svfic: somewhere i have never travelled, 28/28

And I cannot believe I'm done. I really can't.

*****


Okay, so the beta fairy is taking this off my hands probably tonight, the better to destroy at their leisure, with much in the way of cackling and slashing with red, so God knows what this will look like when it's been cleaned up. I wince every time I see a typo in the draft at my page. I've been debating taking it down until I get the final version complete, but that sort of feels like cheating, so it'll stay up until I have the final ready for posting.

There's a chance I may add an epilogue after final revisions are complete, but right now, I'm not even thinking of it.

So. Let's see.

First posted on December 23, 2002, completed January 17, 2003, twenty six days, only one skipped. More comments than I can count that need to be answered, pronto. Which I shall do. Oh yes.

Um. Someone wanted to know about my writing process on this. Okay, weird thing. Specific questions if there's something you'd like to know, or I can try and wing it. Normally, I'd probably be brighter than this and actually understand, but--shock. *g* You know.

I just--finished it. I can't BELIEVE this.

You know, I'm pretty sure I'll be ecstatic. Soon.

*hugs* Thank you all VERY much for the encouragement. There's no way in HELL this would have been done otherwise. I'd be a lot more sentimental, but I'm--still staring at the completed story. I'll have all sections posted to my webpage by tonight at http://seperis.illuminatedtext.com/smallville/somewhere.html, and wow. It's done.

*grinning* It's really DONE.

*****

Clark wakes up alone in almost perfect darkness.

Sitting up, one hand goes out, finding cold blankets in the space beside him, as if Lex had never been there at all. There's a completely pleasant lethargy that seems vaguely natural and not drug induced, so Clark tentatively rolls on his back, blinking to adjust his vision.

He's--thirsty.

Pushing back the blankets, Clark swings a foot onto the floor and checks strength. Better. There's an empty glass on the nightstand, and Clark gingerly picks it up, surveying the shadows of the room with a little frown. Bathroom, to the right. Where there's water.

It's a really long walk. Is he that thirsty?

"If you need something, you call the kitchen." Clark looks up, trying to find the source of the voice, but his vision's still bad, and he's really going to have to invest in contacts or laser eye surgery soon. "You should know that by now."

"Lex?" He's a vague blob of grey and white, appearing almost magically and taking the glass from Clark's nerveless fingers. Lex--does stuff like that. Very annoying. If Clark were the kind that got jitters being alone in a dark, silent room, it just might scare him. Which of course, he's not. "What time is it?"

"Nine," Lex says, and Clark decides he means in the pm. "Lay back down. I'll be right back."

Mouth dry, Clark scoots back under the covers, cold feet sliding into the warm space they'd left behind. It's--awkward. There are so many things he wants to ask and so little he can figure out how to actually say. Clark wonders if Lois got her interview yet. Burying his hands between his knees, Clark looks around the room, beginning to make out the vague outline of shapes. Chair, over there. Bureau, by the door. The darker shapes of paintings on the light walls, and the faintest trace of moonlight emanating from beneath the curtains, nothing more than a faint white glow.

He's--worried. It's not a comfortable feeling.

"Here." Like that, a glass appears in front of him, and he doesn't jump only because the dark doesn't get him jitters and Lex moving as quiet as a cat isn't creepy at all. Taking the glass, Clark takes a tentative drink, but it tastes just like water. Lex must guess why he hesitates. "Not a sedative, Clark. Being tired is just your body recovering. It's a human thing." There's an edge of amused tolerance before the bed shifts and Lex sits down, close enough to touch. A hand brushes his forehead, more caressing than checking his temperature, and Clark tries not to lean into it. "You'll be fine in a few days."

"That's good." Taking another drink, Clark holds the water in his mouth, making conversation unnecessary for the moment. He has to swallow eventually, though. Dammit. "How are you?"

Clark can't really see Lex shrug, but that doesn't mean he doesn't. "Cassius changed the bandages before he left. Lois didn't want to disturb you, so she said she'll be by in the morning to check on you before work. She said to tell you she hopes you'll be somewhat conscious."

