From: "L-Soft list server at Indiana University (1.8d)" To: "ARTF@MemoryAlpha.nil" File: "LOISCLA-GENERAL-L LOG9808A" ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 14:57:53 +0100 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Angee Chaudhry Subject: Re: Man of Steel Bars on Sky 1 In-Reply-To: <3.0.1.16.19980731205814.49d71b80@vmspop.isc.rit.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 In message <3.0.1.16.19980731205814.49d71b80@vmspop.isc.rit.edu>, Gary writes >At 12:25 AM 8/1/98 +0100, you wrote: >> >>>Not quite sure where the >>>feet idea comes from, >> >>Well ok .. let me explain and see if you can follow me ... >> >>Feet = Speed (Superman runs and sprints here and there) >> > >You're thinking of The Flash, he runs at superspeed. > >Superman flies at superspeed. Ok if I said "runs and sprints here and there" I wasn't using the right words. It was a brief comment made in passing and it really doesn't need analysing. I *know* that Superman flies at Superspeed .. I'm not that dumb :-) Angee Chaudhry ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 09:59:51 -0500 Reply-To: eed2@Ra.MsState.Edu Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Elizabeth Eve Davis Organization: Mississippi State University Subject: Re: Man of Steel Bars on Sky 1 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Not only does he fly at superspeed, but he also runs at superspeed. In fact, in the comics he once raced the Flash and to make it fair, he couldn't fly. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 18:18:59 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Regina Gilchrist Ash Subject: The occult, questions, etc. On Friday, July 31, 1998 4:34 PM, The Zoomway[SMTP:Zoomway@AOL.COM] wrote: > In a message dated 98-07-31 14:44:54 EDT, you write: > > << I totally agree. I am strongly opposed to the episodes that contained > occultic influencenes, ghosts, druids, or voodoo etc.. I really did not > like NOAS and I didn't like the character Baron Sunday at all. > >> > > > I admit I'm one of the minority (even among minorities it's a minority ;) who > liked Baron Sunday. , Maybe you're part of a minority, but then, so am I. Not only did I like Baron Sunday, I liked the actor who portrayed him, and wished they would follow it up with a story where Sunday came back and found out (some way) that Clark really hadn't tried to hurt him...and forgave him. So, I'm a sentimentalist, too. They left it with one of those, "I'll be back" and wide open endings with him slithering off with his almost-Vincent-Price-ish laugh. (I don't like it when it gets *too* weird, but none of them did...now, Outer Limits is another story altogether :) Any fans who don't like the supernatural definitely shouldn't read the Supergirl comics, either. It's been pretty bizarre ever since it came out...but I did get a kick out of a character in a recent issue (who was the Dean of a college where there was some racial unrest...and Supergirl intervenes) being called "Dean Kane"...I know Peter David wrote that in on purpose. I never got a response when I posted asking if anyone had heard anything about a Supergirl movie being made. I had hear 'net rumors of Supergirl and WOnder WOman tv series. Also, any news about whether the Superman Lives movie has ever gotten off the ground at all...hard facts, only, please. I've read "Ain't it Cool News" on teh net til I'm red-eyed and no hard facts. Later, FoLC, Regina -- Regina Ash (rash@dnet.net) ************************************************ "Science, sufficiently advanced, is indistinguishable >from magic." -Arthur C. Clarke *********************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 20:19:43 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Mar Smith Subject: a question... Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Hi FoLC - I've had a minor problem with my computer (lighting struck my house and killed my computer in grounding it's self.) Now that I finally have a new computer to work with. I was wondering if anyone had the address to the archives (I had it but it's on the dead computer!!) Thanks Mar- Mar Brian@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 20:26:02 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Chris P Subject: Re: a question... Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit In a message dated 08/02/98 12:20:08 AM !!!First Boot!!!, MarBrian@AOL.COM writes: << I was wondering if anyone had the address to the archives (I had it but it's on the dead computer!!) >> If you mean the fanfic archive, its http://www.ixpres.com/chrispat/lcfanfic/ Chris P. ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 19:23:23 -1000 Reply-To: shore@maui.net Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Jamee Jones Subject: Re: Fanfic Fifth Seasons MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Kathy Brown wrote: > >>Hey, don't go insulting us or you might not get any. << > Oh no we don't want to do that!!! We'll be good!! :) > >> I also know that I couldn't give enough of my time or > attention to a full S6 without either dropping all my other projects, > getting a divorce, or going insane. << And we really don't want you to do that! > >>So, I decided right up front that I would rather have this project > turn out > 11 (or less, if that is necessary) high quality episodes than scramble > for > 22, and be so stressed-out over the project that it wasn't fun. So, > we > decided that this project would be fun. :) > > Eleven is better than nothing, after all. ;)<< > You're right! I have to admit, I was incredibly bummed when I first read that I won't be getting my fix of a new S6 fanfic every week throughout the season, but I totally understand! I know I couldn't do it! Thanx again for making time in all of your already busy lives to write again for us this season! > Jamee(chomping at the bit for S6!!!!!!) > > ========================================================================= Date: Sat, 1 Aug 1998 23:14:26 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Cristin J Whitley Subject: Re: Feedbacks: Love 'em or hate 'em (I know I'm late on this one!) OK, I know I am SOOO late on this. However, my modem got fried, and I have been offline for 2 weeks now. This was just such a great thread that I had to reply. So, sorry if I am irritating ya'll. I'll try and restrain myself. :o) >Hello folcs: Hey, there, Grace and all other FoLCs. >It's been awhile since I posted anything, but I was thinking of this >last night and I just had to get this out of my system. >I know all fanfic writers like feedbacks, wheather it's complimentary >of disparging. I admit as a writer, I'd like feedbacks. (although I've >only written two fanfics) I love feedback too. I've only written 3 (almost 4!!!) fanfics. >However, as a reader, I hesitate to send feedbacks to the authors, no >matter how good the story is. Because I don't know what to write to >them. Should I just say: Hi there, I really like/love you story or >should I describe in details what I like/love about it? As a reader, I almost always send feedback. I know how great it makes me feel when I get em. So, I try and do unto my fellow FoLCs as I would have them do to me. Used to be I would just say, "I loved your story!!! Keep up the good work!!!". Now I prefer to give reasons why I loved it or just liked it. This is much more fun for the writer hiding deep down inside me. When, I don't know what to write, I usually try and remember what part(s) of the story made me react the most. Whether I was laughing or crying, I try to let the writer know. I don't know of anyone who would be mad if you compliment their story in the "wrong" way. If all you can think of is "Great fic!", write anyway. Those words alone make me happy. >I found that writing my thoughts down are harder than saying them out >loud (i.e. I express myself better orally than in writing-you can tell >by the amount of fanfics I write:) If you find talking easier, just think about what you'd say to the writer. I'd imagine it feels awful to write a fic and not get any replies at all. So, just try! :o) >Also, I wonder if the writers may also be confused by the feedbacks >readers give. Of course it's nice to receive an email saying: I >enjoyed your fanfic. >But what did they enjoyed about it? Was it the plot that's original? >Or is it because the way the writer experssed the characters' >feelings? If I recieved a confusing feedback, I would email you and ask you about it. IMHO, if the writer cares what you think and doesn't understand, they'd do that. But that's just me. >I'd like to hear from both writers and readers on this subject. For >writers-what kind of feedback do you appreciate the most? I appreciate the lengthy type of feedback that tells why the reader enjoyed my story. However, just three words from my favorite fic author would leave me happy. In fact, I still have the email Crystal sent me about my first fanfic. This is because I hold her opinion in high regard. Sorry, if that embarrasses you, Crystal, but you *are* my favorite fanfic author! >For readers-do you enjoy sharing your thoughts with the author or do you >find it hard to >tell them about your feelings (like me :P) I think I already answered that one. :o) >Best regards, Grace Grace, great topic! Definetly worth delurking for. :o) In conclusion, I love feedbacks. :o) As a matter of fact, they are the only reason I write. I wrote my first story in two hours just so I could spit it out on the list for feedback. That feedback I recieved is the reason I am still writing (though not as quickly :o)) Cristin (who has 500 more emails to read b/c of the burnt out modem. Hi ho, hi ho! It's off to read I go!) PS- My first fanfic ever written can be found on the archive. It is titled "Valentine's Day at the Daily Planet". It's by me (Cristin Whitley). ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 15:36:04 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pellis Subject: Re: the movie (?) Superman Lives Comments: To: lloydr@ldd.net MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Superman Lives was supposed to be the latest Superman movie...starring NICHOLAS CAGE of all people in the title role. It started off with promise. Even though Tim Burton was supposed to direct it, the script writer was a long-time Superman fan (Kevin Smith - he wrote Chasing Amy and Clerks.) But Hollywood producers got hold of it, revamping everything and basically ruined it. Now, Cage and Burton have moved on to new projects and the movie is in limbo. Paul -----Original Message----- From: LLOYD RALSTON To: LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@listserv.indiana.edu Date: Friday, July 31, 1998 7:18 AM Subject: the movie (?) Superman Lives >Has anyone else heard about this? Is this a real movie? I ran across >the script while I was searching for a Titanic one. > >Go here to see what I mean: http://www.script-o-rama.com/table.shtml >(if that link don't work, get rid of the "s" in "shtml"..) Scroll down >to u get to the script link entitled Superman Lives. Or you can go >directly to the the script with this one, I think: >http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8657/homer-th.txt > >Anyway, thanks for your help! >--cc aka Jodi-- > ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 16:32:40 -0400 Reply-To: NightSky@erols.com Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Genevieve Subject: Re: Never On Sunday; Superman Lives; Webpage updates MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Somebody wrote (Wendy, was it you?) > << I totally agree. I am strongly opposed to the episodes that contained > occultic influencenes, ghosts, druids, or voodoo etc.. I really did not > like NOAS and I didn't like the character Baron Sunday at all. I'm going to agree with Regina and Zoomway (yes, I do ocasionally agree with Zoom ) and say that I liked Never On Sunday. It had a disgusting scene showing a de-composed corpse (Ziggy), making it one of only two episodes that had my daughters running from the room in fear. (BGDF is the other one -- they couldn't handle Tez. Ruth (age 6) wasn't crazy about the kissing in the elevator in BY -- "I hate it when the open their mouths when they kiss!" -- but she just turned her head for that one. But Tez and Ziggy really scared them.) It was also, I think, one of the first Supernatural episodes. We'd seen the druid episode, but Mxy and Ghosts hadn't happened yet, nor magic stones (IGYUMS), not even pouring souls from one container to another (or from clone to clone). Compared to what came afterwards, NOS seems pretty tame, especially since it tries to tie itself to reality be invoking voodoo and hypnotism and the power of suggestion, although we could probably argue over how well they suceeded. For me, the selling point for Never on Sunday was that it had Clark as the main character. It was *Clark* that Baron Sunday was out to get, not Lois or Superman. We got to see some of Clark's background and we got to see Clark's youthful mistakes. Like Regina, I thought this episode cried out for a sequel. Sunday was still out there, and still gunning for Clark. I'd have like to see Clark make some kind of amends for damages done to Sunday, and, as Regina suggested, Sunday forgive him. (Or at least decide to to try to kill him anymore, forgiveness might be a bit much.) This episode cries out for a sequel. Fanfic, anyone? Regina said: > I never got a response when I posted asking if anyone had heard anything > about a Supergirl movie being made. I had hear 'net rumors of Supergirl and > WOnder WOman tv series. Also, any news about whether the Superman Lives > movie has ever gotten off the ground at all...hard facts, only, please. > I've read "Ain't it Cool News" on teh net til I'm red-eyed and no hard > facts. The Superman Homepage has a section on Superman Lives which is updated frequently. It's probably a really good place to check for information. And I need to update the Lois and Clark section on The Superman Homepage so if anyone knows of any good links (especially ones in other countries), please let me know. Also, does anyone know what's happened to Rocci's site? It seems to be missing. