sam Lane for a reconciliation, Ellen had
needed the break.

         Whenever Martha and Jonathan took care of Laura, they came early
so that Martha could make breakfast.  Give everyone a more relaxed start to
the day, she'd said. This morning, as Clark walked downstairs, he caught
sight of his father, looking worried, as he headed into the kitchen.

        "Morning, Dad."

        "Uh, morning, son." Jonathan stopped in the middle of the hall,
brightening as he looked at his grandchild.  "She sure is a little beauty."

        "Yes, she is Dad," Clark said softly as he bounced Laura gently in
his arms.  Trailing his father into the kitchen, he noticed his mother
pulling out all the stops to conjure up a regular farm breakfast.  That
confirmed it, he thought; something was wrong.  His mother had his dad on a
sensible, low fat diet which meant that the smell of bacon had been absent
>from the Kent household since the older couple had come to help with Laura
after Lois's return to work.

        "Morning, Mom," Clark said as he settled Laura into her carry-cot.
Sitting down, he helped himself to one of the muffins that Martha had
placed in the centre of the table and then turned to look at her.  "How was
the movie last night?"

        "The movie was fun, Clark.  It was what happened after that wasn't
much fun."

        Concerned, Clark stopped eating and looked at his mother again.
"What was that?"

        "My wallet was stolen," Jonathan replied, still upset by his loss.
"I reached into my pocket to pay for the coffee we had after the movie.
Nothing.  I figure it happened when we were leaving the movie when a couple
of men bumped into us.  Thought it was an accident at the time.
Pickpockets." Sighing, he added, "Lucky your mother had enough cash to pay
the bill." Clark nodded, knowing his father would never have dreamed of
using a credit card to pay for something like dessert and coffee.  Sure way
to run up debt.

        "It's a real nuisance, Clark.  Your father wasn't carrying much
cash, but he's lost his driver's licence, his bank cards, his insurance
cards. . ."

        Clark looked at his father in sympathy, feeling a twinge of regret
that he hadn't been around at the time.  "I'm sorry, Dad."

        "Thanks, son.  It'll take a while to get replacements for the
cards, but that's not the worst part."  He sounded glum, his despondency
reflected in the slump of his shoulders.  "I thought I was pretty good at
noticing what was going on around me."

        At that moment, Lois, shoeless and jacketless, but otherwise neat
in a white blouse and charcoal grey slacks, appeared in the doorway.  "What
happened?"

        Martha repeated the story and then added.  "So Jonathan's going to
spend the morning on the phone to banks, insurance companies, and the
Kansas Motor Vehicle Registry."

        "That's awful, Jonathan.  Did you get a good look at the two men?
Maybe the police have their photos on file."

        "No, I wasn't even looking at them when it happened.  We were
talking about the movie.  All I remember is he was taller than me, big.  I
think Martha got a better look at them than I did."

        "Did you notice anything else, Mom?" Clark asked.

        Martha hesitated and then answered her son's question.  "I was
startled."  Handing Lois a glass of milk, she changed the subject. "Here,
Lois.  How would you like your eggs?"

        "Thanks, Martha.  Scrambled, please.  You spoil us, you know."  She
gave Martha a quick smile.  "But I still think Jonathan should report this
to the police."  Lois was not one to let something go.

        Martha murmured casually as she cooked Lois's breakfast,  "I don't
suppose there's much point.  We won't see the wallet again."

* * *

         Martha was wrong about that.  Later that morning, some time after
her son and daughter-in-law had left for work, she opened the front door to
retrieve the morning mail.  She was surprised to find, along with the usual
mail, Jonathan's wallet.  Everything was still there, even the cash.

        "I don't get it, Martha," Jonathan sounded confused as he checked
the wallet's contents.  "Why go to the trouble of stealing my wallet and
then returning it?  And how would he know to bring it here?  It doesn't
make sense."

        "I know, Jonathan."  Puzzled, Martha frowned.  "I wish I'd seen who
brought this.  I wonder if any of the neighbors noticed."  She opened the
hall closet to get her coat.  "I think I'll just check."

        "You're wasting your time, Martha.  Even if someone did see him,
the police aren't going to follow this up.  It's small stuff and these guys
disappear back into the woodwork."

        "It'll satisfy my curiosity," Martha muttered as she opened the
front door.

        As she crossed the road, she thought again about what had happened
last night.  Now she was sure whom she had seen and she was shaken by the
knowledge.  The funny thing was, it was the movie they'd seen that had
brought him back to her mind.  The last time she'd seen Elvis in a movie,
it had been with him, her friend of that incredible summer, and it had been
the same movie that she, Jonathan, Perry, and Alice had gone to last night.
When the movie had first been released, her friend had disapproved of it
and what it had stood for; but Martha had wanted to see Elvis and so the
two of them had gone to see it, arguing and laughing afterwards about what
they'd seen on the screen.  Last night, she had remembered all this with a
sense of sadness for that passionate young man for whom she had cared so
much and who she thought was dead, killed in a fire that had engulfed a
small town sheriff's office in 1962.

        She was shocked that she hadn't recognized him at first.  But
people change over the years and he was supposed to be dead.  He must have
recognized her too, at least later, when he'd seen Jonathan's name on the
contents of the stolen wallet.

        It wasn't until she had tried the fourth neighbor, Mrs. Sarrazin,
that Martha had some luck.  The elderly lady had been sipping her morning
tea at a small table in the front bay window when she had noticed a thin,
silver haired man deposit something in the Kent mailbox.  Always worried
about possible burglars, she had fretted as she watched the shabbily
dressed man approach the Kent front door.  However, he left quickly, not
stopping at any of the other houses on the street, and she had returned to
her morning paper.

        For a while, the two women chatted about the Daily Planet and the
latest article written by Martha's son and daughter-in-law, and then about
the well being of the newest Kent.  As she took her leave, Martha made up
her mind.  She was going to find him.  She wanted to know what had
happened.  She was angry too; she had been deceived.  Something that she
had thought was finished, wasn't.  But how was she going to find a man who
didn't want to be found in a city the size of Metropolis?

* * *

        Clark felt Lois's eyes on him as he worked at his computer on a
follow up to the story of last night's gas leak.  He tried to suppress a
smile as he decided not to give her the satisfaction of knowing that he had
picked up her signal, wondering how long she would keep her eye on him
before speaking.  He checked the time on his computer terminal.  Thirty
seconds exactly before he heard her voice.  Swiveling in his chair, he
grinned at her, stretching his hands up behind his neck.

        "Yes, Ms. Lane?  Need my help?"

        "Not likely!" was the instant response.

        "Ah," he said and turned back to his computer.

        "Clark."

        "So you do need my help."  Placing his left elbow on his desk, he
rested his chin between his thumb and index finger and, raising his
eyebrows, gave her his full attention again.

        "No. Be serious, Clark."

        He sighed, "Okay.  So?"  He sat back in his chair and looked at her.

        "Your mother.  Didn't you think it was strange?"

        "Pardon?"  Now he was mystified.  However, just as he was about to
question her further, Perry stopped by his desk, half sitting on its edge
for a moment.

        "How's Jonathan this morning, Clark?"

        "He's okay, I think.  Still a bit upset."

        "Damned nuisance.  No way to wrap up a great evening." Perry's
voice was gruff.

        "Did you get a look at the men who did it, Perry?"  Lois asked.

        "No chance, Lois. Whole thing happened so quickly.  Martha was real
startled by it all -- seemed to freeze for a moment, there. Nasty
experience for your folks.  Always hate it when people from out of town get
mugged."  Perry spoke with gruff sympathy, then got up and walked across
the huge newsroom to the work station of the Planet's top financial
reporter.

        "See," Lois hissed across the space that separated their desks.

        "See what?"

        "Your mother.  Something happened last night."

        "Yeah, my dad got mugged."

        "Besides that."

        "And that would be?"

        "I don't know."

        "Ah," he said, enlightenment suffusing his face. "That explains it."

        "Clark, I think. . ."  Lois didn't get a chance to finish as she
noticed a familiar look cross his face.

        "Uh, can we continue this later, Lois?"  Clark stood up abruptly,
tugging at his tie as he walked toward the stairwell.

        Lois rolled her eyes and sighed.

* * *

        Martha spent the rest of the morning occupied with the mundane
tasks of domesticity. Over the years she had come to find a type of
serenity from the repetition of familiar tasks, believing that it was
possible to find a sense of calm in the simplicity of these actions.
Besides, doing chores had always given her time to think about any
challenges she was currently facing, plan a new sculpture or letters to the
editor, or contemplate problems facing her friends and family.  Usually, by
the time the laundry was done or dinner prepared, she had formulated some
plan of action.  Sometimes, her plan was to do nothing, but that was not
the case this morning.

        She made a decision that she would pursue this on her own, without
telling Jonathan.  This decision troubled her somewhat; she and Jonathan
didn't keep secrets from each other, at least, not things like this.  But
she was worried about his health, and this last year he hadn't seemed to
handle stress as well as he had in the past.  She pushed away the thought
that she was rationalizing and that maybe, for now, she wanted to keep this
>from him.  Anyway, after over thirty years of marriage, she knew Jonathan
pretty well.  Although usually supportive, he was also, in a quiet and
stubborn way, very protective of his family.  Clark was like that, too, she
thought.  She smiled.  Maybe that was something Clark had learned from
Jonathan.  It was a nice thought.  But, right now, it was also
counterproductive.

        Besides, there was still the discomfort of what had happened all
those years ago.  She and Jonathan had talked a little about it on their
way back to Smallville that fall; but, after that, he would never talk
about it again.  Aware of her relationship with Cliff but not really
understanding it, Jonathan had always regarded that summer as a time when
she had rejected him.  After it was all over, Jonathan had just taken her
home and they had started from there to build their life together.  Anyway,
she thought, I just want to find out.  When I do, it's done.

        Early that afternoon, after Laura had gone to sleep under the
watchful eye of her doting grandfather, Martha walked to the nearest subway
station and caught a train going south to the district where the Nostalgia
Theatre was located, not far from the Annex of the old market district
south of Kingston.  It was as good as anywhere to start, she thought.

        As the subway car slowed, she noticed, for the first time, the dark
narrow tunnels that radiated off the main line of the track into darkness.
She wondered why they had been constructed and if, perhaps, this was where
Clark had rescued people last night. Then the car came to a complete halt,
its doors sliding open to discharge her onto the half empty platform.
Walking quickly to the nearest exit, she climbed a flight of stairs, past
two people sitting on the floor, their possessions bundled in green plastic
garbage bags and their eyes watching her.  She stopped, and gave them some
spare cash.

        The district was shabbier than she had thought last night when they
had gone to the movie.  Most things look better at night, the darkness
rendering reality either romantic or mysterious, a time when all things are
possible.  In the daylight, Martha's first thought was that Metropolis
ought to spend more money on trash collection and street sweepers.  A few
large containers planted with trees would help, too.

         She crossed the road to the small movie theatre that they had
attended last night.  The very young and very orange-haired woman at the
ticket booth was not busy.  Martha explained what had happened last night
and asked the girl a few questions.  Not bothering to hide her disdain at
the naivete of Martha's questions, she let Martha know that pickpockets
were a fact of life in the big city, that you had to be careful, that the
police were no help, and that anyone could disappear in Metropolis if they
wanted to.  She shrugged her thin, black clad shoulders and turned back to
the latest copy of the National Whisper.

        Martha's next stop was the small coffee and magazine shop next to
the movie house.  Business was slow and the man behind the counter was
inclined to be talkative.  As she sipped her coffee, Martha modified her
story, leaving out the pickpockets, saying only that she was looking for a
lost wallet.   Sympathizing with her plight, the man listened, his dark
eyes attentive.

        "Don't think you'll find it now.  A lot of people around here could
use the cash, ya know?"

        "I guess so."  Martha looked out the window toward the street.
"Times are tough here?"

        "Yeah.  We're just outside of the "village" so the money from the
rehabs and renos in Kingston hasn't drifted this far yet."

        "Maybe it will."  Wanting to encourage him, she continued, "It
seemed busy last night when I was here with my husband and friends."

        "Yeah.  We do most of our business at night.  But look carefully at
the crowd.  We get a lot of hustlers at night, looking  for cash.  Your
husband's wallet is probably in a dumpster somewhere, stripped of credit
cards and bills.  Easy to lift from someone distracted by his friends."

        "So my husband was an easy mark?" she said, her tone light.

        The man grinned briefly as he topped up her coffee.  "Your words,
not mine.  Probably."

        "Now that I think of it, maybe you're right.  We were jostled last
night as we came out of the movie.  Two men.  But I must say, neither of
them looked like thieves.  One was tall, a big man.  I would think a
pickpocket would be slight.  The other was about my age, with grey hair."
Martha watched him as she spoke and was rewarded.  The smooth openness of
his pleasant face closed like shutters on a window.  His voice was
noncommittal as he replied.

        "Lotta people like that around."  He walked towards the end of the
counter and pulled out a sheaf of menus from a shelf below, then busied
himself inserting a one page addition into each one.

        Martha was positive her description had rung a bell with him, but
she was unsure what to do next.  What would Lois or Clark do in this
situation, she wondered.  It must happen all the time.  "I'm not interested
in going to the police about this and I know the money's gone.  But it
would make our lives easier to get back the personal things in the wallet."

        "Why you?  Why not your husband?  It's his stuff."

        Martha flashed him a smile, part mischievous.  "He thinks it's
hopeless."

        He put the menus down on the counter and looked at her.  "You wanna
be careful, lady.  This isn't smalltown, USA.  Some people out there will
do anything for their next meal, next drink, next hit.  And they don't care
who they do it to."

        "Most people aren't like that.  I don't think these men were like
that."

        He sighed. "Let it go, lady."

        Martha took his comment as a sign.  She paid her bill and walked
toward the door.  As she did, she noticed for the first time a small poster
advertising an exhibition of work done by a cooperative of fringe artists,
its stark design a strong contrast to the collage of small posters and ads
clustered by the front door of the coffee shop.  That gave Martha her next
idea.

* * *
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:03:58 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      S6, Ep4, The Last Time I Saw Elvis, part 2/8
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

        Late that afternoon, Lois Lane pushed through the massive front
door of the Planet, her long legs striding energetically toward the
elevator.  Checking her watch, she thought she'd just have time to finish
the article she was writing and then head home.  Since returning to work
after her maternity leave, she had kept a regular schedule on those days
she went in to the Planet, taking unfinished stories and research home with
her, to be worked on after Laura was settled for the night.  She missed
Laura; it seemed she changed every day and Lois was surprised at the small
lurch of her heart each time she left her baby in the morning.  She did not
doubt that returning to work was the right thing for a lot of reasons, but
still it was hard, harder than she'd ever thought it would be.  Did Clark
feel this way, she wondered?  If she ever got any time alone with him,
she'd ask.

        The Daily Planet could not get that on-site day care facility set
up fast enough for her.  But the plan had got bogged down somewhere between
Financial's costing report, Personnel's check on the state requirements for
preschool caregivers, and Legal's investigation of any potential
liabilities that the Planet might face.  As she entered the elevator, Lois
thought she'd better get on their collective cases again or Laura would be
starting high school before that day care centre ever opened.

        "Lois, hold it."  The voice came from a balding man in his late
thirties, gym fit and health food thin, with the blunt features of a prize
fighter.  He quickened his step toward the dark panelled elevator in which
Lois was standing.

        "Hi, Bentley.  Read your critique of the design for the new Bronson
Tower."  Lois pressed the button for the newsroom floor as the heavy
elevator door slid shut.

        "And?"  Bentley J. Hoolihan, the Daily Planet arts critic, grinned
at the woman beside him.

        "It was good."  Lois's voice was sincere.  She liked his comments
on the use of urban spaces.  She hadn't thought about that sort of thing in
any systematic way before and his columns had increased her awareness of
the city that she loved so passionately and thought she understood so well.
"Bet you got some flack on it."

        "Some.  Public relations guy at Bronson thinks I'm a subversive
because I wrote the building is a bloody hulking battleship sinking the
poor and the homeless.  Nicely written flack though.  Guy must've taken an
English course before the MBA."

        "The site's not too far from where that gas leak occurred last
night, is it?  You think someone might be trying to sabotage the project?"

        "Someone should, but who knows.  Your friend Superman was there.
What does he have to say?"

        "Now, how would I know, Bentley?"

        "I thought Superman told you everything," he kidded.  "Kent must
get pissed off sometimes."

        Lois kept her cool.  "It was Clark he talked to about the gas leak
last night."

        "Seriously, Lois, you might be on to something about the sabotage.
It wouldn't surprise me, although it kind of backfired last night.  I know
there's an activist group in that area.  But they've been more proactive.
Radical art, street theatre, that kind of stuff.  Remember that homeless
nativity at City Hall just before Christmas?  They organized that.  By the
way, I was down in the gas leak area this afternoon.  You know, in the
Annex, just east of the Bronson construction site."  As he said this, the
elevator door slid open and he followed her as she walked down the few
steps into the newsroom.

        Lois was interested.  Dumping her purse on her desk, she leaned
against its edge, her arms folded and her slender legs crossed at the
ankles.  "Did you hear anything?"

        "No.  Just  concern about the after effects of the gas. Superman
got rid of it pretty quickly.  How does he do that anyway?"  He looked at
her, expecting an answer.

        "How should I know, Bentley?"  She shrugged her shoulders. Spotting
Clark coming towards them from Perry's office, she added, "Maybe Clark
knows."

        "Knows what?"  Clark took up a position beside Lois and smiled at
her, a brief private greeting that, for a moment, excluded Bentley.

        "How Superman got rid of the gas last night," Bentley said.

        "Read my article, Ben, not just the headline."

        "Oops."  Bentley laughed and changed the subject.  "I was telling
Lois I was down there this afternoon.  Doing a tour of the studios.
Interesting stuff, by the way.  Raw and powerful.  Oh, yeah," he got back
on track.  "I think I saw your mom, Clark.  She didn't see me though.  She
was looking at a small painting."

        "I don't think it could have been her, Ben.  She's home with
Laura."  Clark slid his hands into his pockets as he spoke.

        "Sure looked a lot like her.  Same hair color, glasses, that energy
when she walks.  I'm positive it was her.  I tried to catch up with her,
but she didn't see me and then I got into a discussion with a new sculptor
who's joined the atelier.  Vigorous stuff, by the way.  You should check it
out."

        Lois laughed.  "If we ever get time."

        Bentley grinned.  "Be careful, Lane.  This domestic role.  I'm just
glad I knew you when."  He gave a mock sigh.  "Mad Dog Lane.  Awesome."

        Clark put his arm around his wife's shoulder.  "Still is, Ben.  She
still is."

        Bentley shrugged his broad shoulders.  "Gotta go.  Column to write."

        Lois was quiet as he left, barely aware of Clark's solicitous "What
is it, honey?"

        She didn't reply for a moment, but instead walked behind her desk.
Refocusing, she glanced at her husband. "I'm glad Martha was able to get
out this afternoon, Clark.  I've always kind of admired her interest in
art."

        "That's not what was on your mind, Lois."  Clark turned to look at
her, meeting her dark eyes as he called her bluff.  "Don't take Ben
seriously.  He was just kidding."

        "Yeah," she buried Ben's comment in her mind, right beside her fear
that she couldn't manage both career and motherhood.  "Maybe Martha bought
that painting."

        "Lois, I think Ben was mistaken.  Mom never said she was going out
today."

        "Oh, so she checks with you and Jonathan whenever she wants out,
does she?" Lois teased.  "I never knew that."

        Clark grinned.  "We Kent men keep a close eye on our women."

        Lois's eyes lit up.  "Clark, I'm gonna tell Martha you said that."

        "You wouldn't."

        "You think?"  She narrowed her eyes and swept her gaze appraisingly
over his body, its power not completely hidden by the dark fabric of his
trousers and cotton shirt.  "Of course, I could be persuaded, for a price,
to keep quiet," she drawled.

        Clark bent forward, placing his hands on her desk so that he was
leaning over her, his face close to hers, and said slowly, his voice low,
"Baby, for you, I'm prepared to pay any price you name as soon as you want."

        "If we ever get the time, " Lois sighed as she touched the smooth
hard knot of his tie and then lightly slid her fingers along its silky
length.

        Jimmy interrupted them, his excited voice a reminder that they were
still, after all, at work.  "C.K. I heard there was a bomb threat at the
Bronson construction site on 23rd and Hamilton. That's not too far from
where I live.  What happened?"

        "Clark?" Lois was surprised.

        "Nothing happened." Clark grimaced in disgust.  "Not much of a
story.  It was a practical joke.  The emergency crew evacuated the workers
and when the demolition guy started to defuse the bomb, it exploded, all
right."  Clark's fingers made quotation marks as he spoke.  "The bomb
released a batch of paper snakes."

        Jimmy laughed.  "Cool. Wonder who did it."

        "There was a note, a banner actually.  The City Environment
Protection League.  CEPL.  Protesting the construction of the Bronson Tower
on land they want to be a park."

        "You gotta admit, C.K., it's a cool way to make a point."

        Clark smiled. "Maybe, but the police don't think so.  They take
even fake bombs pretty seriously. It's not just the waste of their time,
but the panic over the bomb."

        "They charge anyone?" Lois asked.

        "No, but they're investigating."

        Jimmy's face became more serious.  "I still think whoever did plant
the bomb has a point, though.  Once it's built, that tower's gonna wreck
the whole feel of the area.  I hope they win."

        Clark walked behind his desk and sat down.  "I dunno, Jimmy.  After
all, the court did throw out the case that the Metropolis Urban League
brought to stop construction.  CEPL doesn't have much chance of stopping it
now they've started excavating the foundation."

        "Clark, I've never heard of CEPL before. Why don't we do a little
digging?  Could be a story there."  Lois looked interested and moved into
command mode.  "I'll start with Bentley.  Maybe he's heard of these guys.
Jimmy, you do a data search and Clark, you. . ." she stopped speaking as
she noticed that faraway look in his eye.  "I'll see you later, after
you've returned that video."

* * *

        Martha was preparing dinner on automatic pilot, her mind planning
what to do next in her search for her old friend.  That afternoon, in a
small spartan studio-gallery, she had spotted, in a far corner at the back,
a painting that she knew was his.  It had not been difficult to recognize
his work with its distinctive mix of soft realism and harsh edged
abstraction.  Besides, it contained, in the lower right corner, hidden in
the darkness of the paint like a shadow image, a tiny broken egg, something
that he always managed to incorporate into his sketches and paintings in
the days she had known him.  No signature, just the initials: CGM.  He had
never signed his full name.  Clifford Gilbert Moran.

        Although the gallery manager had been friendly when Martha had
entered the studio, he turned noncommittal when she asked about the
painting, saying only that he often exhibited a few works by other artists
along with his own.  He'd liked this painting and so had agreed to display
it.  He wasn't even sure if the man who had brought it to him was the
artist or a friend of the artist.  As far as he knew, no one else in the
Annex was showing anything by this artist.  Who was he, Martha had asked.
John Marshall.  The gallery owner would not give Martha an address or even
a phone number, saying that Marshall had left neither. End of conversation.

        Martha had looked at the painting again for a few moments, wishing
she could afford to buy it.  He must need the money more than she did.
Besides, she thought it was a good painting.  Lost in thought, she had left
the studio.

        Now, standing in the kitchen thinking about all this, Martha
decided to return to the studio district tomorrow.  Her decision coincided
with the buzzer of the oven timer, pulling her back to the task of putting
the finishing touches on an apple crisp.  As she was sliding it into the
oven, she heard Lois in the front hall.  Martha left the kitchen in time to
see Lois's eyes light up as she took her baby daughter in her arms, a
beaming Jonathan standing beside mother and child.  As Martha watched, she
gave a silent thank you to whatever force had made it possible for her son
and this woman to find each other.

        "How's she been today, Jonathan?  Do you think she missed me?" Lois
asked, a touch of anxiety in her tone.

        "She's been an angel and I know she missed you."

        Lois glanced at him, her eyes flashing with humor.  "And just how
do you know that, Jonathan?"

        Jonathan smiled at his daughter-in-law indulgently.  "My
granddaughter tells me everything.  Doesn't she, Martha?"

        Martha laughed, "Of course she does."

        As they were standing on the landing, Clark came in, looking a
little rushed.  "Just made it. Not as late as I thought."  He visibly
relaxed, smiling a greeting at Lois and kissing her cheek as he took Laura
>from her.  "How's my baby girl?  You know, you're even more beautiful than
when your mamma and I left you this morning."  He bounced her gently as he
talked to her, responding to her gurgles as though Laura were holding up
her end of the conversation.  "So tell me what you did today.  Did you tell
your grandma and grandpa about your new fuzzy toy?"

        Amused, Lois watched for a moment and then teased, "So Clark are
you going to take off your coat or is this a short visit?"

        Grinning, he gave Laura to her again, took off his coat, and then
followed his family into the dining room.

        During dinner, Jonathan told Lois and Clark that his wallet had
been returned, contents intact.  That led into desultory talk of the day's
events, including Martha's shopping expedition in search of a wedding
present for a nephew being married next month.  When Lois mentioned that
the Planet's art critic thought he had seen her in a studio-gallery in the
Annex of the old market district south of Kingston, Jonathan interrupted,
sounding concerned.  Wasn't that area a little dangerous?  Reassuring him,
Martha only said that she thought Bentley must have been mistaken.  She had
been at LaFayette's, one of Metropolis's oldest and largest department
stores.  Then, feeling a twinge of guilt at misleading her family, she
escaped into the kitchen to retrieve the apple crisp.

          Clark took off just as Martha was serving dessert, flying to the
rescue of a major derailment of a passenger train caught in a blizzard in
central Canada.  With temperatures of -30 degrees centigrade, "faster than
a speeding bullet" help was essential.  Thus it was Martha, rather than
Clark, who gave Lois a hand as she bathed Laura and got her ready for bed.
As she drizzled warm water over her daughter's plump shoulders, Lois
commented on how much Clark enjoyed being part of his child's bedtime
routine.  She giggled as Laura squealed in delight, splashing her tiny
fists in the water.

        Lois looked sideways at Martha for a moment and laughed, "You know,
if someone had told me five years ago that I'd be doing this, and *loving*
doing this, I'd have thought he was a taco short of a combo."  Laura
splattered water happily as Lois continued.  "But then I met your son and
some kind of primitive programming seemed to take over."

        "I think that worked both ways, Lois."

        "Oh yeah, I know that. You know the funny thing is, I always knew
that Clark would be a good father; he's always been so good with kids.  Not
me.  Little kids kinda spooked me.  But now. . ."  Her words trailed off as
she lifted Laura out of the water and wrapped her in a soft towel, rubbing
noses with her as she did.  "When Dr. Klein said we couldn't have children,
and then, when the adoption agency rejected us, I felt empty, like part of
my soul had been destroyed."

        There was a silence in the tiny room for a moment and then Martha
spoke with the remembered pain of her youth.  "I know, Lois, I know."

        Distressed, Lois looked at the older women.  "Martha, I'm sorry, I
forgot."  As if trying to console her mother-in-law, she handed the terry
wrapped Laura into her grandmother's arms.  "It's just that I can't imagine
better, more natural parents, than you and Jonathan are for Clark.  I know
how much he loves you."

        Martha smiled at Laura as she started to walk to her bedroom. "It's
okay, honey," she said to Lois.  "It was such a long time ago.  And now
there's Laura."

        "Why didn't you adopt, Martha?  You and Jonathan had been married
for a few years before Clark came. I mean, they rejected Clark and me
because of me."  She snickered.  "Clark, Mr. Cornfield Wholesome of the
Midwest, got a five star rating while I got a negative five."

        "I didn't know it was because of you."  Martha's tone registered
both astonishment and outrage.  "Why would they reject you, Lois?"

        "Said I was disaster prone, that I sought excitement, that I was
prone to falling out of buildings.  Not motherhood material.  *Gross*
exaggeration.  I couldn't believe it.  How do those people get their jobs
anyway?"

        Smiling, Martha said, "You know, Lois, Jonathan and I did try to
adopt when it became clear we weren't going to have a child.  We both had
tests done and the doctors told us there was no hope.  I think that was the
hardest time in our marriage.  But we were so sure we would be able to
adopt.  Then the Child Placement Agency of the State of Kansas," Martha
said with some bitterness still evident in her tone, "turned us down."

        "What?  I can't believe that Martha.  Why would they do that?"

        "Oh, they approved of Jonathan. He was well thought of by the
people of Smallville and he had a solid record during his two years of
military service.  I was the one they rejected."

        "Martha, how could that be?  You've been a great mother.  I can't
imagine them turning you down."

        "Oh, it was because I'd been arrested and spent a few days in
jail," Martha said calmly as she finished diapering Laura.  "There you go,
sweetheart.  All ready for your mommy."

        "What?" Lois's voice was nearly a squeak.  "Arrested?  Martha, what
for?"

        "Nothing really very much, dear.  Disturbing the peace, obstruction
of justice, and assault on a police officer."  She made a face at her
granddaughter along with a throaty cooing sound and then placed her in
Lois's arms.  "She's just so gorgeous."

        "Martha, can we focus for a minute, here?"

        "Whatever do you mean, Lois?"

        Lois rolled her eyes.  "Well, for one thing, how could that happen?
For another, how come I've never heard about this before?  I mean, Clark's
never mentioned anything."

        "I was involved in a civil rights demonstration.  You know, I don't
think Clark knows about it."  Martha's voice was thoughtful.  "He would
only be aware that his father and I participated in the civil rights
movement later, after we were married.  By the time we had Clark, what
happened in Alabama seemed far in the past.  It's not something Jonathan
was comfortable discussing, I think because that summer was a time when
things were not going so well between us. So I never talked about it."

        Lois settled in the rocking chair and began to nurse Laura.  "So
tell me about it, Martha."

        Martha sat in the worn wicker chair opposite Lois.  It was one that
Clark had rescued from the attic in Smallville, a favorite from his
childhood.  Martha sat back in the chair and watched Lois for a moment
before speaking.  "It really was a long time ago.  I was taking an art
course at the University of Kansas and got involved in civil rights.  I
joined the campus branch of SNCC, a radical group, and went to Washington
that summer to join the Freedom Rides south.  Lois, it was the most
exhilarating time."  Martha's blue eyes sparkled at the memory.  "We were
so committed to what we were doing and we really felt that we could make a
difference."

        "And then what happened?"

        "We got a bad reception in one of the towns we stopped in.  We'd
entered the bus terminal quietly in pairs but we were met by an angry mob.
Lois, I'll never forget the hatred in their eyes.  For a moment everyone
was dead silent and then they started calling us names, spitting at us, and
hitting us while the police stood by doing nothing.  A friend of mine
struck back, and then one of the cops hit him with his club.  I stepped on
the cop's foot and then I punched him."

        Lois started to laugh. "Martha, I can't believe you did that."

        "Well, I did.  The judge sentenced me to two weeks in jail and then
I went home."

        "Where was Jonathan through all this?"

         As Lois was asking this question, they could hear Jonathan's heavy
footsteps coming down the hall toward the nursery and then his big cheerful
voice.  "Did I just hear my name?"

        Martha turned to smile with affection at her husband.  "Yes, you
did, Jonathan.  We were just talking about the past."

        "Well, here's some news from the present.  CNN just made a brief
mention of the train derailment.  Said that Superman is on the scene.  No
pictures yet, they haven't been able to get a camera crew there."

        "How serious is it, Jonathan?  Did they say?" Lois asked.

        "Pretty bad," Jonathan's voice was grim.  "One passenger dead and a
lot of people trapped in the wreckage.  The blizzard is still so strong
that the Canadian Search and Rescue guys haven't reached them yet."

        "I guess Clark won't be home for awhile,"  Lois sighed.

* * *

        Lois was right. Clark didn't get home until shortly after two in
the morning.  Silently, he slipped into his daughter's bedroom and stood in
the darkness watching her as she slept.  There was a time when he had given
up all hope that he would be able to have a family and he had despaired
that it would be his fate to live his adult life in isolation, without
love.  Tonight had been hard.  He had been too late to save the life of one
woman and several other people had been badly hurt.  Now, as he looked at
his daughter, he renewed his vow to always protect her.  Nothing would ever
threaten her.  Then he gently kissed her forehead and left the room,
drifting slightly above the creaky wooden floor in the hall so as not to
awaken his sleeping child.

        When he got to the room at the end of the hallway, he stood at the
foot of the bed for a moment.  This time, it was his sleeping wife whom he
watched and, as he did, he felt the pain of this night's carnage begin to
heal.  He slipped into bed, and slid his arm across her waist.  Lois, still
asleep, drowsily murmured his name and curled her body into his.  It wasn't
long before he too fell into a deep sleep.

* * *

        "Lois, I've got some info for you on CEPL."  Jimmy dodged around
the clutter of the newsroom, waving a sheet of paper which he handed to her
as soon as he reached her desk.

        Lois skimmed it quickly and smiled at him.  "Great, Jimmy!  Good
background material.  I wonder if they're planning something as a follow up
to yesterday."

        "They just might be, Lois."  Bentley J. Hoolihan joined the two
reporters.  "I heard some talk last night when I was at the Fringe theatre.
CEPL's planning a street demonstration at the Bronson construction site
today."

