Timothy M.

Yeah, Home is where the Heart is, so anyhwere Tobyn is will be home for Kellar. But Tobyn did one better: the cabin where he found the man of his heart will be their home away from home. Of course, they could never get rid of Kellar's first real home. I felt so sad at that story and wanted to curse Karen all over again. What kind of parents would do that to a kid? Anyway, Tobyn's reasoning made perfect sense, but he would have told Kellar to keep the cabin no matter what. It's a place Tobyn will cherish forever too, and how many people get to return home to the place they met their true love? Every time they go from the pack to the cabin and back they'll be acting out the title of this chapter: Leaving Home and Finding Home. Denver's story was devastatingly sad, and tied into the chapter title and note too. His heart was no longer with the home filled with the shades of his deceased wife and children, nor was the Vega pack his home any more. He was about to leave the new place he had made for himself, knowing it was not a home either. But Kellar saved him. Brought his earth mate to him and Denver found a new home. It's where his heart is - with Elinor and the Morningstar pack. I think the earth mother kept him in place long enough for him to get the reward for his suffering, and knowing Tobyn helped avenge Osanna was good too, for both of them. Warren is leaving the home which was never a loving one, and though he does not yet know it, he's travelling to where his heart will find its home. Miss Sybil's special sense tells us Adelin will be leaving home with Kellar and Tobyn to meet the man who will hopefully cherish the gift of her heart, and they'll make their home with the pack and help them as earth mates. We know there's a short while to go before Kellar and Tobyn leaves to help other packs, but it's nice to think about them helping even more people find their earth mates. Those shifters will also be Leaving Home and Finding Home. And I agree with Tobyn about Kellar's idea of leaving him behind was very stupid. He needs Tobyn's skills at talking with people, and of course he can't be away from his earth mate. Wonderful chapter, Gary, and I chuckle every time we get the Mr. Bossy and Mr. Right joke. That will never grow old. Reminds me of Ace and Deuce teasing each other with love.

Poor Terry, I think Jae was right about him having a crush on Dave. But I'm glad Jae and David both craved the relationship with each other and that it grew into love. As for the gang of baddies, they can hopefully get together with the Petersons and take them out. An ambush and killing them from afar seems the best bet.

Strength in numbers - that title held several implications for me. Of course, Tobyn and Kellar gave each other support while talking to Elinor about stuff, but I also think Tobyn needs to hear more people validate his execution of the hunter. Of course, having his mom react exactly as Kellar predicted was the most important moment, and once more we saw the power of a mother - like when Tobyn asked her about being gay. Anyway, strength in numbers also applies to the situation with the hunter, shifters cannot go out alone as Elinor pointed out. In addition, the importance of having more earth mate couples is once more brought up, and this points to need for Warren to meet Adelin. Somehow I imagine him being overwhelmed by her immediate attraction and soon becoming very determined to protect the first person who will love him and want him unconditionally. He's never had that, and he's not stupid enough to throw it away. The power of mothers can be negative too, and Karen created the bad Warren. But the earth mother is stronger and her choice of Warren will prove to benefit everyone. Finally, the strength in numbers can also apply to all shifter packs. The more who are visited by Tobyn and Kellar and warned about the hunters, told about the cause of the malaise and helped to find earth mates, the greater chance for a better future, not just for the Morningstar pack, but everyone. Kellar's plan to travel around is clever and necessary and Elinor can see it too. She may be Tobyn's birth mother, but the whole pack are her children and she will do everything in her power to make them thrive. As will the earth mother. Another great chapter, and I also chuckled about Elinor pointing out the need to tell Adelin. But my favorite joke was Tobyn being bossy and Kellar being right. I knew at once, this will be a recurring tease.

I think what I liked most about this chapter apart from them taking the next step and moving in together and being happy and hot together, was the talk about their past. They needed to work through this so they would stop having regrets about not getting together back then. It would be too easy to have sad thoughts about years wasted and hurts which could have been avoided, but I think Jason was right about not being ready until now. And having them both say they can almost be grateful to Luc was a nice closure of that chapter in Jason's life. Oh, and I simply love the perfect blend of playful and romantic moments here.

It was a sweet story in spite of the occasional drama.

If Emm is so smart he should sit down and make a list. He dreams about Jian day and night. He wants to bring Jian home to meet his family. Jian and he have more in common than anyone else he knows, including a love of books, cooking and snow. He puts his parka on Jian so it will carry his scent. Jian is doing mate stuff, like cooking for Emm and giving him a pet name with meaning. He admits to himself Jian is the only thing in Toronto he truly cares about. Apart from all the evidence pointing to them being, if not mates, then at least a much better fit as a couple, Emmet is being completely unfair to Zeke too with this refusal to admit the truth. So much for the smartness part of his Wue name. If Emmett does not break off his relationship with Zeke when he returns, he's not the person I assumed him to be, but a stupid, inconsiderate coward, who doesn't deserve a sweet guy like Jian loving him utterly and selflessly. But of course I know you, Sasha, you'd never let us and Jian suffer like that for too long. Oh, and I loved the glimpse of your Mush! story.

