Dr. John NYC

Don't you dare remove Matt's POV! Not that I suspect you're even considering it after all the other responses, but it really deepened the story with this additional dimension. It also made Matt much more human and not just some guy with a savior complex. Thank you for letting Avery learn that his mom had loved him and did not leave because of him. I suspect that knowledge will be an incredibly important piece of the foundation that he will need to recuperate from all the abuse. Thanks, craftingmom!

Not a pack? Perhaps a school -- if their affinity to water was "fishy". Actually I liked the idea of mermen (give me Aquaman over Superman any day), but what do you call a pack of mer-people? Perhaps a pod? I vote for either mermen or dolphins -- whose "pack" is definitely a pod -- or perhaps the two ideas are merged. Looking forward to tomorrow's enlightenment, Carlos!

I'm going to hope that the fact that there's no "Complete" status yet means that there is more to go. I, too, could see it end here but feel like it's still not a wrap. Nate has been put in his place but not fully, and I think there is more to the resolution in terms of where Ashlee & Clem settle down and what they do. One thing I liked (in addition to the continuing realignment within Clem himself in terms of Nate) was that yet another of the locals made it clear without saying it directly that they all love Clem but just tolerate Nate because he was with Clem. What better tribute to the quality of man that Clem is! Thanks, Sasha, for a great story -- even if it is missing your beloved wolves, dogs, and other were-creatures!

Although everything points to more bad stuff in the future, it was a nice relief to have this chapter offset the intensity of the last chapter AND what's coming... Thank goodness for Matt!

I wish there was a choice for "Like the writing but am an emotional wreck from the story". I almost couldn't click "Like" with this chapter even though the story is engaging and though-provoking. Like many others, I want something unimaginably horrible to befall the father. I'm glad that you started the story with Avery coming back to the town after clearly having made it out alive and presumably intact (or at least reasonably so). I also like that he was drawing Matt. I just hope Matt gets through to him before the pimping begins (assuming we are reading that possibility correctly).

Just finished the first 4 chapters and think Cannd hit most of my thoughts right on the head. Knowing Key West a bit, I was not as concerned about the gay couple as FBI agents: at least some of what I've read and heard about the FBI would allow for it today. I can totally get Barry as Frank just boxing things up during the insanity of the past few days. Processing of big events like Barry has been through happens differently for different folks, and guilt comes out differently as well. I suspect Barry is going to have some major pangs of guilt coming up as all the crap starts to come out of the boxes they're in... Thanks for a captivating story! I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes -- and glad that I have several chapters to read before having to wait for the next chapter.

So sorry to hear that this may be the last one. I treasure the additional glimpses you have given us of Kayden & Damien and their world. Thanks -- and do reconsider writing more about them at some point!

Heart-warming story, James. I hope that there is at least a little touch of autobiography in it because it is an awesome feeling! Merry Christmas!

First off, I'm glad that I missed reading the previous week's chapter so I didn't have to wait a week to balance the rape with some budding romance. I can imagine how difficult it was for those folks who did have to wait, thanks to Sasha and the way his writing draws us inexorably into his universe of the moment. Second, major kudos to Clem for standing up to Nate, not with a fist (like he truly deserved) but with his convictions! ...and how typical for Nate to have to resort to silly name-calling that just cemented my thoughts about him. Clem is so much stronger than he probably realizes himself to be even now, but at least he's starting to recognize it. I, too, wonder whether Ashlee is Mr.-Right-for-the-Long-Term or Mr.-Right-for-the-Transition. I do have a sense that he will unlock at least part of Clem's future and will be a good friend at least into the future, and for those reasons I like him. Whatever comes has to be right for both Clem and Ashlee. As for the name: my question is whether it was his given name (and I've see lots worse) or one he chose for himself -- maybe even one to cover a stage presence as well as an off-stage presence. Hmmm...

So sad and shocking even though many saw it coming. Now Clem not only has to deal with understanding and accepting his desires but the deep psychological pain of spousal domestic violence including rape. Even for someone completely secure in themselves, dealing with those issues can be challenging, not to mention incredibly traumatic. PTSD is often a side-effect and one that is difficult to conquer without professional help. So his true mate needs to be strong in different ways, incredibly understanding, and willing to work out these issues with Clem in an appropriate setting. A tall order indeed, but we all have faith in Sasha's magical matchmaking masterminding.

"...hoped you enjoyed it..." duh -- enjoyed is too weak. The subtle balancing of all the characters -- their strengths, weaknesses, talents, and personalities -- and their ultimate blending was delightfully believable. I must say that I was expecting that the collapse of the canal was due to sabotage. Are you sure they aren't going to find out it was sabotage? Maybe there needs to be another chapter or ten to wrap it up? My one suggestion is that in putting it together you consider adding some more on their bonding. To me it felt a little quick for them to be bonded from one time fully together. I particularly was expecting for Miah to wake up with questions and concerns from overthinking and over analyzing them making love. Of course, being woken up by the alarm effectively short-circuited that response -- for the moment. It could require another chapter or ten, however, to settle Miah. Thanks again for a wonderful story, Cia!

The only thing to say after all the other comments is what I think is most important: Chad and Justin are so lucky to have each other. If Chad can have unconditional love and support from only one person to start his next journey, Justin can't be beat. Looking forward to reading more... Thanks Cole!

Purrfect! Unfortunately, Damien does not realize what he will be enabling: a whole society crazed with football teams, Black Fridays, Cyber Mondays, and all the other trappings. At least you created "football" played with feet instead of predominantly hands. Thanks, craftingmom, for another lagnappe from the Neko Universe!