Work. Oh damn. "I need to call--" Right. At nine at night. Clark can't prove Perry has a life outside the office, but if there is one, he's pretty sure he doesn't want to interrupt it.

Lex chuckles softly. "Clark, with what she just turned in to Perry, you'll get all the sick leave you want. Drink all of it. You need to hydrate."

There's really nothing else to do. Clark finishes off the glass slowly, almost grateful that he doesn't have to talk. Setting the glass aside, Clark gropes for conversation as the silence stretches. "Um. She got the interview?"

Clark thinks he sees Lex smile. "It was that or live with her wandering around looking determined. She was annoying Doris. I gave her the interview. It only cost me two bottles of brandy and some pride." Another pause. "Are you hungry?"

"Not really."

"Too bad. You need to eat." Clark listens to the sounds of Lex picking up the phone, entering some combination of numbers that leads to the staff. Listening to Lex giving orders about soup, Clark pulls his knees up, wrapping lethargic arms around the blankets covering them. When he hears the phone go down, he listens to Lex breathe and words seem to just pop out.

"There's no way you can lose the Senate race now." Okay, what does that have to do with anything?

If he could see Lex, he's almost sure Lex's eyebrows would be raised in amused surprise. Lex looks at him like that a lot. "I told you that I wouldn't. They could put up Lincoln and Washington against me and I'd win."

Of course. If there's one thing Lex really doesn't lack, it's confidence.

"How are Mercy and Hope?"

"Pissed." There's a wealth of things underneath that statement. "Recovering. Back on duty."

"Already?" Clark still hasn't been that inspired to really try such intensive activity as moving around all that much.

The sigh's almost funny. "Apparently, being their employer only gives me so much leeway in deciding their work schedule." Another soft sound, like Lex is thinking. "Clark. If you have something to say, it would be a lot easier to say it and not make me guess."

Oh. Right. Even in the dark, apparently, he's as readable as a chalk board. Picking at the covers, Clark tries to think about how to ask.

"You thought you were going to die."

"I estimated my chances of survival being extremely low, yes."

It'd be a lot easier if Lex wouldn't translate English into Lexese once in awhile. Gritting his teeth, Clark rubs his jaw where the muscles tighten painfully. That's really getting to be a bad habit.

"I just--" There's something to be said for sedatives. If he was blissfully unconscious, he wouldn't be having this awkward conversation. "Everything you've done has been under the impression that you won't live to see the consequences."

"I always anticipate consequences."

Okay, damn. Shifting his balance, Clark stretches out his legs. "And you're deliberately misunderstanding what I'm asking. You used to be better at that. What are you going to do now, Lex?"

Lex's silence is thoughtful. "Get ready for the Senate race. Find someone sufficiently intelligent and sufficiently obedient to succeed me at LexCorp in seven years. Get permission to study that space ship that's still orbiting the planet. Sift through the remains of the Fortress before the government starts looking around and finds something interesting before I do. Restock on Kryptonite if possible, or find a way to synthesize if I can't locate any more pieces of significant size."

Clark blinks. "What?"

"They came. There could be more. And I'd like to be ready."

Clark's mind shies away from the implications, even though he knows Lex is right. Filing it away for later brooding, Clark pulls his feet in under more flaps of blanket. His toes are cold.

"Maybe involving a less suicidal plan?"

This time, Clark thinks he sees the pale shape of Lex's face grin. "Maybe."

Which answers--a lot of questions and none at all. Time to be direct. "How much of the last two weeks has been you and how much has been your imminent demise?"

"All of both." Clark feels himself pull back, the rush of frustration dizzying. God, he hates being sick. He's feeling everything too sharply. "Clark, nothing's changed."

"Everything's changed, Lex. You thought you were going to die. You were--" Doesn't this just put so much in perspective? "You were--living like you wanted to make up for what you couldn't do. Before."

Lex is quiet. "You don't trust me."