In some ways I can understand Thomas' reaction. If he can't have Shane's love, he'll settle for revenge for all his suffering. It might work if he was only up against Shane and Jason, but hopefully Shane's protector will save the day.

Ohhhh - I want to use this for my Anthology story !

I know I’m being juvenile about everything with him. Really? I'd never have guessed... LOL, that scene in the weight room was priceless. For once I have a bit of sympathy for Bobby, who is probably trying to work up courage to talk to St. John, but it goes completely wrong every time. I had the same sort of reaction to the karaoke bar visit. On one hand it's good that he spends time with friends and have a fun night, but he's not doing himself any good with the drinking, especially so soon after a major concussion.

So last chapter to review, it's been a great journey and you've made us feel part of the Leopard family. I hope Julie, Will and Henry have managed to find some good midfielders to replace Paul and Dave. I'm still chuckling over Henry yelling for Julie in disbelief in the previous chapter. Anyway, it was nice to see the guys reunited and catching up, in typical Leopard fashion with Ty being his usual irrepressible self. I'm quite impressed with Jim agreeing to share accomodations once more, but I think he's willing to do a lot for the brat. Hopefully, there will be space for Tony too. Deon and Kevin's plans to share may tale a little longer to work out, but they have time. It's better to find the perfect place on the first try, than compromising too much. Good to know Ross is doing well and will have his week with Richmond. Hopefully, they'll draft him, when he's matured and developed as a footballer. Fingers crossed for him and Warwick too. Great news about Todd, I think he'll be happy to stay a Leopard for the remains of his career and he'll do well as vice-captain and helping the new players settle in. The ending was a wonderful surprise, Ty when he's best and showing the kind of leadership which he's capable off. It was the perfect lead-up to Jim giving his personal view of what it's like to be gay in a sport with plenty of unthinking homophobia. There should be at least one or two players in the group who could take courage from listening. Thank you once more for this Leopard Trilogy, I'm now a Aussie football fan and a firm Lilydale Leopard supporter.

First of all thank you for making everyone's wish for Jim come true. Sometimes fiction is way better than real life. I particularly liked the way you strung Jim and us along with the whole Ty game. I can totally imagine Ty being delighted at playing this trick on his beloved Dad. He and Patrick have the same kind of humor, viz Paddy's joke to Shane. I also loved all the other ways you wrapped up a lot of the story lines. You've indicated you don't mind me rambling on, and since everyone else seems to have jumped to the epilogue to comment, I feel free to do my best here. Deon: So the way he managed to bring up Sam and Mark in the conversation and his three new teammates were great too. The question about Jim was respectful, and Deon answered well, focusing on Jim being a good guy - not just a good footballer. I'm glad Deon is not forgetting about Clarissa in all the exceitement of being in the AFL and settling in Sydney. He's trying to balance his priorities, but I'm sure the club likes to see their new forward in a stable relationship with a girl who is supportive of his dreams. Dave: This whole section was awesome, the Hawks deserved to get Dave, and it was interesting how the Blues (or at lest Paddy) rated him very highly, and Geelong obviously had him on their list too. It shows he earned his place in the AFL square and fair. His conviction that the clubs would help him deal with his issues was good to see. And btw Roger did well on telling Ross what he needed to know at the time. I'm actually glad the story ended before any trial was due. If you return to the Leopard family later, I think it would be fine if you simply mentioned the outcome in passing. None of us wants to know the details, except for Dave being OK afterwards - or at least able to deal with it and protected from too much media hassle. Oh, and by the way, him and the brat being drafted is the perfect revenge in relation to the cockroach. Apart from slamming him bodily, I'm sure all the Leopards will take great pleasure in slamming him metally too, by rubbing his nose in the fact. Ross: I think he's in a good place now, as he deserves to be. Julie will help him develop as a footballer, and the whole team will give him the support he needs to be comfortable with his new status as a VFL player, who happens to be gay. It was cool of Ty to invite him over, and I hope Ross will take part in the LGBT festival together with Warwick. It won't hurt his AFL chances to be seen with Jim and Ty, since other clubs might wonder if the Blues are watching Ross, trying to do another steal of a hidden talent, lol. Oh, and I liked how Julie tied him into the celebrations, because being welcomed and congratulated by everyone was the best way to wipe away the last vestiges of disappointment over not being drafted. Kevin: He and Daphne are obviously a settled couple now, and I hope for her sake, she gets her wish about Neil, Liam and Clarissa attending her university. Especially Clarissa, as I would love to see her sharp tongue in action towards anyone who tried to bully or harass Daphne. I can so see them going to the ladies' room together and Clarissa ripping mental chunks out of any idiots trying to object. Charlie and the other Leopards: Of course, they are disappointed for themselves, but for the Leopards' sake I'm glad they retain some of the good players too. They will have to up their game to make up for the draft losses. And of course there will be new players too, and with five footballers drafted I bet the coaches will be able to sign some of the best undrafted players. They'll see the Leopards as a great chance of making it to the AFL one day, not just the young guys, but the older ones too. Finally, I was actually wondering whether Ross would come out on radio at the Pride FM. It seemed such a logical and clever way to do it, including them sponsoring him (especially if Jim got drafted), and I'm glad I was right. And no, you don't need to become less predictable, because even though we may guess what will happen, I still enjoy to watch it play out, and it's always in a much better way than I've imagined. So no need to spoil the happy endings to become inscrutable. OK, on to the epilogue now, but thanks again for a great chapter.