        "You're kidding!"  Lois's voice was excited.  "When?"

        "About noon."

        Reaching for her bag, Lois stood up quickly and then headed for the
elevator, pausing to grab the last chocolate donut by the coffee machine.
Resuming her path, she called out, "Grab your camera, Jimmy. We'll need
shots."

        Following her into the elevator, Jimmy asked, "Where's C.K. this
morning?"

        "Um, not sure.  Didn't get a chance to talk to him before I left."
Lois took another mouthful of chocolate junk food.

        "He leave early on a story?"

        Lois laughed.  "The reverse.  He worked late last night.  Last I
saw him, he was fast asleep."  She ate her donut in silence for a moment.
"Mmmm.  This is sooo good.  Do you know how long it's been since I've had
chocolate?"  Bemused, Jimmy looked at her as she explained, her mouth full.
"Fattening and the caffeine, too.  Not good for Laura.  Of course, I gave
it up.  Well, mostly gave it up.  But you can't live without chocolate.
Did you know that, Jimmy?"  Trying to suppress a grin, Jimmy nodded
solemnly at her as the elevator opened onto the main lobby of the Planet
just as Lois was taking another bite of donut.  Completely absorbed in the
semi-orgasmic taste of chocolate, she collided with a broad chest as she
walked out of the elevator.

        "Good morning, Lois." Clark's eyes were laughing, taking in the
traces of junk food on her upper lip.  "You look good in chocolate."  He
bent forward and lightly kissed her cheek.

        "Morning."  Lois wiped the traces of chocolate from her face,
searching his as she did.  "You okay?"

        "Yeah.  Looks like I'll see you later, though."

        "Uh huh.  CEPL is planning a demonstration at that Bronson tower
construction site.  Jimmy and I are going over there now.  See you later."

        Clark watched her go, the smile vanishing from his face.  Lois, he
thought, we've got to stop meeting like this.  It'd been a while since they
had any real time alone together.  He missed her.  Maybe tonight would be
different.

* * *
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:04:21 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      S6, Ep4, The Last Time I Saw Elvis, part 3/8
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

        Martha picked up the plain brown envelope from the front porch of
the brownstone shortly after Clark left for work.  As she was clearing up
in the kitchen, she'd heard the doorbell but by the time she opened the
door, no one was there.  The envelope had her name on it.  Once inside the
townhouse, she opened it and let out a gasp when she saw its contents.  On
a blank piece of paper was printed a simple message:

<STOP SEARCHING >.

        The second sheet was good quality cartridge paper bearing a
sensuously sketched pastel portrait of a nude woman, beautiful, young, with
long strawberry blonde hair.  The initials CGM were in the corner.  The
model was Martha Clark.  Shaken, Martha quickly stuffed both message and
sketch back into the envelope.  There was no way she was going to let
Jonathan see this.

        The last time he'd come across a nude portrait of her, they'd had a
huge fight and he'd leapt to all the wrong conclusions.  Besides, she
hadn't really been nude in that painting he'd found in the barn a few years
ago.  A sheet had been artfully draped across the more interesting parts of
her body.  Nevertheless, it had been enough to send Jonathan off to seek
refuge with Clark in Metropolis.  In the old sketch in her hand, however,
the more interesting parts of her body were fully, and not too badly,
Martha thought, on display.

        Jonathan came out of the kitchen, carrying Laura.  "What was it,
Martha?"

        "Nothing, Jonathan.  Just junk mail."  She started to climb the
stairs.  "I'll go get an extra blanket for Laura.  It's chilly this
morning."

* * *

        Lois and Jimmy spent the rest of the morning taking pictures and
interviewing or semi-interviewing people who lived in the old market Annex,
just east of the construction site, towards Hobbs Bay.  The site manager
had let slip that he had heard that the developer of the Bronson Tower
complex also had plans to redevelop the east side as soon as he could get
his hands on the real estate.  Lois thought that development would be a
godsend for this area until he told her that Bronson's plan was for massive
office towers and an expensive condominium but no plan for any other type
of facility, let alone green space.

         As she and Jimmy talked to the locals, Lois realized that there
was another problem if redevelopment went ahead.  Where would these people
go?  They lacked the money to pay even an average Metropolis rent.  A
surprising number appeared to be homeless. Some were squatters, living in
derelict warehouses and abandoned apartment buildings, banding together to
survive as best they could.  Their living arrangements were illegal, in
violation of trespassing laws and numerous city bylaws governing heat and
electricity, not to mention fire regulations.  But nobody cared and they
were surviving: a motley crew of half well indigents released by health
care institutions too soon, adolescents fleeing the horrors of family
abuse, petty criminals, and drug users.  The only help out there came from
two volunteer shelters run by church groups.

        CEPL's demonstration started shortly after twelve and attracted
many of the residents of the east side as well as a large number of
passersby on their lunch hour.  The day was milder than usual for January,
damp with the promise of an evening snowfall.  The demonstrators were
shabby, dressed in jeans and thick jackets, mostly black or dark khaki in
color.  They looked like an army that had come out of the bowels of the
earth.  They wore large, oversized masks, fashioned to resemble
mythological creatures, jesters, and jokers, their features twisted
grotesquely so that the images were both surreal and bizarre and in some
inner primal sense, disturbing.  They chanted their slogans like a Greek
chorus of doom, their voices accompanied by the staccato beating of a drum,
its frenzy increasing as the voices got louder with anger, ending with the
chanted, "We declare war on the developers, destroyers of the city!"

        When they finished, several of them dramatically lit grenades and
then flung them in unison toward the building.  The grenades were dummies,
releasing dry ice for dramatic effect, but it was too late.  Several of the
construction workers charged the demonstrators and the whole scene
deteriorated into what looked like a barroom brawl.  Like ants, people
seeped out of adjacent buildings and swarmed around the fighters, shouting
encouragement to both sides.

        As Lois was watching this, her eyes swept the crowd and then
stopped.  Over at the opposite end of the melee she saw Martha Kent in the
middle of what looked like an intense discussion with a tall, slender,
grey-haired man.  Both gestured dramatically and Lois could tell, even from
this distance, that Martha was deeply involved in the argument.  Assuming
her mother-in-law was in trouble, Lois forced her way through the shouting
crowd, not an easy thing to do when it was focused on events in the
opposite direction.

        "Lady, watch who you're pushin'. Get outta here."

        "You're in my way.  Move!"

        Lois dodged to the man's left and wove around him, adroitly
charging into the next empty patch of pavement on her trek through the
crowd.  By the time she got to the spot where Martha had been, her
mother-in-law had vanished.  Lois looked around and couldn't see her
anywhere.  All she saw was Martha's opponent, striding quickly away from
the tangled crowd. Worried, Lois jogged over to a small coffee shop, hoping
that Martha would be there.  She wasn't.  Quickly scanning the area, Lois
noticed a subway stop about half a block away.  Maybe Martha had headed
home.  Sprinting the short distance, she paid her fare and then raced down
the steps to the subway platform just in time to see Martha getting into
the car at the far end seconds before its doors closed.  Then the track was
empty.

        Lois took a deep breath and walked back up the subway steps to the
street.

* * *

        "Clark, we have to talk."  Lois, still in her coat, stood in front
of Clark's desk.

        Surprised by the firmness of her tone, Clark stopped what he was
doing.  One more unidentified body had shown up and he was trying to link
it to the unsolved murders that had occurred over the last couple of
months.  It bothered him that Superman had not been able to prevent these
random killings.  Now he turned away from a map plotting the sites of the
bodies to give his full attention to his partner.  "Okay.  What's up?"

        "Not here."  Turning to look in the direction of the empty
conference room, she nodded towards it.  "The conference room," she said as
she stalked towards it.

        Clark followed her, closing the door behind them after he entered
the room.  He grinned at her, distracted by the way her dark hair curved
along the line of her cheek.  "You know, this is the first time we've been
alone together and *both* awake at the same time in two days."  He pushed
the wayward strand of dark hair that had fallen across her forehead back
into its proper place, a gentle involuntary touch.

        Lois's eyes softened and she touched his hand.  "I guess it is.
Maybe this weekend will be different."  Her voice was wistful but then she
came back to her original purpose in getting him alone.  "But first we have
to find out what's going on with Martha."

        "What?"  He looked confused.  "What are you talking about, Lois?"

        "There's something she's not telling us, Clark.  I know it. I just
saw her in the crowd at the CEPL protest arguing with a man I think was a
participant in it."

        "Are you sure, Lois?  Before I left for work, Mom told me she was
going out today to look for that wedding present.  No mention of anything
else.  Besides, why would she want to go to that part of town?"

        "I don't know, Clark, but she was in the Annex yesterday, and
something happened after the movie on Thursday, and she's not telling us
about it."  Lois was emphatic.

        Clark's body language betrayed his skepticism, his right hand
gesturing as he spoke. "Come on, Lois.  This is my Mom we're talking about
here.  She wouldn't hide anything from us."

        Lois narrowed her eyes.  "She's an open book, is she?"

        "Well, yeah.  She would have told us if she were going to that
demonstration.  It was probably someone who looked like her."

        Lois rolled her eyes.  "Okay.  We'll ask her tonight."

* * *

        Lois did.  She waited until they had finished dinner and were
drinking tea to ask Martha the question.  At least, she worked up to asking
her the question.  "Any luck in finding a wedding present today, Martha?"

        "Yes. I found just the thing.  And they were willing to ship it to
Kansas."

        "Do anything else?"

        "No, shopping for the perfect gift takes time."

        "What did you get, Mom?"

        "Silver candlesticks."

        Lois thought, like that takes time, and forged ahead.  "You know, I
saw someone who looked a lot like you at the CEPL protest I was covering
today.  I could have sworn it was you."

        "I don't think so, dear.  Must have been someone who looks like me.
More tea, Jonathan?"

        "Thanks, Martha."

        Lois let the issue go but resolved to talk again to Clark.  She was
sure she'd seen Martha and she was worried.  She spoke to him later as they
were bathing Laura but Clark, absorbed in his child, continued to shrug off
her concern.  For him, it was simple.  Martha was his mom and she wouldn't
lie.  Clark picked up his daughter and began to gently dry her as he spoke.
"Come on, Lois, you're imagining things.  Why would Mom be there?"  He
picked Laura up, planted a big, noisy kiss on her cheek, and grinned when
she squealed back at him.

        Later, after Laura had settled down to sleep, and Lois, Clark, and
Jonathan were in the living room, Martha came downstairs, distress evident
in her face.  "Jonathan, did you happen to find that envelope that came
this morning?"

        "What?  Oh, yes.  I put it in the recycle box."

        "You didn't happen to look in it before you did?"

        "No, not much interested in junk mail, Martha."

        "It had some coupons inside.  I'll fish it out."  She walked to the
kitchen and soon returned with the envelope in her hand.  "I'll take it
back to the apartment with us."

        Lois turned to Clark and raised one eyebrow.  Coupons, she thought,
don't come in plain brown envelopes.

* * *

        A bomb exploded early the next morning in the excavation for the
foundation of the Bronson building.  The magnesium flash of the explosion
seared the dark sky, alerting Superman as he was returning to the city.  He
streaked downwards but wasn't in time to save the night watchman whose
bloodied body lay just outside the blast area.  The girders and scaffolding
that had been erected earlier in the week now had collapsed inward like
scattered match sticks.  Using his x-ray vision, Clark scanned the debris
to make sure that there were no other victims and no one was trapped.
Then, bowing his head, he knelt down on one knee beside the body of the
guard and was silent.  He couldn't be everywhere at once; he knew that; but
still he mourned whenever he did not make it in time.

* * *

        By the time the Kent household was up Sunday morning, LNN was
broadcasting coverage of the explosion.  The police had ascertained that a
bomb had caused it and that the victim was a retired police officer working
part time in security.  Interviews with his former colleagues and neighbors
all confirmed that he was a decent man, a good friend, and devoted to his
family.  A spokesperson for Bronson said that the corporation would
continue with the project; they would not bow to terrorism.   The police,
who were still searching for evidence and interviewing people in the area,
were noncommittal in attributing blame for the explosion.

        Watching the small T.V. in the kitchen, Lois thought that told her
nothing.  Then, just as she was walking over to the kitchen counter, LNN
interrupted its regular broadcast with news that it had just received a
note from CEPL claiming responsibility for the act.

        Lois turned to Clark, his hair still damp from his morning shower.
"What do you think?" she asked as she handed him a cup of coffee.

        He looked thoughtful. "I don't know.  I located what evidence I
could last night so the police should be able to start their analysis this
morning.  I didn't see anyone around the area of the explosion.  What do
you think, Lois?  You know more about CEPL than I do."

        "It doesn't seem consistent with what our research has shown.
They're anarchists, but I would also have said they were pacifists."  Her
voice was thoughtful.  "Still, the final act of their street drama
yesterday seemed like a threat of violence to me.  I guess I don't know
either."  She shrugged her shoulders, took a sip of her coffee, and then
looked across at him.  "Clark, why don't we go down there this morning and
see what we can dig up?"

        He shook his head.  "We both can't go and right now it could be
dangerous down there, Lois."

        She smiled and patted him on the chest.  "That's all right.  I can
take care of myself."

        "Not always, Lois."  His voice was soft as he folded his arms
across his chest and tilted his head slightly to one side.

        Lois was silent for a moment; then she spoke, her voice indignant.
"Oh, so I need my big, strong husband to protect me whenever I go out?"

        "That's not fair.  You know that's not what I meant."

        "Then what did you mean?" A tornado warning flashed in her dark
eyes.

        Clark ignored the weather watch and blundered on, driven by that
one dark fear inside his gut and the immediacy of the security guard's
death.  "It's not just me, it's Laura too. You're a mother now, Lois.
We've been through such a lot.  You take too many risks.  You. . ."

        The tornado swirled down, sucking up the rest of his argument.
"I'm still Lois Lane, Clark Kent.  I'm still the Planet's best
investigative reporter.  And I do *not* take risks.  And I'm a good mother
to Laura, too.  I can do this."

        Oh, Clark thought, there's more here than just this story.  He took
her hands in his, absently noticing how small they seemed in his much
larger ones.  "I know that, Lois.  Believe me, honey, I know that.  But you
have to understand me, too.  You and Laura are everything I've ever wanted,
more than I ever thought I'd have.  If anything ever happened. . ."  He
couldn't finish as the fear that sometimes awakened him in the night
resurfaced.  "I want to protect you both, to take care of you.  I need to
do that."  Raising one hand, he touched the side of her cheek as he looked
into her dark eyes, watching for the tornado to downgrade.

        Lois let out a sigh, but her tone was disgruntled.  "Okay, I know
that."  The trace of a crooked smile crossed her face, as though she were
aware of how contradictory her emotions were.  "And I love that, Clark.
And I need to protect you and Laura, too, but it's not so easy.  What if I
can't do it all?  What if I lose my edge?"  Her eyes were honest as she
looked at him, letting him know how torn she felt.

        "Don't you think I worry about these things, too?  My reputation as
a reporter is just as important, maybe more important to me than my
reputation as Superman.  And our daughter and our marriage are more
important than either of those two."  He stopped for a moment, searching
for the words to tell her how fragile he sometimes feared their happiness
was and then he shook his head.  "But lately, it seems that our marriage is
the last thing that gets any time." He smiled ruefully at her.  "Lois, this
is the first time we've been alone together in three days.  Laura's
sleeping, Mom and Dad are at their place, and *you* want to go check out
some story."  His right hand slid under the yoke of her flannel shirt,
touching the smooth skin of her shoulder, his thumb slowly tracing the
ridge of her collar bone. "Mom and Dad will be here after lunch and then
Lane and Kent can go look for the bad guys."  Lowering his head, he kissed
her, a lingering, soft kiss, an invitation.  "Come back to bed with me,
Lois."

        Lois softened, stepping more closely to him.  Sliding her arms
around his neck, her mouth close to his, she whispered, "Deal, partner."

        His arms went around as he felt her lips cover his. "Lois," his
voice was a husky sigh from the back of his throat.  Picking her up in one
smooth action, he carried her upstairs, laughing as she bit lightly at his
ear, whispering, teasing him with her words, her hands, her mouth.

        Yes, he thought, things are definitely looking up.

* * *

        The mood was tense around the roped off Bronson construction site
that afternoon.  CEPL was out in force, dressed in dark earth tones, many
of them wearing masks from yesterday's drama.  Marching defiantly in the
falling snow, their pickets denounced not just the construction but also
what the group claimed was corporate America's attempt to destroy free
speech.  Their signs were large and colorful, the slogans ideologically
diverse:
        <CEPL INNOCENT OF BOMB BLAST,
         SCAPEGOATS for BRONSON,
         FASCIST AMERIKA SUCKS,
         THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE>.
An LNN camera crew was filming the whole thing.

        Looking at the protesters, Lois said,  "Let's talk to the guy with
the "innocent" sign.  She charged ahead of Clark toward the person carrying
the sign to find that the bearer was a woman, more accurately, a girl, her
red hair hacked short in a near buzz cut and small zodiac earrings dangling
>from each ear.  Her thin face was partially obscured by a dark scarf which
she had wound around her neck and chin against the cold.  Clark noticed
that she was shorter than Lois and in spite of the bulk of her oversized
padded coat, she seemed frail.  Her anger was obvious as she answered their
questions.

        "Bronson is trying to destroy this city. They're building a
concrete fortress.  They've got the police on their side.  They're trying
to blame us but we didn't do it.  It's not right.  Can't you see that?"

        Keeping her voice low-key, Lois asked the girl for her name so they
could attribute their quote in the article.  Her dark eyes widened and her
voice turned shrill.

        "You're setting me up.  You want to arrest me."

        "No, no. We just want to get the truth out.  We're from the Daily
Planet."  Lois tried to calm her.

        "You've been sent by them, I know it, I know it."  She was
panicking, fear in her voice.

        Clark spoke to her, his voice soothing, at least he hoped it was.
"It's O.K.  We don't need your name."  Smiling at her, he said, "We'll call
you a reliable source."

        The girl's agitation dissipated.  "Reliable source.  I like that."
She picked up her sign and continued her walk.

        Clark could hear her muttering, "Reliable source", like a mantra,
and he thought, with a pang of sadness, that the real story here was more
than a bombing and more than the construction site.

        A short, stocky man in a long dark winter coat, followed by two
police officers, approached the picketers, scanning their numbers for a
moment,  hesitating, as though he were uncertain what to do next.  Then,
pulling a piece of paper from his breast pocket, he spoke loudly and with
surprising firmness.  "That's it, folks.  Break it up.  The Bronson
corporation and the City of Metropolis have secured an injunction
prohibiting picketing within a hundred yards of any evidence from this
morning's explosion.  Time to go home."  Behind him, the two cops had
adopted the military "at ease" stance, their bodies alert, their hands
behind their backs and their faces impassive.

        "No!"  A defiant, prolonged yell came from one of the picketers.
Others picked up the "no", their shouts growing hot with anger, as some of
the protesters marched toward the city official.  Clark watched and
listened, noticing that one of the cops was pulling out his radio as the
two of them split up and moved to either end of the demonstrators.  He felt
he could touch the tension in the atmosphere.  Still, he hesitated to bring
Superman into the situation.  Much better if the people here could resolve
the situation.

        At that moment, a tall thin man emerged from the crowd.  His face
and hair were covered by a mask, made from an old navy bandanna tied at the
back of his head.  Reaching out his hand, he took the injunction and
skimmed it while the crowd behind him waited in silence.  Then he raised
his head and spoke, his voice deep, with a smooth resonance that was almost
hypnotic.

         "CEPL would like to make a statement to LNN."  He paused as two
LNN crew members approached, one with a camcorder.  "CEPL is not
responsible for the Bronson bombing.  CEPL  has always used peaceful
methods to achieve its goals and will continue to fight Bronson's
destruction of  the city.  We seek a more creative use of the city for the
benefit of all its citizens.  This injunction is an attack on the freedom
and the rights of the people.  Bronson has declared war on the people."
As he spoke, his cadence reminded Clark of some of the speeches he'd read
>from the 1960's when he was in college.

        Lois started to jog over to the CEPL spokesman as he turned away
>from the LNN news crew.  Calling over her shoulder, she shouted, "Clark, we
have to find out who he is.  We can't let LNN get this story."

        She was restrained by a strong grip just above her elbow.  "Wait,
Lois.  There's something wrong.  I hear something."  His face focused in
concentration, Clark shifted his eyes toward the derelict building next to
the construction site.  Putting his hands on her shoulders, he said,
"*You* stay here," and ran into an alley behind them.  A moment later,
Superman shot into the sky and landed in front of the building.  He raced
into its front lobby toward the ticking noise that he heard in the corner
farthest from him.   He got to the bomb just as it was about to detonate.
No time to defuse it, let alone time to figure out the mechanism.  He
blasted upwards through one of the broken windows and then hurled the bomb
towards the clouds.  Seconds later it exploded with a sharp crack and a
flash of light against the dullness of the grey sky above the protesters.

        When Clark got back to the spot where he had left Lois, she wasn't
there.  Maybe if I told her to do the most reckless thing she could
imagine, that might work, he thought.  He spotted her on the far side of
the protesters and to his amazement, she was standing still.  Then she
turned and walked toward him.  He looked at her with raised eyebrows, his
face a silent question.

        "What?"  Without waiting for his answer, Lois continued, "Clark, I
lost him.  He must know this area like the back of his hand."  Without
pausing, she added, "Where did you find the bomb?"

        "Over there.  In that abandoned apartment building."  He raised his
hand toward the dark brown brick structure to the right of them.

         By this time, there were murmurs throughout the crowd.  Some of
them had seen Superman and it didn't require much imagination to figure out
what the fireworks display had been.  The two police officers were running
across to the old  building, followed by a few of the crowd and, of course,
the LNN crew.  The protesters had scattered.

* * *
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:04:41 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      S6, Ep4, The Last Time I Saw Elvis, part 4/8
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

        Just before dinner, the Kent family, (with the exception of Lois
who, astonishingly, was in the kitchen), sat in the living room as they
watched the evening news.  The program did not give much time to the CEPL
story; compared to big national and international stories, this one was
minor.  However, LNN had pieced together a brief clip of that afternoon's
events, followed by a quick montage of the threat made during Saturday's
demonstration, a shot of the damage done by the first bomb blast, and a
picture of the security guard who had been its victim.  The clip concluded
with the CEPL spokesman's statement following the announcement of the
injunction.  The implication in the way LNN constructed the story was that
CEPL was a group of dangerous radicals responsible for both bombs.  LNN
concluded by saying that the police were looking for the spokesman, whom
they were calling the masked leader, for questioning.

        Martha watched it all in silence.  As soon as she had heard the
masked leader speak, she had recognized him.  She would recognize his voice
anywhere; it had been a kind of joke among their group all those years ago:
Cliff's sexy voice, soft and deeply rich in tone, a magician's voice.  She
had nearly fallen under its spell again yesterday when she had accidently
spotted him on the fringes of the crowd in front of the Bronson
construction site.  She had been waiting for the bus that would take her
>from the subway to the Annex where she planned to revisit the gallery with
Cliff's painting, when her curiosity had pulled her across the street
toward the demonstration.  After a few moments, her eyes had drifted over
the faces of the people in the crowd and she had spotted him about twenty
feet away from her, standing on the fringe of the crowd.

        Without hesitating, she had circled briskly around the backs of the
spectators to stand beside him, her thoughts a jumble of relief,
excitement, and hostility.  At first, she'd thought he'd been happy to see
her, but he soon turned guarded, warning her away.  Her resentment had
flared up and she'd given him a piece of her mind.  They hadn't been
talking for more than ten minutes before they were arguing, angry words
slicing the cold air between them.

        Still, she believed Cliff couldn't possibly be responsible for the
construction site bombing.  When they were young, he had been so idealistic
and he had always opposed the use of violence.  But, a small voice reminded
her, he hadn't been opposed to illegal action; all those years ago, he had
been involved in that bank robbery and a man had died in that robbery.

        Jonathan was the first to speak, pulling her mind back to the
reality of the living room.  His voice was strong in its condemnation of
CEPL.  "I hope they find that guy.  As long as he and that group are out
there, who knows what can happen?  Why don't they work within the system,
if they want change?"

        "Jonathan, have you forgotten?  Sometimes the system won't change
when it should.  You have to get its attention."   Martha wasn't sure why
she felt so defensive.

        "They're just kids, Martha, by the look of most of them.  What are
they doing on the streets like that?"

        "I don't know, Jonathan.  But I do know you can't give up your
ideals.  Maybe those kids have no choice."

        "Martha, there's always a choice.  When we marched for civil
rights, we were peaceful.  It looks like this group is prepared to use
violence.  Actions like that endanger everyone.  Remember what happened to
you in that riot in Alabama?"  Jonathan's face betrayed his disapproval and
some tension that Clark did not understand.

        "Jonathan, we didn't start the violence.  Are you saying I did the
wrong thing that summer?"  Martha was angry now, her voice challenging him.

        Clark watched, amazed at the sudden flare up between his parents.
He had no idea what they were fighting about.  He had few memories of his
parents fighting.  They had always been so close.  And what was the Alabama
comment all about?

        "No. No, Martha.  But what you did back then was impulsive."
Jonathan was tight-lipped as he spoke, his usual easy going demeanor
nowhere in evidence.

        "What are you guys talking about?"  Clark's question interrupted
them.

        Martha suddenly seemed conscious of where she was and she took a
deep breath.  "Oh, nothing, Clark.  It all happened before you were born.
We ought to forget about it."  She shot her husband a warning glance as she
said this.

        Jonathan calmed down a little.  "I'd like to Martha, but what am I
supposed to think about that sketch?"

        Martha's eyes widened.  "Jonathan, you opened that envelope.  How
could you?"

        "It was an accident," he said, tight-lipped.  "This morning, I was
looking for the medical receipts for the treatment for that rash you
developed on our trip so I could submit them to the insurance company.  You
were out so I couldn't ask you where they were.  I checked the top drawer
of your dresser and saw the envelope.  I thought maybe it had the receipts
so I opened it."  He took a deep breath.  As Jonathan spoke, Clark was
surprised by the hurt he saw in his father's eyes.  "You never told me,
Martha.  I thought, when you came back with me that fall, it was what you
wanted."

        Stricken, Martha stepped closer and touched her husband's hand.
"Oh, Jonathan, it was.  It was.  When I came back to Smallville with you,
it was because I knew that we belonged together."

        At that moment, Lois entered the living room and stood there
quietly, responding to the distress she saw in all three faces in the room.
Since no one was speaking, she did.  "Supper, it's uh, ready."

        The first part of dinner was carried out in uncomfortable silence
as neither Martha nor Jonathan seemed to want to talk.  Clark was
nonplussed, unsure of what to say.  Lois, having learned a lesson or two
>from her mother-in-law over the last few years about how to deal with
awkward situations, opened the conversation by asking Clark what he thought
of how she had cooked the roast.

        Clark, who'd never been asked a question like that by Lois before,
looked at her like she was one of the Stepford wives.  "Swell, honey."

        "Good, good.  It's a new recipe.  I found it in a book Alice gave
me when we got engaged.  The Journalist's Cookbook.  This is Walter
Cronkite's recipe."

        Through the rest of the meal, the conversation was limited to
recipes, what Laura had done that day, and the weather.  Jonathan said
little, glumly attacking his food while Clark tried to figure what there
was about the news item that had triggered all this, what had happened in
Alabama, and what the sketch showed.  This was between his parents, he
thought.  It would not be right to interfere.  Then he thought, Mom
interferes when Lois and I get into trouble.  He remembered back to the
time when he'd broken up with Lois, fearing for her safety.  Both his
parents had lost little time letting him know that he'd made a big mistake,
which, he admitted, he had.  The memory pleased him.  It gave him the right
to run interference now.  So he did.

        "What sketch?"  He thought that was the most harmless item on his
list to start with.

        Saying nothing, Jonathan pushed away from the table and, with a
grim look on his face, walked over to the hall closet, returning with the
envelope.  Avoiding the surprised look on Martha's face, he gave the
envelope to Lois.  "I brought it with me."

        Lois pulled out the sketch and smiled.  "Martha, this is you, isn't
it?  It's lovely."

        "Thank you, Lois.  It was done the summer before Jonathan and I
were married.  I was taking an art course at the University of Kansas."

        "It looks like you *were* the art course."  Jonathan was not happy.

        Clark asked, "Do I get to see it?"

        "Your mother is not wearing any clothes, son."

        Lois handed the sketch to Clark who looked away. "Uh, thanks.  I
don't think I need to see it."

        "Clark, there's nothing wrong with it," Lois said.

        Shrugging his shoulders, Clark laughed self-consciously, aware of
how ridiculous he was being.  "I know that and I *still* don't want to see
it.  So what else happened that summer?"

        Martha told him then about the art course she had taken.  "I needed
to get away from Smallville."  She darted a quick glance across the table
at her husband after she said that but his stolid face remained unreadable.
"Everything was happening so fast between Jonathan and me and I felt like I
was losing control of my life.  I needed time to think about things.  I was
only twenty years old, Clark.  But, it wasn't just the art course.  When I
got to the campus, I got involved in a student civil rights organization
and we joined the Freedom Rides going south from Washington."

        "What?  How come I never knew that?"  Surprised, Clark looked at
his mother.  She had always been passionate about causes that she believed
important and he knew that his passion for justice was as much learned from
her as an innate reaction to the wrongs he saw around him.

        Martha made light of it, not sure how much she wanted to reveal
about what had happened that spring and summer.  Not until she'd talked to
Jonathan first.  She figured it was safe to talk about her political
involvement, so she did, finishing with her arrest.  "Lois didn't tell you?
We talked about it the other night."

        "No, Martha.  I figured it was your story and you should tell
Clark."

        "So, Mom, who did the sketch?"  Clark grinned at his mother.

        "Oh, a classmate.  We all posed for the life drawing classes.  It
saved model fees.  I ran into him the other day and he sent this sketch.
He thought I'd like to have it."

        Clark was aware of the disapproval on his father's face.

* * *

        "O.K., Lois, you were right.  There *was* something going on with
my Mom."  Clark looked at his wife, lounging on her side in bed, her head
propped up on her hand, a small smile on her face.  He let his gaze travel
over the silk covered curve of her waist and hip, remembering their morning
lovemaking.  Amazing how her body curved like that, he thought.

        "So you admit that you were taking her for granted."

        "What?"  Clark pulled his mind back from where it had been
wandering.  "No."  His voice was firm but then he shrugged his shoulders.
"O.K., so there were some things I didn't know."  She stared at him
pointedly.  "Important things," he added.  "Cool, though."  He smiled.

        "There's still a couple things she isn't telling us, Clark."

        His face was skeptical.  "For instance?"

        "Who was she arguing with yesterday?"

        "Lois, you were mistaken about seeing her there."

        Lois let that go.  "And why didn't she tell you about her
involvement in the Freedom Rides?  Don't you think that's a little odd, Mr.
Award Winning Investigative Reporter?"

        "Not so odd, Lois.  Dad's uncomfortable with that, so I can see her
not bringing it up."

        "Uh huh," Lois matched his skepticism.  "Pretty hard to imagine
that Martha had a life before she became your mother."

        He grinned.  "All right, so there're a couple of gaps. But, you
know, I can see why Dad would be upset with the sketch."

        Lois's eyes widened.  "Why, Clark? It's beautiful."

        "Maybe the idea of his wife posing nude, for a start."

        "But they weren't married at the time.  Anyway, it wasn't sexual.
It was part of an art class."

        "Hah!"

        Lois laughed delightedly, "Clark, you're a prude!"

        "Not true, Lois."  His eyes glinted and a wicked smile flashed
across his face.  Very gently, controlling his power, he blew the thin
shoulder strap of her nightgown down across her arm.  Slipping into bed, he
stretched his body out beside her and lightly kissed her bare shoulder, his
hand sliding over the silken contour of her hip.  "Guess I'll have to prove
you're wrong, Ms. Lane."  His voice had lowered to a husky softness.

        "Guess you'll have to.  But you should know," she said as her
fingers traced the strong muscle of his arm,  "I require a *lot* of
evidence."

        "I think you'll find that I have a lot of evidence to give you," he
murmured as he slowly kissed the side of her neck, smiling as he felt her
hand slide along his chest and then shift lower.

        "Ummm, impressive, Kent."

        He loved her giggle.  He loved her.

* * *

        Monday was the last day of Lois and Clark's weekend.  For them, at
least for one of them since Lois's return to work, Saturday was part of the
work week, the day the paper pulled together the massive, nationally read
Sunday edition of the Daily Planet.  This particular Monday, they stayed
home, spending a rare morning absorbed in the routine of caring for their
child, minor household tasks, talking, reading, and enjoying a few moments
of lust and tenderness.  Whenever he thought Lois was busy elsewhere, Clark
worked on his special project, which was to teach Laura to say "Daddy".
This was to be his daughter's first spoken word.  All in all, it was a
lazy, luxurious day.

        Part of the reason why they had decided to spend the day at home
was so that Martha and Jonathan could spend the day by themselves.  Both
Lois and Clark were hoping that, whatever was bothering the older couple,
they would confide in each other.  Thus, the big event, (well, the second
big event), of the day for Lois and Clark was a trip to the local bar and
grill for dinner.  The snow had stopped, leaving a crisp, clear evening
that made their walk to Charlie's a pleasant stroll.

