Dr. John NYC

What a twisting ride, Cia! It's like you slipped into a whole other universe from what I was imagining from the previous chapters -- and I mean it as a compliment. Wonder how twisted we'll be after next week's revelations! ;-} (sorry for the old style "smiley", but the emoticons button is hidden by bullets button... )

Nice to see Alexi letting Electric Blue Eyes help him relax. Now will George's bluntness help things along or freak Alexi out and cause him to close up again? I hope the former: I think I am as frustrated as Joshua about them getting together! One note: the popsicle is mentioned as green a couple of times but then later it is referred to as lemon flavor. Typically here in NYC a green popsicle would be lime not lemon. Of course, in El Barrio and other areas heavily influenced by Puerto Rico, "limón" and "lima" do get mixed at times because in Puerto Rico there is a whole spectrum of fruit from what Americans from the mainland call "lemons" to what they call "limes" so the whole concept of 2 different fruits starts to evaporate. Hope to see the next chapter soon!

I, too, am fascinated by these characters and, like others, am buried under a huge mound of questions. I know you will bring the explanations, Cia, as you introduce us to yet another new universe, but I agree that for the next chapter, Wednesday cannot be too soon. One question: near the end of the chapter when the collar is being removed, you talk about Tek's warning and then the wemic's jaws breaking the collar. I understood the lion was breaking the collar but I also thought that the wemic was Tek. Did I mix up something, or is it part of what will be revealed?

Thank goodness Spin is going to get a boyfriend -- at least I hope that is the direction the story is going. He needs someone to channel his energy, and maybe Ash just needs a Spanish boy to tame him. I love how you are making a multicultural mix of the boys and the horses! John PS: I was just reading and had not made time to comment before, but I also love how Gram helped Zak to reconnect with his memories of his father. That was a very special turn of events.

Am I glad to see Alexi and Joshua together again... YES!!!! I so want for them to see how good they are for each other, hints of which we have seen each time they interact. May your muse lead you to more about them -- although I'm quite certain we haven't seen the last of Adrian or at least Adrian's negative impact on Alexi.

I also loved the pairing of the mini-Walkabout with the attack leading to the last red flash at the end of this chapter. I must admit, I thought that we were going to learn something about the connection between Akama and Wirrin. I still wonder to what extent they are biologically related. Could Wirrin even be a clone? Safe travels -- and a quick return so that you can share again with us the AIs, dolphins and humans of your universe!

I was one of the ones who wondered about the need for the rape, but I was very willing to let you play it out and can only say that it indeed merged with all the other threads into a wonderful serape that anyone would be proud to have woven. Thanks for a great story, and I definitely look forward to more from you. Oh... and the ending was fabulous for all of us who loved Heidi and wanted to see more of her. I certainly can see her holding her own with Eric!

Yet another of your universes to love, Cia! Can't wait for more, but I do hope that if the chapters are shorter then the intervals between them are shorter because it will be a challenge not to get too impatient!

I'm so glad that Yul was caught in his web of deceit, but how sad that Young Jae took the martyr's path. I think that I can understand a part of his motivation: he was afraid of what outing Min might do. I do not think that Yul will stop from outing Min, however, just because Young Jae is walking away from Min (or at least trying to do so). Are there aspects of Korean culture and ethics of honor that feed into his decision? I have to say that this story is becoming as much a favorite of mine as Electric Blue and Catnip -- although no title compares to EB&C! PS: I do hope that Young Jae and Min can find a path toward coming back together. They make an awesome team, and I continue to think that Lara's perceptions about people will make a great addition to the business aspect of their team -- and if they do get back together, I suspect Lara will have a hand in it. Thanks, lilansui!

So many threads to weave in order for the cloth to turn out right. I'm glad to see Min connecting with his mom and step-sister. She clearly adores him almost as much as Young Jae although in a different way. She's obviously quite perceptive, and her ability to understand the people could be a great complement to Min's analytic abilities in running the company -- if he allows himself to connect fully with her and his mom. Next chapter could be full of fireworks... Thanks, lilansui.