"And this is new?" He knows he sounds angry, because--he is. Angry and tired and Lex is being Lex, which isn't usually this level of annoying, because Clark's gotten pretty good at translating Lexese into human terms, but he's just not up for that now. "Nothing mattered before. You thought you could do anything you wanted because you--"

"I *can* do anything I want." There's an edge to Lex's voice that Clark hasn't heard in a long time. "I've been able to do anything I want. It's--" Lex stops short, then the bed shifts again, Lex's restlessness taking over. "It's difficult to explain."

"Try me."

"It's not that easy. It's not a light switch, Clark. I--don't know. I'm still working things out."

"I need something better than that."

"I--" And Lex stands up, like he might walk out, perfectly Lex, but instead he flips the light on with an impatient hand, flooding the space with soft yellow light. Clark blinks away the glare, for a second thinking he sees edges of brilliant green in a cold arctic night, but the illusion fades as Lex sits back down. "I was expecting to have this conversation later." Years later, his attitude seems to suggest.

"I was expecting a lot of things before I woke up to find out you were playing suicidal superhero," Clark says sharply, blinking away the last of the glare. Lex looks--tired. Long sleeve t-shirt and sweat pants, very not-Lex. Combat gear, Clark's always thought. For when Lex needs to fight himself more than anyone else. "None of them included wondering who I'm with. I thought I knew and now I don't."

That gets Lex's full attention. Blue eyes as clear as a winter lake and just about as welcoming fix on him. "Let me get this straight. I do the *right* thing and you suspect my motives? Clark, come the fuck *on*."

Clark hadn't thought this would be easy, but Lex is making it even harder. "You thought you didn't have a future. Everything you've done--"

"What I've always wanted to do." The interruption's sharp and deliberate.

"You're telling me that if you hadn't thought you were under threat of execution, you would have done any of this?" Me, he doesn't say, but Lex gets the implication. The way the blue eyes darken, flicking away then coming back, like Lex does when he's getting ready to lie.

"No, I wouldn't have." Truth, then. It hits--harder than Clark had thought. Like being sick that first night, with a wave of nausea, but beneath it, the hurt. Anger. The beginnings of a pounding headache start in Clark's temples, wiping out everything except what shouldn't have been surprise, except it is. Maybe he hadn't wanted this conversation yet, not before he could walk out. "Stop. Hear me out first, okay?"

Clark takes a breath, nodding, not yet ready to trust his voice. Lex is on his feet, stressors getting the better of him, walking out the excess energy with graceful motions that almost hide the uncertainty.

"You lied to me," Clark says slowly, and Lex turns on a heel. Searching his face for something, though God knows what.

"I did lie. But sex isn't the only time someone's completely honest, Clark."

Lex lets that settle just enough to penetrate, before he's moving again. Lex hates to explain, hates to have to give reasoning, like it's enough that he understands what he's doing and everyone should already *know*.

Taking a careful breath, Clark pushes everything from his mind but *now*. "Can you tell me what changed?" He doesn't mention sheep and Tibet, but only because Lex might ask for an explanation.

Lex hesitates, eyes fixing on the curtained window like he's seeing something Clark doesn't. The prosthetic hand picks uncharacteristically at the edge of his shirt, and Clark wonders what that means. "Not--not yet." It's so short it doesn't even qualify as a pause. "When I can, you'll be the first person to know."

Fair enough. "Okay. What now?"

Lex stops short, eyebrows raised inquiringly. "I'm running for the Senate. I'm going to get the government out of my labs as quickly as possible before they find out something they shouldn't. You're never, ever doing anything as stupid as running after aliens while sick again. And at some point, I'm going to demolish your building, because it's a death trap."

"I'm not moving in here."

Lex smiles. This is one of those battles he's sure he'll win, apparently. "We'll negotiate."

Staring down at the comforter, Clark tries to think. Put things in perspective. "I--"

Almost immediately, Lex is sitting beside him, and Clark looks up. That never changes, never has changed-- the focus, the intensity, like when Lex looks at him, he never sees anyone else.

"Nothing changes," Lex says carefully, and he's measuring out the words, because direct isn't Lex's style, but he's trying very hard. "I never lied about the important things."