        Charlie's, in operation since the 1920's when it had operated as a
speakeasy, was small by the standards of the knock off franchise
equivalents.  Its walls were half panelled in dark wood above which was
plaster streaked by a few cracks and in need of painting.  The room was
dimly lit, its old brass light fixtures reflected in the mirror behind the
bar, making its long polished oak counter the centre of the room.  The only
visible concession to modern times was a small television located at one
end of the bar.  Tuned eighty percent of the time to the sports channel, it
was religiously switched to the news at six and eleven.  According to the
bartender, it was everyone's civic duty to be well informed.

        As Lois slid into her chair at their regular table and Clark
unbundled Laura, they half listened to the evening news which was just
wrapping up its local coverage.  Just as they were picking up their menus,
the news anchor shifted to a story connected to the demonstration.

        "Late this afternoon, CEPL, citing squatters' rights, occupied the
old Daly apartment building from which Superman removed a bomb yesterday.
The building, abandoned for the last ten years, lacks electricity, heat,
and water.  Outside the building, the group has erected barricades in an
attempt to reinforce their claim.  Slated for demolition next week, Daly
Apartments is part of the Bronson Renewal Plan.  A spokesman for the
company said they are consulting their lawyers.  Meanwhile, the police are
continuing to search for the group's leader, who they advise is considered
dangerous."

        The story was accompanied by shots of the Daly facade, a brief,
vaguely incoherent interview with one of its very young occupants who was
bundled against the cold in a dull, shapeless jacket and a large black
scarf; a second interview with a well dressed, articulate spokeswoman for
Bronson; and a final dramatic shot of CEPL's masked leader denouncing the
system.

        "Of course, they select the one thing he said that makes it sound
like he would blow up the building," Lois said as she averted her attention
>from the screen to look at her husband.

        "Maybe he would, Lois.  Somebody's responsible for those bombs and
CEPL has been the most vocal opponent of the project.  So there's motive."

        "That's conjecture, Clark.  It just seems out of character with
what the group has done before and the type of people they are.  There's a
core of committed people, mostly young and mostly on the fringes of the art
and theatre world.  They're anarchists but it's their craft they use as a
means of trying to get change."

        "This guy's older though, Lois.  He could have a different agenda.
Maybe once the construction started, he decided to up the ante and some of
the kids in the squats followed.  This is a dangerous thing they've done,
moving into the old Daly Apartments."

        "I know.  Nobody much cared when they moved into those derelict
textile warehouses in the Market Annex.  But this move challenges Bronson.
We have to find this guy, Clark."

* * *

        Late the next afternoon, Lois got word from a friend at the
Metropolis Court House that Bronson had just been granted an injunction
against the occupiers, giving the corporation the power to evict them.
Grabbing her coat, she was in the elevator with a speed that would have put
her husband to shame.  If he had been there.  He had disappeared about
thirty minutes before, with a quickly murmured and imaginative, "uh, Lois,
um" followed by that look that she knew meant there was a good chance there
might be leftovers that night.

        She got to the site just as a dark blue Chrysler sedan purred up to
the curb and disgorged three passengers in overcoats matching the color of
the car.  They were followed by an MPD vehicle, riding shotgun.  Lois
provided the official reception committee as she stepped into the path of
the first Bronson representative.

        "Lois Lane, Daily Planet.  Is it true that Bronson plans to evict
the squatters?"

        "These people are in a state of illegal trespass, Ms. Lane.  The
building poses a safety hazard.  Bronson feels it's in their best interest
to be elsewhere."

        "Where might that be?"

        "Surely they have homes that are more comfortable than this."  His
disdain was evident in the tone of his voice and the dismissive gesture of
his hand.

        "Most of these people are homeless.  Where do you think they should
sleep tonight?"

        "Ms. Lane, the corporation is not heartless, but these people have
no right to be here."  He stepped around her, followed by his two
associates, with the cops a discrete but ominous presence several feet
behind them.

        Lois watched as they approached the flimsy wooden barricades that
surrounded the perimeter of the site.  Outside the building, small groups
of people were standing with their hands outstretched over the warmth
provided by fires burning in large metal drums, makeshift hearths in the
snow.  They watched the small procession as it came closer, but no one
moved to meet it.  Stony faced, the kids listened as they were informed of
the injunction.  No one spoke for a moment and then one of them shouted,
"We're not leaving." And then swore.

        By this time, a few more reporters had arrived, among them an LNN
camera crew.  Just as the woman with the camcorder came closer, one of the
protesters hurled a snowball at the Bronson trio, catching the tallest one
in the left shoulder.  He was not amused.  Red faced, he turned to the two
cops.  "Do something."  That triggered a barrage of snowballs and Lois
started to laugh.  Clearly, the kids were armed and dangerous.  The
blue-jeaned woman with the camera equipment caught her eye and grinned as
she moved closer to the kids. She was now facing the two cops and the
Bronson reps, giving her a perfect angle from which to catch their
reactions.  Lois walked over to the three men, curious to see what they
would do next.

        What they did was have a short meeting, apparently convened by one
of the cops.  "Look, you got the court order, but it looks like we'll have
to get rough to enforce it.  There's just another hour of daylight."  He
gestured toward the LNN crew.  "It's not gonna look great to have us bust
up a bunch of kids and send them back to the streets right now.  It's your
call, but I'd sleep on it tonight."

        Lois was impressed.  Cop training had improved, she thought, as she
watched them all beat a dignified retreat to the warmth of their cars.

        Lois phoned the Planet to let them know she would LAN the story in
time for the morning edition.  As she rode the subway home, she wondered
what Laura had done today, what she had missed.

* * *

        While Lois was riding the subway, Superman was searching the
Atlantic Ocean for survivors of a freighter which had run into a storm off
New England.  Registered under a foreign flag, and hence less seaworthy
than it should have been, the freighter had taken on more water than its
pumps could remove as it tossed like a fragile ornament on the remorseless
waves of the icy grey Atlantic.  The ship's distress signals had been
received by the American Coast Guard but the weather conditions had been
too rough to send rescue ships.  Clark had picked this information up from
CNN, its broadcast always a part of the background buzz in the newsroom of
the Planet.

        As Superman reached the approximate area where the ship should be,
he willed his hearing to pick up the higher frequencies of its radio, using
his eardrums like radar. He located the vessel, just as it was about to go
under. Hovering in the air immediately above, he scanned the deck, looking
for signs of life, then checked the surrounding water for any lifeboats.
It looked like none had been launched; the sea was too rough for there to
be any hope that a life boat would survive the hundred foot swells of the
Atlantic.  Landing quickly on the deck so that his presence was clearly
visible, Superman raced to the captain's bridge.

        "Alert your crew.  I'll go beneath the ship and raise it enough to
take it to safety."

        He dove into the ocean, a red speck against the white foam of
crashing waves, a torpedo seeking its target.  Positioning himself below
the center of gravity of the ship's massive hull and balancing his gigantic
load with care, his powerful arms pushed the freighter up so that it
skimmed the top of the waves.  As the ship rose above the sea, salt water
poured from its rusting hull.  Aware that flying the dilapidated freighter
at supersonic speeds would do the crew no good, Superman took care not to
go much faster than the normal speed of the ship.  As he flew with his
cargo, Clark was awestruck by the fearful majesty of the ocean in full
turmoil.

* * *
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:04:59 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      S6, Ep4, The Last Time I Saw Elvis, part 5/8
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

        While Lois was upstairs nursing Laura, Martha was pulling the dry
ingredients for muffins from the kitchen shelves, hoping that activity
would be a cure for the restlessness that charged her body like a cat's
before a storm.  Jonathan was not the issue.  Yesterday, they'd talked
about the past and Martha had reassured her husband that she and Cliff had
never been lovers, that Jonathan had not been her second choice but always
and forever her first. Of course, he knew that.  His usual good sense had
returned and they had spent a wonderful day together, exploring parts of
Metropolis like kids on an unexpected holiday.  She sighed with pleasure at
the memory as she measured flour into a large glass mixing bowl.

        In a way, though, Jonathan was still the problem, or perhaps she
was.  Although she had mentioned that she had seen Cliff the other day, she
hadn't told Jonathan the whole story because she was afraid he would urge
her to go to the police and she wasn't sure that she wanted to do that.
Jonathan had always dug in his heels when it came to anything which he
thought threatened his family.  In the past this attitude had either amused
her or given her the strength she, too, had often needed.  Now, it might
prevent her from doing what was right.  That was her dilemma; should she go
to the police?  What she did know was that she could not betray a friend,
particularly one with whom she had experienced so much, even if those
experiences had receded in time.  Some things stay with you forever; some
people stay with you forever.

        Cliff had made it pretty clear the other day when they had argued.
He didn't want to be found.  It was too dangerous for him.  In that
beautiful voice that hardened into steel, he had insulted her, accusing her
of selling out.  She remembered his biting words.  "Go back to your farmer,
Martha.  To your cozy kitchen, to your 2.4 kids, and your apple pies."

        She should turn him in for that alone, she thought.  Well, she had
exploded when he'd said that, shouting at him that it was easy to retreat
into his little revolution, that he knew nothing about real responsibility,
about the strength and compassion of Jonathan Kent. They'd parted in anger.

        Maybe she should talk it over with Clark and Lois.  Maybe.  If she
did, wasn't she admitting that she would follow their advice?  Clark would
worry about her safety, get all protective the way his father did. Lately,
it seemed to her that Clark was getting more like that.  He would advise
her to go to the police, unless she began by saying she would not go to the
police, but if that were the case why would she talk to him about this in
the first place?  I'm beginning to sound like Lois, she thought.

        Her mind made up, she threw the muffins together with a speed that
came from years of experience, and climbed the stairs to the nursery.  "Got
a minute, honey?  I'd like to talk something over with you."

        "Sure, Martha."  Lois looked down at her nursing child and smiled.
"I think I've got several minutes."

        Martha's face was serious.  "First, I want you to promise, Lois,
that you won't tell Clark or Jonathan what I'm about to tell you.  It may
be that I will tell them, but that's my decision.  You also have to know
that it may involve something illegal."

        Lois recognized the flint in her mother-in-law's tone and nodded
her head.  "I promise, Martha."

        Martha sighed and sat in the old wicker chair across from Lois,
unsure where to begin.

        Lois made it easier.  "It was you who Bentley saw and who I saw the
next day wasn't it, Martha?  Who was the man you were arguing with?  Did he
do your portrait?"

        "Yes.  I met him that spring.  His name is Cliff.  Clifford  Moran.
Oh my, it was 1961."  Martha sounded astonished. "Jonathan wanted to marry
me.   Lois, I was so young.  Jonathan was three years older than me.   You
know, he was the first man I ever kissed."  She smiled at the memory.
"That was before he went into the army.  I'd just met him a month before he
left for Asia as part of his two years of military service.  When he came
back he was ready to settle down but I wasn't so sure.  Anyway, he first
proposed that autumn and then in late winter, and again in early spring."

        "In between plowing fields."  Lois remembered Martha's comment
three years earlier.

        Martha laughed.  "Yes.  I was beginning to feel so much pressure.
My folks thought he was terrific.  And of course he was, he is.  That made
it even worse.  I thought I was in love with him but. . . but I kept
thinking there was more to the world than Smallville and I wanted to find
out.     When I saw the description of the art curriculum at Kansas State,
I knew I had to go.  I loved it!  Losing yourself in what you are trying to
create!  And the discussions and arguments we had!"

        "Did you fall in love with Cliff?" Lois's voice was gentle as she
asked the question, her eyes sympathetic as she listened to Martha talk
about her youth.

        "In a way.  I think I was in love with everything.  I went out with
Cliff a few times, but mostly we all hung out together."

        "Was he the friend you attacked the cop over?"

        "Yes."  Martha laughed again at the memory.  "Cliff was very
idealistic, not prepared to compromise with the system.  I admired that.
He was pretty intense about what he thought was right.  And persuasive.  He
grew more radical over the five months I knew him, the more he got involved
in the movement."

        "What about you?"

        "Oh, my idealism is pretty pragmatic."  Martha laughed and then her
eyes flashed for a moment.  "And to tell you the truth, I really missed
Jonathan, although it was a little undignified having him meet me at that
jailhouse.  I wrote him not to come, but that had no effect."

        "Martha, I wish I could have seen that."

        "Honey, I'm glad you didn't."

        "So what became of Cliff?"

        "He died.  In a fire in a sheriff's office in Alabama after he'd
been charged with murder in the shooting of a police officer while escaping
after a bank robbery."

        "Oh, no."  Lois was shocked.  "Martha!"

        "I thought he was dead, Lois, until last Thursday night.  You know,
it was either him or the man he was with who stole Jonathan's wallet.  At
first, I didn't recognize him.  He's so much older and his hair is grey.
Well, I'm a little older, too.  Anyway, it was he who returned it.  I
checked with the neighbors.  Mrs. Sarrazin saw him."

        "And so you decided to track him down.  Good for you, Martha."

        "Thank you, dear.  Cliff didn't want to be found though.  The
sketch was accompanied by a note to stop my search."

        "But you couldn't do that."

        "Of course I couldn't.  When you saw us the next day, he told me
that he had to stay underground.  He has no intention of facing a murder
charge.  By the way, he did not shoot that police officer, Lois."

        "He's the man the police are looking for in connection with the
bombing, isn't he Martha?"

        "Yes."  She looked at Lois, and waited.

        "Why don't you want to go to the police?"

        "I think he's innocent, Lois.  And because I want to talk to him
again to make sure I'm absolutely right about that."

        "So that means we have to find him.  And we have to find who did
plant those two bombs."  Lois was decisive.

        Pleased, Martha offered a suggestion.  "There's an old work of his
for sale in a gallery in the Annex.  I couldn't get anything out of the
owner but it's worth another try."

        "And the people occupying the old Daly Apartment building.  First
thing tomorrow."  Lois looked down at Laura who had fallen asleep in her
mother's arms.  "But right now, it's time to put you to bed, sweetheart."

* * *

        Superman hovered high above the row of townhouses on Hyperion
surveying the ground below, looking for signs of anyone who might be able
to spot an extraterrestial landing in the narrow backyard belonging to Lois
and Clark Kent.  The coast was clear so he slipped to earth, drifting
downward in the dark night between the tall evergreens bordering the fence
between the townhouses and then opened the back patio door to step into the
coziness of his kitchen.

        A quick spin and he was in the dark blue suit that he had started
the day in.  But not for long.  The jacket and tie were off in a flash,
tossed over a kitchen chair, as he headed for the living room where he saw
his dad sitting alone, reading a book, the T.V. on in the background.

        "You and Mom O.K., Dad?"  Clark paused at the foot of the stairs
for a moment.

        "Sure, son, we had a great day yesterday.  Talked about a few
things.  I know whatever happened between her and Cliff wasn't serious."
He smiled at his son.  "Crazy isn't?  We've been married for over thirty
years and I know how your mother feels.  But I still can't think of him
without that feeling I had that summer coming back."

        "Not so crazy, Dad.  Every once in awhile I run into Dan Scardino."
Clark's expression was rueful.  "Don't like the guy."

           Jonathan chuckled, then his expression grew pensive.  "Your
Mom's still holding something back, though."

        "Doesn't that upset you?"  Clark knew his concern was childish, but
there was a part of him that felt unsettled when things were off balance
between his parents.

        "Some, because I know she's worried.  But she'll tell me when she's
ready."

        Clark grinned at his dad.  "You got her figured out have you?"

        "Nearly.  She can still surprise me sometimes."

* * *

        Shortly after one o'clock Wednesday morning, the Daly apartment
building caught fire, venomous flames flicking out through broken windows,
illuminating the moonless night.  The building burned quickly, orange whips
of fire arching across rotting floorboards to the cracked timber of joists
and supports and into the exposed lathe of old plaster walls.  Worse was
the smoke coiling and hissing along corridors and slithering under doors.
The building's residents grabbed their few possessions and fled into the
freezing cold.

         They stood huddled together, checking their numbers, afraid that
someone might still be in the building.  The fire department seemed to be
slow in arriving and a few of them wondered if the MFD didn't respond to
fires in derelict buildings.  They were wrong.  It did, although Superman
arrived first, his billowing red cape blending into the flames as he ran
into the building to rescue two people who had been trapped behind the
debris of a collapsed wall.  How did he know where to find them?  His voice
was so calm as he asked them if anyone else might still be in the building.
Yeah, maybe.  Hadn't old Mick joined them tonight, half drunk and lost in
an old injustice.  Superman shot back into the building and then they saw
him again, carrying the old man to the ambulance that had accompanied the
fire trucks.

        Then Superman was gone, leaving the MFD to do its job.

* * *
        Clark told Lois about the fire the next morning as they were
getting dressed for work.

        "Oh, no, Clark.  Is everyone all right?"

        "I hope so.  Everyone got out of the burning building safely but
who knows where they spent the rest of the night."

        "Maybe we should find out this morning.  Any idea what caused the
fire?"

        "No and that concerns me.  There've been a couple of unexplained
fires in that area.  That one at Christmas, during the Planet's Christmas
party, still has me baffled.  I know the MFD called it "accidental", but
something about it seemed odd to me."  He gave her a brief puzzled look as
he spoke.  "Anyway, I couldn't find anything obvious to explain last
night's fire and so I left as soon as I was sure everyone was O.K."  He
stopped buttoning his shirt and glanced her way.  "All I wanted to do was
crawl back into bed."

        "I don't even remember you coming back."

        "I know." He laughed.  "The first time I got back last night, my
daughter's asleep.  The second time, my wife's asleep."

        Lois patted his chest.  "But we did have a great weekend."

        He leaned over to kiss her.  "Yeah.  I guess the memory will have
to hold 'til next weekend."

* * *

        Lois phoned Inspector Henderson at the MPD as soon as they got to
work. "Any further info on the Bronson bombing?"

        "Isn't that story a little old for you, Lane?"

        "Guess that means you've run into a dead end."

        "We'll bring him in.  Just a matter of time."

        "Following any other leads on who the bomber might be?"

        "No reason to.  Why, you got something?"

        "No, just figured with so little evidence you wouldn't be chasing
just one suspect.  You know, keep an open mind."  Her tone sounded both
innocent and helpful.

        Henderson's voice was sardonic.  "Thanks for the help, Lane.  We
always value the objectivity of the press.  Now, if you're finished, I'd
like to get back to my paperwork.  Check the grammar and punctuation before
I hand it in."

        Lois grinned at his sarcasm as she put down the receiver.  She
loved Henderson.  Looking across to Clark, she asked "Got anything on the
fire?"

        "Not much. The MFD is still checking but the bet is it was
accidental.  Those open oil drum fires and the old building.  It was a
matter of time."

        "Lucky Superman was passing by."

        "Lucky."  Standing up, he said, "Come on, Ms. Lane.  Let's go do
some checking.  I'm not convinced that it was accidental.  It's just a
little too convenient."

        A short time later, they stood looking at the charred brick ruin
that had been the Daly Apartments.  The water used to extinguish the fire
had draped the building with large jagged icicles that posed a safety
hazard for anyone walking beneath.  A few employees of the MFD were
systematically combing the site in a search for evidence that would
pinpoint the cause of the  fire; however, a quick interview with them
ascertained that they hadn't found much and didn't expect to.  This fire
appeared pretty routine.

        The next step was to track down a few of the people who had been
there last night.  It took some time to do this; they had scattered,
seeking warmth wherever they could find it.  No one was very interested in
talking to reporters.  Lois and Clark picked up that chilly sense of
distrust from several of the people they talked to.  A few just seemed
disoriented, unsure about any of the events connected to the fire.  One
person fervently argued that an alien voice from outer space had warned
them that danger was near.   For some reason, he kept saluting Clark.  A
few of the kids they talked to were scared.  They shut down, their faces
turning blank as both reporters tried to get information from them.

        "Well, this has been productive," Clark said with a touch of
sarcasm.

        "I know, and I'm cold." Lois stamped her feet in attempt to get
them warm.

         Lifting his glasses, Clark shot a quick ray of red warmth at her
boots.  "Better?"

        "Thanks."  She smiled and tucked her arm around his.  "Let's head
back to the Planet, spaceman."

* * *

        Clifford Moran was frightened, not for himself, but the others.
The newspapers had called the fire an accident, to be expected given the
squalid circumstances in which the squatters were living.  He knew this
wasn't true; they had been careful. Having grown up camping in the winter
with his brother and father, he knew a lot about outdoor survival.  He also
knew a lot about camping in abandoned buildings.

         He understood only too well that some of the people in the group
were unstable psychiatric patients released too early from state
institutions forced to cut spending.  He knew who those people were and he
had set things up so that they would be with others who were both
experienced and who would care for them, and so that everyone could
contribute something to the group.  Although he had done this often in the
last thirty years, he still felt satisfaction seeing the pride his friends
could take in learning to create a shelter.  There was no way that
carelessness had caused that fire.  Whoever had planted the bombs must also
have been responsible for the fire.  Whoever they were, they would strike
again.  And he was convinced that the homeless were the target.

        Cliff decided he needed help but he couldn't go to the police.
There was no statute of limitations on a murder charge and now they were
looking for him in connection with the bombings.  There was no way he could
afford a lawyer.  He would be processed through the court system slowly and
then found guilty, to spend the rest of his life in a prison system riddled
with drugs, HIV, and hepatitis C.  So he decided to take a long shot.

        He phoned Martha Kent.  When he had discovered that the wallet he
and Billy had lifted belonged to Jonathan Kent it had meant nothing until
he went through the contents, which had included a small snapshot taken on
the owner's wedding day.  Cliff had recognized Martha Clark immediately,
confirming that flash of awareness at the movie theatre.  The next of kin
card identified Martha and a son, Clark, living here in Metropolis.  That
too had struck a chord.  Clark Kent was a reporter for the Daily Planet.
An avid reader of newspapers, Cliff had concluded some time ago that Clark
Kent and his partner, Lois Lane, were pretty solid.  Under his own byline,
Kent had recently written a couple of articles on street kids that Cliff
had liked.  Maybe Kent could be trusted.  Cliff put a call through to
Martha and asked her to arrange a meeting with her son.

        Martha was surprised when her caller identified himself as Clifford
Moran.  Telephone calls could be so absurd sometimes, she thought as he
began by asking her how she was.  "What do you want, Cliff?"

        "I need help, Martha, and I trust you.  I'm hoping that I can trust
your son, too, and that he and that partner of his might be interested in
this.  Can you set up a meeting with him?"

        "Yes.  When and where?"

        "At the Fringe Gallery.  In an hour."

        "That might not be possible.  They could be out on a story."

        "You can leave a message for me at the gallery.  I'll be there
whenever they can make it."

        When Lois and Clark got back to the Planet after an inconclusive
morning tracking an elusive story, Lois accessed her voice mail to find
that the story had come to them.  She listened to Martha's calm voice.
"Lois, an old friend of mine has called.  He's an admirer of yours and
Clark's work and was wondering if he could meet you, maybe for lunch?"

        Lois's eyes widened as she listened to Martha's brief message.
Immediately, she punched in her home phone number and got Martha.  Too
excited to identify herself she said,  "Do you mean who I think you mean?"

        "Yes.  He called about two hours ago.  Can you make it?"

        "Of course.  Would you like to be there too?"

        "Are you kidding, honey?  I wouldn't miss it.  I decided to tell
Jonathan everything and he says he'll be fine with Laura.  Good thing he's
had all that experience changing diapers."  Lois smiled as she heard her
mother-in-law chuckle.  Then Martha continued.  "But he's not too happy
that I'm going although he does understand.  And he feels better knowing
that you and Clark will be there."

         "Where shall we meet?"  Martha gave her the details.

         "Clark," Lois hissed across the small space that separated their
desks.  "We're going out."

        "We are?"  By this time she was over at the lounge area, pulling on
her overcoat.

        "I'll tell you about it on the way."

        Lois did.  "I can't believe this, Lois.  What's my mom doing
hanging around with an anarchist bomber?"  They were walking out of the
main lobby of the Planet.

        "Clark, that's a gross exaggeration."

        "You've been a bad influence on her, you know?"

        "I wasn't even born in 1961, Kent.  Try again."

        "We'd better get down there quick, before Mom does.  How about we
uh, " he made a quick flying motion with his hand.

        Lois rolled her eyes.  "I don't think Martha's in any danger,
Clark."

        "Fine.  You take a cab, and I'll fly."  He walked briskly into a
side alley, reappeared in the suit, swooped over to where Lois was
standing, scooped her into his arms, gave her a look that telegraphed, 'I'm
in charge here', and landed a few seconds later in a grubby alley dotted
with trash cans.  "O.K., let's go check this guy out before Mom gets there."

        Lois kicked a rusty tin can out of her path and followed him into
the sunshine.  Clark paused for a moment, looking up and down the length of
the street.  He took her hand, "This way.  Preston Street is three blocks
down, on the other side."

        "Overshot it a bit, did you?" Lois teased.

        He flashed her a smile.  "A good dark alley is hard to find."

        They walked quickly along Hobbs Street, unimpeded by other
pedestrians.  At this time of day, the street was quiet.  Some of the
businesses that they passed were boarded up, victims of a declining
neighborhood and of a retailing revolution that stressed massive suburban
warehouse marketing.  Dingy facades faced onto a wide street where traffic
was mostly going somewhere else.

        Preston Street was different.  Narrower, with a few winter bare
trees standing like sentinels on either side, the street seemed less empty,
although few people were outside.  Those who were, hurried, their shoulders
hunched against the cold wind.  The two reporters passed a couple of places
being renovated -- carpenters and painters visible through the large
windows.  The shops, restaurants, and businesses that lined the street were
interspersed with a few studio-galleries, one of which was the Fringe
Gallery.

        Clark opened the old, half-windowed door, triggering a bell that
announced their presence.  The gallery was plain, its dark stained wooden
floor contrasting the stark white walls hung with boldly colored paintings.
Randomly placed metal sculptures broke the tunnel of the room.  Towards the
back, two young men and a woman, barely out of their teens, were looking at
a twisted metal sculpture with an intensity that their peers might reserve
for Baywatch.  No one emerged who appeared to be a manager or owner of the
gallery.

        Lois looked along the east wall of the gallery. "Martha told me
Cliff's painting is near the back of this wall."  She paused for a second
and then touched Clark's sleeve. "I think that's it."

        Together, they walked back to look at the painting that had been
created by Clifford Moran decades ago.  Clark furrowed his brows and
narrowed his eyes as he tried to make sense of its abstract shapes while
Lois said, "Interesting use of symbolism."

        Clark turned a sceptical eye her way.  "Care to explain it to me,
Ms. Lane," he challenged.

        "It's obvious, Clark."

        What was obvious about it was not going to be revealed at that
moment.  A comfortably rumpled middle aged man with a thickening waist line
came to stand beside them.  "If you're interested in this artist, I have
more of his work in the back room."

        Clark's voice was firm.  "We're interested."

        "Back here, if you'll follow me."  He walked toward a dark wooden
door at the opposite end of the gallery and stood to one side so they could
precede him into the room.

        This room was also long and narrow, lined with canvases resting on
the floor and propped against the wall, three and four deep.  Natural light
in the room was limited to the afternoon sun coming through the one window
at the back.  In that corner, a man sat at a small wooden table, drinking
tea.  For a second, Lois was reminded of a monk whom she had encountered in
an old Irish monastery.  The man looked up as the trio entered the room and
came forward to meet them.  He was wearing jeans and an old sweater, his
gray hair neatly secured in a pony tail.
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:05:17 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      S6, Ep4, The Last Time I Saw Elvis, part 6/8
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

        "Clark Kent and Lois Lane?  You're here sooner than I expected.
Martha said you'd be about half an hour."

        "Fast cab."  Lois sometimes wondered if she was better or worse
than Clark in coming up with reasonable explanations for inexplicable
occurrences.

        "I expected Martha to be with you."

        "She's coming.  Why did you want to talk to us, Mr. Moran?"  Clark
asked.

        "Why don't I make another pot of tea and then I'll tell you."  He
carried the teapot over to a small sink on the other side of the room and
plugged in the kettle.  Then he turned to scrutinize the couple in front of
him.  "You don't look much like Martha, Mr. Kent."

        "He's more like his father," Lois said.

        "I'd feel better if I thought you were Martha's son.  But I've read
your work, both of you, and I trust it.  You two have guts and I think you
have compassion.  What I have to say to you now I want to go no further."

        "You can trust us, Mr. Moran.  The Daily Planet does not reveal its
sources."  Lois's voice was firm.

        Moran shifted his gaze to her partner looking for his agreement.
Clark nodded.

        "I can't take a chance on going to the police.  I expect Martha's
told you.  Once they run a check on me, they'll find an old charge and I'm
done."

        Clark crossed his arms.  "Did you kill that police officer?"

        "No!"  Moran's voice was vehement.  "I don't know how he died.  I
think he got caught by a bullet from one of the bank's security guards."

        "So you did rob that bank."

        "Yeah.  Tried to anyway.  We'd run out of money.  Three of our guys
were in jail on phoney charges and we couldn't even raise bail for them,
let alone get a decent lawyer.  We had to rob that bank.  We had no other
choice."

        Clark said nothing but Lois forged ahead.  "So what did happen at
that jail?"

        Moran shrugged his shoulders ironically.  "It was a small jail."
He paused for a moment as he reached for two mugs from the shelf above the
sink.  "Do you know, I watched the whole thing from my cell.  The deputy
lit a cigarette and then came over to give me and my cell mate, a local
drunk he'd brought in about a half hour earlier, some supper.  The drunk
took a lucky swipe at him and connected.  I was outta there real fast.  I
read the next day that the jail had burned and they figured the drunk's
body was mine.  That was fine by me."

        Clark's narrowed eyes still were disapproving.  "What about his
family?"

        "Not many street drunks have families."

        Clark lowered his head for a moment, acknowledging Moran's point.
"Okay, so why do you want to see us?"  His voice was soft, serious.

        "That fire last night wasn't an accident.  Someone is trying to get
rid of us.  Now that I think about it, I think it started over a month ago.
Small things.  Different each time.  At first, just to discredit us.  Make
it look like we were behind a lot of crime."  Clark, recalling his father's
wallet, raised his eyebrows.  "Okay, maybe some of that was valid.
There've been other things, too, but I don't know if they're connected.  A
couple of murders.  That body that was dumped on the steps of the local
precinct office."  Clark looked up when Cliff said that, thinking of the
string of unsolved killings that he had been following for the last couple
of months as Cliff continued speaking.  "Then the gas leak last week.
Maybe an accident.  But those two bombs weren't.  CEPL did not plant them."

        Moran looked at them both directly, his blue eyes blazing and his
deep rich voice passionate.  "I love this city.  We love it.  But business
is destroying it.  Not the small guys.  They make it happen here.  But
Bronson and others like them.   Concrete everywhere.  Forget the parks, the
people, the families and the kids.  How much money can you make?  That's
the question.  The  kids on the street.  Who cares?  Not the families who
molested them, abused them.  The old guys with nowhere to go.  We staked
out part of this city; the part no one else wanted.  So now they want it
back.  So they'll get rid of us.  Send us to jail, kill us.  Who cares?"

        "How can we help?"  Lois asked.  Listening to him, Lois could
understand why Martha had never really forgotten him.

        "Find out who the real bomber is.  It's not me.  Bronson would like
to discredit CEPL and they can do that if they get me."

        Clark's tone was at last sympathetic.  "Where do you suggest we
start?  No one on the street wants to talk, assuming they know anything."

        "They'll talk if I say.  I'm not sure what they know, but I think
the two of you can piece it together if they do.  I do know they're
convinced another bomb's out there and they're frightened."

        "Okay,"  Clark let a breath escape that he hadn't been aware that
he was holding.  "Let's start with you.  Were you at the Daly Apartments
last night?"

        "Of course.  We were pretty careful about everything, especially
the fires.  Believe me, I know what I'm doing when it comes to these
things.  If the MFD says we started the fire there, you want to check into
that."

        "The MFD's still sifting through the evidence.  Was there anyone
there last night that you didn't know personally?"  Lois asked.

        "No.  No one."

        "Anything unexpected?"  Clark realized his question was strange,
given that life on the streets was mostly unpredictable.

         "Yeah, in a way.  An old drunk, Mick, came by late, looking for a
place to sleep.  I'd talked to him a few times on the street but he's a
loner.  This was the first time he'd ever been willing to stay with us."

        "Could he have started the fire?  Smoking, maybe?"  Lois asked.

        "No, he didn't smoke.  He was proud of that.  He would have died in
the fire if it hadn't been for Superman.  Maybe that's who I should try to
contact."  He stopped speaking and looked at Lois and Clark.  "Ms. Lane,
Mr. Kent, they say that Superman is a special friend of yours.  Is there
any way you could convince him to help us?"

        Lois tucked her hair behind her ear.  "Rumors of our connection
with Superman are greatly exaggerated.  We have no influence over him."
She laughed.  "You'll just have to make do with two ordinary reporters."

        As she finished speaking, the gallery owner reentered the room,
this time bringing Martha Kent with him.  She said hello to her son and
daughter-in-law and then gave a more cautious greeting to Clifford Moran.