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Genevieve "One may smile and smile, and yet be a villain." -- Hamlet ;) ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 17:20:04 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Eileen F. Ray" Subject: New Fanfic Alert : New IRC Round Robin Fanfic Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Hi everyone , The IRC round robin writers have been at it again and I have the pleasures of posting our latest offering :). This story is a bit of a departure for the group since it doesn't have any A plot at all . It's just Lois and Clark on a mini vacation exploring the world and each other in celebration of the anniversary of Clark's arrival on Earth. We enjoyed writing it and we hope you enjoy it as well. As usual, feedback will be appreciated. Cheers, Eileen Eraygun@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 17:20:06 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Eileen F. Ray" Subject: New Fanfic: A WHOLE NEW WORLD Part 1 of 5 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit A WHOLE NEW WORLD An IRC Round Robin by Chrispat (cp13607@aol.com); Eraygun (Eraygun@aol.com); Mackteach (Mackteach@aol.com); Nekanuq (Nekanuq@aol.com); Zoomway (zoomway@aol.com); Missytoo (Missytoo@mindspring.com); ChiefPam (jernigan@compuserve.com) [chrispat] Clark reclined on the bed watching Lois pack for their long delayed honeymoon trip. They had a few days off and had decided to make a quick trip around the world, courtesy of Superman Express. Lois opened her lingerie drawer and glanced over at Clark with a mischievous smile. She slowly removed various bits of lacy silk and satin, holding each piece up for his inspection. "What do you think? Should I take all this?" Lois laughed at his look. "Okay. I won't tease you any more...at least not now." She leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I'm really looking forward to this. Just you and me four whole days?" [Eraygun] Clark grinned in response and pulled her down on the bed next to him. "We've earned this vacation, honey. We've both been working nonstop for the last couple of weeks." Lois nodded and moved closer to Clark, resting her head on his chest. "I know, I've barely seen you the last few days," she sighed. "We could take some time to become reacquainted if you'd like to take a break >from packing." Lois giggled, rolled off the bed and began tossing items back in her suitcase. "Uh uh. As much as I *loved* our honeymoon, this time we are leaving the bedroom." Clark pouted in mock-disappointment. "Do we have to?" Lois stared at him. "Yes we have to! You promised me that we would. And everyone knows that Superman never breaks a promise ..." Clark sighed dramatically and fell back even more into the pillows. "Ack! Done in by my own image and reputation ... the horror of it all!" Lois laughed, shaking her head at Clark's histrionics. "You're looking forward to this as much as I am ..." She pointed a pair of her lacy undies at him. "And *don't* try and tell me otherwise." She continued to pack. Clark chuckled and came to a sitting position on the bed. "Guilty as charged." He watched Lois pack a burgundy bathing suit. "I can't wait to show you some of the places I've been, honey." "Don't forget that we're going to some places *I* want to visit too ..." Clark came off the bed and walked to stand behind his wife. His arms encircled her waist and he hugged her to him. "Anywhere in the world is fine with me, Lois ... as long as I'm with you ..." Lois smiled and placed her hands over his. "Me too." She turned in his arms, her hands coming up around his neck. "Now ... I have a favor to ask ..." Clark leaned down and began to nuzzle her neck. "Anything ..." he murmured against her skin. Lois squealed in delight before giggling at the ticklish feeling Clark was giving her. "Le ... le ... um, let me ... um, finish packing." She closed her eyes reflexively, melting against Clark. Clark smiled and moved his head away from her soft skin. "If you say so. Who am I to argue with Ms. Top Banana?" He reluctantly released Lois. "I'm gonna go do some work downstairs ... you're too much of a distraction." He walked toward the bedroom door. As Lois watched his retreating back, she smiled and whispered. "Ditto." Clark turned in the doorway, hearing her whisper, the word never sounding more sexy than it did right then. "Lois? I have a favor to ask, too..." he said softly. "Anything," she said, her knees turning to jelly at the low burr in his voice. He moved back into the room. "Before we leave, I want to take you around the world one more time." The smile that spread over his face turned into a rakish grin. "Please," she said, and they were in each other's arms again. [Mackteach] ***** Afterward, they lay there in the silence, enjoying the feelings of completeness. As Clark ran his hand through his hair, he heard Lois' soft giggle. He turned to look at her, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. "What?" "Oh, I don't know ... it's just that ..." Lois' voice trailed off as she tried to find the words. "What?" Lois looked into his eyes. "It's nothing ... just that with how often we seem to be undressing each other ... I'm amazed that we did enough work to justify a long weekend." Clark chuckled. "Trust me, honey. Perry knows how important it is to keep his reporters ... happy." He turned onto his side and quickly kissed her. "Besides ... neither of us had taken any sick days, so we've earned it." Lois smirked. "Easy for you to say, Mr. I-Don't-Get-Colds-Unless-There's-A- Kryptonian-Virus-Around." Clark chuckled and moved his hand across her midsection. "Well, let's just see if I can help you build up your ... immunity." "Oh! Is it ... inoculation time?" "Mmm hmm. After all, you're taking a trip around the world ... gotta make sure your shots are all in order ..." Lois giggled and pulled his head toward her. "Make sure you give me the ... prescribed dosage." "Oh, absolutely." Clark closed his mouth over hers. [Nekanuq] They were late leaving, but picked up a tail wind on the way to their first destination, and made up for time not lost, but well-spent. They arrived in the dark, the lights of a foreign city below them, and Clark looked for a suitable place to land inconspicuously. "Here, we are, milady," he said, setting Lois down. [zoomway] Lois stood on a balcony, a slight breeze ruffling the collar of her blouse. She leaned her head against Clark's shoulder and sighed. "It's beautiful. We never did get that trip to Paris for dinner," she said, and then looked up into his eyes. "You were going to propose to me here, weren't you?" Clark crooked his arm so that he could pull her closer, and stroked her hair. "I guess I hoped it would be ... inspiring." She wrapped an arm around his waist, hooking a thumb in the yellow belt of his costume. "I guess I spoiled it when I jumped the gun and did the proposing," she said as she looked down as the 'City of Lights'. "Don't ever think that, Lois," he whispered. "Nothing ever touched me more than that night. I could hardly speak." He kissed the top of her head. "You looked like a little girl. My heart knew better though," he laughed. She nuzzled her head against his shoulder. "I was scared," she confessed. "I knew what I wanted, and it was a 'now or never' thing." Clark shrugged. "You just wanted your own way." Lois laughed and nudged him. "That too." "Come here," he said, and lifted her back into his arms and flew her to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Lois felt her breath catch. "I was hoping you'd do that." "I know," he said matter-of-factly. Lois laughed again. "So I get my own way telepathically, too?" "It's not telepathy, it's that 'Danger Mouse' complex you have, Lois. But Everest is out." "Ah, shucks." He quickly, impetuously kissed her. Lois felt herself almost losing her balance, but needn't have worried; they were floating again. Clark wasn't always easy to figure out. She was usually the one who had to make the first move, but sometimes ... the boy scout had some nice moves of his own. After the kiss, Lois just hugged him. It was that connection to him that stopped any ache. His warmth, kindness, love, it was all in his embrace, and she held on tight as they began to move to their next destination. [^Missytoo] Lois felt happy and free in Clark's arms, enjoying the scenery beneath them. He flew southeast toward the Rock of Gibraltar. Lois was fascinated as they flew above the beautiful waters of the Mediterranean and followed the wind currents eastward. He avoided the major islands, instead choosing a tiny island east of Sicily. He landed gently in the gray pre-dawn light and they watched breathlessly as the sun slowly rose in the east. "Clark, where are we?" "Well, when I was in college, I read about this place. Santorini is a very small, island now... but about forty years ago, it was bigger. Until the volcano exploded. There's plenty of good food, and friendly people, and not a lot of tourists.. so naturally, I wanted to see for myself how beautiful it was." Lois looked around, seeing the rugged, yet beautiful terrain of the tiny island. Small whitewashed buildings dotted the rocky hillsides all the way >from the sea. She decided that whatever Clark had in mind, it must be wonderful. The deep blue water and the black, rocky soil seemed like something out of a travel brochure.. Continued in part 2 ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 17:20:13 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Eileen F. Ray" Subject: New Fanfic :A WHOLE NEW WORLD Part 4 of 5 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit A WHOLE NEW WORLD continued from part 3 ________________________ [Eraygun] A few hours later Lois found herself dodging bikes and pedestrians on a busy street in Shanghai. "I will never complain about Metropolis traffic again," she said as she made it to relative safety on the sidewalk. Clark chuckled. "It is a little intense here. But you get used to it." Taking her by the hand again he led her past the busy market area. "So where are we going now?" "Well you said you were hungry and I thought you'd appreciate a visit *here*," Clark replied, indicating a small restaurant. Lois eyed the place carefully, then she smiled. "This is it, isn't it?" "Yep." "Well, I hope the food hasn't changed in four years. I really loved those dumplings." [zoomway] They walked into the restaurant and Lois inhaled and then exhausted the air with an appreciative sigh. "It smells wonderful." He held out a chair. Other couples looked up at the obvious 'westerners'. "I guess we kind of stick out," Lois whispered. "I could spin into the costume and take the onus off you, honey." "Sit down and shut up," she laughed. "Remember what I can do with chopsticks." A waiter handed them a menu, bowed, and then departed. Lois raised an eyebrow. "Well, maybe if I just point I'll hit something I like." "I can order that assortment I ordered way back when you couldn't stand me." Lois lowered her menu. "I could stand you. I just hid it well." Clark nodded and chewed the inside of his cheek. "Uh huh." "I did like you," Lois said defensively. "But I didn't want you to know I liked you because I could tell you already liked me, and by 'like' I mean 'like', not *like*, the way I think you--" Clark raised a hand. "Honey, it's okay, really. You don't have to explain...please," he smiled. "Besides, as long as I rattled your cage when I was wearing that towel--" "Oh, God," Lois said, and put the menu over her face. "You can put the menu down. I can see right through it, and you're a lovely shade of red." "Clark, you acted completely innocent. What a faker!" "I just didn't want to take advantage of the moment. Your large appreciative eyes and that small spot of drool was thanks enough." "I hate you." "I know," he sighed. "But you'll get over it the next time I'm in a towel." Lois laughed loudly, noticed she'd drawn the crowd's attention, and turned it into a cough. "Want me to pat your back, honey?" "You're asking for it." "I'm *counting* on it." Lois reached across the table and took his hand. "If I haven't said it lately, I like you a lot, Clark Kent." Clark lifted her hand to his lips. "I like you too, Lois Lane," he whispered, and kissed her hand. Lois looked at her husband thoughtfully. "I didn't think I'd ever have fun being married." "I always knew we'd have fun, assuming I could get you to the altar." "It was long before the altar, Clark. I started having 'fun' with you even when I was still pretending I couldn't stand you." [^Missytoo] "If something's not fun, it's not worth doing." She leaned over and kissed his cheek, then rubbed at the lipstick smear she'd left behind. "You got that right, mister. I'm tired from all the *fun* we've had today.. think we could get the food to go?" He smiled, and signaled for the waiter to approach their table. The man took Clark's order, and smiled at Lois. "Okay, what did you say?" "I said that the pretty lady had the airplane disease, and we were going to go back to our hotel." "Airplane disease?" "Jet lag, Lois." "Oh," she smiled. "So I've got a love hangover, and we should just call it' Clark Lag' ?" He grimaced at her. "Ugh, no.. we should think of something better than that." He picked up her hand, and rubbed a thumb across the palm. "You can't think of anything?" "Not right now when you're touching me, I can't." "You feel like going back to Santorini for the night, or do you wanna stay here?" [Eraygun] "Actually I've got someplace else in mind." *************** Lois watched as Clark spread his cape out on the sand of a deserted beach and neatly arranged the bamboo baskets of takeout food. The moon was just beginning to rise and she shivered as a slight breeze came off the water. Clark looked at Lois with a trace of concern. " Are you cold? Would you like me to light a fire?" "No I'm fine," she said snuggling closer into his welcoming arms. "It's just a ploy I use to get attention from you." Clark laughed. "Let's eat, and I can promise you all the attention you could possible want." They sat beside each other, and Lois gazed up at the night sky. "I always wanted to go to Tahiti," she sighed. "I remember." "I told you? When?" "At the Bachelor's Auction my first year in Metropolis." Lois blushed. "I did? I don't really remember much about that night. Not after I lost *you*, anyway." "You