Clark can't help the choked laugh, because alien invasions aren't important and burgeoning martyr-complexes aren't important in the grand Lexian priority list, but--this is. Taking a breath, Clark lets it out, and Lex's fingers brush his on the comforter. Turning his hand over, Clark laces their fingers together and smiles.

"Okay." Glancing down at the elegant fingers, Clark thinks. "So how did it feel to be a superhero, Lex?"

When he looks up, he's surprised by the thoughtful look on Lex's face, like this isn't something he's considered before. Anticipating all consequences Clark's very tired ass. Considering what Lois is going to have in that article, Clark wonders how Lex will deal with public adulation.

The fingers tighten on Clark's, and Lex looks at him, curious and wondering, surprised and distrustful. He's never liked not being unsure of anything. "Addictive."

Laughing, Clark pulls sharply and Lex settles down beside him, kicking the blankets back impatiently, a brief blast of too-cool air, before resettling them around them. Clark wonders what Doris will say when she wanders in with dinner, then grins into smooth cotton.

Pushing himself up on one elbow, Clark regards the man beside him--tired and wired on too much coffee and probably a lot of alcohol, warm and gentle when his fingers trail over Clark's cheek.

"You're going to be president, you know," Clark says, and Lex is right. He could get the entire gamut of presidents Washington down and he'd still win. Lex nods sleepily, eyes falling closed, and Clark wonders when he last slept.

"I know." A low murmur before Lex pulls him down. "Hopefully---" Lex's voice is cut off on a smothered yawn. "Hopefully, you'll like the White House better than here. It'll be hell to commute to your apartment every day, you know."

"I'll think about it." There's a great place on seventh. Very close to the Planet. Lex would probably buy the building.

"You do that."

Clark waits for Doris, curled against a sleeping Lex Luthor, pleasantly lethargic, and for the first time in longer than he's had a memory, perfectly content.

the end

*breathing again*

Comments

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

*stunned, too*

You left a loose end, you know?

"Can you tell me what changed?"
[snip]
"Not--not yet." It's so short it doesn't even qualify as a pause. "When I can, you'll be the first person to know."

I trust they'll make sure you're the second.*g*

I'm probably the only person who's going to say this, but -- I'm glad the story doesn't end with a sex scene. One of the great things about this story is its *scope*, and ending it with a sex scene would have narrowed the scope too much.

Wow, and again, wow. It was a privilege to be along for the ride.

[silviakundera.livejournal.com]

I'm glad the story doesn't end with a sex scene. One of the great things about this story is its *scope*, and ending it with a sex scene would have narrowed the scope too much.

oh, yes! I second this motion.

[silviakundera.livejournal.com]

Anticipating all consequences Clark's very tired ass.

hee!

and oh, *swoon*. I'm swooning all over the place! Catch me, catch me! aaaaaaaaaaah!

Just the sort of happy ending that I needed, and now I'm all warm and fuzzy and content like Clark. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs hard* Thank you SO much for the feedback and the encouragement. *grins* Amazing that it worked. Just--still kind of amazed.

*still a little shocky*

[devin-chain.livejournal.com]

Congratulations you remarkable, amazing, terrific, fantastic woman! Hurray! Joy!

(Withdrawal starting -- yes -- shakes and hallucinations ... going off to finish MY story now)

; )

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you!

going off to finish MY story now

*perks up* Enfant Terrible?

Ooooh. Soon?

[(Anonymous)]

I'm in awe. This was some serious writing. And it really did have that "movie" feel like somebody commented earlier.

You just *rock*, Jenn!

Missu

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Hee!

*hugs hard* Thanks so very much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[butterfly.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow. I've just absolutely adored this story. Marvelous stuff.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*dances*

Thanks thanks thanks! I'm thrilled you liked it!

[trinaest.livejournal.com]

... for the first time in longer than he's had a memory, perfectly content.

Yay!!!

jenn, this whole story was just amazingly good. It's mind-boggling. Congrats on getting it finished and thanks so much for sharing it with us!

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you for the feedback! I'm absolutely giddy it was enjoyed so much.