        Moran's reply was more friendly.  "I'm glad you've come, Martha.  I
want to apologize for last Saturday.  I said some things I shouldn't have."
His soft voice was sincere as he looked at Martha with a sadness that
surprised her.  For a moment she saw the boy who had been her close friend
so many years ago.  Wanting to comfort him, she smiled and stepped closer,
touching his arm.

        Moran encircled her in his arms and Martha returned his hug.  "It's
so good to see you again, Martha."

        Lois looked on, amused, as she noticed Clark cross his arms again
and narrow his eyes in disapproval as he watched the two embrace.  She
tapped his shoulder, whispering, "Relax, Clark."

        Her husband gave her a half smile, shrugged, and slid his hands in
his pockets but nearly choked at Moran's next words.

        "You're still beautiful, Martha Clark."  He looked over at Clark.
"Do you know how beautiful your mother was when we were back at Kansas
State?"

        Lois replied, her eyes laughing, "We have some idea."

        "Let's get started, shall we?" Clark's voice was very polite.

        "There're a couple of people you should talk to but I can't go with
you.  Alex will take you to them.  After you've talked to them, the word
will be out and you won't need him.  Be careful, the police could be
watching Alex, too.  He's only been part of CEPL for a year and I don't
think they've tagged him for anything.  He's pretty clean.  By the way, I
haven't used my real name since I *died*.  People here know me as John
Marshall."

        He walked over to the door and opened it, stepping out into the
gallery for a second.  Turning to the two reporters, he said, "You can
trust Alex."  Then Moran looked past them.  "Will you stay and have some
lunch with me, Martha?  It would be good to talk."

        "Of course, Cliff.  I'd like that, too."  Picking up her son's look
of concern, Martha waved him away with a small but mischievous smile. "See
you two, later."

        Outside in the gallery, a tall young man dressed in black with a
small backpack slung across his shoulders approached them, his long legs
quickly covering the distance from the back of the gallery.  Though he was
probably in his early twenties, he had not lost the gawkiness of
adolescence.  Lois thought he looked like a punk Abraham Lincoln, minus the
beard.  She recognized him as one of the trio who had been studying the
sculpture when she and Clark had come into the gallery.

        He reached out a long arm to shake their hands and smiled politely,
a boy on his best behavior.  "Hi, I'm Alex.  Just follow me."

        As they were following him out of the store, Clark leaned toward
Lois and whispered urgently.  "Lois, we can't leave my mom here alone."

        "She's not alone; she's with Cliff."

        "That's my point."

        "Clark, he's not going to hurt her."

        "I know that."

        "Are you two coming?"  Alex waited for the two reporters who had
stopped behind him.

        "Yes.  Let's go, Clark."  When he did not move, she rolled her eyes
in exasperation and tugged at his hand. "Clark!"  He relented but she could
tell that he wasn't happy.

* * *

        Lois and Clark followed Alex down a couple of side streets and then
along a narrow alley that opened onto a small square, lightly covered in
snow and surrounded on three sides by deserted buildings, their foundations
ringed with brick and concrete rubble.  One of the buildings had been
partly demolished, leaving it an architectural amputee, its east wall
scarred with pale plaster and multi colored brick.  But the square itself
was neat, with all fragments of rubble removed. Several young trees lined
its boundaries, staked to help them through the first couple of growing
seasons.  Benches had been added, as well as a play area for children, the
empty swings now waiting for spring.  An old apartment building and a
church built of grey limestone completed the west side of the square.

        "Over here," Alex said as they crossed the square toward the
church.  "CEPL got this project going."  He stood for a moment in front of
a young tree that was not much taller than him.  "This is my tree."  He
touched the trunk with affection.  "I planted it last spring.  It's a maple
tree."  He blushed, as if realizing that affection for a tree might sound a
little odd to the two reporters.

        Clark looked at the tree with a careful eye.  "Trunk is pretty
straight and the branches have good separation.  It'll do fine."

        Surrounded by farmers, Lois thought.  However, what she said was,
"Did John help with this?"

        "It wouldn't have happened without him.  He got everyone organized,
made us realize we could do it."  Alex's admiration for the older man was
evident as he spoke of some of the small projects that CEPL had completed.

        "Were you there last night, Alex?" Clark asked.

        "Yes.  Wouldn't have missed it.  I live with friends in an
apartment a couple of blocks from here but I had to be there in that
building to let them know that they can't destroy this city.  Look what
we've done here.  This apartment building had been abandoned.  So we took
it over.  Well, CEPL did.  They scrounged material and rehabbed it and now
it's a decent home for people who couldn't afford anything else."

        "Did the church help?" Lois was curious about how they had raised
the necessary resources.

        "Some.  The church was empty too and the diocese sold it to CEPL
for the cost of the paperwork.  A couple of the sisters and one of the
priests help run the shelter which operates out of the church now.  A
couple of the guys wound up here last night after the fire."

        They entered the church vestibule, its tall ceiling soaring into
darkness above them.  But the room was warm, and Lois unbuttoned her
overcoat and loosened her scarf as they crossed the worn slate floor to the
nave of the church.  Part of it had been transformed into a dining hall,
filled with several long tables which were now unoccupied.  Beyond the
tables, the room had been partitioned by a large screen decorated with a
colorful mural.  Behind the partition was a dormitory with cots lining the
wall.  There were only a few people in the room.

        "Even when it's cold, many of the guys who come here prefer to be
on the streets.  They're always afraid that the authorities will take away
their freedom.  Make them follow rules," Alex said as he led them over to
an old man whose face was partially obscured by an unruly grey beard.  The
man looked at the newcomers with suspicion and reached for the dark bundle
beside him, as though fearful that they would take it from him.

        "It's okay, Andy.  This is Lois Lane and Clark Kent.  They're
friends of John's.  They're going to help find out who set the fire last
night."

        "And where the next bomb's gonna be.  They gotta find that out,
too."  His voice was excited.  "Someone's trying to kill us.  They wanna
get rid of us."

        "Who does?"  Lois's voice was gentle as she sat beside him on his
cot.

         The man looked startled and backed away from her, watching her
carefully.  "The outsiders.  Snakes.  They want to get rid of us."

        "How do you know they want to get rid of you?" Clark's voice was
calm.

        "Something bad happens after they come."

        "What happens?"  Lois continued.

        "Gas.  Explosions.  Somebody's not there the next day."

        "Who's not there?"

        Andy looked at Alex before he answered Lois. "Janie wasn't there."

        "Where do you think the outsiders come from, Andy?"  Lois's voice
was gentle as she continued questioning the old man.

        "They're not like you.  They come from a dark van."

        "What do they look like?"

        "They're like him, big, same age, only one had brown hair."  Andy's
eye shifted to Clark.  "Black jackets and thick warm shoes.  Cost money."
He was becoming increasingly agitated as he spoke.  "Don't know who they
are.  They'll blow us up."

        Clark spoke with firmness.  "Not if we can stop it, Andy. You've
helped us get started."

        The old man looked at him.  "You helped Mick last night.  Ask him.
He knows."  He sank back onto the cot and closed his eyes.

        "Thanks, Andy.  I'll see you later."  Alex led the two reporters
back toward the front of the church. "There's someone else I'd like you to
see if we can find her today."

        "How long has Andy been on the streets?" Lois asked.

        "I'm not sure.  He's been around as long as I've been down here.
He was released from one of the state psychiatric hospitals.  They stamped
him fit and normal.  But he had nowhere to go and he gets confused real
easy.  It was Superman who saved Mick last night."

        "Maybe he's confused about the outsiders, too.  He thought they
were like Clark."

        "I don't think so.  A couple of others have said the same thing.
John hasn't had any luck tracking them and now that the cops are looking
for him he's got to stay under."

        "John didn't mention anything about the outsiders to Lois and me."

        "He probably wanted you to discover that on your own.  You have to
admit, it sounds paranoid and John needed for you to take him seriously."

        "I don't suppose you've seen these guys?"

        "No, that's the problem.  I think they're pretty careful whenever
someone's around unless it's someone who's homeless.  Ever notice how some
people don't see street people?"

        They followed him through an uninhabited block of the city, several
of its buildings now shells reduced to their outer walls.  Where only the
deep excavation of a structure's foundation remained, the area was
surrounded by chain link fencing, with red 'keep out' signs.  Alex's long
legs climbed nimbly over some of this debris as he took what appeared to be
a short cut through a narrow alley between two brick hulks, stranded amid
the grey rubble like shipwrecks on a rocky beach.  He circled around behind
a boarded up gas station, its pumps ripped away from their concrete pads,
and crossed a short side street to come to a stop in front of an old
warehouse that had probably been a garment factory at one time.

        "It's not that we're against big business, you know.  We can't take
on this," Alex's eyes shifted from his companions to the ruins around him,
"without money.  But we believe we have the right to have some input on
their agenda."  He stepped through the doorless entry of the warehouse and
paused for a second to get his bearings in the dimmer light.  "Some guys
are squatting here.  You should talk to them."

        Remembering their lack of success earlier in the day, Lois thought
this was going to be a waste of time.  Nevertheless, they followed Alex up
a narrow stairway on their right into a large room ringed with tall
windows. The room was squalid, its floors bare and the walls a grimy grey.
In the far corner, a litter of kids, bundled in sweaters and old jackets
sprawled among piles of sleeping bags and makeshift furniture.  Two of them
were sleeping.

        Alex introduced Lois and Clark, briefly explaining why they were
there.  For a moment no one spoke as each person sized up the two
reporters.  Finally, one of the group motioned for the three of them to sit
down on one of the vacant mattresses on the floor.  He then turned to a
young girl beside him.  She was too thin, with the exception of her swollen
belly which indicated that she was about six months pregnant.  Her eyes
were glazed and she didn't seem to be completely awake.

        "Sarah, tell them what you saw."

        "I don't know what I saw.  Maybe it was nothing.  Sometimes I pick
up some money working nights, ya know.  Not so much now."  She patted her
stomach. "Most guys aren't so interested.  Last Thursday night I was
heading over to the strip.  I pass by that old entry into the subway
tunnels.  I don't know if it's still used.  I've never seen anyone there.
But last Thursday I saw two guys come out of that gate at the front of the
tunnel.  I figured they were working there.  They looked like that.  I was
walking toward them and they didn't see me at first.  I thought they might
be business so I stopped in front of them."  She stopped speaking for  a
moment and looked at Lois.  "I'm doing it for my baby.  I'll get enough
money so we'll be O.K."

        Lois tried to suppress the sadness that was welling up in her for
this child in front of her.  "What happened next, Sarah?"

        "They laughed at me.  Not mean, though.  One of them gave me ten
bucks."

        "Do you remember anything about them?"

        "They were tall, not as tall as Alex.  Bigger builds though.  One
of them had a cool earring, a silver coiled snake.  He had a snake tattoo
on his hand too. I noticed it when he gave me the money.  The other guy was
carrying a gym bag."

        "Where's this tunnel exactly?" Clark asked.

        "Over at Levine and 22nd."

        "That's were the gas leak was last Thursday," Clark said. "What
time did you run into these guys?"

        "About nine o'clock.  That's all that happened.  I told Mick about
it when we were at the apartment last night and he said he saw the same two
guys.  I don't know if he did.  Sometimes he's off."

        "They've been trying to get us out of here.  Say this is private
property.  Not any more.  Nobody's used this building in years.  So it's
ours and we're not leaving."  This comment came form the pale young man who
had given Sarah permission to speak.

        "Who are they?" Lois asked.

        "Don't know for sure.  They had the police with them the first
time.  Said they represent the owners of this building.  They've been back
a couple of times but we're not going.  We know there's gonna be another
bomb but we're not afraid."

        "How do you know that?"

        "Everyone says so.  You gotta stop it."

        "Why not go to the police?" Lois asked.

        The kids looked at her as though she were nuts.  "Sure, lady.  Like
they're gonna take us seriously."

        Another one of the group said, "The cops been down here.  Lookin'
for John.  Nothin' else on their mind.  Too bad we never seen him."  He
shrugged and turned back to the magazine he'd been reading.

        They talked for a few minutes, but the kids knew nothing more.
They hadn't had that much information to begin with.

* * *

        Half running across the subway platform, Martha caught the last car
of the train seconds before its heavy doors clamped shut.  Spotting an
empty seat, she sat down and looked around at the other passengers in the
crowded car.  One of the things that she loved about Metropolis was that
its population reflected all parts of the world.  She thought if she talked
to each person on this car she would know more about the world outside the
United States than if she went on a vacation to some foreign land.  Of
course, if she talked to everyone on this car they would think she was
crazy.  One of the unspoken rules of subway transportation is that you
pretend that the person whose thigh is jammed intimately against yours on a
too narrow seat, is not really there.  Coming from a small town, Martha
found this rule hard to obey and every once in awhile, she broke it and had
been pleased to note that she had been neither arrested nor netted as a
result.

        However, this afternoon she sat quietly, thinking about her time
with Cliff.  It had been good to see him again and the talk had flowed
easily between them, like they were kids again, excited about some new
artist or cause.  Even so, there had remained a distance between them, part
of it her fault as she had found it difficult to hide her concern about the
rootlessness of his life and some of it his as he could not resist a few
digs at her seemingly very conventional life-style.  She had no illusions
about the recipe for his survival: one part odd jobs and one part charm,
seasoned with a pinch of petty crime.  He was a strange mix of arrogance,
ego, and edgy selflessness, as committed as he'd ever been to causes that
she too thought were important.

        When she got back to the townhouse, she hugged Jonathan tightly.
She could tell by the way he held her that he had been very worried about
her and that now he felt a strong sense of relief that she was home.  His
voice was gruff as he asked her about the man he'd never met.  Martha told
him about Cliff and what they had talked about, letting Jonathan know how
much his understanding meant to her, how much it had always meant to her.
Then the two of them climbed the stairs to the nursery.

          Laura was just beginning to wake up from her afternoon nap and
Martha picked her up, succumbing to the lovely warmth of a baby snuggling
into her arms.  Cliff had accused her of taking the easy way out when she
had returned to Smallville after her short time in jail.  He had been
wrong.  Although she had never doubted that her decision to marry Jonathan
was the right one, it had not been easy, especially in the early years as
they had worked together to make a go of the run-down farm that he'd
inherited from his grandfather.  They'd had to fight just as surely as
Cliff had. Then had come the pain of not being able to have children, the
emptiness that was like a cold dark hand around her heart. And the guilt
that she had felt when the adoption agency rejected them because of her
background.

         Laura burbled and stretched a tiny arm as she completed the
complex task of waking up.  Martha fell under her granddaughter's spell,
suddenly remembering what it had been like when she and Jonathan had found
Clark.  Martha had scooped him up out of his small ship, making sure that
he was covered in his dark blue blanket.  She had gazed at him in wonder,
only dimly hearing Jonathan say that they had better contact the
authorities.  She hadn't bothered looking up at him; she'd just shaken her
head, knowing that the baby was theirs and that she loved him and that she
would not give him up, her brown eyed, dark haired baby boy, sent to them,
by parents far away, in a tiny ark to be found among the flags of Shuster's
Field.

         Jonathan knew, too, because the next thing she heard was his
gentle voice saying  "Let's go home, Martha.  We'll keep him safe.  I'll
make sure they never find this capsule."

* * *
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:05:34 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      S6, Ep4, The Last Time I Saw Elvis, part 7/8
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

        Lois and Clark walked out of Metropolis General Hospital, trying to
make sense out of what Mick had said to them.  Mick was sure the devil was
trying to kill them, kill all of them.  He made the ground shake and the
air hard to breathe and people disappear.  You have to hide from the devil.
The devil has helpers.  The devil has snakes.  They'll find you wherever
you go.  They nearly found him last night but he hid from them and they
went away.  But they left something and they'll come back for it. The devil
and his helper.  They'll kill you.  You have to stay by yourself.  You have
to hide from the devil.  As he talked, his agitation increased until the
duty nurse called a doctor who sedated him, staying until the old man was
calm.

        "So we look for someone with a snake tattoo.  That's just about
every second guy with a tattoo in the bars of Metropolis."  Lois looked at
her husband for a second.  "Although we know he's your size.  So that
limits it to every fourth guy."  She brightened for a moment.  "Maybe I can
get Jimmy to do it."

        Clark raised his eyebrows. "Come on, Lois.  Think how it'd be,
going to all the bars in town and asking to see a guy's tattoo.  Jimmy
would be dead by morning."

        Lois sighed.  "I hadn't thought about that."

        "You, on the other hand, could get a guy to show you his tattoos
real fast."  Clark raised his eyebrows at her suggestively.

        "Clark!"  Lois sounded shocked.

        "I could watch.  Come to your rescue if you needed."  His tone was
helpful.

        "I can take care of myself, Clark Kent."

        His eyes sparkled and he flashed her a grin. "O.K.  You check the
bars on your own and I'll check out a few other things."

        "Such as?"

        "I'll try the MFD again."

        "I'll call Henderson and ask him for a run down on guys with
explosives experience who look like our man."

        "Let's talk to Bobby Bigmouth, too.  He might be faster than
checking the bars.  And after that, Ms. Lane, I think we head home."  Clark
slid his arm around her shoulders as he spoke.

* * *

        The MFD had found traces of a delayed reaction incendiary bomb in
the Daly building.  This information altered the police take on the
identity of the bomber since it was difficult to argue that their only
suspect was the masked spokesman for CEPL when he had been among those
spending the night there.  That he was prepared to risk his own life seemed
unlikely, although Henderson still thought there was a possibility that the
group's leader might have thought that he could get everyone out of the
building before the bomb detonated, thus making CEPL look like victims and
thereby gaining public sympathy.

        Lois rolled her eyes while Henderson was telling her this but had
the good sense to stifle her reply.  She wanted Henderson to do her a favor
and ticking him off didn't seem like a wise move.  She made her request for
a list of known illicit explosives talent and then listened to the pause at
the other end of the line.  Henderson was thinking, always a good sign, she
thought.

        "What makes you and Kent so sure that our guy is not the one?"

        "We've been talking to a few of the people down in the Annex."

        "So have our guys.  Nothing.  They clam up.  No one knows this
masked guy.  You got a lead on him?"

        "Henderson, can you do that search for me?  There's a fear down
here that there's going to be another bomb."

        "Yeah,  wouldn't surprise me.  We got word this morning that last
Thursday's gas leak was no accident.  I'll have Liz put your description
through the computer and see what we get."

        "Thanks, Henderson.  I owe you."  Lois could be gracious when the
occasion warranted.  She hung up the receiver and stepped away from the
protection of the phone cubicle.  "He'll do it.  Now let's go find Bobby."

        They found Bobby Bigmouth at the cafeteria where he sometimes
worked but, for once, he didn't know any more than they did.  He'd picked
up the edginess on the streets, all right, and he knew it was caused by the
fear of the bombings, the fires, and the unsolved murders which Bobby knew
Clark had been investigating.  His grizzled face was apologetic as he told
them what little he knew.

* * *

        That night, Superman searched the Old Market and Annex area.
Slowing his speed as much as possible and swooping low, he scanned the
area.  Entering the tunnels under that part of the city, he did a whirlwind
inspection of crevices and dark corners.  Some of the tunnels were in use--
part of the subway system that crossed beneath the city, but most were now
abandoned.  Some of them had been built almost a century ago as the subway
system was completed, while others had been built to provide access to the
sewer system and to underground steam pipes and gas lines.  As he blitzed
through these low narrow burrows he noticed a few shapeless men and women,
moles settled in for the night.  In some cases, their cardboard packing
crates told him that these tunnels provided permanent residences, giving
them some protection against the cold of winter.  His search turned up no
sign of a bomb.

        When he got home, the house was in darkness except for one light
upstairs.  After stopping in Laura's nursery for a few moments, he walked
down the hall to the master bedroom.  It was empty.  Noticing the light
coming through the open door on the far side of the room, he smiled, spun
into his terry robe, and then entered the bathroom.  Lois, her dark hair
tied up in a pony tail, was lolling back in the bubble-filled tub, sponging
water over her shoulders.  She smiled at him as he leaned against the sink
counter.

        "Find anything?"

        "No.  I checked pretty carefully.  No bomb anywhere.  The place is
safe."

        "Good."  She was aware that his eyes had left her face as he spoke
and were now wandering over the rest of her body. She smiled and arched her
back provocatively, silently flirting with him as she dribbled foamy water
over her shoulder again.  "So, you're home for awhile?"  As their eyes met
again, she smiled as she saw the mix of laughter and passion in his.  What
she wanted to do, she thought with a sigh, was to let her hands roam over
every inch of him.  Rivulets of water trailing over her body, she rose from
the tub, and reached for a towel.

        He beat her to it.  "Yeah, I'm home for awhile.  So, is there
anything I can do for you?"  His voice was both teasing and hopeful as he
began to rub her gently with the towel.

        "Hmmm.  That feels so nice."  She half closed her eyes as she
spoke, leaning in to his touch as he massaged her shoulders and then bent
forward to cover her mouth with his in a slow sweet caress.  She put her
hands on his chest and then slid them up to his shoulders as she deepened
their kiss.  "There might be one or two things you could do for me, Mr.
Kent."

        "Glad to be of service, Mrs. Kent."  He reached back and undid the
ribbon holding her hair.

* * *

        "I might have your man," Henderson's voice was low key as he spoke
to Lois on the phone late the next morning giving Lois the feeling that he
was doing something else at the same time he was talking to her.  "Jeff
Saracini.  Black hair, hazel eyes, six two, snake tattoo on his right hand
and left forearm, released a year ago from New Troy Penn.  Clean parole
record.  Convictions for arson, assault.  Skilled in the production of
explosive devices, it says here.  How'd you know, Lane?"

        "We talked to a lot of people yesterday.  The snake thing kept
coming up, not always in lucid conversation, but too often to ignore."

        "Anyone we should talk to?"

        "Yeah, I think so, but I'm not sure she'll talk to you.  Let me
talk to her again.  I'll try to get her to agree to see you away from the
station."

        "Lois, this guy is not a gentleman.  I trust Kent will keep you out
of trouble.

        Eyes veiled, Lois stared at the receiver for a moment.  "Look
Henderson, I don't need a keeper."

        "No?  Motherhood reformed you?"

        "No, it has not."   The indignation in Lois's reply heightened as
Henderson laughed and hung up the phone.  Why did everyone think that
motherhood should slow her down?  She'd had a baby, not a personality
transplant.  After quickly scribbling a note, she placed it on Clark's
empty desk.  Moments later, she was jabbing the lobby button in the
elevator.

        Half an hour later, she'd navigated a few alleys and climbed
through rubble to find the squat that she, Clark and Alex had visited
yesterday.  She tried to convince Sarah to talk to Henderson.  The girl was
reluctant; she feared being charged with soliciting and most of all she was
terrified that they would hold her until her baby was born and then take
the baby from her.

        "You don't get it, do you?  I can't lose my baby.  Nobody's ever
loved me.  My baby will be someone to love me."

        Lois felt close to tears.  Part of her felt that the best thing in
the world for the child would be to be taken from this girl-woman and yet
she understood how Sarah might never get over that loss.  "Sarah, no one
will take your baby away.  I promise you that.  But you have to trust us
and you have to let us help you."

        Sarah agreed finally to go with Lois to the shelter.  She would
talk to Henderson there but she would not go downtown.  Pulling her black
ski jacket over her bulky sweater, she got to her feet and followed Lois
out onto the street.  She led Lois to the shelter, taking a longer route,
but one that involved less climbing and no back alleys.  Sarah was reaching
a stage in her pregnancy that discouraged back street scrambling.

        Once at the shelter, Lois entrusted Sarah to a nun who was helping
out that morning.  As Lois put through a call to police headquarters, she
hoped that Sister Joan would make it her business to take long term care of
Sarah.  When she got through to Henderson, he said he'd be there as soon as
possible.  Lois returned to the long trestle table to have coffee while
Sarah dug into the beginning of a sensible lunch that the sister was
preparing.  Lois smiled at the nun in relief, sending her a silent request
to take care of the girl.

        While the three women were chatting over lunch, Alex showed up at
the church, slightly out of breath.  Catching sight of Lois, he walked
quickly over to the table.  "Lois, I was about to phone you.  I've just
seen the two guys that Sarah was talking about."

        "Where?  Let's go, Alex.  We've got to follow them."

        "Where's your partner?"  Alex sounded doubtful.  "I'd feel better
if he were here too."

        "He's, ah, on another story."  The truth was that Clark had picked
up a news bulletin about a major storm in the North Sea that was
threatening to wipe out the oil platforms there, endangering the lives of
the workers who lived on them.  "He'll be here later, if he gets time.
Sarah can let Henderson know where we've gone," Lois said as she and Alex
rushed out of the church.  Of course, since neither of them had left any
specific information about their destination, this would be difficult.
Lois Lane, on the trail of a big story, was not always logical about
details.

        "I saw these guys getting out of a van a couple of blocks from
here.  I went over to get a closer look, and I spotted the snake tattoo on
one guy's hand."  Alex was excited and he rushed his words.  "I figured I'd
better call you and the shelter was just around the corner."

        They jogged the two blocks to where Alex had seen the men and
spotted them turning into a side street not far from the squats.  "O.K.,
Alex, let's take it easy here."  They slowed down, keeping far enough back
so they wouldn't be noticed, but close enough to see their quarry stop in
the middle of the sidewalk up ahead.  Lois pulled Alex into the doorway of
a boarded up store on their right.

        The two men halted in front of an iron grate in the sidewalk and
then looked up and down the deserted street.  Seeing no one, the taller of
the two men pried the grate open and they both lowered themselves into it,
disappearing from sight.

        "Alex, I'm going down there.  You go back to the shelter and tell
Henderson when he gets there,"  Lois whispered as she peered around the
store's doorframe.

        "You can't do that."  Alex's voice had risen a decibel.  "I'm
coming with you."

        "It's O.K., Alex, I've done this before.  I'll be careful.  What I
need you to do is tell Henderson."  She looked at him as she spoke, her
voice confident, willing him to go.

        Alex hesitated and then made up his mind.  Briefly, he touched her
shoulder.  "All right, but I'm back here as soon as I'm done."  Turning, he
ran back in the direction from which they'd come, his long legs stretching
like an ostrich in flight.

        Lois pried the grate away from its metal frame and climbed down the
iron ladder attached to the side of the shaft which led below the street
surface.  Jumping down the last two feet, she landed on the dirt floor of a
small cave-like area with tunnels going off in two directions.  Great, she
thought.  Which way?  Then she noticed the damp earth scuffed in the tunnel
to her left and proceeded down it, careful to keep to the wall in case she
should be close to her quarry.

        After several interminable minutes treading cautiously in the dark,
Lois finally heard their voices up ahead although she could not make out
what they were saying.  Clark, you have it too easy, she told her absent
partner.  It was difficult walking in the dark and so she kept her right
hand on the damp tunnel wall to help her sense where she was going.  She
wondered if there were rats down here.  There were.

        Suddenly, she could hear clearly what the two men were saying.
They had come to a halt and Lois could see the perimeter of a small circle
of light cast by a flashlight against the dark ground.

        "This will do.  I figure we're under the squats here.  This'll
clear everyone outta there for awhile.  Hand me the box."

        Slight sounds of movement but no talk.  Lois wished she could see
what they were doing.  Then the voice again.  "O.K., the timer's set."

        "How long we got to get outta here?"

        "More than enough time.  This'll blow at rush hour, make a greater
impression then.  No more problem down here for the boss and we get our
bonus."

        "Yeah.  His man'll contact us at the airport as soon as the six
o'clock news broadcasts the explosion.  He gives us the cash and we're on
the next flight to the beach."

        At this point, Lois made her mistake.  In an effort to try to see
the two men, she stepped away from the shadows of the wall; a decision that
placed her within range of the flashlight which now turned toward her as
the two men began to retrace their path back to the grate.

        "Well, we have a complication."  The hazel eyes that stared at her
glittered.

        Lois turned and ran.  God, she couldn't see in this darkness.  Her
foot hit a puddle, throwing her off balance for a second as she slid in the
muck.  That second was all they needed to gain distance on her.
Instinctively, she turned and aimed a quick kick that caught the first of
her pursuers in the groin.  He sank to the ground, roaring his pain in a
string of curses that echoed off the tunnel walls.  His partner ignored him
and kept running toward her.  Not realizing she'd made the decision, Lois
stood her ground.  With luck, she could take out two guys this way.  She
knew she couldn't outrun him.

         He stopped about three yards away from her and she saw that he had
a gun in his hand.  "It's over, lady."  His partner rose to his feet,
walked over to her and looked at her for a moment without speaking.  Then
he struck her hard across the face.  Lois reeled back in pain and then
tried to aim a second kick but only managed to deliver a harmless blow to
the side of his hip.  He hit her again, shoving her against the hard wall
of the tunnel.  The pain of the blow seared like a white flash through her
consciousness just before everything went dark.

        "Is she dead?" the man with the gun asked.

         His partner dropped to one knee to look at Lois carefully.  "I
don't think so but she's out cold. Who knows how long she'll be out.
Finish her off, Jeff.  We don't want any witnesses."

        "Not with this," Jeff put the gun back in his jacket.  "No sense
leaving more evidence than we have to."  He grabbed Lois's arms roughly and
dragged her body through the greasy puddles part way down the tunnel while
his partner followed.  "This'll do.  She's close enough to the bomb here so
that when it blows, she does too.  There's some rope in my bag.  Give it to
me."  The other man tossed him the rope and Jeff bound her wrists behind
her and then strung the rope down to her ankles. Next he used her scarf to
gag her.  "Okay, let's get out of here.  By the time they figure she was
here, we're in South America."  He stood up and the two men ran quickly
along the tunnel and climbed up into the street.

        Lois lay there unconscious for about ten minutes and then had a bit
of luck.  She was robbed.  Two old men, bundled in shabby clothes and half
drunk had entered the tunnel looking for warmth.  An old mongrel dog
shambled beside them.  The two men were squabbling over the remaining dregs
in a cheap bottle of whiskey when the dog wandered away from them to nudge
at the trussed shape that was Lois's body.

        "Walt, look what we got here."  The older of the two men bent over
Lois.  He lit a match and looked at her.  "I think she's dead."  He looked
at his companion in shock.

          "Maybe she's got some cash," Walt said as he started to go
through the pockets of her coat.  He found a twenty dollar bill, and
grinned.  Pulling out his knife, he cut the ropes around her wrists.  "Help
me get her coat off.  She won't need it no more and it's better'n what old
Mary has."  When he'd removed her coat, he looked at her for a moment.
"Poor kid.  No place to die."

        "Let's get out of here, Joe.  That twenty'll get us a couple
bottles and then we'll tell someone she's here."

        "Not much we can do for her now.

* * *

        When Alex got back to the shelter, Sarah had gone.  Sister Joan
reported that the girl had lost her nerve but she had hopes that the girl
would come back later that day.  "I'm concerned about her health, Alex.
She's too thin.  We've got to get proper care for her."

        "Never mind that, Sister, is the cop here?"

        "No.  We got a call just after you left.  He's been delayed for
another hour."

        "What?"  Alex raced to the phone.  To be safe, he put a call
through to police headquarters as well as to Clark Kent at the Daily Planet
letting them know the location of the grate.  Alex got Kent's voice mail
and left a message identical to the one he'd left the police.  Great, he
thought, everyone's got more important things to do.  He got the sister to
lend him a couple of flashlights and then he left the shelter.

* * *

        Lois moaned, raising her hand to touch the back of her throbbing
head.  For a moment she wasn't sure where she was.  Looking down at her
feet, she realized they'd tied her up but how had she been cut loose?
Reaching forward, she unwound the rope from around her ankles.  Where was
her coat?   She had to get moving but all she wanted to do was to lie down
and go to sleep.  She had to stand up.  Slowly, her hand on the wall of the
tunnel, she pulled herself up, dimly aware there was something she had to
do.  Then she remembered.  There was a bomb somewhere.  She had to tell
someone; she had to get out of here.  She felt like she'd been drugged.
Pushing herself, she staggered the short distance to the ladder that would
take her up to the street.

        For a moment, the fresh air invigorated her, like cold water on a
hot day.  She could make it.  She started to walk toward the church
shelter, shivering and fighting the dizziness that was making her mind and
her body numb.  I have to get home.  Laura needs me.  Clark, where are you?
Laura!  There's a bomb.  She wasn't sure where she was going.  Was this the
alley that Alex had taken?  She didn't know.  There was no one around.
Everything was getting dark and her head hurt.  She stumbled over some
brick rubble and fell.  Damn, no!  Her head throbbed and  she fought the
nausea rising in her throat.  Why did she take these risks?  What was she
trying to prove?  Who was she kidding?  She had to get up. If only this
weight that was pressing down on her would disappear.  She couldn't see
clearly, the street faded in a blur of white static, and then the blackness
claimed her again.  She didn't get up.

* * *

         When Alex left the shelter, he ran back toward the squats, nabbing
the first three guys he knew and then racing back toward the street where
he had left Lois Lane.  The four men skittered down the ladder into the
shaft and split up, two going down each tunnel.