Oh, right, I hadn't caught on to the two-week turn-around. At least you've got a taker on the #491 reprompt.

James did actually do the #534 prompt. So did JAR of course, but he forgets to post the link.

An hour early, but never mind. Tillykke med fødselsdagen ! Frantic waving of Danish birthday flags

did someone tip off metajinx about this review? Or she might miss it...

For hede hule helvede ! Fandens. For pokker da osse. Pis og lort. For syv satan. There you go, lots of Danish swear words caused by Ezra going home, when he could have stayed safely with Josh and his Mum. I hope he'll survive till Monday, and I hope even more that Josh remembers who Luke is and tells his Mum.

I'm glad Dave is a decent guy, who understands the value of real companionship.

Hmmm, I might. What do I get in return?

Don't stress yourself, Renee.

Oh Sasha, this chapter made me feel like Jian. First very happy about the shopping and the lunch and the snow fun in the park and how they connected so well. And then I felt like cursing and and kicking something (preferably Zeke's narrowminded selfish butt and Emmett's oblivious, loyal-to-a-fault backside) I cannot begin to tell you how upset I am with Emmett for being such a fool. If he was only huting himself I wouldn't care, but he's breaking our sweet tiger boy's heart. I hope he spends a long time making it up to poor Jian once he's managed to pull his head out of his arse and recognize real love. Aaaaarrgghhhhh And I bet you're pleased about having evoked all of the above.

A very interesting discussion for someone like me who comes from the other end of the writing spectrum (my first writings were almost pure porn and writing for GA has forced me to develop other aspects). I shall have to consider carefully when and how to write sex scenes in future chapters.

Fantastic chapter Krista Well worth waiting for. I was pleased that Jackson got through the week at school without any mishap, and I think Luke was clever for keeping his distance. They have time to rebuild their friendship once Ally finds something else to focus on. At least some of his friends are still talking to him, and Connor was cool, having lunch with him, even if he did also get a date out of it. I was as pleased as Jackson that his Mom didn't have time to go to practice. I hope he remembers to tell her NO other parents were present, and he could even say Tony would disapprove. It might actually be true, lol. I'll give her credit for cooking healthy stuff and showing an interest in his life. The whole session at the swimming pool was awesome. Tony seemed more reasonable and he even started to call Jackson by his name! Of course it helped that his tough no-nonsense attitude was directed towards the absent cheater and his stupid henchmen. Well done, Coach. I like how Jackson stood up to them, for once his temper and top-dog background came in useful. The long session with Emily may have been frustrating, but it was an important lesson. He realised how much he had to learn and showed he was capable of being instructed and work hard. Emily seems a good coach and it was interesting how he observed she was a nice mix of her parents. The talk with Dae and Charlie was great. Jackson now knows he does have talent, since he managed to land a place at the regionals, in spite of his short-comings. He finally has someone to compare with, both as a swimmer and as a gay guy. I hope he'll decide to come out to Charlie and Dae soon, so he can mention Luke. He's absolutely right about both of them, but especially Luke, being able to benefit from seeing the example set by these young people - and in fact the coaches too. Full credit to Tony there for the casual attitude - and also for instructing Rick on how to work on stuff which helps Jackson without giving him more bad habits. I'm with Graeme on the holding on to delusional hope that Jackson's life will settle for a while. Or at least having him gain new friends and confidence to deal with the bad stuff.

There were so many awesome scenes in this story. They still pop up in my head every so often. I need to read again - and leave some reviews. Great review, Puppilull

Tillykke med fødselsdagen !

yikes, I shouldn't have read this with a queasy stomach. Pretty scary stuff Well written, and my editor eye only caught one major typo (you're instead of your), so congrats on that too.