never lost me, Lois. I was always yours and I always will be." [Mackteach] Lois looked at Clark, her love and unshed tears of happiness making her eyes bright in the evening. "And I'll always be yours, Clark." They leaned together and sealed their vows of love with a kiss, moving into each other's arms and lying back against the white sands of Papeete's beach. Breaking off the kiss, Lois laid her head on Clark's shoulder, her hand lightly roaming over his chest, feeling his warmth even through his shirt. They looked up at the stars. Unhampered by city lights, their brilliance made them appear to be diamonds against a velvet background. Lois sighed contentedly. "This has been wonderful, Clark ..." Her voice trailed off into another sigh as she snuggled closer to him. Clark curled his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. "'Has'? Who says that it's over?" Lois raised her head and looked at his profile. "It's not?" A slow smile began to spread over her face. God, this man was full of surprises. Clark answered her growing smile with one of his own. "I've always wanted to take a moonlight swim in the Pacific Ocean." Lois' smile faltered. "But, we don't have the bag that has my swimsu --" Lois' words were cut off as Clark quickly and effortlessly scooped her into his arms. He walked purposefully toward the beach's edge. "Who said anything about a suit?" And with those words, he walked straight into the ocean, the splashing that his stride made accompanied by the squeal of delight from Lois. "Clark!! Our clothes ..." Continued in part 5 ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 17:20:11 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Eileen F. Ray" Subject: New Fanfic : A WHOLE NEW WORLD Part 3 of 5 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit A WHOLE NEW WORLD continued from part 2 ____________________ [Mackteach] Lois wriggled closer, looking around her as Clark flew by the pyramids. His grip suddenly tightening on her caught her attention. "Hmmm?" "Look straight ahead." She turned and looked. Her mouth opened in surprise and awe as the head of the Sphinx loomed closer and closer. Clark stopped a few feet in front of it, hovering as the ancient monument filled Lois' field of vision. "Oh wow ..." was all she managed to say as Clark softly whispered the history of the statue in her ear. Clark slowly moved around the Sphinx, allowing Lois a view that probably no one else had ever had. Pulling her gaze away from the ancient stonework, she placed a soft kiss against Clark's lips. "Wow ..." she murmured again. She leaned back and looked into his eyes. "It's incredible." Clark smiled softly, knowing that after everything they had been through it took something very special to leave Lois virtually speechless. "Now you know how I feel every time I look at you." Lois smiled tenderly and placed her hand against his neck, feeling his steady pulse against her palm. "Spaceman, you say the nicest things." "I'm only telling the truth, Lois." They stared for a moment longer into each other's eyes, their mutual love shining brightly. Turning away from the Sphinx, Clark asked. "So ... where to now? The Congo? The Sudan? How about Mount Kilimanjaro?" Lois thought for a moment. "Maybe we can come back to Africa some other time. How about ..." She whispered in Clark's ear, her smile widening as she spoke. Clark grinned back at her. "As you wish ..." With a final look back at the Sphinx, they flew off to the east. [zoomway] Lois rested her head against Clark's shoulder. She felt exhausted, but the excitement level was a good counter-acting tonic. "You think von Daniken was right?" she asked after a moment. Clark smiled. "Ancient astronauts building the pyramids?" "Yeah." He thought a moment. "Nah, my dad said only humans would build in the middle of nowhere." Lois laughed. "Hey, I should have asked to visit that Nigerian princess who taught you ballroom dancing." Clark glanced and caught her eye. "Jealous?" Lois tried to look uninterested. "No, just curious." "Well, she was quite beautiful, actually." Lois frowned. "Really?" "Yeah," Clark said wistfully. "She was kind of short though, about four foot three. Then again, she was only nine and had to stand on my feet when we danced." "Ah," Lois smiled. "You were irresistible to nine-year-olds." "I think I just looked lost, and she was so serious, but lonely. She felt sorry for me when I said I never learned to dance, and told me that a gentleman should at least know the basics." Lois kissed along his jawline. "She taught you pretty well as I recall. Though we don't dance as often as I'd like." "That's because you don't fit on my feet as well, honey." The last comment got Clark's ear nipped harder than Lois had initially intended. "Ouch, sorry," Clark said, and started descending. Snow capped peaks were at eye-level, and Clark flew by them very close. Lois laughed as she dragged a hand through the snow, watching it drift down in flaky balls. Clark loved watching her. Clark loved her...period. As they descended, the air warmed and the snow became scarce. Dark outcroppings of rocky terrain started to fall away as well, and they ended up under the canopy of a steamy forest. Rangoon in May was a hot, breathless place. [^Missytoo] Clark set her down gently, careful to let her get her balance on the soft earth. After spinning into shirt and slacks, he took a moment to look around, curious about the utter silence of the place. "What's wrong?" "Shhhhh, there's no noise.. this isn't right." He listened closely for moment or two more. "I guess they're quiet because of us.. let's hope so." He held her hand a moment, and then kissed it. "You feel like a hike?" "How far?" "Oh, just up that ridge." He pointed to a peak in the distance. "I don't know if I can go that far..." "Well, let's see how the walk goes, and if you get tired, you tell me, okay?" "What's up there?" "You'll see." He smiled mysteriously. She decided to let him surprise her. He was the only man in the world that could get away with it. Somehow, that seemed only right. They walked carefully through the dense jungle, avoiding suspicious-looking plants, and stepping carefully to avoid anything dangerous. The birds eventually began their usual chorus of calls. Lois was enchanted at the peace she found there. She sighed, tiredly, and Clark gave her a careful inspection. The light sheen of sweat that ran down her neck, and into her blouse caused it to plaster itself provocatively against her body. He decided it wouldn't do to have her totally exhausted by the time they arrived at their destination. He reached out and picked her up, smiling when she giggled at him, then tucked her head under his chin. He floated them upwards, carefully maneuvering through the canopy overhead, and flew them to the small clearing on the top of the distant hill he'd pointed out before. In the clearing was a small spring surrounded by exotic flowers and vines growing amongst the rocks. "Is this the surprise?" "Yes... I was here once before, and thought it would be a magical place to make love, someday." [Mackteach] He looked deep into her eyes. Lois gasped, continually surprised at the depth of his love for her. "And ... 'someday' is ..." "Today," Clark finished for her before his mouth captured hers. Her hands came up between them and eagerly went to the buttons on his shirt. They seemed to come undone of their own volition, the buttonholes well-used by now. They moved apart and quickly finished undressing. As Lois stepped out of her pants, she looked at Clark, thinking that all that was missing was his fig leaf. "So's yours, honey." Clark's desire was evident in the huskiness of his voice. Lois smiled, realizing that she had voiced her thought out loud. Still smiling all the while, Lois walked toward him, the natural sway of her hips causing Clark to lick his suddenly dry lips. "What's the matter, Clark? Need something to drink?" Lois teased, knowing full well the effect her short walk had on him. All Clark could do was nod. He swallowed convulsively, finding his voice. "Honey ... if you had been in the Garden of Eden ... the devil himself would have eaten that apple ..." Lois stopped, a bit surprised at his words. Then she smiled, chuckling softly, the sound doing wonderful things to Clark's insides. "You really do say the nicest things, Clark ..." She looked at him, mischief and love twinkling in her eyes. "Want to take a bite?" Clark groaned and closed the gap between them at superspeed. His head leaned toward her throat, lightly nipping at the tender flesh, feeling the quickening of her heartbeat against his lips. Lois clung to him as he pulled her tightly to him and floated them gently off the ground. They shifted in the air until they were horizontal and then Clark lowered them carefully onto the mossy ground, the softness cushioning Lois. She closed her eyes and gave herself over to his loving ministrations. ***** When she returned to her senses, she felt Clark's strong arms around her, his long eyelashes lightly brushing against her collarbone. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him to her. Clark moved in her arms until their gazes were level and Lois saw the brief look of concern that crossed his handsome face. "Hi." "Hi yourself, big guy." "You okay?" Lois smiled. "Never better." She reached up and caressed the side of his face. "Thanks to you." Clark smiled. Turning his face into her hand, he tenderly kissed her palm. "My pleasure." Lois giggled. "Mine even more." Her hand curled around to the back of his head and pulled him down toward her. Just as they were about to kiss, Clark pulled back as Lois yawned. He grinned. "Tired?" Lois nodded. "A bit. Hungry too." Clark kissed her forehead. "Rest a bit, I know just where to take you for food." Lois nodded again, already half asleep. Clark shifted off her and held her in his embrace, watching as she drifted off. Continued in part 4 ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 17:20:16 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Eileen F. Ray" Subject: New Fanfic : A WHOLE NEW WORLD Part 5 of 5 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit A WHOLE NEW WORLD continued from part 4 ____________________________ [Mackteach] Clark used his super vision and hearing to do a quick scan of the area. "Take 'em off, honey. There's no one around." When Lois looked at him still unconvinced, he quickly added, "Besides, with me around, they'll be dry quicker than you can say 'Extra starch around the collar'." He winked and gave Lois 'the look.' Lois sighed. "Now, how can I resist when you give me your 'lost puppy dog' look?" Clark grinned. "My point exactly. Here, let me help you." His arms came out from under Lois and she floundered for a moment before relaxing and letting the salt water carry her weight, her feet barely touching bottom. Clark made quick work of her blouse and pushed it off her shoulders, its tail floating atop the ocean. "How do I know you won't just let my clothes drift off on the ocean currents?" Clark raised his eyebrow in mock surprise. "Now would *I* do anything like that?" "Yes, you would." "Lo-is!" "I'll make you a deal. I'll take off the rest of my clothes once I see that you're completely --" Clark rose out of the water and quickly spun. He slowly floated back down into the water, allowing Lois to see that he was completely - " -- naked." She sighed. "You have *got* to show me how you do that." Clark chuckled and reached for her hand. "Come on, honey. You can undress on the beach. *Then* we'll go skinny-dipping." Lois nodded and let Clark scoop her back into his arms and walk back to the beach. She quickly undressed, her skin shining with a silvery sheen in the moonlight. Tossing her shoes onto the pile of clothes, Lois turned and looked at Clark, a look of playfulness and delight on her face. Holding his hand out to her, Clark smiled, his heart filled with love for this woman. Without hesitation, Lois placed her hand in his, and with a wild whoop of abandonment, they ran toward the surf and into the ocean. They laughed and swam in the warm sea, splashing each other in between kisses and caresses. Lois floated on her back for a while, looking up into the starry night, glad that Clark was with her instead of on one of those specks of light. She sighed, hoping that Zara and Ching were as happy as she and Clark. Her thoughts were interrupted by the loud splashing of her husband. She turned her head and saw a look of almost boyish delight on his face. He looks so carefree, she thought. I wish we could stay here forever. As if he read her mind, he placed a kiss on her lips, the salt water mixing with the lingering taste of dim sum. Unusual, he thought, but then that's what makes Lois so unique. He deepened the kiss momentarily, delighting in her responsiveness. He broke the kiss off and looked into her eyes glistening brightly in the darkening night. "I would love nothing more than to stay on our own private island with you, but ..." His voice trailed off. "Yeah, I know. The world needs you. Besides, how long could we really live on a diet of bananas-on-a-stick?" Lois smiled tenderly, her hand reaching out to caress the side of his face. Shifting her weight, she floated toward him, her lips capturing his and cutting off any retort he could have made. Clark returned her kiss, knowing full well that neither of them would have stood the simple life on an island for longer than a weekend. It just wasn't them. It would have been too ... normal. No adventure, no evil villains, no investigative stories to uncover. No, somehow, "normal" just didn't describe their lives. Clark broke off the kiss and murmured against her lips. "You once asked me how long I could hold my breath ..." Lois smiled. "And ...?" "A very long time ..." With those words, his mouth closed over hers and he pulled them both under the surface of the ocean. The sudden silence that enveloped her momentarily surprised Lois and she hugged Clark to her, his solid body reassuring her. Floating upward, Clark broke the surface of the water, Lois taking rapid gulps of air beside him. Sweeping her hair out of her eyes, she turned to Clark. "You really *can* hold it for a long time!" Treading water, Clark grinned. "Uh huh." Lightly