        It was Alex who found Lois's bag.  He called to the others and all
four searched the tunnel but found no sign of the reporter. Giving up the
search, they returned to the street.  "They must have taken her," Alex
said.  "I've gotta get the police."  That comment had the effect of making
his three companions vanish quickly back into the security of the back
alleys that they knew so well.

* * *
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 17:05:50 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      S6, Ep4, The Last Time I Saw Elvis, part 8/8
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

        Clark Kent was pleased with the rescue of the workers on the oil
rig this morning.  Everyone was safe and he'd managed to re-anchor the
giant rig so that it was secure against the force of the storm.  It had
been easy.  Now he could put in a few hours at the job that paid, he
thought ruefully as he entered the Daily Planet.  Although he wasn't
consciously aware of it, the first thing that he always did when he got off
the elevator alone was to look across the newsroom floor for Lois.  He'd
been doing that since his first day at the Planet and he was always a
little disappointed when she wasn't there.

        "Hey, Jim, seen Lois?" he asked as he passed the younger man on his
way to his desk.

        "Not since about noon, C.K.  I think she went out on an interview."

        "Say where she was going?"

        "No idea.  I didn't get a chance to ask her.  Perry had a rush on
for some shots of that taxi pile up on Main and 2nd.  Think she left you a
note, though."

        Clark sifted through the paper and mail that had been piled on his
desk in the last few hours and found the note.  Reading it, he thought that
she should have been back by now.  Then he flicked on his voice mail and
got Alex's message.  Lois, no, why do you do these things?  The most recent
message was Henderson's: "Kent, an Alex Jefferson just called in a report
of Lois being  missing.  Is he on the level?  Is Lois there?  I'm  heading
over to Lexington and 27th to check it out."

        Clark ran past Jimmy toward the elevator.  "What's up, C.K.?"

        "No time to talk now, Jim.  Tell ya later."  The elevator doors
slid shut as he finished his comment.  Seconds later he was airborne,
arriving at Lexington and 27th just as Henderson pulled up in an MPD
cruiser.  Alex was with him.  In a matter of seconds, the two men were out
of the car and standing on the pavement beside him.

        "Gosh! Superman!"  Alex had never seen him before and was as
speechless as if he'd encountered the ghost of Kurt Cobain.

        "What happened?" Superman asked.  As Alex explained, his mounting
panic obvious in the rapid jabs his long arms made in the air as he talked,
Superman felt a rising sense of panic. He rose into the air, searching the
alleys and streets below.  When he first saw the body spread-eagled in an
alley below him, he prayed that it was not Lois but even as he did he knew
that it was.  Landing beside her, he crouched over her, grateful that he
could hear her heartbeat.

        "Lois," his voice was a soft cry, half fear, half plea, but her
eyes did not open.  Very  gently, he turned her over and touched the small
trickle of blood that had coagulated on her forehead.  "Lois," he whispered
as he wrapped her in his cape, lifted her into his arms and flew her to the
emergency ward of Metropolis General Hospital.

        He strode into the reception area and was immediately met by a
nurse.  "Do you know what happened to her?  How long has she been
unconscious?"

        "No.  I found her in an alley."

         One of the doctors rushed over and took a quick look at her.
"Let's get her into a room immediately.  Looks like a concussion and
probably exposure.  Face swollen.  I'd say someone has hit her pretty hard.
With luck, nothing more.  It depends how long she was out."

        By this time, the duty nurse and an orderly had placed Lois on a
gurney and were wheeling her toward one of the rooms in the ER.  Superman
followed.

        "Uh, Superman.  We can take it from here."  The doctor, an
efficient young woman, nodded at Superman.   "We'll see if we can contact a
family member.  Avoid the husband or boyfriend, though, Elaine," the doctor
said to the older woman.  "Eight times out of ten, he's the guy with the
fists."

        The nurse observed, "There's no handbag.  I'll check her clothes
for any I.D.  Don't suppose you have any idea who she is, Superman?"

        Superman had been feeling pretty irrelevant by this point. Standing
quietly on the sidelines was a strain when what he wanted to do was shout,
"I'm going in there with her.  She's my wife and I'm not leaving her."
Instead, he said, with as much calm as he could manage, "Her name is Lois
Lane Kent.  She's a friend of mine.  I'll stay with her until I know she'll
be all right."  His voice was firm.  He was not going anywhere.

        "She's a reporter for the Daily Planet, isn't she?  I haven't been
in Metropolis long, but I've read some of her stuff.  Not bad.  So I guess
this isn't one of the eight times out of ten."  The doctor said as they
walked  behind the gurney into the ER.

        "No, it is not."  Superman's words were brusque as he followed the
woman.  He thought to himself: but it is her husband's fault.

        He paced in the waiting room while Lois was examined.  Even a
superman could not convince a nurse that he ought to be able to break the
rules when it came to medical procedure.  That the two other people in the
waiting room were surprised by his presence there did not even dawn on him.
It wasn't long before the doctor reappeared.

        "Superman, your friend has a severe concussion but no fracture to
her skull. The concussion came from a blow to the back of her head.  She's
also suffering mild hyperthermia from lying outside but nothing serious.
Her face has been hit pretty hard, I'd say, but that's her least serious
problem.  We hope she'll come around pretty soon."

        "I'll call her husband.  He'll be here as soon as possible.  May I
see her for a minute before I go?"

        The doctor seemed to sense his mood and smiled.  "Of course.  Don't
worry, Superman.  I've seen a lot worse cases than this.  But you might try
to talk your friend into taking a few less risks."

        I wish, Superman thought, as he walked behind the doctor into
Lois's room.  He stood for a moment looking at his wife and felt his chest
constrict.  What if it had been worse?  Stooping beside her bed, he stroked
her cheek with the back of his fingers, the only gesture that he felt would
be safe given the other people in the room.

        "Thanks, Doctor.  I'll call her husband.  He'll be here as soon as
he can."  Then he walked out into the corridor, looking for a convenient
stairwell in which to do a quick change act.

* * *

        Clark called his parents first and then Perry White to let them
know what had happened.

        "Jeez, Kent, can't you keep better tabs on that girl?"

        "No, Chief, I can't.  I'd like to, but I can't," he snapped, his
sense of frustration mounting.  As powerful as he was, he'd never been able
to control her.  Why was he even thinking that?  He didn't want to control
her.  He just wanted to keep her safe, to keep his family safe.  She knew I
wasn't around.  What's she trying to prove?  But he didn't voice these
final thoughts.

        "Clark, stay there until she comes to.  It'll take more 'n a tap on
the head to keep that young woman on the sidelines, son."

        "Thanks, Perry."  He hung up the phone and put a call through to
Henderson and told him that Superman had found Lois.

        It said something about Henderson's respect for Clark Kent that he
gave Clark the next bit of information.  "Kent, Lois was on the right
track.  We found a bomb farther down the tunnel where the kid found her
bag.  That's off the record, by the way.  I don't want whoever planted the
bomb to know we found it.  And I want to talk to Lois as soon as she wakes
up."

        Clark spent the next hour sitting beside his unconscious wife,
watching her, talking to her.  As he sat there, he began to construct in
his mind a large cabin, more like a fortress.  Isolated and remote.  He
would take Lois and Laura there and he would keep them safe.  There would
be no plots to take his child from him, no temptations to distract Lois.
As he planned the details of this cabin, he began to relax.  He would build
it the way she liked, with rooms that let the sun in.  He looked at her
bruised face and the bandage on her forehead and it seemed as though she
were talking to him.  "It's beautiful, Clark, but now we're your prisoners."

        He reached over and touched her face, cupping her cheek in the palm
of his large hand.  "O.K., baby, so I won't build it," he said to her, "but
you gotta promise that you're gonna be more careful."

        Lois opened her eyes as he was speaking.  "Won't build it?"  Her
voice was thick, slurred and she looked at him, her eyes confused.  Then
she was alert.  "Clark, there's a bomb.  You've got to get it."

        Clark's intentions were different.  He had pressed the button
signalling the nurse and was now out in the hall ensuring that someone was
on the way.  Then he returned to her bedside.  "I know, sweetheart.
Henderson's already found it."  He grinned at her, his relief at her
regaining consciousness freeing him and making him giddy.  "You know, I've
never seen anything as beautiful as you are,"  he said as he slid his
finger through a strand of hair.

        Lois managed a weak smile.  "Thanks, Clark. I appreciate that.
Now, if you could make my head stop hurting, I'd be really grateful."

        He kissed her cheek very gently, respectful of the massive bruise
that was forming along the side of her face.  "Lois, you've got to stop
hanging around dark tunnels, burning buildings, exploding warehouses,
flagpoles. . . "

        Her voice was still slurred, "No fair.  Right now, I think you've
got a point."

        "You do?" Clark sounded surprised and felt another small ripple of
light pass through his soul.

        "Clark,"  Lois's voice was urgent now.  "There's more.  What time
is it?  The guys who planted the bomb.  They're going to meet someone with
a payoff at the airport as soon as the news breaks about the explosion.  Is
there still time?  You've gotta go."

        "Sush.  It's O.K., there's still time.

        Just.  He put through a call to Henderson, telling him that Clark
Kent would meet him at the airport as soon as possible.

* * *

        It was easy for Superman to get to Metropolis International
Airport; it was more difficult for him to find two men, about whose
appearance he had only the sketchiest details, out of all the thousands of
passengers milling about the exit gates.  Henderson had his team distribute
a mug shot of Jeff Saracini as well as a description of the two suspects to
airport  personnel at the departure gates.  His men, as well as airport
security, were stationed throughout the terminal.  The inspector had asked
both radio and T.V. news to announce the explosion as a late breaking news
bulletin.  He was hoping by then he would have spotted his quarry and could
wait until they were approached with the pay off.  They had over an hour to
go.  He was only too pleased to have Clark Kent along as an extra observer.
They could use every bit of help they could get.

        "Just keep out of the way if these guys put up a fight, Kent."
Henderson gave Clark a copy of the mug shot.

        "Don't worry, I can handle myself pretty well."

        "It's not you I'm worried about.  I don't want to have any screw
ups caused by avenging husbands."

        They narrowed the exit gates down to those for flights leaving no
earlier than seven o'clock, knowing that the two fugitives would have
arranged to take payment at the last possible moment before they had to go
through the final luggage security check.  The police also had a lucky
break.  One of the stewards at the check-in counter recalled processing the
two men.  She remembered seeing the snake tattoo as the man had handed her
his ticket and she had also thought it unusual that the two men were taking
only carry on luggage on a flight out of the country.  That, combined with
an inept attempt by his companion to flirt with her had made them stick in
her mind.

        That narrowed the search down to gate twelve from which a flight
for Buenos Aires was leaving at seven thirty.  It was Clark who spotted the
two men first, seated at a bar watching T.V. some distance from where he
was standing.  As he looked at them, he felt remote from the crowds around
him, isolated by the anger welling inside him.  One of those men had
attacked Lois.  He put a call through to Henderson and was joined almost
immediately by an undercover cop.  Henderson was there moments later.

        "You got great eyesight, Kent.  I can't tell a thing from here,"
Henderson spoke quietly as he continued walking past Clark toward the bar.
He took a seat at the opposite end of the counter and waited.

        At the end of the newscast, the anchor interrupted the weather
barbie with a bulletin announcing a massive explosion in the old Market
Annex.  That was the signal.  A well dressed woman in a tailored suit took
the seat next to the two men and ordered a spritzer.  She reached into her
purse, pulled out an envelope and placed it beside the man with the
tattoos.  When the bartender brought her the drink, she got up without
speaking and took it over to one of the small round tables circling the
bar.  Henderson's man followed her.

        The tattooed man picked up the envelope and put it in his inner
pocket.  Henderson made his move.  "Jeff Saracini, you're under arrest."
As he began to read him his rights, his companion took off.

        Clark had been watching all this carefully.  At the first sign of
flight, he and two other undercover cops galvanized into action, chasing
the man through the crowds toward the escalator.  Clark had a head start on
them, and got to the man first.  Grabbing his shoulder, he forced the man
to stop.  The man took a swing at him, Clark ducked, and his opponent lost
his balance as the momentum of his swing had no destination.  With a grip
like an iron vise, Clark clamped his hands on his opponent's shoulders.
"That's it.  Your flight's grounded."

        "Hey, easy man.  You don't know your own strength."

        "Thanks, Kent.  We got him."  The undercover cop took over and
Clark felt the breath go out of him.  He'd wanted more.  He wanted to push
these guys around, let them know what it felt like to be hit by someone
stronger than them.  He was shocked by how powerful this feeling was and he
stood, uncertain what to do next, fighting for control.  He was aware of
his fists clenching and unclenching as he watched, but did not listen, to
the police officer reading the man his rights.

        Much later and much calmer, Clark returned to the hospital,
carrying a small bouquet of roses which he added to the flowers Perry and
Jimmy had brought.  The doctor had told him that Lois appeared to have no
problems but that they would like her to stay overnight for observation.
When Clark got there, Lois was fighting sleep.  Her face was still swollen,
but had changed color so now it was a subtle blending of blue-grey and
green.  Clark thought maybe there was a bit of purple, too.  Then he
noticed that the room was nearly full.  The whole gang was there, including
Laura.  Lois was on the phone with her mother in Florida.

         "Yes, I was being careful.  No, I didn't tell Clark I was going."
She listened in silence for a moment. "No, Mom, I'm fine, fine."  Silence
again, then,  "No, no you don't need to cut your vacation short."  Lois
handed the phone to Clark and hissed, "Tell her I'm fine, Clark."

        Clark raised his eyebrows and gave her a look that was a cross
between a smile and a grimace.  "You're right, Ellen, she takes far too
many chances."  He grinned as he listened to her.  "I agree.  She never
thinks about the consequences."  Another pause, "Yeah, acts without
thinking."  He listened intently, keeping his eyes fixed on his wife who
was rolling her eyes as he replied to Ellen.  "Uh huh, acts impulsively."

        "Clark!  Tell her I'm fine."

        "Yeah. I'll tell her, Ellen.  Enjoy the rest of your vacation.
Bye."  He hung up the phone and leaned over to kiss his wife's cheek,
meeting her smoldering eyes.  "That purple color looks good on you."

        "Thanks, Clark."  Her tone was sarcastic.

        Clark grinned at her and then turned to lift Laura out of Martha's
arms.  "Thanks, Mom."

        Both Martha and Lois spoke almost simultaneously.  "So what
happened at the airport?"

        "Henderson got them and their contact.  I went down to the station
with them and waited while they put a trace on her.  No priors, but guess
what?  She works for Metropolis Fidelity which is a holding company for
several construction and development companies, including Bronson
Corporation."  Clark turned to Jimmy.  "So, Jim, tomorrow we start doing
some digging on Metropolis Fidelity and find out who's behind it and what
else it controls."

        "Hey, what about me?"  Lois demanded.

        "You, darlin', are stayin' home for the rest of the week."  Perry's
voice was firm.  "Come on, Jimmy, let's head home."

        "Us too, Jonathan.  Clark, we'll take Laura.  Lois fed her just
before everyone arrived and there's a couple of bottles in the fridge for
her."  Martha lifted her granddaughter from Clark's arms, turning to smile
reassuringly at Lois as she did. "Now, Lois, don't you worry about Laura;
she'll be fine. See you later." Martha walked to the door and stood there
for a moment.  "Thank you, both of you, for all you've done to help Cliff."
Her eyes blurred for a moment and Clark encircled her in an affectionate
hug.

        "Any time, Mom.  You're pretty amazing, you know."  His voice was
gruff and then he let his dad rescue her.

        "Come on, Martha.  It's getting late."

        Lois sighed and sank back into her pillow as they all left.  "Do
you think Laura will be all right?  I should be going home, too.  What if
she gets upset?  What if. . . "

        "She'll be fine, honey."  He grinned as he interrupted her.
"Remember, thanks to not so modern technology there's milk for her and I
hear her dad's pretty super."  His face turned serious and he gently
stroked her hair.  "Lois," he began.

        Lois met Clark's eyes and touched his hand in response to the
concern she saw in them.  "I know, Clark. I know.  Don't think I didn't
think all that when I was trying to get back to the shelter."

        "You don't have to prove anything, Lois.  You don't have to do
everything.  Even Superman can't do that."

        "How did you know, Clark?  That I felt that way, I mean."

        He caressed her cheek.  "Because I love you.  And because sometimes
it gets like that for me too, and whenever it does, you always tell me that
what I do is enough."

        She kissed the palm of his hand and let her shoulders relax.  Then
she grinned.  "But you gotta admit, it's a pretty clever way to get two
extra days off work.  And my edge, Clark.  I've still got it!"  Her eyes
sparkled.

* * *

        A week later the Kent household was back to normal. The television
was on, tuned as usual to the news channel.  One item got the attention of
all four Kents.  They looked in astonishment at the screen as the camera
panned slowly over the headquarters of Metropolis Fidelity, which had been
spray painted in the early hours of the morning.  Twisting green vines,
leafy trees, and large fanciful scarlet flowers covered the grey concrete.
Oddly, a large outline of a broken egg had been painted by the entrance
door.  It was beautiful.  The spokesperson for Fidelity was outraged and
spoke strongly about vandalism and the desecration of private property.

         Martha laughed.  "Well, there's more than one way to get a park."

        When the news item ended, Jonathan handed Lois a large envelope.
"Oh, here, I forgot this.  It was on the front doorstep as we came in this
morning."

        Lois opened the envelope, looked at the single sheet of paper which
she had pulled out, and then smiled as she showed it to Clark.  It was a
charcoal sketch of the two of them, humor and affection evident in the way
in which they looked at each other.  At the bottom was written, "Thank
you". It was signed with the initials CGM.

* * *

THE END
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 16:02:48 PST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Tanya Walsh <tanya_walsh@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: TV show
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

Hi !

I was just wondering if any other countries - besides Australia, didn't
even get to see the 4th season of Lois and Clark ! It was cancelled here
after about 5 episodes, and there aren't any repeats on cable at the
moment either.

--Tanya

>
>Hey
>
>It probably is strange that we are all fans of a show that hasn't been
seen
>(except for repeats that is) but hey, each to their own.  I always
thought
>it was a great show and I watch all the re-runs that are on.
Currently,
>they are on the terrestrial TV on Saturday mornings and on the cable
network
>on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, so you can get quite a fix if you
want
>to.
>
>Speak to you soon
>Eileen
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Kristen <Kristen036@AOL.COM>
>To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
><LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
>Date: 10 January 1999 09:17
>Subject: TV show
>
>
>>Hey, I was just wondering if all you fellow fanfic-ers think that it's
>strange
>>that we are all still obsessed with this one TV show that hasn't
actually
>been
>>on for almost 2 years.  I mean, I'm just obsessed as the next
guy/girl, but
>>still, what other TV show has these kind of fans, all other shows that
get
>>canceled are usually just forgotten about.  So, just out of curiousity
do
>you
>>think it's strange that we are all like this?
>>
>>Kristen
>>Kristen036@aol.com
>>

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 21:18:27 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Jedi <jedi@ONLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Toronto
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At the moment here in North Bay we are experiencing a heat wave. Earlier in
the week it was -40 or -30 without the windchill and by the week end it's
+5. So of course we all get stupid and run around outside with shorts on
and play in the snow. Typical northern Ontario behavior on the winter when
the temp goes above 0.

Tanya

At 03:09 PM 1/17/99 +0000, you wrote:
>Hi Torontoarians
>
>Wanted to know how you are all coping in the dreadful weather you are
>(reportedly) currently 'enjoying' - I have spent New Year in Ontario, so I
>do know what 'cold' means there!!
>
>Anyway - thinking of you all
>
>Jenny
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 22:39:30 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         No Name Available <Larus2407@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Yikes, I've never done this before---started a discussion on a story that
was
posted...!!!

Without an introduction, I was plunged into a setting I was unprepared for.
I
don't know why our favorite characters and newspaper were sent back into
time,
because the Superman of that era was actually quite different anyway.

I do really have trouble with the idea of Superman killing---even if it's as
Clark. Especially if it's senseless as in war. This was not about protecting
the woman he loves, his child, or parents; this was just killing strangers
for
no reason that he believed in.

When I first visited MizMollee we watched the old Fleischman cartoons and
besides being impressed by the rich texture of the drawings, I was amazed to
see a Superman that didn't fly and that did fight Nazis. In many of the
stories, the Nazis were the bad guys. You do have to remember when these
were
made and who the audience was. The story that disturbed me most was one
where
Lois (who, btw, was just as brave and independent in many ways as our
Lois---she even flew a plane in one ep!) and Clark were sent to Japan to
cover
some war-related story. They were kept "protected" (captive)---not allowed
to
go out at night on their own. But Clark would sneak out and be Superman and
sunk many of the Japanese ships in the harbor that were supposed to be soon
headed out to fight. Now, since Superman couldn't fly (he jumped), I kept
wondering if they'd explain HOW he managed to get to Japan. But since these
were silent, it wasn't really explained. There was no remorse for the young
Japanese soldiers who must have been killed. I just can't see our Superman
not
thinking that these young people had families who loved them.

Oh, back to the story of the present--well, the one about the past that
recently arrived in our mailboxes...  I think the references to how the
Germans saw Superman's role on earth and the possible Kryptonite rays needed
to be expanded. I mean weren't the Nazis after a "super" race? We needed
some
background on how this all happened in this world that was unfamiliar to us
(even if the characters were familiar). I'm not a student of WW II history
so
I can't really make specific suggestions but what had Superman been doing?
Was
he active in the war? Was he just making rescues? Was he active worldwide?
What did the pursuit of a "super" race mean in the face of a real live
Superman? Would he have been named "Superman" if Lois had known what was
going
on in Europe? Did the Nazis develop Kryptonite rays specifically to fight
him?
Why?

Well, you all can think about this while I go to bed.

--Laurie
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 22:55:18 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Genine Murray <SuperGem4@AOL.COM>
Subject:      List Archive?
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Hey FoLCs,

Wow, two posts in one day!  :)  On LOISCLA, I'm basically a lurker so this
is
WAY unusual for me.  <g>  Anyway, I was just wondering if all of the
messages
>from this list are archived somewhere?  If so, could someone be so kind as
to
tell me where, and how I can access the archive?  I'd love to get to reading
some of the fics that have been posted here that may not be able to be found
elsewhere ... since I have already exhausted 99% of the stories I can find
online, LOL.  Any info would be greatly appreciated.  :)  Also, thank you to
everyone who sent me N-Fic info!  That's all for now FoLCs!  :)

Genine
Supergem4@aol.com
=========================================================================
Date:         Mon, 18 Jan 1999 00:01:59 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Lansbury 1 <Lansbury1@AOL.COM>
Subject:      L&C Writer's Showcase
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

Hello Everyone,

There is a new Featured Writer at the Writer's Showcase.  I hope you enjoy
reading about this week's Featured Writer.  The URL
is...............................................
http://simplyorganized.simplenet.com/showcase.html

If you would like to suggest someone for the Writer's Showcase feel free to
do
so.

Annie Lansbury
=========================================================================
Date:         Sun, 17 Jan 1999 23:10:44 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      LISTSERV WEB INTERFACE
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>X-Sender: fchisham@copper.ucs.indiana.edu
>Mime-Version: 1.0
>Date:         Sat, 15 Nov 1997 13:21:34 -0500
>Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
>              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
>Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
>              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
>From: Farah Meitzen Chisham <fchisham@INDIANA.EDU>
>Subject:      LISTSERV WEB INTERFACE
>To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
>
>If anyone is interested in searching for previous posts,
>stories that was posted on this list since it was started,
>you may go to this URL:
>
>http://listserv.indiana.edu/archives/loiscla-general-l.html
>
>again, if anything horrible happens, or you can't
>read this web page, please let me know.  Thanks!
>
>farah :)
>fchisham@indiana.edu
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Mon, 18 Jan 1999 11:21:01 -0600
Reply-To:     alyssam@earthlink.net
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Alyssa Mondelli <alyssam@EARTHLINK.NET>
Organization: Deceive, Inveigle, & Obfuscate, Attorneys-at-Law
Subject:      S6: Episode 4 now airing on the website
Comments: cc: loiscla@vm.ege.edu.tr
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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A mugging, a militant activist group, and Martha's secret past collide
head-on in S6 Episode 4: "The Last Time I Saw Elvis", written by CC
Malo. Who is CEPL? Why did Martha spend time in jail? Find out at the S6
website:

http://tempus.simplenet.com/season6/
or http://tempus.simplenet.com/season6/s6text.htm

Feedback will be greeted with hugs and chocolate chips.

(Apologies for the delay; my computer went down last night and Daniel,
my computer guru, wasn't home. Everything's fixed now.)

==Alyssa in St. Paul== (alyssam@earthlink.net)
Webmistress, Tempus Expeditions - http://tempus.simplenet.com/
B.A. Chemistry & Biology, University of St. Thomas
"Permission to barge in, sir?" --Col. Jack O'Neill, SG-1
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 08:02:29 +1100
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Jenny Stosser <jenerator@OZEMAIL.COM.AU>
Subject:      Re: TV show
In-Reply-To:  <199901180002.QAA18378@f274.hotmail.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 04:02 PM 17/01/99 PST, Tanya Walsh wrote:
>Hi !
>
>I was just wondering if any other countries - besides Australia, didn't
>even get to see the 4th season of Lois and Clark ! It was cancelled here
>after about 5 episodes, and there aren't any repeats on cable at the
>moment either.
>
>--Tanya

Tanya,
Channel 9 here in Melbourne DID show the remaining episodes of L&C season 4
after Ghosts.  But they showed it on such a weird schedule (if you can call
it that) that I never knew when it would be on.  It was supposed to be on
Sunday afternoons when nothing better (like sport, sport, sport or more
sport) was happening.  Sometimes it was on at 2pm, sometimes at 4pm, and
rarely did any published programme guide get it right.  However, they did
finally air all the eps.  I have my doubts that it will ever air again on
free tv, simply because Channel 7 owns seasons 1 &2 and Channel 9 owns 3
&4, and neither wants to advertise something that another network owns.

--
Jenny Stosser -*- jenerator@ozemail.com.au -*-This message is umop ap!sdn
 (Jenerator or Some1Else on IRC) -*- JenerEight on AIM -*- ICQ: 11477318
Photos of David (6) and Megan (3) on the Stosser Family HomePage:
http://geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/4583  Please sign our guestbook!
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 18 Dec 1998 14:46:01 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         "Mandy >=+)" <mandyc@LCC.NET>
Subject:      Need the correct spelling of a name
Comments: To: loiscla list <loiscla@vm.ege.edu.tr>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

I need the correct spelling of Lois' landlord, Mr. Trasuski <sp?> .  Does
anyone have any ideas?  It's for a fanfic I'm writing.  All help would be
appreciated!  Thanks in advance!

Mandy
ICQ # 11387717
mandyc@lcc.net
My web page (under construction): http://fly.to/mandyc
=========================================================================
Date:         Mon, 18 Jan 1999 16:05:14 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
In-Reply-To:  <7cace3f1.36a2acf2@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 10:39 PM -0500 1/17/99, No Name Available wrote:

>Without an introduction, I was plunged into a setting I was unprepared for.
I
>don't know why our favorite characters and newspaper were sent back into
time,
>because the Superman of that era was actually quite different anyway.

I haven't read the story yet, but the version the author submitted to the
Archive included an detailed introduction that identified the story as an
elseworlds (what if, imaginary, whatever term you prefer; not sure how she
exactly described it) and said that it was something she thought might be
interesting to explore.

Again, not having read the story, I don't see that an explanation of "why"
is necessary for an elseworlds.  I can think of several of these types of
stories that simply set out to explore "what if" this or that element were
different.  It can be as simple as adding something we didn't get to see on
the show, or wondering how the characters would interact if having met
under other circumstances (Beverly's In The Beginning and Chris Mulder's
Meet Me In Kansas City both are excellent examples of this.)  This is a
very common fanfic theme.

>When I first visited MizMollee we watched the old Fleischman cartoons and
>besides being impressed by the rich texture of the drawings, I was amazed
to
>see a Superman that didn't fly and that did fight Nazis.

Are you sure these are the Fleischman cartoons?  I thought that Superman
did in fact fly in those.

Regardless, however, from how you described the story Sounds Of War, it
sounds like the author captured how the Superman comics were written in the
40's.  Nazi's were killed left and right, and "Japs" were disposed of
without remorse.  Superman was an American hero, and as such, "contributed"
to the war effort on that side.  Not much "political correctness" back then.

So, while I can't comment on Clark's behavior in this story, having not
read it yet, I do know that Clark definitely killed during WWII in the
comics of the 40's.

Kathy

______________________
Kathy Brown
kathyb@springnet1.com OR kathyb@fgi.net
http://userweb.springnet1.com/kathyb/
KathyB on IRC
______________________
=========================================================================
Date:         Mon, 18 Jan 1999 17:16:25 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Frances Coogan <FCoogan106@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Need the correct spelling of a name
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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According to the script it's Tracewski.

Frances
=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 18 Dec 1998 16:20:56 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         "Mandy >=+)" <mandyc@LCC.NET>
Subject:      Re: Need the correct spelling of a name
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
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Thank you, Thank you Frances!:)  I just love FoLCs, they're the best people
in the world :)

Mandy
Who's off to correct her misspelled fanfic :)

-----Original Message-----
From: Frances Coogan <FCoogan106@aol.com>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: Monday, January 18, 1999 4:18 PM
Subject: Re: Need the correct spelling of a name

>According to the script it's Tracewski.
>
>Frances
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Mon, 18 Jan 1999 20:14:29 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Pam Jernigan <jernigan@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com
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Kathy B wrote:

>> I haven't read the story yet, <<

Then you really shouldn't comment on it <g> although I do realize
your comments were general in nature.  I'm going to be more detailed, sin=
ce
I *did* read the story, and I should warn everyone going in that I wasn't=

entirely happy with it.

>>  I don't see that an explanation of "why" is necessary for an
elseworlds. <<

It wasn't so much a "why" explanation that was missing, it was just that
the beginning was confusing.  We start with:  "Boom!...Boom!...Crash!...
The far-off sounds of fighting reverberated across the newsroom at the
Daily Planet.  "  and then a few lines later, Jimmy announces that he's
been drafted -- terrible news.  Before you know it, we find that Clark ha=
s
also been drafted.  It's quite a while into the story before we get any
clues as to *what* war this might be.  An introduction would be useful to=

orient the reader.

>> Regardless, however, from how you described the story Sounds Of War, i=
t
sounds like the author captured how the Superman comics were written in t=
he
40's.  Nazi's were killed left and right, and "Japs" were disposed of
without remorse.  Superman was an American hero, and as such, "contribute=
d"
to the war effort on that side.  Not much "political correctness" back
then. <<

That wasn't what we saw in this story, however.  Superman's efforts
were mostly to (uselessly) try to talk Hitler & Mussolini out of fighting=

-- mostly, we saw Clark, as Clark, being part of the infantry (looking ou=
t
for Jimmy as much as he could).

This is from one of Clark's internal thought monologues:
>> the Germans knew that Superman was there for everybody, not just the
United States.  They knew that he would try anything and everything to st=
op
the war, and that was their advantage.  If he was so busy trying to *stop=
*
the war, there would be no time for him to *fight* in it, would there.  A=
nd
there was also the morales issue. Superman is known as a nice guy, sticki=
ng
to his ethics in most cases, and *never* resolving to killing.  <<

But enough picking on Kathy <g>

The thing that bugged me about the story, mostly, was the
Vietnam-era sensibility that was applied to WWII -- an annoying
anachronism.  If my memory of history is correct, after Pearl Harbor, the=

young men were thronging to apply, they didn't wait to be drafted (a numb=
er
of men actually went to Canada before then, in order to enroll in the
British forces so they could fight even before the US entered the war).

And then there was Jimmy's conclusion, following his first battle:  =

>> Jimmy realized that he had killed a human, someone exactly like him,
with feelings, and maybe compassion towards fellow men.
        He had learned an important lesson that day. Nothing was ever
worth killing for.  <<

Philosophically, I disagree with this conclusion, so it grated on me, but=

it's also another example of the Vietnam-era thinking.  Not that you're
alone in that, Rachel -- I know there are a number of WWII movies that
treat that war as morally indistinguishable from Vietnam.  So I'm not
saying you can't do it, just that I disagree with that assumption.

It *is* an interesting premise, though, and it's generated some discussio=
n
:-) so it can't be all bad, can it? <g>

PJ

!^NavFont02F0A48003FMGVHGnMGpHGECMGEEHHqMHsHH8DMHEEHIDBMIDDHKWMKYHLTMM70H=
O]
MOC 6HQ493251
=========================================================================
Date:         Mon, 18 Jan 1999 21:13:58 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Rachel Madden <Scardno007@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
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First off, I'm going to apologize for not putting an introduction in the
version of "Sounds of War" that I sent in to the fanfic list. I realize that
just starting the story without explaining anything at all has confused a
few
people, and perhaps even upset them, and I apologize for that.  The version
I
sent into the archive, however, *does* have an introduction, and I hope that
when you get the chance, you will read it.

