I'm going to delurk just for a moment and say the following:

I loved this story. I can't even really say how much. I've been thinking about it pretty much constantly since I read it about 5 hours ago.

And while I'm at it. I read /all/ your stuff, esp. Due South but I will read anything you write. I love the whole package, the plots, the pacing, the characterization, and the perfect understanding you have of that magic moment when a person is experiencing love expressed through sex for the first time. You get it right every time. And since that is one of life's perfect joys, I read you over and over and over. Thank you very kindly. :)