splashing some water at him, Lois returned his grin with one of her own. "What else can you do?" Clark raised his eyebrows and laughed wickedly. "Mwa ha ha." He reached out for Lois, but stopped at her next words. "Do you know that we've made love six times today?" "You've been keeping track?" "Sure. Twice before we left, twice at that hotel in the Mediterranean, and once by the spring in Rangoon." "Um, honey? That's only five times." "I was counting this time too." Clark frowned. "I don't know, Lois. You've kind of worn me out. I never knew that you were so insatiable." At Lois' pretty pout, Clark's frown turned into a grin. "But, if you insist ..." Lois grinned and launched herself at Clark, her arms wrapping around his neck. Her sudden movement threw him off balance and they again disappeared beneath the surface of the water. Clark held her to him and as quickly and carefully as he could, rolled over so that Lois came to the surface of the ocean, and he was slightly below it. He levitated slightly so that she was just skimming the surface of the water, confident now that neither of them would now drown. "Cl ... Clark?" she gasped breathlessly. "Hmmm?" Clark murmured, the word vibrating against her. "Um ... oh ... re ... remind ... me ... ah, god ... to ..." Lois' words collapsed into an incoherent moan of pleasure. Clark raised his head, his eyes not completely focusing. "Huh?" Lois' mind cleared for a moment. "Remind me ... to call about waterbeds ... " ***** [zoomway] Lois felt drowsy as Clark buttoned her blouse. She had attempted it herself, but between the sun, the water and Superman, she was beaten. His heat vision had dried their clothing nicely though. Lois smiled down at Clark as he knelt to fasten the last button. "You know," she said airily. "You'll be a good father, Clark." She stroked his hair. "You're patient, and you can button from the front." Clark laughed. "It's not exactly brain surgery, honey," he said, rising from the sand and brushing his knee. "Besides, I've gotten good at unbuttoning from the front, and so I just reverse the process." Lois stretched her arms out to him, "Hug." Clark hugged her to him and smiled. "Isn't this where you call me 'lunkhead'?" Lois laughed, tickling his ear. "Do you remember everything?" "Everything worth remembering, and so my memory starts about five years ago." Lois pulled back and looked up into Clark's eyes. They had that 'look'. They were slightly glazed, his heart was full of emotion. She drew a finger along his jaw. "Let's go home, Clark," she said softly. Clark lifted her gently. "We've got vacation time left. You don't want to make any more destinations?" he asked as they drifted upward. "It's funny you should word it that way - 'make a destination' - because that's what we've done." Clark looked completely perplexed. "We've made a destination?" Lois smiled her crooked smile, that grudging smile that betrayed her every time. "Utopia." The couple suddenly lost altitude rapidly. "Clark!" Lois shouted just as they skirted the shoreline and landed back on the beach, or rather, crash landed. Lois stood and rubbed her rump. "I guess that was bad timing, I should have waited ... Clark, honey, are you all right?" she said, hurrying to where he seemed content to stay crumpled, his head bowed slightly, as if the wind had been knocked out of him. He finally glanced up. The glaze in his eyes had spilled to his cheeks. Clark was not a man who cried easily or openly, but he was crying now. Lois knelt in front of him and took his hands. "I'm sorry I told you that way." Clark shook his head, tried to speak, but couldn't. He threw his arms around her and they both cried. After a long moment, Clark took a deep breath. "I love you," he said, and then laughed, even as the tears flowed again. Lois mirrored his words and actions. She was a goner seeing him this vulnerable and moved. She hopped into his arms. "Let's go home, but maybe via Kansas?" He kissed her as they rose into the air. "I think that's best. Only I could catch my dad if he fainted." THE END ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 17:20:09 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Eileen F. Ray" Subject: New Fanfic: A WHOLE NEW WORLD Part 2 of 5 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit A WHOLE NEW WORLD continued from part 1 ________________ [Missytoo] Clark quickly looked around and spun into his everyday clothes. Slipping his sunglasses over his eyes, he took her hand. "Come on, they'll be expecting us." He led her down the rocky path, watchful to see that she stepped carefully. Finally he smiled and deciding the last thing he needed was a bride with a twisted ankle, he scooped her up and proceeded to carry her down the hill. He strolled into the village, refusing to put her down even when she began protesting that everyone was staring at them. He grinned, shouted something to the onlookers, and received a hearty shout back. She looked at him suspiciously. "Clark, what did you say to them?" "I just said you were too beautiful a nymph to let loose once I'd found you..." He finally put her down, but took her hand, and lead her down the small, crowded streets to a tiny building sitting on the very edge of the rocky cliffs. They walked into the small entrance, and Clark spoke briefly to the man behind the desk. The man smiled in welcome and handed him a key, then looked around for their bags. Clark held up the one small bag he'd managed to hang onto. The older man smiled, and said something that made Clark laugh. They followed him upstairs to a small, sparsely furnished room. Clark thanked him and tipped him, and the man smiled and tipped his hat to Lois. After the door closed behind him, she looked around the room. "Clark, the only furniture in the room is a dresser with a mirror, and that ... that... " Her breath caught in her throat as she realized the bed was carved out of the very walls.. in fact, the entire room had been carved out of the rock, and whitewash was the only decoration. The mattress was thick and inviting, with mosquito netting above it. Everything in the room was white, except the dresser. "Wow.." Clark smiled at her. "You like it?" "It's.. like some .. fantasy. You've been here before?" "Yes, I worked on a fishing boat for a while.. even helped build this hotel. I told them I'd bring my bride back here someday." "So what did he say to you downstairs?" "I told him this was all we brought and he said you were too beautiful to wrap in anything but satin sheets. I must say, I had to agree with him." [Mackteach] Lois looked around. "I don't see any satin sheets, Clark." Clark looked around innocently. "No?" Lois smirked and crossed her arms. "No." "Well, we'll just have to remedy that, won't we?" "We?" Clark smiled. "OK ... me. Let's see ..." And with that, he yanked down the mosquito netting. "Clark!" "Feel it, honey." "It?" Lois' mind raced with the possibilities of what "it" could be. "The netting, honey. Feel it." Lois eyed the netting suspiciously, not sure if Clark was teasing her or not. Sensing her hesitation, Clark smiled encouragingly. "Trust me, Lois." The low huskiness in his voice convinced Lois that Clark wasn't playing a joke on her. She touched the netting tentatively, fully expecting to feel a rough and scratchy texture. Her eyes widened and she looked at Clark with surprise and delight. "Clark! It's so soft ..." Not anymore, he thought, but then realized that she was talking about the fabric that her hand was now caressing. He cleared his throat. "I know it's not satin, honey ... but will this do?" Lois smiled as she continued to caress the satin smoothness of the mosquito netting. So soft, she thought, so luxurious. I wonder how it would feel against ... Clark's question caught her attention. "Do? Do what?" Clark's smile broadened as his mind thought of the possibilities. "To wrap you in ... will this do?" Lois considered Clark's question. "For now ... but, later ..." Clark raised an eyebrow. "Later?" "I still want the satin sheets," Lois finished. Clark chuckled. "Deal." Still holding the netting in one hand, he pulled Lois into his arms. Fixing his gaze on her bright eyes, he cautioned her. "Hold on." ***** Clark raised his head and looked into her eyes. "God, Lois ... what you do to me ..." Lois smiled tenderly, seeing the love shine through his eyes. "Only giving back what you do to me, love." He smiled and kissed her, breaking off unexpectedly as he tried to stifle a yawn. "Whoa ... sorry about that." Lois chuckled softly. "It's okay, honey ... let's take a short break before moving on." Clark nodded and pushed one of the stones in the wall by his head. To Lois' surprise, part of the wall opened. She peered around the door and saw a linen closet. "Satin sheets!" She turned to look at Clark. "You knew about this?" Clark grinned and nodded. "Yup. Remember? I told you I helped build this hotel." Lois nodded absent-mindedly, her hands reaching for a set of red satin sheets. She turned to Clark, a playful grin on her face. "Did you bring the bag that has the camera in it?" Clark frowned. "I think so ... why?" "Oh, I was just thinking ... red satin sheets ... me wrapped in them ... you with a camera ..." Her voice trailed off and her eyebrow twitched suggestively. Clark's eyes widened even as his grin did. "Suddenly, I'm not so tired ... shall we ... use up the whole roll of film?" "Sure ... and after ..." She paused for a moment, grinning lecherously at her husband. "Well ... I think you'll be recovered by then ..." "Count on it ..." "One ..." She moved toward the bed, satin sheets in hand. "Two ..." Clark continued, searching for the camera. "Three ..." Lois turned as she heard the rapid click of the automatic shutter. "Clark! There's 27 shots on that roll ..." Clark chuckled and continued taking pictures. ***** [ChiefPam] "Wow, Clark..." Lois sighed happily, wrapped in satin sheets, cuddled in her husband's arms. "That was ... amazing." Clark smiled, feeling like the luckiest man on Earth - on any planet, really. The past two hours had been nothing short of spectacular, as they'd been able to concentrate solely on each other. No Superman distractions, no reporter phone calls... just the two of them and a very nice bed. Lois stretched slowly, luxuriating in the feel of satin slipping over her bare skin. "So... where do you want to go next?" "You're ready to travel again?" He quirked an eyebrow at her. "I thought I was the one who didn't need recovery time." She laughed huskily. "Oh, I'm feeling all energized now, for some reason. Invigorated. You know, vigorous exercise is *so* healthy..." He reached for her, but she slipped away. "Oh no, you don't." She grinned at him from the side of the bed. "I want to see the world." "Oh, okay," he sighed theatrically. "But after that... " he leered playfully, "after that, I get to make the earth move again." "Deal!" [Eraygun] Lois snuggled comfortably in Clark's arms as they took off from a secluded spot on the island. Very quickly they were back over the Mediterranean and the sound of Clark's heartbeat soon lulled her to sleep. When she awoke she found herself in shadow of the Great Pyramid. "Welcome back, sleepy head." Lois yawned. "What do you expect after these vigorous workouts I've been having?" Continued in part 3 ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 20:01:28 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Margaret Brignell Subject: Clark's College Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi all:) I've finally (almost) caught up on my backlog of reading (Otherwise known as "procrastination";) I noticed that someone wondered why I didn't use Midwestern U. as Clark's College in my stories, since that was marked on the football in ASU. Well, it's like this 1) When I first wrote about Clark going to college I had only seen ASU once and I was under the impression he had played football in high school, not college. (I've since rewatched this ep and now know I was wrong Sorry Carolyn;\) 2) One of my proofers had mentioned that Ottawa, Kansas would have made the perfect "Smallville" and I discovered that the nearest university town was in Lawrence, Kansas. Since I live in Ottawa (Canada) and I needed the name of a university for Clark, I chose the one in Lawrence. It seemed a natural:) 3) Having written this as part of *my* continuity, now I can't change it;\ 4) Despite ASU, I have difficulty believing that Clark played football in *college*. By then he had learned to fly and *knew* he was different, fundamentally, from others around him. It doesn't seem reasonable to me that he would have taken the chance of playing football in as public an arena as *college*. (This is probably why I thought the football trophy was from high school;\) Bottom line: I goofed, but I'm not changing it at this late date Back to delayed lurk mode:) Margaret P.S. For anyone who is wondering: Yes, I *am* working on "Only You" Part 3...it's going to be a while longer before it gets published. The story isn't coming together as quickly as I had hoped;\ ****************************** Margaret Brignell brignell@capitalnet.com Ottawa, Canada %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% My fanfic now available at: http://www.capitalnet.com/~brignell/ ****************************** ========================================================================= Date: Sun, 2 Aug 1998 23:39:59 -0700 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Grace Wong Subject: Re: Feedbacks: Love 'em or hate 'em (I know I'm late on this one!) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > Grace, great topic! Definetly worth delurking for. :o) > > In conclusion, I love feedbacks. :o) As a matter of fact, they are the > only reason I write. I wrote my first story in two hours just so I could > spit it out on the list for feedback. That feedback I recieved is the > reason I am still writing (though not as quickly :o)) > > Cristin (who has 500 more emails to read b/c of the burnt out modem. Hi > ho, hi ho! It's off to read I go!) > > PS- My first fanfic ever written can be found on the archive. It is > titled "Valentine's Day at the Daily Planet". It's by me (Cristin > Whitley). I want to thank Cristin and everybody else for replying to my delurking post, especially Cristin :-), your reply sound like the sort of feedback I'd love to get one day! :-) and I'm off to read your first fanfic Cristin, and I'll remember to send you feedback when I'm through :-) Grace _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 12:08:13 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Charlotte Fisler Subject: Re: New Fanfic: A WHOLE NEW WORLD Part 1 of 5 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit I am sitting here awed and somewhat speechless. Criticize - Why mess with perfection? I thought all along what a great piece of fan fiction. (Plot is never necessary - this is what a mood piece should be) Bith that ending. It took four readings to "get it" but WOW. What can I say but thank you thank you thank you. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 15:05:24 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Gary Subject: My website MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Hi FoLCs, This is to inform you that my web presence is shifting to: (Best viewed with Netscape) and is the only site with Clark's Bar...;-) ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 16:00:04 EST Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Lisa M. Ramirez" Subject: Synonyms for the word "said" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT I sent this to someone recently and she suggested that I send it to this list. This might be of assistance to all the fanfic writers (and editors) out there who get tired of using the word "said" all the time when writing dialog. My 6th grade English teacher gave it to me and I have found it quite useful over the years. He had this pet peeve about the word "said". He complained that students used that word too much when there were other words far more descriptive that accomplished the job even better. So here it is, a synonym list for the word "said" compliments of my 6th grade teacher Mr. Harris. SYNONYMS FOR THE WORD "SAID" added admitted admonished advised affirmed agreed answered apologized asked assured averred began begged bellowed blustered boasted boomed burst out cackled cajoled called chided chortled commanded commented complained confided congratulated continued cried declared demanded ejaculated exclaimed explained exulted gloated greeted grimaced grinned groused growled grunted informed inquired insisted interjected interposed interrupted invited jeered laughed leered mourned mumbled murmured mused muttered observed ordered pleaded promised proposed protested put in queried questioned rasped remarked repeated replied reported responded retorted returned roared ruminated scoffed shouted shuddered sighed smiled smirked snapped snarled sneered snickered sniffed snorted stammered suggested sympathized taunted thought told urged volunteered warned went on whispered yelled Lisa M. Ramirez ramirez@estuary.amrl.odu.edu To most people, solutions are answers to problems. To chemists, solutions are things that are all mixed up. ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 17:14:05 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Margaret Brignell Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 04:00 PM 8/3/1998 EST, you wrote: >My 6th grade English teacher gave it to me and I have found it >quite useful over the years. He had this pet peeve about the word "said". Thanks Lisa:) Margaret ****************************** Margaret Brignell brignell@capitalnet.com Ottawa, Canada %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% My fanfic now available at: http://www.capitalnet.com/~brignell/ ****************************** ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 18:50:29 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Regina Gilchrist Ash Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" Those 6th grade teachers...whoever thought they'd be useful to FoLCdom? (BTW, we *still* give out that list of synonyms. I have it buried, even tho' I only teach math starting this year!) Regina > > -- Regina Ash (rash@dnet.net) ************************************************ "Science, sufficiently advanced, is indistinguishable >from magic." -Arthur C. Clarke *********************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 19:07:18 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Regina Gilchrist Ash Subject: Re: New Fanfic: A WHOLE NEW WORLD To the round-robin fic'ers: I really enjoyed this one. I *loved* the flashbacks...would've liked to have spent more time on them, even...*and* I'd love to read the nfic version of this one. Thanks, Regina -- Regina Ash (rash@dnet.net) ************************************************ "Science, sufficiently advanced, is indistinguishable >from magic." -Arthur C. Clarke *********************************************** ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 00:28:34 +0100 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Angee Chaudhry Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" In-Reply-To: <3.0.32.19980803171356.0069ffe4@capitalnet.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 In message <3.0.32.19980803171356.0069ffe4@capitalnet.com>, Margaret Brignell writes >At 04:00 PM 8/3/1998 EST, you wrote: >>My 6th grade English teacher gave it to me and I have found it >>quite useful over the years. He had this pet peeve about the word "said". > >Thanks Lisa:) I have to second that ... so thanks Lisa :-) Angee -- Angee Chaudhry Lois: Mr Wells, is it true what Tempus said? About being Galactially stupid? ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 23:19:39 -0400 Reply-To: salymc@gateway.net Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Sandy McDermin Organization: GWNET Subject: Writers' Talk Across the Web MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello: I have been hopscotching across the web for the past few weeks looking at writing chat groups -- both subscription and not -- to see what non-fanfic writers talk about. In the spirit of Lisa's recent post, I thought I'd offer a few amusing and/or informative things I've seen written by writers for writers in my *very quick* perusal of these groups. On one list (I think it was called "Writers"), someone posted something I've wondered about: >>Short Story: 500 - 10,000 words. Novellete: 10,000 - 30,000 words. Novella: 30,000 - 60,000 words. Novel: 60,000 (very few publishers will take this) - 120,000??? 80-90K is a good bit to have these days. In earlier times, about 50-60K was good. Not anymore. It's a publisher's market now.<< Hmm. Based upon this (whether correct or not, I don't know), I've written three novellas, one novel, and no master's thesis. ***** Just today I came across the following joke posted at the "writery-cafe": >>A writer died and was met at the pearly gates by St. Peter, who greeted the writer by saying, "Which will it be? Heaven or hell? The writer was somewhat taken aback. Was this a trick question? May I visit each place first," the writer asked, "before making up my mind?" "Sure," St. Peter said. First they visited hell. Where the writer saw a long, long line of other writers, chained to their desks, slaving away even as they were whipped about the head and shoulders with lengths of hot barbed wire. "Uh, I think I'd like to see heaven," said the writer. "Fine," St. Peter answered and the two of them whoosed away to a golden portal, through which the writer saw, when St. Peter opened the door, a long, long line of writers, chained to their desks, slaving away even as they were whipped about the head and shoulders with lengths of hot barbed wire. "But that's just like hell!" the writer cried. "Oh, no," St. Peter said. "Here, their work gets published."<< ***** The following is a response someone gave to a person who critiqued his post. It was on the screenplay writers list (not something I want to do, but they are *much* funnier than novelists): >>It is nice to see posts like "Captain Red Beard"'s, who take the time to read every single word, taking great care to understand and respond to the author's query. In fact, it is gratifying to have someone *so* concerned with what I wrote. I only hope next time someone sane would respond.:-)<< ***** Finally, once again on the writery-cafe group, someone posted a URL that contains a plethora (I mean a whole heckuva lot) of information on writing -- just scroll and scroll and scroll. Not sure of the quality, but they've got quantity down real good. http://www.eclectics.com/writing/writing.html Sandy salymc@gateway.net http://www.erols.com/nightsky/Sandy/ ========================================================================= Date: Mon, 3 Aug 1998 20:26:39 -0800 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Shawler Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" In-Reply-To: <47C4C025F48@ESTUARY.AMRL.odu.edu> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >I sent this to someone recently and she suggested that I send it to this >list. This might be of assistance to all the fanfic writers (and editors) >out there who get tired of using the word "said" all the time when writing >dialog. My 6th grade English teacher gave it to me and I have found it >quite useful over the years. He had this pet peeve about the word "said". > He complained that students used that word too much when there were other >words far more descriptive that accomplished the job even better. So >here it is, a synonym list for the word "said" compliments of my 6th grade >teacher Mr. Harris. > Your 6th grade teacher should know that you can't do the following: ejaculated (ok, I really oughtn't comment on this one -- nfic anyone?) here the lesson beginneth. There is only one way to use the following word correctly. grimaced Right. Clark grimaced. "Stop it, that hurts." Wrong. Clark grimaced, "Stop it, that hurts." The difference is in the comma. You can't grimace a sentence. You can say it in a certain way "groused, growled, insisted", but you can't "action" it. Words like grimaced, grinned, etc are verbs describing actions, not methods of speaking. For instance, "Clark hopped, "Stop it, that hurts."" Now, imagine saying that hopping -- without using your mouth. Get the idea? Other words in Lisa's teacher's list that can't be used with a comma in speech are: >grinned (your character is grinning -- how can he speak and hold his >Cheshire Cat grin?? Likewise with a smile -- your mouth isn't even open to >speak.) >laughed shuddered sighed >smiled smirked snickered >sniffed snorted Leanne Leanne Shawler aka Volterra on IRC (volterra@sd.znet.com) Web Design: http://www.znet.com/~volterra/design/webdesign.html Home Page: http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page: http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 07:32:21 EST Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: "Lisa M. Ramirez" Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Leanne wrote in response to my synonym list: > Your 6th grade teacher should know that you can't do the following: > > ejaculated (ok, I really oughtn't comment on this one -- nfic anyone?) Leanne, when I saw this word in the list, I *knew* someone would comment on it. I thought it would be you, Sandy, or Zoom. > Other words in Lisa's teacher's list that can't be used with a comma in > speech are: > >grinned (your character is grinning -- how can he speak and hold > >his Cheshire Cat grin?? Likewise with a smile -- your mouth isn't even > >open to speak.) > >laughed shuddered sighed > >smiled smirked snickered > >sniffed snorted Absolutely true. If I remember correctly (it's been a while since I was in the 6th grade ;) ), the point of the list was to force us observe and think about HOW people utter words. There is emotion and action behind spoken words and Mr. Harris was always one for using the appropriate word at the appropriate time. "Said" never cut it if a more apt word could be found. Spelling, of course, as well as grammar had to be perfect. He did say though, that sometimes the word "said" did the job. Lisa M. Ramirez ramirez@estuary.amrl.odu.edu To most people, solutions are answers to problems. To chemists, solutions are things that are all mixed up. ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 11:59:23 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >> Mr. Harris was always one for using the appropriate word at the appropriate time. "Said" never cut it if a more apt word could be= found. Spelling, of course, as well as grammar had to be perfect. He did say though, that sometimes the word "said" did the job. << I never had Mr. Harris, but I must have had someone with a similar philosophy once -- it feels wrong to me to use "said" when I can use something with a bit more color. (And then along comes the Turkey City Lexicon (a list of jargon that describes what they consider to be writing errors) and the "said-bookism"= - according to the TCL, the word "said" is impossible to overuse and a good= writer should be able to convey emotion without being so obvious. But then I don't like the TCL anyway ) Actually, there are other tricks to use to avoid using "said" or any synonym - just put some sort of identifying action into your paragraph, a= nd that should label the speaker. Ex: Clark fiddled with his glasses. "I don't know that I look like Superman." You could add "he argued" or even "he argued, nervously" at the end of that, but there's really no need... the dialog is clearly argument, and w= e know from the show that Clark fiddles with his glasses when he's uneasy, especially about someone figuring out his secret. Leanne's example about= "Clark grimaced." is really an action, not a synonym for "said". And thanks, Leanne, for the pointers about commas vs. periods. I'm not sure I've been doing those correctly, but I'll pay more attention now = PJ !