>>The thing that bugged me about the story, mostly, was the
Vietnam-era sensibility that was applied to WWII -- an annoying
anachronism.  If my memory of history is correct, after Pearl Harbor, the
young men were thronging to apply, they didn't wait to be drafted (a number
of men actually went to Canada before then, in order to enroll in the
British forces so they could fight even before the US entered the war).<<

I do realize that I made a mistake there, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor,
young men were lining up to fight...I don't know much about WWII, and I also
realize that if I don't know much about it, I really shouldn't be writing
about it, right?

This story was written not to focus on the aspects of fighting, but more on
the relationship that developed between Lois and Clark during the war. I
realize that this can be done in almost any type of scenario, but I wanted
to
focus on what war can actually do to a person.  I apologize again if I have
implied something else with this fanfic, but the above explanation was my
first intention...perhaps I strayed from it along the course of writing the
story.

One more thing, I think that not *all* men were wanting to go and fight in
the
war...especially peace-loving men such as Clark and Jimmy.  Clark and Jimmy
had good jobs, good lives, and utterly no problems, and they didn't want to
leave.  Sure, war is big, but they didn't want to fight....they wouldn't
want
to fight now, if there was, hypothetically, a war going on.

Superman, on the other hand, is beheld as an American superhero, as Kathy
mentioned before, and therefore is going to fight for America.  And not just
America, but for freedom.  Germans indicated slavery with their actions -
the
"perfect" race -  and what I would think Superman would do in a situation
like
that would be to fight for "truth and justice." And justice was definitely a
big part of WWII.

Well, that's all I have to say, and I hope you take these things into
consideration.

-Rachel  :)
=========================================================================
Date:         Mon, 18 Jan 1999 22:39:56 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         "Conditions are dark. The forecast is deadly. Tea, anyone?"
              <kubitc@KENYON.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War

The first thing I have to say is that I haven't read the story, but I would
like to respond to a few things in Rachel's post--

<< I do realize that I made a mistake there, after the bombing of Pearl
Harbor,
young men were lining up to fight...I don't know much about WWII, and I also
realize that if I don't know much about it, I really shouldn't be writing
about it, right? >>

All it means is that if you want to write about something you don't know
much
about, you should research it. In some ways the cliche is true- write what
you
know- but that shouldn't always be the case. If it was, I couldn't write
about
Lois and Clark's marriage since I'm not married. In fact, none of us would
be
writing about Superman at all since we have no personal knowledge of him; he
isn't what we "know."

Many people write historical fiction set in Civil War times or Revolutionary
War times when they obviously haven't lived through them. I know resesarch
can
be tedious at times, but if you're really interested in writing about a time
period, it can also be fun.

<<One more thing, I think that not *all* men were wanting to go and fight in
the war...especially peace-loving men such as Clark and Jimmy.>>

Not that it's my opinion, but I think the very reason some men (and women)
agree to, and even embrace, fighting in a war is *because* they are
peace-loving; they believe that their fighting will help restore peace. I
agree
that not *all* men want to fight in any war, even World War II, which had
much
public support, but being peace-loving is often a reason *to* fight rather
than
*not* to fight.

Nevermind the fact that, at the time of WWII, people were a lot more
trusting
of their government than they are now or than they were during Vietnam. If
young men were told that Hitler and friends were threats to the American way
of
life and that it was their duty to defend that way of life, they'd do it.
Perhaps partially due to differences in journalism and media (among other
things), the country's motives to fight or not to fight weren't questioned
as
they are now.

<< Clark and Jimmy had good jobs, >>

Jimmy has a good job? For much of the series he does the scut work. Sure, we
know he has aspirations to be a serious photographer and reporter, but he
doesn't get much of a serious chance. I doubt his article in Brutal Youth
put
him on the list of Kerth nominees. I know a lot of fanfics set in the future
show Jimmy taken more seriously as a journalist or photographer, but even at
the end of the show's run it didn't appear (to me, at least) that he was
taken
seriously as a reporter.

Chances are good that he could've gotten a better job in the military. Sure,
working at the Planet was probably been less dangerous (though working with
Lois and Clark wasn't exactly safe either), but it may also have had better
benefits and maybe even a better chance at moving up, than his errand boy
gig.

<< Sure, war is big, but they didn't want to fight....they wouldn't want to
fight now, if there was, hypothetically, a war going on.>>

What Jimmy and Clark would want to do now if there were a war would probably
be
much different than what they would've wanted to do during WWII times. As I
said above, attitudes towards war and the USA were different back then.
Also,
many men didn't *want* to fight (I'd be scared to meet someone who honestly
*enjoys* fighting and killing), but they did because they believed they were
doing what was right, whether it was what they themselves decided was right
or
what was popularly believed to be right.

-Christy (kubitc@kenyon.edu)

who'll get to reading the story after I sort thru the e-mail that piled up
while I was on semester break
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 08:52:51 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         "C.C. Malo" <Ccmalo@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
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Well, I *have* read the story and I think that this is the best story that
Rachel has yet written.  There's a breezy tone that I like in Rachel's
writing, as though  all these thoughts are trying to whoosh out all at once.
She's chosen a very difficult theme to write about and  I couldn't help but
think of the New Krypton parallel as  I read it so that made the story
interesting for me.

What has also led me to comment to the list has been the discussion about
historical perspective.  I sometimes wonder if it's harder to write
historical
fiction or science fiction.  Is the historical imagination more elusive?  In
both cases you have to get the objects or gizmos right but in the case of
historical fiction you also have to capture the context, the values and the
culture of the times.

Sometimes, it's difficult to avoid anachronisms  [like "president" rather
than
"general" Eisenhower :-)] I suspect we all interpret history through the
sensibility of our own times and those of our immediate family. It's hard to
avoid.  This is one of the many places where a good editor is indispensible!
And research.

Okay - the ugly truth.  I have a degree in history although, increasingly, I
realize how limited my knowledge and understanding of it is.  I do know
there
were pacifists during the second world war and so, conceiveably Clark could
have been sympathetic to their ideas.  As a reporter he certainly would be
aware of them.  One could argue that Americans were more pacifist than
Canadians who entered the war 2 years sooner than the Ameicans.

About the comics of the period.  Interesting how comic book heroes
[including
C.K. & L.L.] and cartoon fugures were used as a major part of WW II
propaganda.  One could get into a wonderful debate about whose Hitler
imitation is better -- Donald Duck's or Daffy Duck's. Or about Nietzche's
Ubermensch.  [We history types have limited lives. <g> ]

So keep writing, Rachel.  The war did provide an interesting setting  and
thank you for the story.

Carol
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 10:30:42 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Melissa Day Hall <mhall@SOUND.NET>
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
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Laurie said:
>Oh, back to the story of the present--well, the one about the past that
>recently arrived in our mailboxes...  I think the references to how the
>Germans saw Superman's role on earth and the possible Kryptonite rays
needed
>to be expanded. I mean weren't the Nazis after a "super" race? We needed
some
>background on how this all happened in this world that was unfamiliar to us
>(even if the characters were familiar). I'm not a student of WW II history
so
>I can't really make specific suggestions but what had Superman been doing?
Was
>he active in the war? Was he just making rescues? Was he active worldwide?
>What did the pursuit of a "super" race mean in the face of a real live
>Superman? Would he have been named "Superman" if Lois had known what was
going
>on in Europe? Did the Nazis develop Kryptonite rays specifically to fight
him?
>Why?

The 'Historical Superman' <g> Lecture:

(non-participant disclaimer: I wasn't there, but gosh-darn-it, research is
handy ;)

Comic book heroes were Big during WW2. They doubled as propaganda for the
war, selling war bonds and advertising the draft as much as possible.
However, most of the heroes themselves were prevented from doing any
fighting in costume. There was an early Superman  story in 1940 (_before_
the US entered the war) about Superman kidnapping Hitler and Stalin (before
he became an Allied power) and taking them to Geneva to face the
consequences.

However, that would be too easy, and to mesh reality with the comics, they
spun a story about Hitler getting his hands on the Spear of Destiny (I
think) which prevented the Allied superheroes from taking any _direct_
action on Hitler and his cronies. It was some big mystical thing, and I
don't know the details. :( But since Hitler got his hands on some super
villains, it wasn't too difficult to keep Superman and the rest busy
fighting them.

The Superman name was pre-WW2, so I doubt much thought was given to the
German origins of the Uber-mensch. However, I'm sure that the people who
did think of it were overcome with glee that Superman was on our side.

Kryptonite rays? Um... Can't say as I recall any, but you never know...

Katy Brown said:
>Nazi's were killed left and right, and "Japs" were disposed of
>without remorse.  Superman was an American hero, and as such, "contributed"
>to the war effort on that side.  Not much "political correctness" back
then.

Well, to pick a nit, politically correct back then was to support the war
effort whole-heartedly. Pacifists were given a long side-ways look.

Rachel Madden said:
>One more thing, I think that not *all* men were wanting to go and fight in
the
>war...especially peace-loving men such as Clark and Jimmy.

There was a place in the Army for people who object to violence. My
grandfather was a conscientious objector during WW2- he served in the Army
as a photographer. (You usually had to belong to a recognized church that
was prominently pacifistic(for lack of a better word) to get this status,
you couldn't just ask for it out of the blue.)

CC Malo said:
>Okay - the ugly truth.  I have a degree in history although, increasingly,
I
>realize how limited my knowledge and understanding of it is.  I do know
there
>were pacifists during the second world war and so, conceiveably Clark could
>have been sympathetic to their ideas.  As a reporter he certainly would be
>aware of them.  One could argue that Americans were more pacifist than
>Canadians who entered the war 2 years sooner than the Ameicans.

No history degree here, just alot of enthusiasm (and  a grandfather who is
so notorious for his longwindedness on the subject of WW2, he has a lecture
tour :). I'd say that Americans weren't so much pacifistic as isolationist.
Canada was closely tied with Great Britain, and was hauled into both WW1
and WW2 earlier than the US because of that. The US didn't emerge as a
number 1 world power until all of the European candidates got pounded into
the ground during WW2. Before that, we pretty much stuck our head in the
sand until we got dragged into the middle of the fight.

And back to Pam's comment:
>The thing that bugged me about the story, mostly, was the
>Vietnam-era sensibility that was applied to WWII -- an annoying
>anachronism.

I'll have to agree with Pam here- the mindset of most men approaching war
in WW2 was worlds different than Vietnam. One of the benefits of being an
ostrich in world affairs is that when you finally do go to war, it's
inevitable- there's so much propaganda surrounding the war, you can't
escape it, and (as in the case of WW2) you've been attacked- you're
defending at least your way of life, if not your own country. Vietnam on
the other hand... hoboy- there's a minefield of controversy if I ever saw
one. Take the growing attitude (fueled by the nuclear arms race) that war
is not the way to bring about world peace, add in a burgeoning
enlightenment in the area of human rights and pacifism, and the reluctance
of the youth of America to carry out the policies of their leaders who
seemed entrenched in WW2 style thinking... Aiee!

But enough of that. :) I'll hide my comments on the story down here.

I liked the B-plot. I thought it was well done, and the emotions were
handled beautifully. The A-plot... well, one of the drawbacks to being an
amateur historian is that I know too much. I had a lot of difficulty jibing
the attitude in the story about war with my knowledge of the attitude of
the time period.

Misha (is long-windedness a genetic trait?)
mhall@sound.net
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 12:03:49 -0700
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Erin Klingler <erink@IDA.NET>
Subject:      Kerth time is drawing near!!
Comments: cc: lnc list <LOISCLA@VM.EGE.EDU.TR>
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Hi everyone  :)

I just wanted to send a short note to remind everybody that the 1999 Lois &
Clark Fanfic Kerth Awards are drawing near!  We're planning on holding the
awards ceremony on IRC in March just like we did last year.  "But that's
still two months away!"  you say.  But guess what?  There's lots to be done
before that!  :)

We will be posting a modified list of categories (fewer than last year's 28)
to this list in the next few days, then there will be the matter of
nominating stories, then voting on them!

For those of you out there who may not have the slightest idea what the
Fanfic Kerth Awards are, you can visit my new Kerths page on my website.
Just go to my site URL (listed in my sig below) and click on the Kerth
Awards link.  From there, you can link to a few other great Kerth sites for
additional information.  But in a nutshell, the Fanfic Kerth Awards are our
way of giving our many talented authors in FoLCdome their due rewards for
entertaining us with their writing talents.  :)  The on-line ceremony last
year was a total blast, and I hope you'll plan to join us!

We also need tons of volunteers to help us pull off this monstrous project.
<g>  If you'd like to help (after reading about what's involved, of course
;), please email me!

But in the mean time, keep in mind the titles of those fics your reading, or
have read over the past year or so!  They may be worthy of your vote in this
year's Fanfic Kerth Awards!

More to come, so stay tuned.  <g>

Erin  :)

***************
erink@ida.net
Visit my new LNC homepage! http://www.ida.net/users/davek
       *****
"No one knows how long they've got.  Anyway, it's not the years that count,
it's the moments...right now, as they happen."
***************
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 19:10:30 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         "Ann E. McBride" <Aerm1@AOL.COM>
Subject:      The Heir
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I seem to remember reading that "The Heir" had turned into a three part
saga.
I have managed to find, read and enjoy the first two parts.  Does anyone
know
if the third part has appeared and if so, where to find it?

Thanks,

Ann
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 19:08:56 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Elizabeth Alani <LizFoLCnNY@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Meet the FoLCs :)
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Hiya everyone :)

        I was thinking of making a new edition to my page called 'Meet the
FoLCs' :)
That would require a bit of help on your part :)  It would be a page of
FoLCs
pictures and a little something about yourself.  If you would like to
participate, send me a pic and what you would like it to say under it.  I'm
looking forward to making this page, it's going to be fun <g>  Please send
it
to <A HREF="mailto:SilvrBrwne@aol.com?subject=Meet the FoLCs">SilvrBrwne</A>
:) Also, if you know someone that would like to participate, tell them <g>

        Thanks :)
Liz  - SilvrBrwne@aol.com
SupesGrl on IRC
ICQ # 23588950 - add me :)
SilvrBrwne *and* LizFoLCnNY on AIM - add me :o)
Join my LnC list at:  http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/lnctnaos
My LnC site at: http://members.aol.com/SilvrBrwne/page1/index.htm (It's
still
under construction!)
"We are all blinded by that one great love that changes us forever." ~H.G.
Wells
"It's not the years that count, its the moments.  Right now,as they
happens."
~Clark
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 20:13:52 -0600
Reply-To:     mfwillia@flash.net
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         WILLIAMS <mfwillia@FLASH.NET>
Organization: THE SKYWATCHER
Subject:      Re: N-Fic?
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Genine Murray wrote:
>
> Hello FoLCs,  :-)
>
> I would like to know who I can contact to be added to the N-Fic list ...
if it
> still even exists that is.  I belonged to it briefly about a year ago, but
> since I've switched to AOL I haven't been able to find the address to
write to
> in order to join.  Would the person who is in charge of this please
contact
> me, or else could someone on this list let me know how I could get in
contact
> with them?  I *am* over 18 BTW, just turning 19 in a few days in fact.  ;)
>
> One more question regarding N-Fic.  How do I go about getting the
password,
> etc., to access N-Fic online?  It's been a while since I've dealt with
> anything N-Fic, can ya tell?  <g>  Thanks in advance for any help.  Take
care
> FoLCs!  :-)
>
> Genine
> SuperGem4@aol.com
ME TOO. I have not even been able to bring it up on my bookmarks to be
rejected.
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 21:07:13 -0600
Reply-To:     mfwillia@flash.net
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         WILLIAMS <mfwillia@FLASH.NET>
Organization: THE SKYWATCHER
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
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Rachel Madden wrote:
>
> First off, I'm going to apologize for not putting an introduction in the
> version of "Sounds of War" that I sent in to the fanfic list. I realize
that
> just starting the story without explaining anything at all has confused a
few
> people, and perhaps even upset them, and I apologize for that.  The
version I
> sent into the archive, however, *does* have an introduction, and I hope
that
> when you get the chance, you will read it.
>
> >>The thing that bugged me about the story, mostly, was the
> Vietnam-era sensibility that was applied to WWII -- an annoying
> anachronism.  If my memory of history is correct, after Pearl Harbor, the
> young men were thronging to apply, they didn't wait to be drafted (a
number
> of men actually went to Canada before then, in order to enroll in the
> British forces so they could fight even before the US entered the war).<<
>
> I do realize that I made a mistake there, after the bombing of Pearl
Harbor,
> young men were lining up to fight...I don't know much about WWII, and I
also
> realize that if I don't know much about it, I really shouldn't be writing
> about it, right?
>
> This story was written not to focus on the aspects of fighting, but more
on
> the relationship that developed between Lois and Clark during the war. I
> realize that this can be done in almost any type of scenario, but I wanted
to
> focus on what war can actually do to a person.  I apologize again if I
have
> implied something else with this fanfic, but the above explanation was my
> first intention...perhaps I strayed from it along the course of writing
the
> story.
>
> One more thing, I think that not *all* men were wanting to go and fight in
the
> war...especially peace-loving men such as Clark and Jimmy.  Clark and
Jimmy
> had good jobs, good lives, and utterly no problems, and they didn't want
to
> leave.  Sure, war is big, but they didn't want to fight....they wouldn't
want
> to fight now, if there was, hypothetically, a war going on.
>
> Superman, on the other hand, is beheld as an American superhero, as Kathy
> mentioned before, and therefore is going to fight for America.  And not
just
> America, but for freedom.  Germans indicated slavery with their actions -
the
> "perfect" race -  and what I would think Superman would do in a situation
like
> that would be to fight for "truth and justice." And justice was definitely
a
> big part of WWII.
>
> Well, that's all I have to say, and I hope you take these things into
> consideration.
>
> -Rachel  :)

There were so many volunteers that the Government requested people to
wait until their draft number came up.  They had too many to process and
train.  The response to the war in Europe was bad enough; but when the
Japanese attacked Hawaii without declaring war first, a fury rose in
America.  The attitude was you started it, but I'll finish it.  I talked
to a couple of people who were the first people in town waiting for the
Army enlistment office to open the minute they heard about the war.  One
was still angry that he was rejected because of being in an essential
service.  It is said that WWII was the last popular war.  The villans
were obvious as were the good guys, and you knew what you were fighting
for.  If you want to know about War in general, read "A Quick and Dirty
Guide to War."  Any young man considering enlisting should read this
book first - it tells it like it is.

Jacqueline
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 21:11:51 -0600
Reply-To:     mfwillia@flash.net
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         WILLIAMS <mfwillia@FLASH.NET>
Organization: THE SKYWATCHER
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
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Conditions are dark. The forecast is deadly. Tea, anyone? wrote:
>
> The first thing I have to say is that I haven't read the story, but I
would
> like to respond to a few things in Rachel's post--
>
> << I do realize that I made a mistake there, after the bombing of Pearl
Harbor,
> young men were lining up to fight...I don't know much about WWII, and I
also
> realize that if I don't know much about it, I really shouldn't be writing
> about it, right? >>
>
> All it means is that if you want to write about something you don't know
much
> about, you should research it. In some ways the cliche is true- write what
you
> know- but that shouldn't always be the case. If it was, I couldn't write
about
> Lois and Clark's marriage since I'm not married. In fact, none of us would
be
> writing about Superman at all since we have no personal knowledge of him;
he
> isn't what we "know."
>
> Many people write historical fiction set in Civil War times or
Revolutionary
> War times when they obviously haven't lived through them. I know resesarch
can
> be tedious at times, but if you're really interested in writing about a
time
> period, it can also be fun.
>
> <<One more thing, I think that not *all* men were wanting to go and fight
in
> the war...especially peace-loving men such as Clark and Jimmy.>>
>
> Not that it's my opinion, but I think the very reason some men (and women)
> agree to, and even embrace, fighting in a war is *because* they are
> peace-loving; they believe that their fighting will help restore peace. I
agree
> that not *all* men want to fight in any war, even World War II, which had
much
> public support, but being peace-loving is often a reason *to* fight rather
than
> *not* to fight.
>
> Nevermind the fact that, at the time of WWII, people were a lot more
trusting
> of their government than they are now or than they were during Vietnam. If
> young men were told that Hitler and friends were threats to the American
way of
> life and that it was their duty to defend that way of life, they'd do it.
> Perhaps partially due to differences in journalism and media (among other
> things), the country's motives to fight or not to fight weren't questioned
as
> they are now.
>
> << Clark and Jimmy had good jobs, >>
>
> Jimmy has a good job? For much of the series he does the scut work. Sure,
we
> know he has aspirations to be a serious photographer and reporter, but he
> doesn't get much of a serious chance. I doubt his article in Brutal Youth
put
> him on the list of Kerth nominees. I know a lot of fanfics set in the
future
> show Jimmy taken more seriously as a journalist or photographer, but even
at
> the end of the show's run it didn't appear (to me, at least) that he was
taken
> seriously as a reporter.
>
> Chances are good that he could've gotten a better job in the military.
Sure,
> working at the Planet was probably been less dangerous (though working
with
> Lois and Clark wasn't exactly safe either), but it may also have had
better
> benefits and maybe even a better chance at moving up, than his errand boy
gig.
>
> << Sure, war is big, but they didn't want to fight....they wouldn't want
to
> fight now, if there was, hypothetically, a war going on.>>
>
> What Jimmy and Clark would want to do now if there were a war would
probably be
> much different than what they would've wanted to do during WWII times. As
I
> said above, attitudes towards war and the USA were different back then.
Also,
> many men didn't *want* to fight (I'd be scared to meet someone who
honestly
> *enjoys* fighting and killing), but they did because they believed they
were
> doing what was right, whether it was what they themselves decided was
right or
> what was popularly believed to be right.
>
> -Christy (kubitc@kenyon.edu)
>
> who'll get to reading the story after I sort thru the e-mail that piled up
> while I was on semester break

Christy,

That reminds of the dog face who didn't see why he had to learn to shoot
a rifle, he had joined "to learn a career."  The sargent said we have to
fill in with you guys because we don't get enough hitmen/killers to
volunteer.
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 21:21:01 -0600
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Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         WILLIAMS <mfwillia@FLASH.NET>
Organization: THE SKYWATCHER
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
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C.C. Malo wrote:
>
> Well, I *have* read the story and I think that this is the best story that
> Rachel has yet written.  There's a breezy tone that I like in Rachel's
> writing, as though  all these thoughts are trying to whoosh out all at
once.
> She's chosen a very difficult theme to write about and  I couldn't help
but
> think of the New Krypton parallel as  I read it so that made the story
> interesting for me.
>
> What has also led me to comment to the list has been the discussion about
> historical perspective.  I sometimes wonder if it's harder to write
historical
> fiction or science fiction.  Is the historical imagination more elusive?
In
> both cases you have to get the objects or gizmos right but in the case of
> historical fiction you also have to capture the context, the values and
the
> culture of the times.
>
> Sometimes, it's difficult to avoid anachronisms  [like "president" rather
than
> "general" Eisenhower :-)] I suspect we all interpret history through the
> sensibility of our own times and those of our immediate family. It's hard
to
> avoid.  This is one of the many places where a good editor is
indispensible!
> And research.
>
> Okay - the ugly truth.  I have a degree in history although, increasingly,
I
> realize how limited my knowledge and understanding of it is.  I do know
there
> were pacifists during the second world war and so, conceiveably Clark
could
> have been sympathetic to their ideas.  As a reporter he certainly would be
> aware of them.  One could argue that Americans were more pacifist than
> Canadians who entered the war 2 years sooner than the Ameicans.
>
> About the comics of the period.  Interesting how comic book heroes
[including
> C.K. & L.L.] and cartoon fugures were used as a major part of WW II
> propaganda.  One could get into a wonderful debate about whose Hitler
> imitation is better -- Donald Duck's or Daffy Duck's. Or about Nietzche's
> Ubermensch.  [We history types have limited lives. <g> ]
>
> So keep writing, Rachel.  The war did provide an interesting setting  and
> thank you for the story.
>
> Carol

The best immitation was "The Furher's Face" By Red ____ and the City
Slickers (darn it I cannot remember names).  I saw the song done with
film clips on tv years ago.

Americans are very difficult to arouse to fighting anger.  That is why
some people believe that the government sent the EMERGENCY WARNING to
Pearl Harbour telegram by night rate so it wouldn't arrive in time to do
any good.  They knew what to expect from the Japanese and also realized
it would take something like that to get the citizens angry enough to
accept a declaration of war in the Pacific.  The Canadians had to flight
because they were a part of the British Commonwealth; we weren't.

Jacqueline
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 21:32:41 -0600
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From:         WILLIAMS <mfwillia@FLASH.NET>
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Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
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Melissa Day Hall wrote:
>
> Laurie said:
> >Oh, back to the story of the present--well, the one about the past that
> >recently arrived in our mailboxes...  I think the references to how the
> >Germans saw Superman's role on earth and the possible Kryptonite rays
needed
> >to be expanded. I mean weren't the Nazis after a "super" race? We needed
some
> >background on how this all happened in this world that was unfamiliar to
us
> >(even if the characters were familiar). I'm not a student of WW II
history so
> >I can't really make specific suggestions but what had Superman been
doing? Was
> >he active in the war? Was he just making rescues? Was he active
worldwide?
> >What did the pursuit of a "super" race mean in the face of a real live
> >Superman? Would he have been named "Superman" if Lois had known what was
going
> >on in Europe? Did the Nazis develop Kryptonite rays specifically to fight
him?
> >Why?
>
> The 'Historical Superman' <g> Lecture:
>
> (non-participant disclaimer: I wasn't there, but gosh-darn-it, research is
> handy ;)
>
> Comic book heroes were Big during WW2. They doubled as propaganda for the
> war, selling war bonds and advertising the draft as much as possible.
> However, most of the heroes themselves were prevented from doing any
> fighting in costume. There was an early Superman  story in 1940 (_before_
> the US entered the war) about Superman kidnapping Hitler and Stalin
(before
> he became an Allied power) and taking them to Geneva to face the
> consequences.
>
> However, that would be too easy, and to mesh reality with the comics, they
> spun a story about Hitler getting his hands on the Spear of Destiny (I
> think) which prevented the Allied superheroes from taking any _direct_
> action on Hitler and his cronies. It was some big mystical thing, and I
> don't know the details. :( But since Hitler got his hands on some super
> villains, it wasn't too difficult to keep Superman and the rest busy
> fighting them.
>
> The Superman name was pre-WW2, so I doubt much thought was given to the
> German origins of the Uber-mensch. However, I'm sure that the people who
> did think of it were overcome with glee that Superman was on our side.
>
> Kryptonite rays? Um... Can't say as I recall any, but you never know...
>
> Katy Brown said:
> >Nazi's were killed left and right, and "Japs" were disposed of
> >without remorse.  Superman was an American hero, and as such,
"contributed"
> >to the war effort on that side.  Not much "political correctness" back
then.
>
> Well, to pick a nit, politically correct back then was to support the war
> effort whole-heartedly. Pacifists were given a long side-ways look.
>
> Rachel Madden said:
> >One more thing, I think that not *all* men were wanting to go and fight
in the
> >war...especially peace-loving men such as Clark and Jimmy.
>
> There was a place in the Army for people who object to violence. My
> grandfather was a conscientious objector during WW2- he served in the Army
> as a photographer. (You usually had to belong to a recognized church that
> was prominently pacifistic(for lack of a better word) to get this status,
> you couldn't just ask for it out of the blue.)
>
> CC Malo said:
> >Okay - the ugly truth.  I have a degree in history although,
increasingly, I
> >realize how limited my knowledge and understanding of it is.  I do know
there
> >were pacifists during the second world war and so, conceiveably Clark
could
> >have been sympathetic to their ideas.  As a reporter he certainly would
be
> >aware of them.  One could argue that Americans were more pacifist than
> >Canadians who entered the war 2 years sooner than the Ameicans.
>
> No history degree here, just alot of enthusiasm (and  a grandfather who is
> so notorious for his longwindedness on the subject of WW2, he has a
lecture
> tour :). I'd say that Americans weren't so much pacifistic as
isolationist.
> Canada was closely tied with Great Britain, and was hauled into both WW1
> and WW2 earlier than the US because of that. The US didn't emerge as a
> number 1 world power until all of the European candidates got pounded into
> the ground during WW2. Before that, we pretty much stuck our head in the
> sand until we got dragged into the middle of the fight.
>
> And back to Pam's comment:
> >The thing that bugged me about the story, mostly, was the
> >Vietnam-era sensibility that was applied to WWII -- an annoying
> >anachronism.
>
> I'll have to agree with Pam here- the mindset of most men approaching war
> in WW2 was worlds different than Vietnam. One of the benefits of being an
> ostrich in world affairs is that when you finally do go to war, it's
> inevitable- there's so much propaganda surrounding the war, you can't
> escape it, and (as in the case of WW2) you've been attacked- you're
> defending at least your way of life, if not your own country. Vietnam on
> the other hand... hoboy- there's a minefield of controversy if I ever saw
> one. Take the growing attitude (fueled by the nuclear arms race) that war
> is not the way to bring about world peace, add in a burgeoning
> enlightenment in the area of human rights and pacifism, and the reluctance
> of the youth of America to carry out the policies of their leaders who
> seemed entrenched in WW2 style thinking... Aiee!
>
> But enough of that. :) I'll hide my comments on the story down here.
>
> I liked the B-plot. I thought it was well done, and the emotions were
> handled beautifully. The A-plot... well, one of the drawbacks to being an
> amateur historian is that I know too much. I had a lot of difficulty
jibing
> the attitude in the story about war with my knowledge of the attitude of
> the time period.
>
> Misha (is long-windedness a genetic trait?)
> mhall@sound.net

The Axis also used cartoon characters and comedians to booster their
people.  I grew up watching the World at War (WWII) every Sunday
afternoon.  I live in Houston; the ship Houston was sunk during the
war.  A bond drive raised so much money (just here in Houston) that they
replaced it with 3 ships.  We were still buying bonds (left over
tradition from WWII) each week in school when I started in 1950.  You
brought in a dollar and got a stamp for your bond book; when it was full
you got a bond.

This time around the Houston is a nuclear submarine that I had a chance
to tour on its first cruise.  It stopped in Houston and was open to the
public.  The crew were treated like kings by the city.  Made me feel
sorry for the crew of ships like Nebraska with no port they can reach to
feel at home in.  I hope that we always have a Houston just like we have
always had an Enterprise.

Jacqueline
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 19:52:12 PST
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              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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Something that has bugged me for a while - When the Kents found Kal-el,
how did they keep a secret?

I mean, being a small town, I am sure there were nosey people who
wondered where the baby came from.  I wonder if ther was such a thing as
Child Services (Children's Aid up here in Ontario, Canada) nosing
around.  After all, would they not have had to go through adoption.

Well, I guess we just need to throw all logic out the window and say
there was nothing like that them.

Or did Martha put him in a wicker basket and keep him in the Nile like
Moses' mother did  LOL

Just a thought and I am sure that will keep a string going for a while.

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 20:02:24 PST
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From:         Tanya Walsh <tanya_walsh@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      New Fanfic: An Alternate beginning Part 1
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**An Alternate Beginning Part 1**

This is the first story I've ever written and one of the first things
I've ever submitted to a list !! PLEASE don't yell at me if you hate it
!!

This story is the first in what I hope will be a series of stories and
should be read to understand the principles and ideas behind any of the
stories I'll ever write regarding this dimension of Lois and Clark.  I
know my ideas differ from the mainstream idea of "Superman" - in fact,
in my world he doesn't even exist.  I guess you'd call this an
"Elseworld" story. Clark is indeed from the planet Krypton but doesn't
know it. He doesn't have the traditional superpowers he's normally
associated with but other powers; of intelligence, memory and language,
which are useful in his chosen career - journalism.

I have decided to emphasize the effect that Lois and Clark, as mortal
reporters, through the power of the written word and investigative
journalism have on the well- being of the human race. I'm also trying to
explore the tentative relationship that exists between them, the mutual
respect they must first gain of one another, and then the progression to
friendship and then finally love.  In doing this I aim to give Lois Lane
and Clark Kent the recognition they deserve as individuals with
distinctive and charismatic personalities.

OK - enough of the formal stuff ! If you don't like it, please tell me
!! If you like it tell me !! If you have ANY comments or questions or
requests or ANYTHING please e-mail me on ...........
Tanya_Walsh@hotmail.com  (Yeah I know - What an original address. I have
some really REALLY weird ones though !!!!)  Oh yeah.  This is my first
fanfic, so bear with me !! =) Nothing really HAPPENS in this - so don't
get mad at me. It's for introductional purposes only.

******************************************************************
Wednesday

"Wow.... What a SPUNK !" drawled Cat Grant, gossip columnist for the
Daily Planet. She was staring intently at the 12 inch colour TV screen
positioned above her head.

"Shut Up Cat !" exclaimed her colleague, Lois Lane, who was sitting next
to her.  She glared at Cat for a few seconds, then resumed typing
furiously, working on her latest story.   She was an investigative
journalist for the Metropolis Branch of the Daily Planet - the largest
and most prestigious newspaper in the world.  She'd worked hard to gain
the position she had today, starting as an errand girl, working her way
up into the now somewhat glamorous position she had today.  After a few
seconds her curiosity overcame her and she allowed herself to glance at
the TV, which Cat, and now a few other female workers were still staring
at intently.