Definitely a "feel good" kind of chapter to balance the two previous ones: thank you, Stellar! It was exciting to learn more about what all happened, and now aliens to thrown into the mix. Are they still around? Can Lily learn to do anything with the force? What is the purpose of the grid? So many questions, and no, I'm not expecting answers -- yet. I am so glad that the boys started to consummate the physical part of their relationship. Particularly after the past few chapters and nearly losing each other, it was so necessary. The love of Shay and Mira is such an incredible emotional high. Now let's see what happens when the 5 of them put their skills and knowledge together to deal with Hartley.

I, too, am wondering why the rape was necessary. It is something that never completely goes away from someone, and I worry that it will prevent LM from ever being with either Ogre or Eric. As you said, however, we need to wait for the rest to see how it all comes together. I love all three of these guys (and Heidi!), and I so want to see all of them happy by the time all the threads are woven.

Guessed right about the creature coming to procreate but not the outcome. Definitely a fun story -- and lots of potential for sequels. Thanks, James!

I like the hypothesis that it is coming back to procreate. Looking forward to seeing what it really is doing and how it will impact the earth.

You definitely have me intrigued, and although I finished through Chapter 6, it was this one that really did it: what can I say -- once a biologist, always a biologist. The idea of a giant, space alga moving near the speed of light is either the genesis of a cheesy cult film or an exciting new take on the origins of life on Earth. I'll go with the latter based on your previous stories. One comment on the end of this chapter: some of the biology-based comments are not consistent. The initial description of cellular organelles consists of organelles that are in all eukaryotic ("both plant and animal") cells, but then Dr. Cassidy says it looks like "a common algae". Nothing was mentioned in the list of organelles that would suggest an algal cell over an animal cell. There were the bright green filaments that were mentioned in an earlier paragraph; however, there was no connection and if they could see enough structure to recognize the other organelles, there should have been enough to identify chloroplasts. Either that listing or more explicit connection with the green filaments even if not identified as chloroplasts would have made it hold together better for me. Of course, these are just the mad rantings of someone who many years ago studied algae. One other minor quibble: Dr. Cassidy should have said it "looks like a common alga" or "looks like common algae" or "looks like a common algal cell" if you didn't want the awkward sound of the first option. Thanks, James, for an exciting new story. More please!!!

The tension was amazing in this chapter! In previous chapters you set it up so we were expecting that they were going to get caught by Eric, but now they finally did. Of course, it had to be the day that they decided to tell Eric, and all the premonitions of disaster came to pass. It would be interesting to see a version where LM did get to tell Eric before he caught them. Somehow, I am not sure that it would have gone significantly better. Like many of the other commentators, I wonder if Eric is in love with LM and more than as a close friend. Their relationship definitely has seemed for awhile as if it there were undercurrents of Eric wanting more. Maybe we will learn more in the next chapter!

Adrian really is catnip for Alexi, but perhaps -- finally -- Alexi is starting to realize that the response is more "physiological" now than "psychological". I hope so because Mr. Electric Blue Eyes cannot compete until Alexi at least understands that the psychological is largely over. Having said that, this was the first time I felt some sympathy for Adrian: he actually showed some human emotions. Can't wait to see where Typhoon Allegra/Taka/Lily (?) will head next... and how Alexi's electric-blue-inspired music will pan out. Based on the responses from George, Andy, and even Adrian it will be magnificent -- especially if he gets some more of that inspiration soon!

I am so glad that my guess/hope was correct: that the combination of Mira's Sharpeling heritage and the results of Shay's healing light -- both the original and what he released after Le Renard tried to kill him -- meant that his body would regenerate. Of course, you added some fantastically intriguing details to flesh out how it happened. The need to survive despite the Sharpelings in the building where he awoke and the hundreds in his path through the city drove home how incredible is Mira's personal imperative and the perfection of the synergy of his body-mind-spirit. One element that has not yet been touched in the story directly -- although hinted at, at least in my interpretation -- is that Shay and Mira have some bond, some connection with Lucere itself. Perhaps even that Lucere is sentient at some level. The latest hint to me was the fog that seemed to close in and help mask the end of Mira's journey and allow him some cover to foil the assassin. I realize I may be putting too much of myself into this interpretation, but it is part of the joy of reading your exquisitely crafted story and joining in the universe you have created, one that I hope will have a future even after this story concludes. Thank you, Stellar! PS: I, too, vote for a little R&R between Shay and Mira. It seems like the tiny though momentous steps they take to their physical joining mirror the intensity of what is required of them to survive and prosper on Lucere. So, after chapters 11 & 12, I would hope they can make some more steps before heading out to find Hartley.