^NavFont02F04DB000FMGJHGD5MGD7HKDD9CF7 E-mail from: Pam Jernigan jernigan@compuserve.com / ChiefPam on the IRC ~~~~~ http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jernigan/folc.html Find all the IRC roundrobin fanfic / Featuring recommended fanfics ~~~~~ "I'm sorry, but Miles thinks he's a knight-errant. A rational government wouldn't allow him possession of a pocketknife, let alone a space fleet." --Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan, discussing her son _Mirror Dance_ by Lois McMaster Bujold Distribution: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of S INTERNET:LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 18:19:51 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: The Zoomway Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit In a message dated 98-08-04 08:32:42 EDT, ramirez@ESTUARY.AMRL.ODU.EDU writes: << > ejaculated (ok, I really oughtn't comment on this one -- nfic anyone?) Leanne, when I saw this word in the list, I *knew* someone would comment on it. I thought it would be you, Sandy, or Zoom.<<<<<< Don't worry, I'll get to it in a minute > >grinned (your character is grinning -- how can he speak and hold > >his Cheshire Cat grin?? Likewise with a smile -- your mouth isn't even > >open to speak.)<<< Now this I happily disagree with. Of course we can say things while smiling. Dean provided a good example of that in Brutal Youth in fact. You can also speak while you're laughing, yawning or moaning (kersplash! ;) "I love you, Lois," Clark ejaculated. See, that's possible too (I told you I'd get to it in a minute ;) Seriously though, writing (especially dialog) should be fun and if it gets too bogged down by rules then you can sometimes lose something. I occasionally do connect dialog to actions and separate them with a comma as a personal technique for letting the moment remain fluid. A comma is a yield sign, but a period is a stop sign and when you are always that abrupt, it can lead to actions that seem removed from the dialog. Lois and Clark are often very animated when they speak, so don't be afraid to try something a bit different even if it does stray slightly from the pedantic norm. "In fact," Clark said after a moment, "You had to create Superman in the alternate Metropolis because that Clark Kent didn't come up with the idea. There was no Lois, and so there was no Superman." "Brother," Lois signed with resignation and placed the glasses back on Clark's face. "You're obsessing. I hate to be in the middle of a seduction when you're obsessing. Clark grinned sheepishly, "Sorry." Yes, I had Clark grinning while he said "sorry" ;) As I said, sometimes I'll have an action/dialog scene as 'He shook his head, "it's not likely."' (using a comma) and sometimes 'He shook his head. "It's not likely."' (using a period) In the first example I get more the feeling the person is doing the action while speaking. In the second example I get the feeling the character is doing both separately. There's also the option of writing it as "It's not likely," he commented as he shook his head.' I think it just depends on how you, the writer, want a scene and its dialog/action perceived. I wanted it clear that Clark was grinning *and* saying "sorry" at the same time just as Clark did in Ordinary People when Lois reminded him it was a campfire, not a nuclear reactor Sometimes (and maybe it's Dean) there's such a huge smile on Clark's face, he has to speak while smiling or never speak at all. In Wall of Sound when he says "Fair enough" after Lois warns that if he makes her go through an evening like that again she'll rip out his spleen, he can't keep from smiling while delivering the line ;) One of the exceptions for me is "gasp". You're inhaling when you gasp and so speaking while gasping is tough ;) Though I've no doubt slipped on that one too Zoomway@aol.com (On the other hand, if you have someone taking a toke, dialog on the inhale is possible ;) ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 20:33:26 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Pam Jernigan Subject: New Fanfic: Hi-Ho Silver Comments: To: Blind.Copy.Receiver@compuserve.com MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Hey, just a quickie here, inspired by the rerun of Soulmates last week...= This is a short continuation of the Old West part of the episode (what happened *after* L&C leapt home), and I used the names/backstories, etc o= f the Round Robin fic "The Lone Rider: The Beginning" (available on the archive and through my webpage). The first few lines of dialog are cribb= ed straight from the episode, written by Brad Kern (I think). You should read The Lone Rider, if you haven't already, but for you impatient types, I'll include a short list of characters :-) Micah & Hattie McCoy are the parents of Luisa "Lulu" McCoy, who is in love with Thomas Jefferson (Jeff) Higheagle who, when not sending telegrams, looks great as The Lone Rider. Rev. LeBlanc is a friend of th= e family, and found out about Jeff's little hobby in a previous adventure. HI-HO SILVER! by Pam Jernigan (jernigan@compuserve.com) ********** Sheriff Bartholomew led Tempus Tex away to a jail cell that had been awaiting him for some time, and Jeff, still dressed as the Lone Rider, joined Luisa and her parents. "So you're my parents..." Luisa murmured softly. "Of course," Micah replied, slightly puzzled that she'd need to ask. = Had Luisa hit her head upon something? Jeff leaned toward Luisa and said, "Apparently, you were left on their doorstep as a child. Isn't that weird?" Luisa smiled up at him, tapping him playfully on the chest. "I wonder if= you got my parents?" Hattie frowned slightly, recovering her wits from the stress of being tie= d to dynamite. Whatever were they playing at? They'd already told Jeff ho= w they'd found Luisa, and it had never been a secret from her. The only possibility that came to mind was that they were, somehow, trying to preserve Jeff's secret. Well, whatever game they were playing, Hattie decided she could play too. Putting on an affected tone she gushed, "You= saved our town from the evil Tempus Tex. How can we ever repay you?" She expected Jeff to make some playful mention of their daughter's hand in marriage, but instead he looked at her intently and replied, "You already have." Hattie looked up at her husband -- was he as confused by this playacting as she was? It was one thing to pretend, in public, that they didn't kno= w that the Lone Rider was really Jeff Higheagle, but this was beginning to feel very odd. "Or, uh, will," Jeff continued hastily, not really clarifying matters. Before they could inquire further, however, Mr. Wells coughed, drawing Je= ff & Luisa's attention. "It is, um, time..." Luisa turned back to her parents, reaching out one gauntleted hand briefl= y. "We have to go." "But we'll see you soon," Jeff added, completing the McCoys' bafflement. There was a strange noise from just behind them, and for a moment, Hattie= felt dizzy. She blinked, clutching her husband's arm. "Go where?" = Luisa and Jeff seemed affected, as well; they both had their eyes closed,= with a look of discomfort on their faces. Luisa staggered, and Hattie reached out to steady her. At her mother's touch, Luisa's eyes popped open, and she stared at her parents. "You're safe!" She hugged Hattie tightly, then quickly released her to hug her father as well. "But what about--" Spinning around she saw Jeff, still not recovered from -- whatever it was -- and nearly knocked him over in an enthusiastic hug. "You're safe, thank God = =2E =2E ." "Yeah, I guess I am, but . . . what happened?" Jeff's face reflected genuine bafflement. "Don't you know?" Micah asked. "You got us away from the dynamite. You= were acting a might odd, though." Jeff shook his head as Luisa finally released her stranglehold on his nec= k. "The last thing I remember is being up on a gallows, with a rope round my neck. Luisa shuddered. "I remember that, but nothing since then -- what happened?" "Micah, do you think they've been in the sun too long?" Hattie herded them back towards the shade of the general store. "I told you not to go out without a hat, Lulu." "I had one, Mother," Luisa protested feebly, "but I hit Tempus Tex with it, and he took it away..." "They can't both have had sunstroke," Micah weighed in. "And where did Mr. Wells get to this time?" "He was here, too?" Jeff asked, his voice rising in surprise. "Yes, he was with you, dear," Hattie confirmed. "He was right here, actually, but I don't see him now . . ." She looked around the town, ver= y confused by the whole train of events. "Never mind that, what happened to Tempus Tex?" Luisa demanded. "Is he still a threat?" Micah shook his head. "You two overpowered him, and the Sheriff's taken him off to jail. There's no lack of evidence against him; he shouldn't bother us again. Unless," his brow creased in sudden worry, "you married= him..." Luisa shuddered at the thought. "Ah, well, excuse me," came a rough voice from within the General Store. = Jeff whirled to see Rev. LeBlanc standing there, shamefaced, fingering a silver flask. "I can reassure you on that point, at least. There was no= wedding. And Miss McCoy, I . . . well, I can't tell you how ashamed I am= to have been part of that. I reckon I'll be leaving town, now; I couldn'= t bear to stay. But that blackguard told me about your folks being held hostage, and I couldn't think what else to do . . . . I did try to stall= things, anyway . . . but you ain't married, and that's the important part= =2E" He turned away, but Luisa held out a hand to stop him from leaving. "Reverend, I know you're a good friend to us all, and that you were only doing what you thought best. I still haven't forgotten how you tried to protect me from Judd Lucas a little while ago." "And you can't leave," Jeff added, with a note of humor. "We've got a jo= b for you." The loving look he directed at Luisa as he said it left little= doubt as to the nature of the job. Luisa's father had no trouble interpreting this. "I will not have my daughter marrying someone known only as the Lone Rider." "Well, that's easy enough to fix," Jeff replied, facing Micah squarely. = "It's time to let everyone know that the Lone Rider is also known as Jeff Higheagle." Luisa grabbed his hand, gazing at her parents with hope. Micah rubbed his chin, considering. They had worried that the townsfolk would react badly to Jeff's part-Indian heritage, but in truth, there had= been very little bad feeling as far as any of them knew. The town certainly loved the Lone Rider, and after today, they'd be hard-pressed t= o speak ill of him for any reason. Micah slanted a glance at the Reverend,= and received a slow answering nod. = Last but not least, he looked down at Hattie. She nodded. "I think it is time, Micah. They'll never love him more." "Well . . . seems like you may be right -- Son." Jeff grinned widely at the man he'd be proud to call his father, and then turned, almost shyly to the woman by his side. "Miss McCoy, could y= ou come for a little walk with me? I've something to ask you." "I'd love to, Mr. Higheagle," she sassed him, squeezing his hand. Leaving the older McCoys and the Reverend behind, they headed off in sear= ch of a quiet corner, ending up behind the telegraph office. Jeff dropped to one knee on the dusty ground, and Luisa giggled nervously, peeling off her long riding gloves. "Luisa, I haven't known you very long, but I know that I *want* to know you for the rest of my life. If you'll have me, I'll give you the best possible life I can, I . . . I love you. It's that simple. Luisa, will you marry me?" Luisa smiled tenderly down at the love of her life, amused by his apparent nerves. How could he even think she'd say no? She couldn't resist teasing him, just a little. "Who's asking? The Lone Rider, or ..= =2E " she ran a quick hand over his leather vest, and pulled out his glasses,= "Jeff Higheagle?" He blinked at the question, then smiled slowly, putting on the glasses. = "I'm asking. So say you'll marry me, woman," he threatened with a laugh,= "Or I'll revert to my Indian ways and carry you off--" She laughed with him, shushing him with a hand over his mouth. "Yes." His eyes blazed behind the spectacles, and she felt him kiss her naked palm. "Oh, Jeff . . ." she breathed, feeling her knees go weak. = He stood slowly, deliberately, and arranged her arms around his neck. = With tantalizing unhurried movements, he bent to kiss her, molding her to= his body. When they parted, a few minutes later, Luisa smiled dreamily. "Let's go find the Reverend. I hear you can get married very quickly around here i= f you know how." Jeff grinned agreement, and they set off to arrange the details. An hour later, Luisa found herself in front of Reverend LeBlanc for the second time that day. The events of earlier were starting to come back t= o her now, after a fashion. Of course, she had stood here, hoping and waiting, until she'd seen Jeff give her the high sign from across the roa= d. Then they'd struggled . . . she remembered Tempus and Jeff aiming guns a= t one another. "Willing to die for your love?" Tempus had taunted, but Jef= f had only smiled an odd smile and replied, "Wouldn't be the first time." = What had he meant by that? Oh yes, the time he'd risked his life to save= her from Judd Lucas. That must have been it. She shook her head. None = of that was important now. She looked over at her bridegroom and smiled tenderly. "Dearly beloved," the Reverend began, with somewhat more enthusiasm than usual. "We are gathered here . . . ." Luisa let the words of the ceremony wash over her, focusing her attention= on the man she loved. He looked down at her and smiled. No doubt about it, she thought happily -- this is what I'm meant to do in this lifetime.= = The next one will take care of itself . . . . THE END =2E..and a technical question for you writers -- Should I have attributed= the first bits of dialog to Lois & Clark instead of Luisa & Jeff? I was kind of going from Hattie's perspective, and she didn't know otherwise, b= ut I'm not sure that was clear... !^NavFont02F1F7E0007MGHHf802AA9 E-mail from: Pam Jernigan jernigan@compuserve.com / ChiefPam on the IRC ~~~~~ http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jernigan/folc.html Find all the IRC roundrobin fanfic / Featuring recommended fanfics ~~~~~ "I'm sorry, but Miles thinks he's a knight-errant. A rational government wouldn't allow him possession of a pocketknife, let alone a space fleet." --Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan, discussing her son _Mirror Dance_ by Lois McMaster Bujold Distribution: Ficlist INTERNET:LOISCLA-GENERAL-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 20:17:41 -0800 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Leanne Shawler Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" In-Reply-To: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >> >grinned (your character is grinning -- how can he speak and hold >> >his Cheshire Cat grin?? Likewise with a smile -- your mouth isn't even >> >open to speak.)