*and yet again, still dazed*

[rhiannonhero.livejournal.com]

Wheeee! And Yay! And YOU DID IT!!! Congratulations! This was lovely. I think this might be my new favorite of yours. Of course, I'll have to read it all together to be sure. Such a trial that will be. *wink*

Thanks, Jenn, for sticking it out. Great New Year's Resolution!!

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you!

Before I forget--I can't find which entry you made the post on my slip into the 'something like' thing. No problem--I think I edited it out the minute you pointed it out, because I really am trying to at least tone down some of these--er, quirks. *g*

So thanks. I didn't even notice it! *hugs* Thanks so much for hanging around for the ride!

I love you

[rageprufrock.livejournal.com]

No, really. I do. It's not even funny.

I've been following this story since something like, part eight. (And let me tell you, going back through your journal to find all the previous parts before you made it into an HTML file was *lots* of fun.) You made me scream, you made me laugh, and you made me have to go change my panties when Lex went all psychotic controlling. (That's attractive to some really seriously flawed people, you know. There should be some sort of psychological orgasm warning on those sections.)

You're amazing. Really.

And that loose end? I think it adds to the story, promises an explanation in the future. Not one that readers will necessarily ever see, but we can imagine, picture the moment that Lex finally gets it together enough to explain himself in detail.

The really great part? Clark will be there to listen.

*siiiiiiiiigh*

Thank you for writing this.

Re: I love you

[seperis.livejournal.com]

I've been following this story since something like, part eight. (And let me tell you, going back through your journal to find all the previous parts before you made it into an HTML file was *lots* of fun.)

*grins* Yeah, I realized around then that negotiating LJ for parts MIGHT get a little traumatizing.

And yes, Controlling!Lex is hot. Dear God, is he hot.

And that loose end? I think it adds to the story, promises an explanation in the future. Not one that readers will necessarily ever see, but we can imagine, picture the moment that Lex finally gets it together enough to explain himself in detail.

The really great part? Clark will be there to listen.

Thank you VERY much. It felt more right this way, to me, than any other. I appreciate the feedback so much, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the story.

Wundervoll

[(Anonymous)]

This was a great story! And I am so impressed by how fast you cranked it out.

I'm a little confused on one thing, well, one thing that comes to mind anyway... at one point there was an allusion to the possibility that somehow Lex and manipulated Clark into taking the gold kryptonite in the first place. That some how he had managed to get Clark to want to be human and in a clandestine way provided him with the gold kryptonite... I know I'm not explaining it very well, but I was wondering if this was just my fancy or if this was really so.

Because if it is so then Lex really did plan the whole thing out from start to finish. Which is you know amazingly cool.

Anyway. Now back to "two paths", right? Hee. Kidding. (not really, but I don't want you to feel pressured)

I totally love your writing jenn!

Diana (steeleye2000)

Re: Wundervoll

[mecurtin.livejournal.com]

I'm a little confused on one thing, well, one thing that comes to mind anyway... at one point there was an allusion to the possibility that somehow Lex and manipulated Clark into taking the gold kryptonite in the first place. That some how he had managed to get Clark to want to be human and in a clandestine way provided him with the gold kryptonite... I know I'm not explaining it very well, but I was wondering if this was just my fancy or if this was really so.

I kind of had the same idea, but was confused. It might be something to make clearer in beta -- or make more uniformly confusing, depending.*eg*

[melo-l.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to thank you for this wonderful tale. Had planned to send intelligent feedback, but really, I just wanted to thank you for sharing this with us, for this everyday treat we've been granted for 26 days.

I think Three Impossible Things might have found its 1st rank mate.

But I must admit I can't wait for the epilogue and the resolution of the loose end *g*

*hugs*

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs hard*

I'm affectionate today. Must be the shock. *g*

Thanks so much for the comments. I'm SO glad the story worked in installmetns like this! *hugs again*

It's done!

[vampry.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of...sad.

No more story.

No more lucious Clex angst. No more...

Wait.

We have to find out what changed, right? [g]

Re: It's done!