Nothing like being stopped on a train with no way to get off short of breaking a -- literal -- window to open a -- figurative -- window to write... I think it was amusing (and I'm sure will planned) that the dearth of cliffhangers in this chapter was replaced by a number of physical cliffs, although some of them were under water. I do agree with the previous comments wondering how all the threads can be tied off in only 5 chapters. Not that I don't think you can, CJ, but it does kind of boggle the mind as to how. I also wondered if there will be a big homecoming party in Cairns, but could Rachel & family also show up on Kookabura? In that case, which boat would be traveling back to Florida? I thought about the possibility of both going, but I don't think Rachel could make that trip now. Oh well, we will know in no more than 5 chapters. Thanks, CJ, for such a superb story. Any hints as to what will be your next saga???

Another chapter that captivates and intrigues: thanks, lilansui! The characters are certainly getting more complex and deeper, so keep divulging their many dimensions. As for my previous comment about why Alexi could forget Joshua so quickly after seeing Adrian again -- and Adrian leaving again -- is still not completely clear although I am not sure it needs to be yet. Certainly you gave some additional details about why he feels connected to Adrian, e.g., being with him when he came out to his grandparents -- an event which I hope gets expanded upon in the future. I am willing to wait awhile longer to understand the many dimensions of his connection to Adrian, which may further clarify the dichotomy. I definitely enjoyed the insight into Joshua's life. Heterosexual marriages that break up for whatever reasons but that include one partner coming out have the distinct possibility of generating the rancor and maliciousness that his ex-wife showed. One point you mentioned earlier was that the explanation for "catnip" in the title was coming. I thought from the beginning that Adrian was his "catnip', which became an even stronger conviction when Joshua of the "electric blue" eyes entered the story. That image (Adrian = catnip) is part of which I am comfortable letting Alexi's responses to Joshua and Adrian emerge over time as we learn more about the history of the relationship between Alexi and Adrian. Thanks for a new dose of catnip!

Interesting that Gray reacted to "Graeme" in the wildlife sanctuary, particularly since it was unclear by whom it went unnoticed and conversely who might have noticed it. Surely with all the things that are going Bridget's way, there is something that will balance things out at least in part. I so do not want her -- or Gray/Graeme -- to push them over the cliff... oh wait, there is no cliff. Right, CJ?

Spell-binding first chapter! I second all of the other comments with a special emphasis on anxiously awaiting the next chapter to see where the characters are taking this story. It's particularly intriguing to hear that there is some connection to real life events in the story. Maybe at the end you'll share some more of that connection! Good luck and keep on writing! John

I liked the way dinner worked out. It was different than expected but somehow fit the mindset of Alexi. I do hope he gets over Adrian in time that he does not lose an opportunity with Joshua. One thing that seems at odds to me is the degree to which he was quickly enamored of Joshua in the park (previous chapter) and the rapid shift to being besotted again with Adrian -- to the point of wanting to cancel the dinner and almost forgetting about Joshua. Maybe that explanation is coming? Thanks for a captivating story -- and a great title! John

Even though I knew Trevor was getting Atlantis back, the emotion evoked by his homecoming was absolutely incredible and a little overwhelming, Thanks for a fabulous chapter full of good things -- at least until dinnertime.

I remember reading this story in one of its earlier incarnations, and even then one thing struck me: how much it reminded me of an O. Henry short story -- still the yardstick I tend to use for a short story. Its vibes were like "Gift of the Magi" but with a happier, more sentimental ending, which is not a bad thing for a romantic. Glad you liked it enough to give it a rework. It was a great way to brighten up the day! John