<<< > >Now this I happily disagree with. Of course we can say things while smiling. >Dean provided a good example of that in Brutal Youth in fact. You can also >speak while you're laughing, yawning or moaning (kersplash! ;) "I love you, >Lois," Clark ejaculated. See, that's possible too (I told you I'd get to >it in a minute ;) Seriously though, writing (especially dialog) should be fun >and if it gets too bogged down by rules then you can sometimes lose something. > And I'll happily disagree with you too. There are workarounds like you and Pam mentioned. But think for a moment. Clark has actually stopped grinning in Brutal Youth -- he is still showing he's happy. A period (or a full stop for everyone else in the world outside the US (and possibly Canada)) does not mean the action ceases and desists. Take this for example: He ran down the street. "Lois, where are you?" Now tell me: do you honestly think he's stopped to say that? For Clark to grin and then speak doesn't mean he goes deadpan to say it. Take this more complex example: Clark grinned. He loved it when Lois was in full battle mode. "You done yet?" Here we can see Clark is grinning, why he's enjoying it (so there's that extra special twinkle in his eye) and you can be damn sure he's still enjoying it when he speaks to Lois. As for yawning -- I do talk when I yawn -- and Dan always asks me to repeat myself. That could work to an amusing effect, but communication-wise, it's a dud (except if you want your character to communicate the fact they're yawning/tired) >I occasionally do connect dialog to actions and separate them with a comma as >a personal technique for letting the moment remain fluid. Agreed, Zoom, it's a personal choice, but if I ever edited a fic of yours, it would be one of the things I would comment on. In conclusion, everyone has their own little "blind-spots" and bug-bears that trip you up as a writer. Being able to recognise them and correct them is part of developing as a writer, even if it's a matter of reading back and finding them after you're done. I think it's one of the reasons people put a story away for a while so they can spot the errors when it's not as familiar. Improving doesn't happen overnight. But it does happen. If you let it. (hmm, shoulda used commas). See, I have a ways to go too. Actually, I have a *long* way to go :) Leanne PS. Pam -- where's Turkey City??? Leanne Shawler aka Volterra on IRC (volterra@sd.znet.com) Web Design: http://www.znet.com/~volterra/design/webdesign.html Home Page: http://www.znet.com/~volterra/leanne.html Midnight Dreaming: The Original Anthony Warlow Home Page: http://www.zweb.com/volterra/anthony.html ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 00:45:15 -0500 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: peabody Organization: amarna house Subject: SLIGHTLY OFF-TOPIC: Dean Cain mention Comments: cc: "LOISCLA@VM.EGE.EDU.TR" MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi FoLCs, I'm afraid this is off-topic for the fanfic list, but since the other list appears to be down, I'm sending this post to both lists. My apologies in advance to those of you who receive this twice. Dean Cain is the celebrity of the day for Aug.5, at the Mr. Showbiz site. The URL is: http://www.CelebSite.com/indexstar.html For those unfamiliar with Mr. Showbiz, it is a commercial site with current entertainment news and a searchable archive. The celebrity of the day is featured in a short article, with links to a number of related websites. Lois & Clark and Teri Hatcher are also mentioned *very* briefly. Pat -- peabody@mcs.com pattijean@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 05:15:00 EDT Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: The Zoomway Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit In a message dated 98-08-05 02:11:57 EDT, you write: << But think for a moment. Clark has actually stopped grinning in Brutal Youth -- he is still showing he's happy. A period >> I think you're picturing the "so I grin" scene in the kitchen. I'm talking about the scene that's near the end of the episode, in fact he even laughs at one point while he's speaking. .. "Well I have to tell ya .." Watch the scene. He has trouble *not* smiling while he's speaking. People can and do smile on occasion when they speak. At least I do Even a sentence like "That's how it goes," he said with a grin ... would seem to indicate someone grinning while speaking. >>> He ran down the street. "Lois, where are you?" Now tell me: do you honestly think he's stopped to say that?<<< The sentence could mean he ran the length of the street giving some the impression he shouted when he reached the end of the street It also depends on what the writer wanted to convey. To make it less ambiguous it could have been written "Lois, where are you?" He shouted as he ran down the street. I likely would have written it as 'He ran down the street, "Lois, where are you?" He shouted, his tone becoming frantic -- terrified.' I like bracketing the dialog during emotionally charged scenes with both action and what the character is feeling. The original sentence conveys no emotion at all. >>For Clark to grin and then speak doesn't mean he goes deadpan to say it.<<< Sorry, Dean can and does keep his lovely lips curled into a smile often when he speaks ... I sort of love that ;) >>>As for yawning -- I do talk when I yawn -- and Dan always asks me to repeat myself. That could work to an amusing effect, but communication-wise, it's a dud (except if you want your character to communicate the fact they're yawning/tired)<<< Most of us know what it's like to say something we assumed was spoken quite clearly or loudly enough only to be asked to repeat what we said, so the yawning exclusion doesn't work >>>Agreed, Zoom, it's a personal choice, but if I ever edited a fic of yours, it would be one of the things I would comment on.<<< One of my absolute favorite editors was Rhen (Renate Brink). She would write her notes to me and make suggestions. Once I had written "Not even the sound of ice clattering in a glass." Rhen suggested "Ice *tinkles* in a glass." I wrote back "In the suburbs ice *tinkles* but in a waterfront dive in Metropolis ice *clatters*" and she agreed She was never pedantic. She liked to let a writer have an identifiable style, and if that sometimes went contrary to the rules then she encouraged rather than discouraged such 'creative license'. We worked together as most good writers and editors should. Georgia (a gift from editor heaven I think ;) is the same way about working with writers ... thank goodness! ;) I appreciate good editors more than I can say, but there are some editors who don't understand that writing is more than mechanics, it's also emotion. Not just emotion from characters, but from the words themselves and what they convey. >>>In conclusion, everyone has their own little "blind-spots" and bug-bears that trip you up as a writer. Being able to recognise them and correct them is part of developing as a writer, even if it's a matter of reading back and finding them after you're done. I think it's one of the reasons people put a story away for a while so they can spot the errors when it's not as familiar.<< One person's 'bug-bear' can be another's "individual style". To ascribe "error" to something done deliberately (not out of ignorance of grammatical rules) is to say that Picasso erred when he painted someone with three eyes A lot of people can't stand his paintings, but he knew he was painting one more eye than necessary deliberately, or he had some peculiar models ;) I think it's only after you know the rules all too well that you feel comfortable enough to shove them around a little and show them who's boss Finding a style can often mean finding a way around convention that still works and doesn't bend the rules so severely that the angels weep >>>mproving doesn't happen overnight. But it does happen. If you let it. (hmm, shoulda used commas). See, I have a ways to go too. Actually, I have a *long* way to go :)<<< Improving can also mean breaking free a little and being more aware of the emotion rather than mechanics. Again, this is not about breaking the rules out of ignorance of what proper grammar should be, but rather coloring just outside the sometimes constricting lines. I never break the rules repeatedly, but when I do break them, it's because I want to say something that doesn't fit the rules as strictly written. Even professional writers well acquainted with the rules break them sometimes. This sentence: 'The husky telephotographer of the Observatory, Beenay 25, thrust a tongue's tip across dry lips and interposed nervously, "Now, sir, after all--" comes from Isaac Asimov's short story 'Nightfall' and it's one of my all time favorite science fiction stories. He also wrote in the same story 'Theremon whistled, "What a screwy idea!" Now while I'm a firm believer that a person can smile while speaking, I don't think it's possible to speak while whistling However that's not what I got from Asimov's sentence structure. I felt he was trying to keep the dialog and action fluid. Of course I don't know that for sure, but I *do* know, grammatically correct or not, Asimov got published ... repeatedly I have to admit I can't tell you about the writing mechanics of Nightfall, but I can tell you what the story itself made me feel I can't even tell you how Dickens' writing mechanics would measure up, but I can tell you about Miss Havisham, the Artful Dodger or Jacob Marley. There probably are some mechanically perfect novels out there. Novels whose authors never once broke one rule, and if there are, I hope they also managed to weave great tales and great characters at the same time, because if not, they failed most miserably at providing me with what I buy novels for, no matter how perfectly written they are. Zoomway@aol.com ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 06:41:38 -0400 Reply-To: salymc@gateway.net Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Sandy McDermin Organization: GWNET Subject: Re: SLIGHTLY OFF-TOPIC: Dean Cain mention MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit peabody wrote: > > Hi FoLCs, > > I'm afraid this is off-topic for the fanfic list, but since the other > list appears to be down, I'm sending this post to both lists. My > apologies in advance to those of you who receive this twice.< Hey Pat, How's the red earth of Tara. I wouldn't know if the other list was down except for the addition of posts here that seem slightly non-writerish, but that's okay cause I'm gonna contribute to it. Just saw this on the usenet group. (Can't believe that one's still goin'.) >>>On 4 Aug 1998 05:24:14 GMT, schultr@gefen.cc.biu.ac.il (Richard Schultz) wrote: >DCFan86 (dcfan86@aol.com) wrote: > >: I just heard on TNN that Dean and Mindy have called it quits. > >Was it her cigar smoking or her being the head of Metropolis's >largest organized crime syndicate that led to the breakup? > I don't know, but she sure looked good in pink! -- Mike Jones <<< Forget whether it's true or not, it's just a darn funny response. Sandy -- preparing to see "Saving Private Ryan" this evening with a friend who's wife won't see it with him. From what I've been reading about its effect on the audience, he should marry me afterwards as I'll have the "for worse" down cold). salymc@gateway.net ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 20:02:27 -0600 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Re: New Fanfic: Hi-Ho Silver In-Reply-To: <199808042033_MC2-5529-F7A3@compuserve.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Nice story! But it leaves me wondering if L&C will meet Luisa and Jeff's great grand kids some time... and what kind of trouble they could all get into, what with L&C knowing whta they do. Debby Debby@swcp.com who, however, won't write it... ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 05:19:50 -0600 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Debby Stark Subject: Re: Synonyms for the word "said" In-Reply-To: <199808041159_MC2-5518-EA35@compuserve.