Not sure that I can add much considering the comments already given by Headstall. I also loved the symmetry of adding in Kyla to balance Ryle's life but also the symmetry of adding in Master Deacon to balance the other two father-figures in Gabriel's life. Most of all I am thankful that Ryle is relaxing a bit: the thrown over his shoulder scene tells a story all by itself of where Ryle and Gabe have arrived in their relationship. I was also delighted that Kyla and Sten have each other and a master who values and cares for them. I think those relationships will also be therapeutic for Ryle over time. Looking forward to the next chapter although anxious because all the good stuff that happened in the last two chapters will probably need to get its own symmetry, which means some tougher times coming for our boys.

So, like many of the others, I feel sorry -- and worried -- for Clem. In terms of Nathan, however, I am more in line with what Sasha said in his response to Irritable1 "I want Nathan to get his head wedged in a toilet..." or something in that vein. My first response is that he is a narcissistic, ignorant prick who doesn't want to be enlightened about what love can be between two men. On the positive side, he is young and maybe he can change and grow in his view of the diverse ways to be a gay man, but I'm not very optimistic. What I am more optimistic about, based on his response to the gay twinks they see in the beginning and the observations about how Clem likes and treats ladies of all ages, is that there is a young twink or even "a lady with a little extra somethin'" out there whom he is going to meet and who will treat him the way he wants and deserves. I'm thinking more "To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" than "Brokeback Mountain".

I'll second Carlos' comment -- though it was my second cup not my first. My heart has already been grabbed by both Gabriel and Ryle (how is it pronounced: one syllable or two?). When Ryle admitted even in such a round-about way that his wings had been removed, my heart almost broke: to have had wings even for a short time and then had them removed must be a grief many times greater than never having had wings to begin with. I'm looking forward to reading what relationship will develop between these two young men and how! John

Not sure there is more to add to what Headstall has already said so eloquently. The balance between intensity of action (or sometimes non-action) and almost lazy moments is indeed the embodiment of Kieran's precious Sparrow filling the moments between the heartbeats of Kieran's races. Like others I wonder if there will be a sequel: the conclusion felt final though potentially pregnant with potential for the future. Either way, I am good. Thank you, Sasha, for such a different story!

I'm with "impunity's" suggestion: sequel over epilogue. There are too many threads left for an epilogue -- even a long one -- to knot them all into a satisfying weave. I also agree with "impunity" and Carlos H about longer chapters. I know the 1K limit was necessary, but please do not do it that way for the sequel. As with all the others, I love your Carthera stories, Cia. Please continue!

First Miah, then Moshe, will Lisco's POV be next? Or perhaps a mixture? I'm with everyone else who wants to read more of this world and the history of the aliens and the plague and all those other hints you've given. Perhaps the only good thing about summer ending this week (or winter, depending on your hemisphere) is that the Winter Anthology will arrive sooner! Moshe's connection to the land is so palpable that I wonder if that is part of what subconsciously drew Miah into them. I love the fact that not only Lisco's and Moshe's natural talents but also Miah's intelligence and innovation along with his Inlander's (Interlander's ?) knowledge of the land are going to give them a head up on building a successful stake despite what everyone else thinks is Miah being just plain loco. Miah's comment about what the city slickers did not know (about the river) was so in character but also so funny to someone who grew up in Appalachian hillbilly country and now lives in NYC. One thing that I hope comes in the next installment (notice I didn't say "last" -- hint, hint) is Miah's parents meeting the rest of his triad. Hope it is not too bumpy although my bet is with the results of their efforts creating the amazing home and farm that I can imagine making the acceptance of his parents relatively straightforward in the end. Thanks, Cia!

What a jarring yet most satisfying change from the previous chapter! We went from fighting, and fighting to even more fighting to now talking and traveling to the point of boredom. Somehow, it all fit together, and the pace was like one of Robin's songs: fast and furious and then when a rest was needed, slow and sonorous. I, too, am willing to wait longer for such a well-crafted and intriguing story. ...and I love the fact that such a sleepy village had two young, exceedingly handsome ladies' men who now have male lovers of such stature. What a set of twists: must be something in the local water!

So we've now met all the brothers. How different they are, even just in how they each have dealt with meeting Kayden. Damien gives real hope that some peace and possibly even job might enter Kayden's life -- assuming Roman can't get to him again. I was surprised that the older Neko could not at least scent that someone had raped Kayden even if not who. In the coming chapters I do hope we learn more about the universe you have created. In particular, I'm curious how the nekos were created: was it via technology or are they a natural product in this universe? Also, what all species are represented as the animal hybrid? Thanks for sharing your universe and looking forward to more!

Well, at least a little bright spot in Velaku agreeing to Benny's requests (demands?), and Benny going on the offensive feels like a good thing. I'm sure more excrement will hit the fan before all is done. Thanks, Cia, for another absorbing story. I wish I could hold off until there are more chapters at once so there is more to read in one sitting -- but I can't!

So, spinning us left and right with Zeke and Quint: are they mates or aren't they??? At least their friendship is going strong, and I love the way that Quint's mama and the Whitebears connected right away. Amos has some more nasty tricks up his sleeve (or somewhere), I suspect, but at least Quint found some stability, friendship, and maybe even love before everything hits the fan with Amos.

Agree with Gene63, and what about Zeke? I hope we haven't seen the last of him, either -- even if he's not Quint's mate. Glad this chapter answered my question of whether the folks from the previous story would be involved. Now if we could just put Angus and Amos in the same room, lock the door, and lose the key...

I agree with the others that it seems like a perfect place... probably too perfect for all the healing needs to do but a great place for the start he just made. Curious question: will this story link up with the 1st book of the series? Thanks!