What she saw made her heart start pounding furiously.  On the screen,
laughing and talking was one of the best looking men she had ever seen.
He wasn't just good looking, she decided, but he seemed to have a
certain glow about him, almost an aura radiating friendliness and
intelligence.  She started to actually listen to what was being said.

The interviewer, a middle aged female, was also ogling him, Lois could
see, but much more discretely than the staff from the Planet.

"Soo... how exactly did you figure out where the children were being
held? I mean, dozens of police were searching for them for weeks !" she
asked, trying her best to sound totally professional.  Lois suddenly
remembered the case they were talking about.  In England over the last 3
months an alarming number of street children were being abducted.
People suspected they were being captured for use in a pedeophile ring.
This motivated the police, as well as many ordinary citizens to search
for the children, in hope of catching the abductors to ensure the same
thing wouldn't happen to their own children.     Their searches had been
totally fruitless for months, until, Lois realized, this man had somehow
figured out the storage place for the children.

Damn ! During her reflections she'd missed the man's answer, and also
the end of the interview.  "Who was that ?" she asked Jimmy, her ever
present research assistant and gopher, trying not to sound as eager as
she felt.

"I dunno Lois. . ." he trailed off as their Editor in Chief, Perry
White, came out of the office, walking a lot faster than usual.  He
interrupted the buzz of conversation around the newsroom by banging on a
desk.  He started talking in his faded southern accent.

"That, my friends, is Clark Kent.  He worked at the English branch of
the Daily Planet until earlier today.  I'm pleased to announce that as
of next Monday he is going to be working with us."

"Smooth chief," spoke up Jimmy. "How much did Stern buy HIM for ?"
Everybody laughed.

'Well, Jimmy," started Perry, his face slowing changing through shades
of red, "I don't think that's really any of anybody's business here."
His voice was low and dangerous and he spoke slowly, as if under a great
deal of stress.  "Lane, in my office NOW"

Lois scuttled into Perry's office and Jimmy, red faced, retreated back
to his desk.

*********************************************************************
Monday

Lois was standing outside the Planet building on her lunch break,
cautiously sipping her coffee. It was cold, and too sweet.

"Hey Lou !" she complained. "How many times do I have to tell you it's
white with ONE sugar ?"  Lou shrugged and gave her a smarmy smile.  She
groaned and turned around to dump the cup in the bin.  Her hand was
midway through the air when she realized the bin was gone. **What the
hell ?** she thought angrily to herself. This was not a good day.  And
what's more, she had to put up with the arrival of the new guy today -
Clark Kent or whatever his name was.  Perry had MADE her agree to be his
partner for a while - it was a case of do it or lose or job.  She
already hated him. She remembered the way he'd made her feel though, the
warmth surrounding him, the friendliness practically RADIATING for him
for god's sake. She firmly made up her mind that there was no WAY she
was going to let herself fall for him, or even be overly nice to him.
He was probably a total jerk anyway, she decided, starting to trudge
along the street to find the nearest bin.

Suddenly, a screech of brakes cut through her thoughts.  Before she
could run, or even realise what was happening she felt strong hands grab
her and pull her from where she was standing.   She could hear some loud
banging and crunching noises.  She opened her eyes, which she had
reflexively shut.  Where she had been standing now lay two cars, tangled
together in a mess of tangled metal, crushed steel and broken bodies.
She turned around and came face to face with her savior. He recognized
her before she recognized him.

"Are you OK ?" he asked her in a concerned voice.

She was still shaken. "Yeah.. I .. I think so." Her head pounded and
swam.

**Dammit Lane ! Some reporter you are.  Scared of a car crash**

"You're Lois Lane, right ?"

"Whassit to you ?" she mumbled.

He looked slightly hurt, but continued;
"I think you're in shock. Come on - I'll take you over to that bench
over there."

"Wha... what 'bout the people in the cars ?"  She could feel herself
shaking. She cursed herself, how could she show such weakness in front
of HIM!

"The paramedics are already there..."

She allowed him to accompany her to the bench and sit down next to her.
Already her head was feeling better and she felt less dizzy - almost
back to normal.  She shut her eyes momentarily and then realized that
she was still clutching the cup of coffee to her chest.  She held it out
to him and he grinned at her, taking it from her grasp and casually
throwing it into the bin next to the end of the bench.

"You're Clark Kent aren't you?" she demanded, studying him.  If anything
he was more good-looking in person than on TV.  He stood at least 6
feet, and she could see his eyes sparkle beneath his glasses.

"Yeah . . ."

"Good."  There was an awkward silence. After a while he spoke again,
almost shyly.

"I was really looking forward to meeting you.   I've read a lot of your
work and . . . I think you're one of the best reporters I've heard of."

She refused to let herself smile. "Oh." She forced herself to speak
without any emotion whatsoever. "You have an English Accent," she said,
almost accusingly.

"Yep - I was in England for a year or so.  Don't worry - it'll fade
within a couple of days; I'm used to changing accents pretty quickly."

Lois couldn't think of anything to say to that. "Come on," she stood up
abruptly, ignoring the wave of dizziness that hit her as she did, and
started walking back to the Planet.  He followed her, and they walked
the rest of the way in silence.

*********************************************************************

Wednesday - 2 days later

Clark entered the newsroom right on time, at 7am. He carefully studied
the faces of his new colleagues, trying to commit them to memory. They'd
seemed nice enough he supposed; quite a few of the women had already
asked him out and even some of the men had even seemed quite
interested... For a few seconds he couldn't help imagining himself back
in London, mentally replacing the sprawling room he was now standing in
with the old-fashioned, smaller room he'd spent the last year in.  It
wasn't fair, he decided.  Just as he got used to a workplace and started
to make friends - real friends that he could talk to, a larger, more
powerful branch of the Daily Planet would snap him up, forcing him to
move city, state, or even country.

He was, in a way, relieved that the Metropolis branch of the Planet was
the largest and most powerful of all; he felt like settling down and
making a few lasting relationships, as well as taking his journalistic
career to new heights.  He made his way to his new desk, and placed the
picture of his parents that he'd carefully carried to work in his coat
pocket in the left hand corner of his desk.  He started to work on the
story he'd been assigned, a small, emotionally charged but overall
unimportant piece he'd been given to work on about the high rate of
animal abuse among pet owners.   He was determined to put in at least
some effort, after all he did want to make as good a first impression as
possible.  He was so absorbed in his work that he didn't notice Lois
come in and sit down at her desk a few minutes later.

After her initial misgivings Lois was more or less starting to get used
to the idea of having a partner.  Clark was a nice enough guy, she
decided, and a great writer, she begrudgingly had to admit.  They hadn't
really talked much yet; and their conversations were focused on polite,
guarded topics that neither of them really cared about.   If only she
could just keep herself from showing any interest in him other than
professional, or at the most friendship, she guessed they'd get on well
enough.

She was in one of her worse moods today. Her ex-boyfriend, Claude, had
rung up from France the previous night and tried to sleaze his way back
into her life.  She'd told him where to go but was still furious. She'd
had nightmares all night and as a result hadn't had nearly enough sleep.
What's more, she'd seriously burnt the toast in the morning, setting off
the fire alarm and waking up everybody on her floor of her apartment
block.  Needless to say, her neighbors hadn't been too impressed.

"Hi Clark!" She said as cheerfully as possible.
"Hi Lois. . . you OK ?"
Lois was caught off guard.  "Yeah I guess so. . ."
He gave her a skeptical look and then returned to his work.

A few minutes later Lois let out a cry of elation.  "YES !" She shouted
loudly.

"What?" asked Clark absentmindedly.

"I DID IT !!!!"

"Did what Lois ?" demanded Clark, who was now really curious.

"I finished Minesweeper !! I got out the expert level !"

"You mean the one with the 99 mines in it ?"

"Yeah !"

"Congratulations! I spent about a month trying to get it out but in the
end gave up." Clark lied through his teeth.  He'd actually got the
expert level of Minesweeper out on the 2nd or 3rd try, but he could feel
that something was wrong with Lois and wanted to cheer her up as much as
possible.

(Authors Note - Minesweeper is that game you get free with all versions
windows - you get into it the same way as through solitaire.  It's
REALLY hard)

A few other members of the Planet staff crowded around Lois' desk,
examining the time she'd gotten and admiring her cleared field. After a
while they drifted back to their desks to complete their respective
work.

After about 10 minutes Perry stormed out of his office and yelled at
Lois and Clark to get down to a press conference that was about to
start.  The mayor had called it, but for what reason nobody knew.  The
hurried down the road - the hall was in walking distance and they didn't
want to go to the trouble and expense of catching a cab.

"What's with Perry anyway?" Clark asked after a while. "Why is he so
angry, so intense all the time?"

"He used to be quite nice actually... gruff, stern and cantankerous, but
nice as long as you stayed on the right side of him and treated him with
the right degree of respect. But about 9 months ago his wife and oldest
son were killed in a car accident."  She paused for a couple of seconds,
examining the expression on Clark's face. It was funny, she thought, how
much he could look like he really CARED about something.  "I guess he's
been like this ever since. He's scared of letting himself get close to
people, in case he'll be hurt again.  He's just emersed himself in his
work to take his mind off his wife and son, and has been really tired
and ill ever since.  Also, it doesn't help that Stern - our boss, but
you probably know that already, has turned into a total slave driver.
He's on Perry's back, and ours, every second of the day. He just wants
money at the moment and doesn't care about US at all."

Lois stopped, surprised at herself. That was the most she'd said to
Clark since she'd known him.  He smiled at her gratefully, making her
insides churn.

"Thanks for telling me that Lois. I feel sorry for Perry though, is
there ANYTHING we can do to cheer him up?"

She opened her mouth to reply but then realized they were standing
outside the conference hall.  She laughed, suddenly feeling amicable
towards Clark.  "Come on - we better go inside before we get stuck at
the back." He trailed along behind her, curiously taking in their
surroundings.

Clark was glowing inside. She'd finally spoken to him properly! Maybe
they could be friends after all. He'd been starting to doubt they'd ever
get beyond polite conversation.  The thought of Lois hating him seemed
almost too unbearable for him to bear - especially after the way he felt
about her.  He tried to quiet his raging emotions. Why did this petite,
brilliant woman have such an effect on him?  From the first time he'd
lain eyes on her he'd known he was totally under her spell. He knew
that, no matter what, he had to protect her and help her in every way
possible.  He laughed to himself, realizing how utterly pathetic his
situation was.

He had vowed never to get involved with a woman again after Cathy.
She'd been his first true love about 3 years ago. She'd been a lawyer
whom he'd met when he was working in Australia.  They'd got on famously,
first as friends as then as lovers.  They'd even started to talk about
moving in together, and marriage.  But then, through one of his
journalistic investigations he'd found out she was actually growing
illegal drugs on the side.  Not wanting to go to the police he'd
confronted her and asked her to stop, but she'd run away from him.  A
few weeks later he heard news that she'd been murdered by a drug lord,
somebody far more superior in the drug trade than her.

As he followed Lois inside the huge hall that was often used for press
conferences he could see everybody starting at him with great interest.
He could feel his cheeks starting to redden.  In his years as a reporter
he'd never really received this much attention.  In fact - one of the
reasons he was so successful was his ability to blend into the
background. In the distance he could hear somebody's car radio playing
Blink 182.  That was strange. . . he thought.  There weren't any roads
or cars for a couple of blocks.  It must be up REALLY loud, he decided.
Lois pushed rudely pushed through dozens of other reporters, making her
way to the seats in the central front row.  They didn't react very
strongly - they must probably be used to it he realized, but that didn't
stop them from giving him poisonous looks as he brushed past them- some
resentful and some jealous.

While they were waiting for the mayor to start speaking he looked around
the room.  There were about a couple of hundred reporters from various
aspects of the media; newspapers, magazines, tabloids, assembled in the
spacious room.  A few large pot plants lined the walls - Gardinias, he
recognized from an illustrated botany book he'd read in 7th grade.  This
was really boring.  He waited impatiently, almost desperately, for
SOMETHING to happen, and quickly.  Whenever he was bored he'd notice
things, things that everybody else never seemed to discover before him.
He was starting to get a distinctly uncomfortable feeling of something
not being right as he let his eyes wander around room once again.

"Don't worry Clark - it's ALWAYS like this before a press conference."
Lois interrupted his musings, noticing his bored expression.   "The
speaker is always late, which just makes us bored and angry.  You think
they'd have learnt by now to start on time - we'd probably print much
nicer stuff about them!" she laughed as she spoke, now overcome by a
strange desire to be as nice to Clark as possible.  "Anyway, nobody has
the slightest clue what the mayor's called us here for.  It's not like
her to distribute any information without persuasion and there's no
really impending matters for her to talk about."

Responding to her new friendliness and to keep his mind off the feeling
he was getting from the room he started to tell her a funny story about
a terrible press conference he'd been to once.  They were both starting
to relax and really enjoy each other's company when the mayor strode
onto the stage and rapped her gavel on the polished wooden podium to get
the audience's attention.

"I'm here today," she began, "To advise every one of you to leave us
alone."  There was a murmur of confusion and general disapproval among
her audience.  She continued. "Over the last month it has come to my
attention that several of the people assembled in this room have been
repeatedly harassing myself and my staff through phone calls, e-mails,
postal mail and more unconventional; needless to say illegal means in
the hope that we'll supply you with information that we simply do not
have.  I apologize to the majority of you, but due to the continual
misconduct of certain individuals I've had no choice but to give you all
a general warning.  I assure you that, if this harassment persists, I
will be taking legal action. I know the names and papers of the more,
shall we say, dubious offenders and I will not tolerate to be
continually persecuted."

She walked off the stage with great dignity, leaving a general babble of
confused and inquisitive voices.  Lois was seething.  "Come on.. we're
getting outta here now!" she hissed, grabbing Clark by the arm and
pulling him through the throng of gossiping reporters into the open air.

"She knows we're onto her Clark,"

"WE'RE onto her ?"

"Ok fine.  She knows I'm onto her. Satisfied?" Lois snapped.

"Sorry. . ." his voice was more subdued now and she realized she'd hurt
his feelings. Damn. Oh well.

"That stupid RAT !" she burst out. "It's not fair. I should've known
she'd do something like this.  Typical administrational denial."

"I guess you were one of the so-called illegal perpetrators ?"

"YES !"

"Why ? What's she hiding ?"

Lois couldn't help smiling.  It was kind of sweet how he assumed she was
totally correct without even hearing any explanation from her.

"Just... stuff..."

"Lo - is" he groaned.  Wow, she thought to herself, I could really get
used to that tone of voice.

"OK - I'll tell you when we're inside. It's not safe out here.  There
are spies everywhere." she whispered over-dramatically, laughing to show
she was kidding.
Well, half kidding anyway.

He laughed. "But it's true isn't it?  About her knowing something really
important ?" she nodded and he continued.     "I could kind of tell,
just from looking at her that she was lying."

Lois was taken aback. "How?"

"I don't know. . .  it was just a feeling.  I get them sometimes."

She groaned. "Great. Now you're physic as well."

"As well? As well as what? Oh never mind.  I don't want to know,
especially if it's something you picked up from the office gossip."

"You're right, You wouldn't want to know."

They continued their friendly banter until they reached the bottom floor
of the Planet. Lois insisted on going first and pushing through the
revolving doors to enter the lobby.  They waited, almost impatiently as
the security clerk checked their ID and let them in.  As they were
riding up the elevator Clark turned to her. "Now can you PLEASE tell me
what you know about the mayor? I'm getting really curious!"

"OK.. hold on a tic." They walked out into the news room and she led him
into one of the small conference rooms positioned along the wall.

______________________________________________________
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Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 20:04:07 PST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Tanya Walsh <tanya_walsh@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      New Fanfic: (Part 2)An Alternate beginning
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**Part 2**

He looked at her expectantly.

"Well, I don't really have that much to go on.  When she said that
several reporters had been harassing her that was NOT correct.  She was
just trying to get at me and we both knew it.  I hadn't really been
harassing her that much - just a couple of phone calls and e-mails. . .
until last week when everything changed."

"How did it change? And you still haven't even told me what's going on."

"OK, a couple of months ago a source gave me some information about
possible corruption in the mayor's office"

"That's all? How boring can you get! That must be the most used story
line ever!" exclaimed Clark.

She glared at him.  "No," she continued through gritted teeth.

"Sorry. . ."

"Anyway, I did a little standard investigating; you know the type - not
too heavy or intrusive or anything.  I didn't find any evidence of
corruption or bribes, but I did find quite a few facts and coincidences
that have led me to believe that the mayor is NOT who she claims to be."

"And that is ?"

"I don't know any NAMES yet, but I do have reason to believe that she
has quite a colorful criminal record."

"How long has she been in office for ?"

"Oh - she's quite new to the profession.  She was voted in about 3
months ago after our last one was forced to stand down because of
corruption charges." She reluctantly joined him in his laughter.

"So what evidence do you have?"

"A police record - not in her name of course, but some evidence linking
her to the name on the record, and several news reports about her escape
>from prison and the crimes she committed." She continued before he could
ask her. "Murder, attempted murder, fraud, defamation, kidnapping,
unlawfully holding a person against their wishes.  She was in for life;
but assuming I'm correct, broke out after 17 years."

"Ok ... cool, but not solid enough.  Anyway, I'm dying to know now -
what did you do last week that changed everything?"

"It was last Tuesday; the day before I heard about you coming over here.
I was trying to find out some documents linking her to corruption but
instead I found the police records and other evidence.  Anyway, I was
dying to know who exactly the mayor WAS, so I broke into her office to
search her desk."  He opened his mouth to interrupt but she kept on
talking.  "Don't worry, I didn't get very far.  In fact, I'd gotten to
the 2nd floor before I was kicked out."

"Were you disguised at all?"

"Not exactly. I was wearing my street clothes but was planning on saying
I was hired to diagnose a problem with one of the computers.
Unfortunately, I ran into somebody who recognized me and because I had
no invitation to be there I was shown the door."

He laughed.  "I've had some similar experiences before."

"Like what?"

"No way! I'm not telling you.  You'll lose whatever respect for me you
already have."

"Anyway, we need a backup plan. I HAVE to get into the office. Which is
where YOU come in."

She started to form a plan, with occasional input from Clark.  After a
while a knocking at the door interrupted them.  Jimmy was standing at
them.  "Guys what are you still DOING here?  You could've left an about
half an hour ago."
They glanced at their watches and quickly stood up.

"I have a casserole in the oven!" Lois wailed. "My first casserole ever
that actually made it to the oven stage and it's going to get burnt!"

Clark and Jimmy surpressed smiles.

*********************************************************************

That night Clark was woken by his ringing phone.  He sleepily rolled out
of bed and reached out to answer it.

"Hello?"

Nothing.  He could only hear breathing, rasping, heavy breathing.

"Hello? Is anybody there? Are you OK?"

Silence greeted him, then a dial tone.

He quickly dialed the operator to find out what number the call had come
from, only to find it was untraceable.

Great.  He was still uneasy, so he quickly checked his apartment and the
hall outside.  Everything appeared to be normal, so after a while he
went back to bed.  He couldn't sleep. He read for a while, and then
finally tired enough, fell into a light slumber.

The next morning when he woke up he felt like hell. His head was
pounding and he was hot and sweating all over.  He dragged himself out
of bed and had a cold shower, slowly reviving him.  Then he went into
the small kitchen to prepare breakfast.

He liked his apartment so far.  It had been rather a dump when he'd
first moved in, but after a general clean and polish it had shone up
quite well. He loved the wood paneling on the walls and the general
layout, as well as the interesting location it was in.  Besides, the
rent was cheap. He didn't really have to worry about money anymore, but
he did want to save as much as possible. He wanted to surprise his
parents on their upcoming wedding anniversary with tickets for a tour of
Europe.  They'd always wanted to travel, and he was determined to bring
them happiness by fulfilling what had always seemed to them an
unobtainable luxury.

He was in a better mood now and he whistled as he prepared breakfast.
He reminded himself to go to the Metropolis Storage Warehouse to pick up
some of his furnishings and souvenirs that he'd collected from his
travels to decorate his apartment.

When he finally arrived at the office Lois was already there, looking as
bad as he had felt when he'd first gotten up.

"Don't tell me. You were woken by an anonymous phone call?" he asked.

She looked at him in confusion. "Nooo. . . I just couldn't get to sleep.
I can't stop thinking about the mayor!  And when I finally did get to
sleep I dreamt about her."

He laughed. "That must be some kind of omen."

"So anyway, did YOU get a phone call ?"

"Yep, just the typical prank caller, heavy breathing, no talking, the
works. I reckon it was just some kids somewhere playing a joke."

Lois dismissed what he was saying.  "Look - after all that thinking last
night, I now have a solid, foolproof plan." He looked at her
skeptically.

"No plan is foolproof.  Never say that Lois, please. You'll jinx us and
we'll end up in hospital, or worse!"

"Yeah right. Don't worry Clark. Nothing will ever happen to me when I'm
investigating something.  I just have. . .  the right touch.  And I can
tell you have that same touch."

"See this?" he asked, indicating a scar that had obviously once been
ugly on the back on his left hand.  "I was slashed by a knife by an
interviewee about 8 years ago.  I'd snuck in and was really proud of
myself for persuading the man in question to actually agree to give me
an interview.  But then he pulled out a knife and tried to kill me.
Luckily for me he didn't get very far."

Lois was still staring at the scar in awe.  "OK, so it's not foolproof.
But we'll be careful.  Are you with me?"

"Yeah of course!"  she could see his eyes glint behind his glasses with
a look she was used to seeing in her own eyes.  One of excitement,
anticipation and impatience.  "What's with the glasses anyway?"

"Pardon?"

"Why not contacts? You'd look heaps better without them."

He blushed slightly but took off his glasses. "Look into my eyes Lois."

She obeyed, staring intently into his eyes. **Down girl**

"Read them.  Come on - what emotion do you see in them?"

"Ummm.. deviousness - like you're going to do something really sneaky
soon."

He changed his emotion, keeping his face and body blank.  "Now what ?"

"Grief. . .  like you're really upset about something."

He replaced his glasses.  "My eyes are incredibly annoying when it comes
to giving away my next move.  I can keep the rest of my body
expressionless but not my eyes.  I need the glasses for my job."  He
didn't feel like explaining to her that he actually enjoyed wearing
glasses, that for some reason they just felt right.

She laughed. "I see. Also, if you went without glasses permanently those
women," she indicated a group of women a few metres away who were
gossiping and occasionally sneaking glances at Clark, "would become even
more obsessed with you than they are now."

He laughed. 'I don't know what they'd see in me anyway." He didn't
notice Lois' shocked expression. "I wish they'd just leave me alone. .
." he continued wistfully.

**What is with this guy? Any other man would be basking in the
attention! At least he's not completely obsessed with his ego. . .**

She reached over and picked up the framed photo on his desk.  "These
your parents ?"

"Yeah. Jonathan and Martha."

"Where do they live?"

"Smallville, where I grew up."

"SMALLVILLE?  You're... from... the COUNTRY?" she said it in voice so
shocked that he wouldn't have been surprised if he'd told her he was
>from Mars.

"Yeah, my parents owned a farm," he added, enjoying Lois' expression.

"Ugh.  Umm.... Well farmboy..." she started speaking in a joking tone of
voice when Clark interrupted.

'Hey! Please don't call me that! I really don't like it."  Clark's mind
flashed back to a painful memory of somebody else who'd called him that.
For a few seconds he could see her blond hair shimmering in the sunlight
and her blue eyes dancing as she ran towards him to be swept up in his
arms.   He quickly pushed the memory to the back of his mind and tried
once again to concentrate on what Lois was saying.  She'd decided to
change the subject after the farmboy incident and was now outlining the
"plan".  She was holding out several sheets of paper and poring over
them, excitedly outlining her theories and strategies. He quickly read
over the old newspaper articles she'd spread out before him.

"Hey Lois, did you ever get the impression from reading these that the
author was trying to cover up something? Almost as if they'd been told
to omit certain facts?"

"Well not really; but I'm sure it's nothing serious. I mean - that
happens all the time to me and I'm sure the majority of reporters."

"Yeah I know, but look; here, and here." He indicated with his finger,
now certain that something was not right with the articles.  "They don't
really make sense; they actually have been designed to give the reader
as little information as possible."

Lois briefly glanced over where he was pointing and then looked at him
like he was crazy.

"Clark there is absolutely nothing wrong with these articles." She was
disappointed and frustrated. "Why don't you go and work on your stupid
pet abandonment story."

"I LIKED that story.  Besides, I'm finished it."

"Oh yeah; I remember. It got front page.  Of the INTERIOR MAGAZINE IN
THE SUNDAY EDITION BROADSHEET."  She spoke with great distaste. She
couldn't stand the format the Planet took on Sunday - with it's various
human interest stories adorning the front few pages and taking
precedence over what she considered the "real" reporting.

"Hey, you KNOW the Planet actually gets it's widest circulation on
Sundays" he protested, and then, to change the subject; "So where'd you
get those articles anyway?"

"Oh, a colleague in Colorado e-mailed them to me.  She's not with the
planet but we have shared information and sources on a variety of
occasions.  I trust her completely," she added, after seeing Clark's
wary glance.

"Maybe you should ring her up and ask her if she REALLY sent them, just
in case."

"No !!!"

"Please Lois. I have a really bad feeling about this whole thing and I
couldn't stand to see you get hurt." She gave in.  It was an idea to be
careful, and to be honest she couldn't resist the expression now on
Clark's face.

Picking up the phone she punched in her friend's number, only to find it
busy.  She knew Clark would never leave her alone until she'd assured
him that her source was right, so she proceeded to have a one-sided
conversation with the phone.

"Hi Karen. . . yeah. . .  fine thanks. . .  yeah that's great ! Anyway I
just want to confirm it was really you who sent me those articles I
asked for the other day?. . .  yeah. . . cool ! Gotta get back to work
now, you know how it is. Thanks Karen!"

She hung up, feeling slightly guilty about the faked phone call as she
turned to Clark.
"See? Not a problem. Everything's fine."

"Okay. . ." Lois could still see that he wasn't quite convinced, so she
started talking again.  She was in an action orientated mood today and
determined to confront the mayor as soon as possible.  "Clark, we're
getting that information NOW," she decided.

*********************************************************************

An hour later they were in a cab, on their way to the mayoral office.
It was several blocks away, so in accordance with their plan and also to
save their feet they'd risked public transport.  This was Clark's first
ride in a Metropolitan Cab, and, after about 5 minutes of incredibly
bumpy driving, he hoped it would be his last.

"Stop here," ordered Lois, about a block away from their destination.
She pushed some money that she'd grabbed from the Planet Petty Traveling
Fund - with Perry's permission of course, into the driver's hand as she
clambered out of the back seat. Clark was right behind her.  As they
strode along the footpath towards the office she briefed Clark for the
final time on her plan.  She had to give the guy credit. Not many people
would agree to help her carry this out, in fact she was starting to feel
a tiny inkling of doubt creep into a tiny corner in the dark recesses of
her mind.

"Sure you don't want to back out?" asked Clark, seeming to read her
thoughts.  "Your hands are fidgeting like crazy."  She glanced down at
her hands, realizing they were moving around, tangling themselves into
strange positions without her knowledge. She made a conscious effort to
still them, and then bit her lip and replied.

"Yeah." She knew her voice was small and tight but she couldn't help it.
It wasn't like her to get this nervous about any other story. She
admitted to herself that she was uneasy about the faked phone call to
Karen. What if what Clark had been insinuating was correct?  What if the
documents were faked. . . could this be some kind of bizarre trap?  She
almost laughed out loud at herself.  She couldn't' believe she was
acting this stupid.

Standing outside the mayor's office they surveyed the building.  It was
an extremely old building that had been modernized in the last 15 years
and now boasted all the comforts and conveniences of any typical
political office.  They casually strolled past the bored looking
security guard and entered through the automatic sliding doors without
any problems. Lois' plan was quite simple, and, as she'd already pointed
out, had quite a good chance of success.

They were in their normal business clothes, but had ensured none of
their garments carried the Daily Planet's Logo on it.  Clark had
replaced his glasses with sunglasses and Lois had also put some on in
the hope of not being recognized at a glance.  It was 12:30, which Lois
had already determined as the beginning of the mayor's lunch break.
They spoke to the receptionist pretending to be representatives from a
phone company. She let them through to the elevator without so much as a
second glance.  Lois sighed in relief as the elevator doors shut behind
them.  "Now for the second stage of the plan," she grinned triumphantly.

The doors opened at the appropriate floor and they started to stroll
out.  Right into the waiting arms of 5 large men with guns.  "Quick !"
yelled Clark.  The only way out was back.  They jumped back into the
elevator and Lois frantically pounded the "close door" button.  Their
hearts pounded as the elevator doors slowly inched together.  They'd
almost shut, when a gun was suddenly rammed between them.  They
automatically opened and Clark reflexively stepped in front of Lois, in
the hope of shielding her with his body.

All five of the men burst into the elevator and, pushing Lois out into
the hallway, continued the ride up to the roof.

Clark could feel a nervous sweat starting to form on his forehead.  The
men were holding guns next to his skin; one against his temple, another
against his neck.  What did they want with him?  His mind was working in
overdrive.  He hadn't really made any enemies in his career. He's
annoyed a lot of people, and put others in jail, but he'd never really
disturbed any big-time criminals, until his last story on the pedophile
ring.  The police had caught quite a few offenders, but they'd all
spoken of somebody higher than themselves, who was still free.  Clark's
head throbbed with panic.  He curled his fists into balls and then
loosened them to calm himself down.

The men shoved him onto the roof and then started to work on a rusting
metal trapdoor. With a creek it reluctantly wailed open, revealing a set
of about 10 dusty stairs.  They forced him down the stairwell and they
entered a dark, cold, musty smelling room.  Whenever this part of the
building was built they mustn't have invented heaters yet. Clark could
feel cobwebs brushing against his hair and his skin breaking out in
goose bumps.  It was obvious that nobody had been in here for quite some
time.  He could feel the men relax slightly now that they were in a
closed in space. Clark could feel that they were going to kill him.  He
just hoped that Lois, or the police, or anybody would be able to find
him in time. He seriously doubted it. He shut his eyes to wait for the
gunshot that would undoubtedly come to end his life.

**I guess this is what it's like to die,** he thought gloomily.  He
tried to imagine he was somewhere else, at home with his parents, or
back in London or even his new workplace.  It was strange, he realized,
how easily he had resigned himself to the idea.  He guessed it was
because he didn't really care that much if he was alive or not anyway -
not after what had happened. . .  He'd always wondered if there was a
heaven, or reincarnation after death.  Now it was time to find out.  He
wondered why they hadn't shot him yet.  Cautiously he opened his eyes.
The room was still pitch black so started to let his eyes adjust to the
dark.  He could hear shuffling movements around him and voices
murmuring.  To his shock he realized the men were leaving!  He could see
them now, they were turning around and starting to slowly head up the
steps.  Finally only one was left.  Clark was surprised when he spoke.

"This is your warning Kent.  We'll be watching you." His voice was deep
and gravely. Before he retreated he spun his pistol around and with it
hit Clark in the cheek.

Clark didn't even notice any pain from the wound in his face.  He was
too busy trying to place the voice he'd heard.  It was strange, normally
he could remember voices perfectly. People often commented on that when
he was on the phone.  All he could remember was that the last time he'd
heard the voice it had been hazy, almost like it was piercing through a
distortional barrier of some kind.

He waited a few minutes before he ventured up the staircase into the
blinding sunlight.  He slowly walked towards the elevator shaft,
catching it down to the floor he'd left Lois.  He felt numb inside and
he couldn't even think clearly; probably from shock, he reasoned.  For
the first time he felt the stinging pain from where the gun hit him, and
reached his hand up to it.  There was some blood and he could feel a
huge lump where there was bound to be a bruise.  Halfway down he
wondered why he was even in an elevator after what had happened, but
dismissed the thought as the bell rang for his floor.  As he got off he
met about 6 policemen about to board it.

"Clark !" cried Lois happily. "Ohmygod, I thought you were dead! I
thought I'd never see you again!" she impulsively hugged him.  He could
see that her eyes were red and slightly swollen, and could see her
mascara slightly smudged around them.   "I am so sorry," she continued,
her voice shaking.  "I faked the call to Karen, and when you were gone I
used my mobile to ring her again.  This time she was there and she told
me she HADN'T sent me any of those articles. It was all a hoax Clark,
you were right. I'm so sorry, I promise I'll never doubt you again." She
realized she was still holding him so she buried her head into his
shoulder so he wouldn't see her tears of regret and guilt.

"Sssh.. Lois it's OK," he soothed. "They just wanted to warn me, they
would have gotten to me any way they could have.  They just played on
your natural impatience - that's all. I'm just sorry you got mixed up in
all this."

"Really?" she looked up into his bespeceled eyes.

"Really."    He smiled warmly at her. How could he be angry at her? He'd
just gotten what he'd wanted from her since he'd first seen her, an
opportunity to hold her.

"Ah Hem," a police officer broke in.  "I hate to interrupt, but I would
like to ask you some questions about all this Mr Kent.  Would you care
to accompany me to the police station? And you, Ms Lane?" he gestured
towards her.  They broke apart and followed him out of the building,
into the waiting police car.