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" At 11:59 AM 8/4/98 -0400, Leanne wrote: >...it feels wrong to me to use "said" when I can use >something with a bit more color. I agree... except when I start hunting around for that more colorful word, if one doesn't pop into mind (or thesaurus) in a reasonable amount of time, I'll settle for "said"--it's a fine word after all--and see if I can't change something about the dialogue or some other descriptors to take the load of the description off that verb. [sniplette] >according to the TCL, the word "said" is impossible to overuse and a good >writer should be able to convey emotion without being so obvious. Agreed. One shouldn't do so much work as the writing becomes labored, too flowery, too obvious, which I think can remidn the reader he/she is sitting there reading. Typos, poor grammar, and "creative" construction can do this, too. >But then I don't like the TCL anyway ) Whoops ;) >Actually, there are other tricks to use to avoid using "said" or any >synonym - just put some sort of identifying action into your paragraph, and >that should label the speaker. > >Ex: Clark fiddled with his glasses. "I don't know that I look >like Superman." > >You could add "he argued" or even "he argued, nervously" at the end of >that, but there's really no need... the dialog is clearly argument, and we >know from the show that Clark fiddles with his glasses when he's uneasy, >especially about someone figuring out his secret. I like the example. It says a lot, describes a lot, without being obvious. What bugs me are the unnecessary, often overwrought (and overwritten) adverbs. I once read a warning against using -ly words (she said charmingly). Ex: "Stop what you're doing right now!" Lois screamed loudly. "Who, me?" Clark blinked innocently. If we already know who is upset and who is innocent before this, the "Lois screamed loudly" and the "Clark blinked innocently" can be totally removed. If the writer fears the reader won't know who is talking--then rewriting previous to this may be necessary, in addition to a better understanding of her/his characters. Lois tends to get upset when she's not in control; Clark tends to humor her. I wouldn't replace the first with "Lois fumed", either, because it should be obvious in the context. Also, I dislike entries from the Department of Redundancy department. However, one could write Lois threw down her notebook like a gauntlett. "Stop what you're doing right now!" Clark paused in the midst of picking up the refrigerator. "Who, me?" "Just ask me to fix something if you're hungry!" "Ah... I think I hear an emergency in... Mexico! Would you like some tacos? I could pick some up while I'm there..." Lois fumed, giving Clark time to change clothes and escape. >Leanne's example about >"Clark grimaced." is really an action, not a synonym for "said". > >And thanks, Leanne, for the pointers about commas vs. periods. I'm not >sure I've been doing those correctly, but I'll pay more attention now "When in doubt, leave commas out" is the rule I go by. Also, just saying the phrase. If one pauses in reading (mentally or out loud), then stick a comma in there. Debby Debby@swcp.com hoping her tabs stick in this stupid newest version of Eudora... ========================================================================= Date: Tue, 4 Aug 1998 21:05:34 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Cristin J Whitley Subject: Re: New Fanfic: Hi-Ho Silver Yeehaw! What a great story! Good job, Pam. I especially liked how you had Lulu and Jeff's whole proposal scene resemble Lois and Clark's. Cute, cute, cute! Once again, I am amazed at the ability of fanfic writer's to make me smile. :o) Thanks, Pam! ***Cristin Whitley :o)***CKandLL4ever@Juno.com*** SUPERfan on IRC Join my Dean Cain mailing list at: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe.cgi/deancainfans ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 13:55:42 +0100 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Angee Chaudhry Subject: Sore Throat Comments: cc: lnc-uk@cnac.gov MIME-Version: 1.0 I was just thinking ... (after seeing "Honeymoon in Metropolis" - for the billionth time - on Sky 1) .... Why is it that Jimmy knows about Sore Throat and not Lois .... I mean I can think of reasons why but what does everyone else think? Being the ace reporter that Lois is, I would've thought she would've been more likely to know about Sore Throat than Jimmy would be, after all Jimmy was a cub photo Journalist, right? Maybe that father/son relationship between Jimmy and Perry started a lot sooner than I had originally thought .... BTW ... I wonder why Lois didn't notice the steam coming off Clarks butt after he sat on the bomb :-P I thought it was so funny the way Lois didn't notice but that the steam coming off his pants/trousers was soooo obvious :-) Well that's just my pennies worth :-) Angee -- Angee Chaudhry ========================================================================= Date: Wed, 5 Aug 1998 11:17:21 -0400 Reply-To: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" Sender: "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Fanfic" From: Cristin J Whitley Subject: NEW FANFIC:It's a Small World After All IT'S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL By: Cristin Whitley (CKandLL4ever@Juno.com) Special thanks to: Zoom for the permission to use her name, Annie, Karl, and Teca for helping me in #loiscla, Crystal for helping to cure my writer's block, and all the FoLCs who answered my questions about Lois and Clark and Lucy's ages. Thanks ya'll!!!! Some things may seem unrealistic about this story. For example, I have no clue if Fort Wilderness was built back when Lois and Clark were kids. I know "The Little Mermaid" hadn't been released yet. Oh, well. It's just for fun. I hope you can live with my mistakes! < > Indicates Clark's thoughts << >> Indicates Lois' thoughts ***** Indicates a change in time "Happy Birthday, Clark!" exclaimed Kevin Robertson as he handed his buddy a gift. "Thanks, Kev. I sure don't feel any older." "You're twelve years old now, son," said Clark's dad, Jonathan. "That's right. You're turning into a young man now. Next thing we know, the girls will be knocking down our door to talk to you!" exclaimed Martha Kent. "Aw, Mom!" said a blushing Clark. "You're embarrassing me!" Kevin, Robert, Mark, and the rest of Clark's friends were trying not to laugh as Mrs. Kent told Clark what a handsome man he was becoming. "Come on, son. Let's have some cake and open up these presents," Jonathan interrupted. All the guests headed towards the Kents' kitchen. ***** "Thanks, Mom, Dad. That was a great party," said Clark as he helped his parents pick up pieces of discarded wrapping pair. "You're welcome, Clark," replied Jonathan. He looked at Martha to see if she was ready to bring out Clark's suprise yet. She nodded in confirmation. "Son, why don't you come in our room," said Jonathan. "We have a surprise for you." ***** "That's right, Kev. I'm going this weekend," Clark told his best friend. "Wow! You're going to Disney World?! That is SO cool!" "Yeah, my parents are really excited too. I can't wait!" Kevin gave Clark a weird look. "Aren't you worried about that protest group?" "What? Who would protest Disney? It's the happiest place on Earth!" "I don't why they're protesting," Kevin replied, "but I do know that they call themselves 'The Zoomway Group'." "Hmmm . . . I've heard that name somewhere before . . . ." ***** The Kents' car drove past a sign that read, "Fort Wilderness". Clark was pretty much glued to the window as his Mom drove the car towards their reserved camping spot. < I never knew Disney had a campground! This is going to be a great weekend! > ***** "Son, we're going to set up the tent. Why don't you go swimming?" Jonathan asked Clark. "Are you sure you don't need some help? I could -" "Clark this is your birthday trip," Martha interrupted. "Go have fun!" "OK, Mom! I'll be at the pool!" Clark said as he grabbed his swimsuit. "Clark, your towel!" Jonathan said as he held out a towel. Clark ran back to get it. "Thanks, Dad!" ***** < Gee, I wish there was someone to play with. > Clark thought as he looked around the pool area. It was practically deserted. < Let's see, we've got an elderly couple over there, some teenagers working on their tans, a girl who looks to busy to play, and . . . hey! That little girl looks like she'd be nice! > He got up and walked towards the young girl. ***** "Hi, I'm Clark. What's your name?" "My name's Lucy, and I'm six years old!" "Well, Lucy, I was just wondering if you want to play. You see there's no one around here that I know, and you looked kinda lonely too," Clark said. "I'd love to play! Do you know Marco Polo???" Lucy asked. "Yeah, I'll be Marco. Ready? One . . . Two . . . Three . . . ." ***** "I'm bored with Marco Polo. What do you wanna play now?" Lucy asked. "We could dive for pennies. I've got some in my bag," Clark answered. "I'm gonna get my goggles from my sister. Come with me, OK?" "All right, Lucy." Lucy and Clark walked over to a table. There they saw a young girl writing furiously. "LO - IS!!!" Lucy exclaimed. "You're still writing? Aren't you ever going to come swim??" "Hush, Luce. I'm working on a story," Lois said as she erased and rewrote a line. "But I need my goggles!" Lucy signaled Clark to move forward. "Lois this is Clark. He's my new friend, and we're going diving for pennies. You wanna play too?" << What a drip! He's playing with my six year old sister? This guy must be a total dork!>> Lois didn't even look up as she said, "Hi, Clark. No, Lucy. I can't play now! This is a very important story. I've got deadlines to meet!" < Deadlines? > Lucy pulled Clark aside and whispered, "Lois thinks she is a reporter. She writes a neighborhood newspaper. She's also the editor, and the only subscriber!" "I heard that Lucy!" Lois said putting down her pencil. "You know very well that Mrs. Bedyrman reads it, and so does Old Mr. Rathman!" "No he doesn't, but his bird, Patty, does. Right before she -" "Lucy, that's enough!" said a frustrated Lois. "If I play with you for a little while will you quit telling strangers nasty things about me? No offense, Clark." < This is one strange girl . . . . Works for her, though. > Lucy, Lois, and Clark raced to the pool, and Lois, of course, won. ***** "Clark? It's time for dinner, son. Where are you?" Jonathan Kent yelled as he entered the pool deck at Fort Wilderness. He looked around for a second before seeing Clark. Right as he started towards his son he ran into a woman who was obviously in a big hurry. "Lois? Lucy? Where are you girls?" asked a frustrated Ellen Lane. "Oh, excuse me," she apologized when she ran into Jonathan. She started to walk away when he started talking. "Ma'am? Are those your daughters over there?" He pointed towards Clark and the two girls who were racing across the pool, completely oblivious of the parents who were searching for them. "Oh, yes. They are. Thank you, Mr. ...." "Kent. Jonathan actually. That's my son, Clark, racing your older daughter." "Yes, and losing too. I'm Ellen Lane. Lois is my daughter, the one beating your son in a race. That's Lucy, my youngest, playing referee." Ellen headed towards the three kids. Jonathan was right behind her. ***** Later that night...... "This is such a great movie. I'm glad we decided to come with the kids," commented Martha Kent. The Kents and the Lanes were watching "The Little Mermaid" at Fort Wilderness' outside movie screen. Actually Martha and Jonathan were sitting together watching, Ellen was complaining to Lois about wherever her husband was and what he might be doing, Lois was trying to work on her "article" on how unbelievable Disney's heroines are, Clark and Lucy were sitting down by the fire toasting marshmallows. "Why are we even here? We took this trip to make us closer as a family, and he is off working while I watch-- what is this garbage? While I watch a singing mermaid! Some family trip!" Ellen Lane muttered more to herself than to Lois. <> Lois thought to herself as she took notes. <> "Clark do you want another marshmallow? I think that one is too burnt for anyone to eat!" Lucy asked. "Nah, I like them burned," Clark said as he started to pull it off the stick. Before he touched it he blew on it to cool it off a little. ***** "So, you're a dork, right?" "What? Lois, what are you talking about??" Clark asked, astonished. "Well, lemme see... you're twelve years old, your idea of a good time is playing pool games with my six year old sister, and you like to sing along with Ariel, the little mermaid. Yep, you must be some kind of dork." "For your information, I am not a dork. Your sister is really nice, and, you have to admit, those songs *are* catchy!" Clark grinned. "Anyway, what if I am a dork? Are you going to expose that in your 'paper'?" Lois thought about what he said. <> "Actually, I'm more interested in exposing Disney. You want to help me?" ***** "May I help you?" asked the host at the local Holiday Inn. "Yes, I was wondering, is there a group called 'The Zoomway Group' staying here? I desperately need to talk to them." "I'm sorry, little girl, but unless you're from Disney, I am not to release the room numbers." "I am from Disney!" Lois answered. "Lo-is!" whispered Clark, "That's a lie!" Lois elbowed Clark to get him to shut up. "That's right, we both are. We're ...uh... mouseketeers!" <> "We need to see the leader of the Zoomway Group right away." The host gave Lois and Clark a strange look, but he then told them the room number of the leader of "The Zoomway Group". The two kid reporters rushed towards the elevator. ***** "Lo-is! That was a lie!" Clark complained as the elevator headed upwards. "Of course it was! Do you think that guy would let just anybody know where the Zoomway Group is staying? I don't think so! Come on, Clark. This is going to be the story of the century!" <> thought Lois as the elevator doors opened. ***** "Who is it?" asked the voice on the other side of the door. "Um... it's me!" Lois answered. Clark shot her a confused look, but Lois just stood there waiting for the door to open. <> The door opened revealing a short man in glasses dressed in old-fashioned clothing. "Yes, quite. It is you. Come in, Lois, Clark. I've been expecting you." ***** "So, you're saying that you are H.G. Wells and the Zoomway Group is made up of people from an alternate world where our world is depicted as T.V. shows? I'm sorry, mister, but that doesn't make any sense." "Not just your world, my dear. Your lives. Well, what will be your lives in about fifteen years. You see, I am a time traveler, and -" "I thought you were an author," Clark interrupted. "Yes, quite, but I am also a time traveler." "Wait a minute. You mean people watch *our* lives? Like, mine and Clark's? That is one huge hole in your story, sir. Clark and I just met. We don't even live in the same city or the same state for that matter!" Lois declared. "Oh, dear. I think I have given too much away all ready. Let me explain. Your story, that is, your lives are very popular in this alternate world. There is a group which follows the story almost religiously called the FoLCs -" "FoLCs? What kind of name is that?" Lois interrupted. "It stands for fans of Lois and Clark. Our plan is to ruin Disney before your show begins. Then, they will be unable to buy the network which runs the show and cancel it. That is what they did in this other universe. You see, we are trying to destroy Disney in every universe. That way the show will run on for a long time to come." Wells looked at Lois and Clark who were standing there in awe. "Of course, you aren't supposed to know this. That is why you came here. So I can redirect you. I must take you back in my time machine and make sure this trip never happens." ***** "Thanks, Mom, Dad. That was a great party," said Clark as he helped his parents pick up pieces of discarded wrapping pair. "You're welcome, Clark," replied Jonathan. He looked at Martha to see if she was ready to bring out Clark's suprise yet. She nodded in confirmation. "Son, why don't you come in our room," said Jonathan. "We have a surprise f