[seperis.livejournal.com]

I know the feeling. It's--weird. I have--no pressure. Kind of freaksome, actually.

*hugs* Thanks so much.

And I'm thinking about it. *hugs more*

[goss.livejournal.com]

*standing ovation*

*throws flowers*

excellent. and thank you. :)

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*dances*

Thanks! *hugs* I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[(Anonymous)]

This is from a Clexer who is in a very good place indeed...

I read this part so slowly, wanting to eke out every word and put off the END and string out the anticipation. When I finished I was quite dizzy from the quiet intensity of it all; so I read it straight through again.
This is what it's been like all through. I have to concentrate hard to catch every little nuance of this incredible relationship that you draw, and that task is so enjoyable!
So the second time I finished there was a suspicious warm wetness in my eyes and my heart was satisfied, because I'm nothing if not all about the Big Love!
I'm also a little bit sad to let them go, but it's a happy kind of sad...

Bless you, Jenn!

Starflower.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*nod* I know the feeling. I keep getting freaked out when I look at MSWord and it's--not THERE!

*shakes head*

Thank you so much for all the feedback. *hugs* I'm so--GOD, so glad--it lived up to expectations.

[jeannie81.livejournal.com]

*phew* finished. And what a great read it was. Well done :D.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Hee! Thanks so much! *hugs*

Wow!

[(Anonymous)]

Congratulations on finishing the story, Jenn.

I've been reading along since about part 6, and it's been wonderful to see how you've built this. I'm just amazed that you managed to keep turning out a part a day, every day (almost!), and they were all _good_.

I really like your ending. While I wouldn't have minded another sex scene :-), the contemplative tone here really works.

Now I'm going to have to go back and read it all over again, in one sitting. It'll be interesting to read it back-to-back, without having to keep checking your web page for updates.

Caryn

Re: Wow!

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you so very much. I'm so glad the ending worked as well as I'd hoped.

And thanks for the lovely, lovely comments!

[bientot.livejournal.com]

Of course you're right not to end with a sex scene. They're sick/tired/injured and not up for anything strenuous. Which doesn't mean, of course, that there's not room for an epilog, when they're healthy/rested/recovered, right? I'm sure nobody would object...

Thank you so much for sharing this brilliant work one day at a time. I still can't believe you produced such a wonderful story so quickly and sequentially. Did you know from the start where it was going? I suppose you must, with all the foreshadowing in the early chapters... You are a genius. Thank you again.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for sharing this brilliant work one day at a time. I still can't believe you produced such a wonderful story so quickly and sequentially.

Teh pressure helped, oddly. *g* Thank you.

Did you know from the start where it was going? I suppose you must, with all the foreshadowing in the early chapters... You are a genius. Thank you again.

Er, yes and no. Vaguely, I knew the concept was going to happen, but not how it would eventually come out. *g* I had a lot of hmm, WOULD Lex really negotiate with aliens and accept a country in return for helping? thoughts. *g*

*hugs hard* Thanks sooo much for the comments!

[yavannauk.livejournal.com]

Again, WOW! An amazing story and I have to agree about you going out on that quiet, contemplative ending rather than a final sex scene. Perfect, but... What am I going to do now I don't have a daily dose of new fic to look forward to???

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thanks!

I'm feeling the same sense of weirdness. I keep thinking, I have to get a section done! Oh, right. I'm finished.

VERY confusing. *g*

Thanks again!

[(Anonymous)]

Brilliant.

Perfect.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

--xarienne.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*blushes* Wow, thank you! *hugs* I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[j-bluestocking.livejournal.com]

Brava!

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*bows* My pleasure, chica. *grins* And thanks for the Lexian psychological advice, as always.

[claire.livejournal.com]

Wow. Glad I came along for that ride. That was just about perfect.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you sooo much. And thanks for the patience to put up with it! *grins*

Amaaaaaaazing

[(Anonymous)]

I don't know if I was lucky or unlucky to get rec'd into this just a few days ago: I missed the every day episode experience, but I got to eat almost the WHOLE CAKE in one big rush . In anycase - it is a wonderful wonderful story and I am in total awe!