*********************************************************************

That afternoon Lois and Clark were sitting at their respective desks,
typing up different parts of the  story.  Perry had paired them together
for this story, claiming that their writing styles complemented each
other well. They'd written one or two very minor stories together
throughout the course of the previous days but this was the first major
story they'd attempted.

"Hey Lois..."

"Yeah..."

They now felt perfectly at ease with each other, and were enjoying
bouncing angles and sentence structures off each other.

"Would you like to come over this weekend? I have this movie in my
apartment that I knew you'd love as soon as I saw you! It's one of my
favorites and I would love to see it again with a friend."

She hesitated for a few seconds, but then his last words reverberated
through her mind.  "With a friend. . ."  She made up her mind.

"Sure Clark! I'd love to. Which day?"

She had never seen anybody ever look so happy.

 *********************************************************************

To be continued in my next story... Nothing really HAPPENED in that
one.. it was more introductory than anything else..

______________________________________________________
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=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 22:20:04 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      Re: Smallville Authorities
In-Reply-To:  <19990120035212.19935.qmail@hotmail.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 7:52 PM -0800 1/19/99, Sue Modolo wrote:
>Something that has bugged me for a while - When the Kents found Kal-el,
>how did they keep a secret?
>
>I mean, being a small town, I am sure there were nosey people who
>wondered where the baby came from.  I wonder if ther was such a thing as
>Child Services (Children's Aid up here in Ontario, Canada) nosing
>around.  After all, would they not have had to go through adoption.

In the one version of the comics, Clark was discovered in the winter, right
before a terrible blizzard that snowed the whole town in.  When the Kents
finally took Clark to town in the summer, they just explained that Martha
had been inside during the latter part of her pregnancy and Clark was born
during the storm.

If I remember correctly, in the Bryne comics (current continuity), the
Kents confided in their elderly family doctor/friend and he agreed to
produce/sign the necessary paperwork (like a birth certificate) so the
Kents didn't have to explain.

The show never addressed this issue, but we do know that Clark was found in
May, after winter was over.  So, you could assume a kindly doctor forging
legal documents, or maybe a fire that destroyed all the town's legal
records and the Kents just got in line to get a new birth certificate along
with everyone else.

One fanfic offered a great explanation -- that there was an attractive
young couple hanging around Smallville around the time Clark was adopted by
the Kents, and they were probably the biological parents.  (This, of
course, would be Lois and Clark, during Tempus Fugitive. ;))

Other fanfics have proposed that each side of the family -- the Kents and
the Clarks -- were told that the baby was an illegitimate child from the
"other" side of the family.  If such a story were told, there would be no
Child Services to poke around, since the baby would be assumed to be a
private family adoption.

Kathy (who just realized how ironic it is that Clark's adoption was just
like Dean's -- an 'in practice' adoption but not a legal one.  Interesting
...)

______________________
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kathyb@springnet1.com OR kathyb@fgi.net
http://userweb.springnet1.com/kathyb/
KathyB on IRC
______________________
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 23:50:30 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Maggie <maggie13@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: Smallville Authorities
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Kathy Brown said:

One fanfic offered a great explanation -- that there was an attractive
young couple hanging around Smallville around the time Clark was adopted by
the Kents, and they were probably the biological parents.  (This, of
course, would be Lois and Clark, during Tempus Fugitive. ;))

and so I *need* to know....which one?????

gotta squeeze that one in between eps of Season 6--which let me say
right now, to any person who is responsible for even a comma of that
wondrous
creation-- *I love you*

Really, I do :o)

I was happily reading For the Good of the Child in the airport
a couple of weeks ago.  Flight delayed at the gate.  Plane delayed
for take off.  Did I care? Was I even remotely miffed? Mildly
annoyed? No, no, and no. Why??? Because I was happily enthralled
in the middle of a trial, thank you very much.

Maggie
who volunteers to be the groupie at this year's Kerth Awards <g>

maggie13@bellsouth.net  (aka supermags on IRC)
Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly
not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting
that a new world is born.  ~Anais Nin
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 23:23:08 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      Re: Smallville Authorities
In-Reply-To:  <199901200438.XAA25346@mail.mia.bellsouth.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 11:50 PM -0500 1/19/99, Maggie wrote:
>Kathy Brown said:
>
>One fanfic offered a great explanation -- that there was an attractive
>young couple hanging around Smallville around the time Clark was adopted by
>the Kents, and they were probably the biological parents.  (This, of
>course, would be Lois and Clark, during Tempus Fugitive. ;))
>
>and so I *need* to know....which one?????

If I'm putting the right name with the right plot ... Meeting Buddy.  It's
on the Archive.  Search on the title.  It's a good story, set I think in
late 2nd season.  Lois goes to Smallville with Clark for a family gathering
and meets his best friends from high school.

>
>gotta squeeze that one in between eps of Season 6--which let me say
>right now, to any person who is responsible for even a comma of that
>wondrous
>creation-- *I love you*

Wow, thanks ... I'm loved by millions-- er, one fan!  Hey, I can be happy
with that! <g>

>I was happily reading For the Good of the Child in the airport
>a couple of weeks ago.  Flight delayed at the gate.  Plane delayed
>for take off.  Did I care? Was I even remotely miffed? Mildly
>annoyed? No, no, and no. Why??? Because I was happily enthralled
>in the middle of a trial, thank you very much.

LOL.

Kathy

______________________
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kathyb@springnet1.com OR kathyb@fgi.net
http://userweb.springnet1.com/kathyb/
KathyB on IRC
______________________
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 01:33:22 -0500
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>Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 10:24:51 -0500
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_______________________________________________________________________
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 08:54:18 +0100
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Celia Carvalho <carvalho@LEXMARK.COM>
Subject:      Sleeping with Superman (!)
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hi there, FoLC's!

First of all I'd like to thank the person who sent a post with the
internet's
address of Teri's fan club because it's been really great to read and check
this
page out. I especially enjoyed reading all the interviews, see all the
photos
and the quick movies (Wow!) - you have to keep in mind that these were all
completely new to me since they were never televised in my country. Now I
know
where those pictures I have of Teri kissing Dean's neck and nibbling his ear
come from ! <sigh>

Now moving on to the subject of this post, which I thought I'd share with
you. I
recalled it because of something that Teri said in the Playboy interview -
that
some girls/women have that fantasy - of sleeping with Superman (re.her photo
wrapped in Superman's cape).

Recently one of my co-workers shared a very funny story with all the team
regarding Superman. When he found out I was a  big fan, he told us a true
story
that happened in his neighborhood.

Here it goes:

Late at night all the people living in the same building where this
co-worker
lives were awaken by horrified screams, crying, "HELP! PLEASE, HELP ME!"

Someone called 112 (our 911) since nobody was able to open the door of the
house
where the screams were coming from. When help came and they were finally
able to
open the door, they went to the bedroom - where a woman was screaming and
crying. She was laying on the bed, with her arms and legs tied to the bed.
On
the floor a man was lying, unconcious, with blood on his forehead and...
wearing
a full Superman's costume !  : ) ........... (I wonder where he got it from
<bg>)

Now you've figured what happened - they were "playing"
I'm-Superman-and-I'm-gonna-fly-to-where-you-are-to-"save"-you, but he fell
during the process. The woman, being tied to the bed, couldn't do anything
to
help him except scream !

I hope you found this story as funny as I did. An article was published on
the
local newspaper and everything.

Celia
carvalho@lexmark.com
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 10:31:34 PST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Christina Batouli <forum101@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      The pilot in verse (new fanfic)
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

I know people usually don’t like these things. But it kind of wrote
itself during vacation and I didn’t know what else to do with it.

Try it to the tune of "Jingle Bells" (kinda.)  Enjoy!

Feedback.  Any kind Please.

"The Pilot"  In Verse

By Christina Batouli

Lois Lane is a pain.
She's a beauty but not vain.
She has a really pretty voice.
When she sings we all rejoice.

She is stubborn she is hard.
Don't expect the whole nine yards.
When you date, 'cause you won't,
Kissing her is a "don't."

She interviews, does not date.
You won't be her life long mate.
She background checks all her men.
She has not dated since way back when.

Her sister thinks this is dumb.
Says "Just go out and choose a chum.
He'll pacify, he might be shy.
He might as well wear wacky ties.

"You'll see the love in his eye.
You'll feel as though you can fly,
Right into the big blue sky,
When you meet your SUPER GUY!"

**********************************************

Clark Kent is whose meant
To be her life long gent.
He is timid he is mild
He is in no way wild.

He is a man fell from the stars
He's strong enough to carry cars.
With him he could make you die,
But he would not harm a fly.

Heat vision, X-ray eyes.
If you’ve lead he can not pry.
With his freezing exhalation
You could be in suspended animation.
Real good hearing and sense of smell.
These powers are real swell.

He’s sworn to use these powers for good
But please let it be understood.
He needs privacy, and retreat.
He won’t tell everyone he meets.
That he can fly, yes he can
Just because he’s Superman.

______________________________________________________
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Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 11:12:48 PST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Samantha Kegan <sam_kegan@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      The Last Time I Saw Elvis
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

Hey,

I think it is because I am not a very good english student, but I don't
understand the relevence of this title to the story.  Could someone
please explain it to me?

THANKS,

Samantha

"No matter how bad it gets, it will get better.  Look for the kid who
grins, even when she's hurting, just to brighten your day.  It's the
sparkle in her pained eye that says that everything will be okay."

______________________________________________________
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Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 15:14:49 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      Re: The pilot in verse (new fanfic)
In-Reply-To:  <199901201831.KAA13247@f74.hotmail.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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At 10:31 AM -0800 1/20/99, Christina Batouli wrote:
>I know people usually don=EDt like these things. But it kind of wrote
>itself during vacation and I didn=EDt know what else to do with it.
>
>Try it to the tune of "Jingle Bells" (kinda.)  Enjoy!

Christina,

I am one of those that normally don't "do" poems and songs, but this one
was great.  You are very clever!  I grinned through the whole thing, and
yes, the tune does kinda fit. <g>  Very cute.

Thanks for submitting it. :)

Kathy

______________________
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kathyb@springnet1.com OR kathyb@fgi.net
http://userweb.springnet1.com/kathyb/
KathyB on IRC
______________________
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 15:23:01 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      Re: The Last Time I Saw Elvis
In-Reply-To:  <199901201912.LAA28174@wya-lfd115.hotmail.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 11:12 AM -0800 1/20/99, Samantha Kegan wrote:
>Hey,
>
>I think it is because I am not a very good english student, but I don't
>understand the relevence of this title to the story.  Could someone
>please explain it to me?

In the opening scene, Martha, Jonathan, Perry and Alice had just come out
of the theatre after watching an old Elvis movie.  Martha reflected on the
last time she'd seen Elvis -- in college when she and a male friend went to
this very same movie when it had first come out.  The male friend from back
then is Cliff, whose companion took Jonathan's wallet and launched the
whole story ...

OK, hands up ... many people were expecting a Perry episode from the title?
Heh heh heh. <g>

Kathy

______________________
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kathyb@springnet1.com OR kathyb@fgi.net
http://userweb.springnet1.com/kathyb/
KathyB on IRC
______________________
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 16:35:51 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Joy N Sowell <jsowell@METLIFE.COM>
Subject:      Re: The Last Time I Saw Elvis
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

<***OK, hands up ... many people were expecting a Perry episode from the
title?***>
     I have to admit I thought it would be a Perry/Alice/ Graceland story.
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 18:45:27 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         "C.C. Malo" <Ccmalo@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: The Last Time I Saw Elvis
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

I wondered about using this title at the time; it just came out of the blue
as
I was writing and I liked it.   Originally, I'd called it "Martha's Story"
and
I guess I should have stuck with that.   Sorry to disappoint those of you
who
were expecting a different story.  I didn't mean to mislead anyone.

Carol
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 16:04:30 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Audrey Rempel <audo65@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: The Last Time I Saw Elvis
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Ooo, Carol, I just want to say that I was not disappointed in the
least!  Yes, I had originally thought the title had something to do
with Perry, but it was great the way it tied in the Martha, Jonathan,
Perry and Alice going to the theatre and starting Martha on that trip
down memory lane.  The story was great, and I must say, Season 6 is
just making me one happy camper!

Keep up the good work gang, and keep it coming!
Audrey

---"C.C. Malo" <Ccmalo@AOL.COM> wrote:
>
> I wondered about using this title at the time; it just came out of
the blue as
> I was writing and I liked it.   Originally, I'd called it "Martha's
Story" and
> I guess I should have stuck with that.   Sorry to disappoint those
of you who
> were expecting a different story.  I didn't mean to mislead anyone.
>
> Carol
>

_________________________________________________________
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=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 19:04:27 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Joy N Sowell <jsowell@METLIFE.COM>
Subject:      Re: The Last Time I Saw Elvis
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

<***I wondered about using this title at the time; it just came out of the
blue as
I was writing and I liked it.   Originally, I'd called it "Martha's Story"
and
I guess I should have stuck with that.   Sorry to disappoint those of you
who
were expecting a different story.  I didn't mean to mislead anyone.

Carol***>

     It wasn't a disappointment; in fact, I really liked the story.  It was
well done.  Kudos.
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 01:06:40 GMT
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         Eilonwy Jamison <astro_dwarf@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Help defending LnC
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain

My sister and I have been a fan of the show since it first started
showing, nut now she thinks that it is getting old!  Can you believe
that?  She also thinks I'm obsessed, but that is another story.  While I
was with a group of friends yesterday she came up and tried to explain
to me that mounties were better than Superman.  She is addicted to a
show on TNT right after LnC.  She says that mounties have more skills,
more brains, and are more interesting than Superman!  If anyone has any
ideas on what I can say email me and I'll pass them on to her.

Eilonwy Jamison

Who is very sorry if anyone on the list is a fan of constable Frasier or
Due South!

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Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 18:55:26 MST
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              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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From:         DEBRA GRAY <dlgray@USA.NET>
Subject:      Re: [Smallville Authorities]
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Sue Modolo wrote:

<Something that has bugged me for a while - When the Kents found Kal-el,
<how did they keep a secret?

<I mean, being a small town, I am sure there were nosey people who
<wondered where the baby came from.  I wonder if ther was such a thing as
<Child Services (Children's Aid up here in Ontario, Canada) nosing
<around.  After all, would they not have had to go through adoption.

<Well, I guess we just need to throw all logic out the window and say
<there was nothing like that them.

<Or did Martha put him in a wicker basket and keep him in the Nile like
<Moses' mother did  LOL

<Just a thought and I am sure that will keep a string going for a while.

Yeah, Sue. Good point - I've wondered this myself for a while. But I think
Martha said in Tempus Anyone (or am I confused with the first movie with
Christopher Reeve? G) something about that they could say that he was the
son
of one of her out-of-town relatives. Am I all wet?

Debra G.

____________________________________________________________________
Get free e-mail and a permanent address at http://www.netaddress.com/?N=1
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 20:51:11 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Eugene Ellison <supergirl28@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      I Need Fanfiction Idea Help!
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
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Hi everyone!

Okay, Zoom was somewhat helpful with (her?) story suggestion, but I need =
more detail than that. I said that the story, whsoe title is =
"Discoveries and Betrayals" was about Lois and Clark, their twin =
children, J.C. and Lara, the kid's newly discovered powers, and Lara's =
boyfriend. He's evil,(Luthor's reincarnate) but no one knows that except =
for the person reading the story. The writer's block happened after I =
wrote  to the reading audience who Lara's boyfriend really was. I have =
about eleven chapters already and about ten pages. So I would appreciate =
everyone's help.   =20

                                                                         =
                                                                         =
                                  Thanks a million! supergirl28

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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>

<META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.3110.7"' name=3DGENERATOR>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Tempus Sans ITC" size=3D2>Hi everyone!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Tempus Sans ITC" size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Tempus Sans ITC" size=3D2>Okay, Zoom was somewhat =
helpful with=20
(her?) story suggestion, but I need more detail than that. I said that =
the=20
story, whsoe title is &quot;Discoveries and Betrayals&quot; was about =
Lois and=20
Clark, their twin children, J.C. and Lara, the kid's newly discovered =
powers,=20
and Lara's boyfriend. He's evil,(Luthor's reincarnate) but no one knows =
that=20
except for the person reading the story. The writer's block happened =
after I=20
wrote&nbsp; to the reading audience who Lara's boyfriend really was. I =
have=20
about eleven chapters already and about ten pages. So I would appreciate =

everyone's help.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Tempus Sans ITC" size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Tempus Sans ITC"=20
size=3D2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbs=
p;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp=
;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&=
nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&n=
bsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nb=
sp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbs=
p;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp=
;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&=
nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&n=
bsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nb=
sp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbs=
p;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp=
;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Thanks a =
million!=20
supergirl28</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

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=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 21:05:23 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Donna Burton <BURTOND@CONAN.UNION.EDU>
Subject:      Re: [Smallville Authorities]

Debra G., I believe you are recollecting the line in the Reeve
Superman movie about saying he was the orphaned son of out-of-
town relatives in order to keep him. That's when Jonathan says,
"Martha Clark Kent...etc..."

Donna in Schenectady
burtond@union.edu
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 21:07:28 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         "Ann E. McBride" <Aerm1@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Help defending LnC
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

I watched Due South tonight due to inertia.  While I enjoyed it, it seems to
lack the personal chemistry between Lois and Clark, perhaps because the two
main characters are both men.  And, Clark is definitely cuter than the
Mountie. (Dresses better, too.)

Hope this helps.

Ann
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 19:37:37 -0700
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         No Name Available <cndcherry@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Re: Sounds of War
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

jacqueline wrote:

>If you want to know about War in general, read "A Quick and Dirty
>Guide to War."  Any young man considering enlisting should read this
>book first - it tells it like it is.
>

Ummm....perhaps you might want to expand your recommendation to include any
young women considering enlisting as well   :)

cerise
SrA, United States Air Force
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 20:53:02 -0700
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Debby <debby@SWCP.COM>
Subject:      Re: I Need Fanfiction Idea Help!
In-Reply-To:  <007901be44e0$a0050840$8a13460c@computer>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 08:51 PM 1/20/1999 -0500, you wrote:
>
> Hi everyone!
>
> Okay, Zoom was somewhat helpful with (her?) story suggestion, but I need
more
> detail than that. I said that the story, whsoe title is "Discoveries and
> Betrayals" was about Lois and Clark, their twin children, J.C. and Lara,
the
> kid's newly discovered powers, and Lara's boyfriend. He's evil,(Luthor's
> reincarnate) but no one knows that except for the person reading the
story.
> The writer's block happened after I wrote  to the reading audience who
Lara's
> boyfriend really was. I have about eleven chapters already and about ten
> pages. So I would appreciate everyone's help.
>
>
>
>                         Thanks a million! supergirl28

Why not have evil boyfriend killed by a meteorite and
Lara goes on to dedicate her life to the memory of the
good she thought was exemplified by her (evil) boyfriend?
Then we find out that JC wants to major in poetry at
Metropolis U and Ellen Lang begins to suspect that her
grandson may be having some identity problems. Jonathan
Kent takes Sam Lang fishing and they see Lake Smallville's
version of the Lock Ness Monster. Martha Kent, full of
wisdom, convinces Ellen that "the boy's" just going through
a phase; "his father did, too." This statement does not
ease Ellen's mind. Indeed she starts watching Clark
closely for signs of "like son, like father." Unfortunately
for L&C, Ellen stumbles onto a secret she is Not Meant To
Know: what Clark has gotten Lois for their 20th anniversary.
There are hijinks galore as Ellen, realizing Lois will
never like the gift (fill in what a typical husband would think
his wife would love but unbeknownst to him it will really make
her Very Angry) (or so Ellen thinks), tries to get it out of
the house and back to the hardware store, where while trying to
exchange it for something "more appropriate" ("Lois never was
into carpentry...") she is kidnapped by a roving band of New
Kryptonians. As it is, no one notices she is missing and the
remaining Kents and Lanes live happily ever after and Ellen
becomes the Terror of the Universe when she learns to operate
a hyperlight scooter.

anonymous
"If you can dream it
you can make it happen"
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 22:37:13 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      Re: The Last Time I Saw Elvis
In-Reply-To:  <296c8903.36a66a97@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 6:45 PM -0500 1/20/99, C.C. Malo wrote:
>I wondered about using this title at the time; it just came out of the blue
as
>I was writing and I liked it.   Originally, I'd called it "Martha's Story"
and
>I guess I should have stuck with that.   Sorry to disappoint those of you
who
>were expecting a different story.  I didn't mean to mislead anyone.

Carol, that was the whole point!  :) When you suggested the title, I got
such a kick out of it precisely because people would think it was a Perry
story. Pam and I were even anxious to get it up on the "upcoming episodes"
list because we knew it would generate interest.

For heavens sake, you shouldn't be apologizing.  You should be basking. <g>

Kathy

______________________
Kathy Brown
kathyb@springnet1.com OR kathyb@fgi.net
http://userweb.springnet1.com/kathyb/
KathyB on IRC
______________________
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 22:37:40 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kathy Brown <kathyb@FGI.NET>
Subject:      Re: [Smallville Authorities]
In-Reply-To:  <19990121015527.25773.qmail@>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 6:55 PM -0700 1/20/99, DEBRA GRAY wrote:
=>Yeah, Sue. Good point - I've wondered this myself for a while. But I think
>Martha said in Tempus Anyone (or am I confused with the first movie with
>Christopher Reeve? G) something about that they could say that he was the
son
>of one of her out-of-town relatives. Am I all wet?

Hand the woman a towel. <g>

You were right about confusing it with the movie; this issue was never
covered in the show.  However, you are in good company -- if I had a dollar
for everytime I had to stop and think "was that in the show or was that in
a fanfic?", I'd be .. well, not rich, but at least I wouldn't have to worry
about the grocery bill for a week or two. <g>

Kathy

______________________
Kathy Brown
kathyb@springnet1.com OR kathyb@fgi.net
http://userweb.springnet1.com/kathyb/
KathyB on IRC
______________________
=========================================================================
Date:         Wed, 20 Jan 1999 22:42:19 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Melissa Day Hall <mhall@SOUND.NET>
Subject:      Re: The Last Time I Saw Elvis
In-Reply-To:  <296c8903.36a66a97@aol.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>I wondered about using this title at the time; it just came out of the blue
as
>I was writing and I liked it.   Originally, I'd called it "Martha's Story"
and
>I guess I should have stuck with that.   Sorry to disappoint those of you
who
>were expecting a different story.  I didn't mean to mislead anyone.

Pish-tosh! Quit apologizing! (Sets a bad precedent for those of us who'd
love to be able to use a clever misdirection like this for a title) I think
that The Last Time I Saw Elvis is a very catchy and interesting title- it
drags the reader's attention into the story and before you knowit, there's
the end! <g>

Misha (mhall@sound.net)
- - - - -
"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost;
that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them."
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 00:04:19 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Maggie <maggie13@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      show/fanfic reality
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
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warning, these are midnight ramblings!

Kathy said:          (hi Kathy!)
if I had a dollar for everytime I had to stop and think "was that
in the show or was that in a fanfic?", I'd be .. well, not rich,
but at least I wouldn't have to worry about the grocery
bill for a week or two. <g>

so ofcourse, just have to tell you about my most glaring
confusion moment.

The Clone's Clothes

There's a really lovely ep of S5 (I'm thinking possibly
It happened All Summer, but it's late, so highly likely
I could be wrong! ;o)) Anyway in this ep LnC are in
one of the rooms upstairs doing spring cleaning.
Clark x rays a box, sees it's all the stuff the
clone bought and whisks it away without Lois
ever knowing what it was.

One day I was thinking about that, and was
highly confused trying to figure out what ep it was
of course, I was totally stumped.  Until, all of a
sudden it hit me! No! It was Season 5, hello, duh?
But I would have *sworn* I could picture
them cleaning stuff out, and then even
Jimmy interruptus and everything.

So, that was my most glaring one,
wondering if any of you  have any like
that, OR and I don't think this has happened
to me yet, have you ever thought something
was from a fanfic only to discover it *was*
on the show? Now, that would be a twist!

I told ya! it's midnight, my mind is quite mushy right
now---it's a miracle I didn't interrupt my regularly
scheduled babbling for a Dean Moment.
(oh, wait! I think I just did <vbg>)

good night everyone.
:o)

Maggie
Kerth Groupie <g>

maggie13@bellsouth.net  (aka supermags on IRC)
Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly
not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting
that a new world is born.  ~Anais Nin
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 00:31:45 -0000
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         LabRat <labrat@DIRCON.CO.UK>
Subject:      Re: The Last Time I Saw Elvis
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Carol writes:

>I wondered about using this title at the time; it just came out of the =
blue as
>I was writing and I liked it.   Originally, I'd called it "Martha's =
Story" and
>I guess I should have stuck with that.   Sorry to disappoint those of =
you who
>were expecting a different story.  I didn't mean to mislead anyone.
>
I thought that the Elvis title was pretty cool actually. I love that =
kind of play on words, pick ups from other references......etc.

LabRat :)

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<META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 =
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</HEAD>
<BODY>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Carol writes:<BR><BR></DIV>
<DIV></FONT>&gt;I wondered about using this title at the time; it just =
came out=20
of the blue as<BR>&gt;I was writing and I liked it.&nbsp;&nbsp; =
Originally, I'd=20
called it &quot;Martha's Story&quot; and<BR>&gt;I guess I should have =
stuck with=20
that.&nbsp;&nbsp; Sorry to disappoint those of you who<BR>&gt;were =
expecting a=20
different story.&nbsp; I didn't mean to mislead anyone.<BR>&gt;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3D"Comic Sans MS" size=3D2>I thought =
that the Elvis=20
title was pretty cool actually. I love that kind of play on words, pick =
ups from=20
other references......etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 face=3D"Comic Sans MS" =
size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3D"Comic Sans MS" size=3D2>LabRat :)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV></BODY></HTML>

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=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 08:59:09 +0100
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Celia Carvalho <carvalho@LEXMARK.COM>
Subject:      The Last Time I Saw Elvis // GRACED LAND
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Dear FoLC's,

I couldn't help noticing the posts regarding the last ep of the 6th season
(I
haven't read it yet. I'm still reading eps from the 5th season) and now I
know
it isn't related to Perry/Alice/Elvis - I also thought it was. And being an
Elvis fan too, I was curious about reading it. I still am, but I want to
read
the eps by their correct order.

The reason I'm addressing to you is that I *am* writing a story that happens
in
Memphis/Metropolis and it involves Perry, Jimmy, Alice, new characters and,
of
course, L&C. I was in Memphis/Graceland in 1997 and I could use what I saw
for
the story, added to a lot that I invented for the plot, too. The title of
the
story is Graced Land.

The fact that I am not English/American made the writing more difficult. I
am
always writing about lots of things, but usually in Portuguese.

Is there someone out there who wouldn't mind to proof the story for me when
it's
ready? It's currently being proofed by Debby Stark - she's a *big* help <Hi,
Debby! : ) >. I don't know when the story will be finished, though (I'd say
it's
halfway). What Debby is doing is time consuming for both of us, not
mentioning
the writing itself...!

Thanks in advance for your help.

Celia
carvalho@lexmark.com
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 09:27:48 EST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Kate Crane <KCrane1865@AOL.COM>
Subject:      CONFIRM LOISCLA-GENERAL-L
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit

RENEW
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 12:30:01 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Mandy Crustner <mandyc@LCC.NET>
Subject:      Needed - Jack's last name
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

I'm not sure if it was ever mentioned in the show, but I need to know Jack's
(the one that took Clark's globe in Foundling, not Jimmy's dad, who'd of
course be Jack Olsen, okay, sorry, I'm babbling <grin>) last name.  If it
wasn't mentioned, anyone have any suggestions on what I should use?  This is
for the same story that I've been working on for what seems like forever now
:)  You can email me privately at the addy listed in my sig!  Thanks FoLCs
:)

Mandy
mandyc@lcc.net
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 19:27:45 -0800
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Fatboy <Bob@FATBOY55.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      CONFIRM LOISCLA-GENERAL-L
MIME-Version: 1.0
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              boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0099_01BE4574.1F8CDA00"

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RENEW =20

EILEEN

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        charset="iso-8859-1"
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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD W3 HTML//EN">
<HTML>
<HEAD>

<META content=3Dtext/html;charset=3Diso-8859-1 =
http-equiv=3DContent-Type>
<META content=3D'"MSHTML 4.72.3110.7"' name=3DGENERATOR>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>RENEW&nbsp; </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#000000 size=3D2>EILEEN</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>

------=_NextPart_000_0099_01BE4574.1F8CDA00--
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 10:28:23 -1000
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Jamee Jones <shore@MAUI.NET>
Subject:      did I miss something?
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit

I'm seeing alot of renewals too the list.  Did I miss something? or are
these just late responses to the renewal we had to do a month or so
ago?   I've been so busy and my email box is so cluttered, It wouldn't
be suprising if I missed something.

jamee
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 12:17:31 PST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         irene dutchak <sirenegold@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: CONFIRM LOISCLA-GENERAL-L
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Please renew me to this mailing list.

Thanks,
Irene Dutchak

>>From owner-loiscla-general-l@listserv.indiana.edu Thu Jan 21 06:29:49
1999
>Received: from piano (129.79.5.189) by listserv.indiana.edu (LSMTP for
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>Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 09:27:48 EST
>Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
>              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
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>From:         Kate Crane <KCrane1865@AOL.COM>
>Subject:      CONFIRM LOISCLA-GENERAL-L
>To:           LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
>
>RENEW
>

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Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 15:39:17 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Sheila Harper <sharper@CNCC.CC.CO.US>
Subject:      Re: did I miss something?
Mime-Version: 1.0
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>I'm seeing alot of renewals too the list.

I don't know why they're suddenly turning up, but those of you who send a
renewal to the list instead of to the listserv program won't be renewed
because the list doesn't accept or respond to commands.

Sheila
sharper@cncc.cc.co.us
=========================================================================
Date:         Tue, 19 Jan 1999 23:36:45 -0600
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         Joshua Phelps <hawkman@HCOL.NET>
Subject:      Re: CONFIRM LOISCLA-GENERAL-L
MIME-Version: 1.0
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OH NO!!  I hope we are not gonna go through all this again.

ok to renew to LOISCLA-GENERAL-L all you have to do is send an e-mail to the
address LISTSERV@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU  and in the body simply write "CONFIRM
LOISCLA-GENERAL-L" without the quotation marks.  I dont think it works to
simply send it directly to the list.  ok give it a try and if it doesn't
work, dont blame me.  Teeheehee

bye :o)

Josh

-----Original Message-----
From: Kate Crane <KCrane1865@AOL.COM>
To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU
<LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Date: Thursday, January 21, 1999 8:29 AM
Subject: CONFIRM LOISCLA-GENERAL-L

>RENEW
>
=========================================================================
Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 15:10:56 MST
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
From:         DEBRA GRAY <dlgray@USA.NET>
Subject:      Re: show/fanfic reality
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Hi all,

Thanks Donna and Kathy for your corrections regarding my memories about how
they explained about CK. I have only seen the movies with Reeves and our
fave
reincarnation of LNC, and I have read precious little LNC fanfic, Maggie.
But
I've read piles of XF fanfic and regularily have to go screen my XF tapes to
make sure that I'm not confusing myself with what Mulder and Scully do on
the
show with what the Philes (particularly us 'shippers <VBG>) have written
that
they do. I'm waiting to find a good source of Star Trek fic so I'll have the
same problem with Kirk and Picard and Sisko and Janeway and co. <G> Any
Trekkers out there have a favourite Trek fanfic site? E me privatly, K?
Thanks.

Debra G.

dlgray@usa.net

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=========================================================================
Date:         Fri, 22 Jan 1999 01:14:57 GMT
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Eilonwy Jamison <astro_dwarf@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Help defending LnC
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Thanks Ann!  I hope she accepts the idea.  I agree totally about Clark
dressing better and being cuter.  Anyway what would a mounty look like
in spandex?

Eilonwy
"And they all lived happily ever after. . . well, until the nasty, evil
dragon bit off their heads that is."

                        (@ @)
--------------------oOOo-(_)-oOOo---------------------------

I watched Due South tonight due to inertia.  While I enjoyed it, it
seems to
lack the personal chemistry between Lois and Clark, perhaps because the
two
main characters are both men.  And, Clark is definitely cuter than the
Mountie. (Dresses better, too.)

Hope this helps.

Ann

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Date:         Thu, 21 Jan 1999 21:29:24 -0500
Reply-To:     "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
              <LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
Sender:       "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic"
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From:         Pam Jernigan <jernigan@COMPUSERVE.COM>
Subject:      Re: The Last Time I Saw Elvis
Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com
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>> Pish-tosh! Quit apologizing! (Sets a bad precedent for those of us who=
'd
love to be able to use a clever misdirection like this for a title) <<

I agree with Misha ... of course, I have to, considering my most famous
fanfic is titled "President Kent" <g> which doesn't mean quite what you
might think...

PJ
who has the most awful time with titles...

!^NavFont02F011F000EMGJHG76MG78HHh7193

  Pam Jernigan (jernigan@compuserve.com)
  ChiefPam on the IRC
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