CJ

Re: Amaaaaaaazing

[seperis.livejournal.com]

LOL!

I hope it worked as well in a single read as in a serial. NIce to know it did. *hugs* Thanks so much for the comments!

[kallipoe.livejournal.com]

"Nothing changes," Lex says carefully, and he's measuring out the words, because direct isn't Lex's style, but he's trying very hard. "I never lied about the important things."

Clark can't help the choked laugh, because alien invasions aren't important and burgeoning martyr-complexes aren't important in the grand Lexian priority list, but--this is.

i just don't have any useful words in me, but this was beautiful and right. thanks for letting us all be a part of the ride, jenn.

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*Hugs* It's been a pleasure to entertain. *grins* And thanks for sticking to it for so long!

Congratulations and THANK YOU!!

[(Anonymous)]

Clark can't help the choked laugh, because alien invasions aren't important and burgeoning martyr-complexes aren't important in the grand Lexian priority list, but--this is. Taking a breath, Clark lets it out, and Lex's fingers brush his on the comforter. Turning his hand over, Clark laces their fingers together and smiles.


Absolutely perfect, and almost understated way of showing just where Clark stands on Lex's list of priorities *g*



"I know." A low murmur before Lex pulls him down. "Hopefully---" Lex's voice is cut off on a smothered yawn. "Hopefully, you'll like the White House better than here. It'll be hell to commute to your apartment every day, you know."

And a quietly intense way of showing that Lex is taking for granted that Clark will be there for all that - and it's putting a goofy smile on my face knowing that Clark *will* be.


*happy sigh* *sad sigh* ah, I'm so conflicted... This was a wonderful, wonderful story, jenn. Well written, emotionally packed, funny as hell, and all in all, a beautiful glimpse into a world where Clark and Lex wind up together. I've always enjoyed your stories (the sheer *talent* you show in your writing makes me oh so envious), and this was no exception. I enjoyed each new installment, and looked forward to the next with undiminished excitement. Your ability to write both Clark and Lex and make them *believeable* is undeniable and a pleasure to read. This has been a wonderful ride and I'm tremendously glad that you shared it with all of us. And tremendously sad to see it finally end, although I *am* taking comfort in the fact that you MAY write an epilogue - I could easily spend the rest of my days happily wallowing in all the emotions you've created here *g*.

So thank you, and congratulations on a job very well done

Chris

Re: Congratulations and THANK YOU!!

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs hard*

That's--really really going ot go to my head. *g* Oh well, beta will remind me of all the continuity mistakes and God, the GRAMMAR.... *g*

I'm so, so glad you enjoyed the story so much, and I'm REALLY relieved the ending seemed to have worked. *phew*

*more hugs* Double thanks for the comments.

Splendiferous

[issaro.livejournal.com]

the end

*blink*
*coming out of Clex happiness induced haze*
you mean, really, the end?
*blink*

I was lucky enough, (or unlucky enough considering the torture of waiting for a new part *g*) to catch this from the beginning. Have enjoyed every second of it, the love, the fights, the snark, the drugging, the possessive!lex, even the obsessive need to check your journal for the past 26 days.

/glancing up at the innumerable posts above

I have no new adjectives for you. Every single one of them has already been used. But let me also add my thanks and congrats because you deserve them, can never have enough of them, and I'm in awe.

Re: Splendiferous

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*blink*
*coming out of Clex happiness induced haze*
you mean, really, the end?
*blink*

I had the EXACT same reaction. I just stared at it and thought, no! There's--other things! There has to be!

Very, very surreal. *g*

*hugs* I'm getting so repetitious sounding here, gah, but thank you so much for the feedback on this. *g* It's been--a very interesting challenge, and so much fun. Gah. *g* Makes me--um, still feel weird.

*hugs*

good job

[(Anonymous)]

Just another satisfied voice in the crowd ...

this was very cool. Thanks!

-morsel

Re: good job

[seperis.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Thank you! I'm so glad you liked it!