Afterglow, part ten (M/B/J, PG-13)

[redwinter101]

Hey, JJRose, so lovely to see you. And thank you for picking out a line that I really liked - I've always thought that Mick sees Beth as his chance for a fresh start, and making him clean and new and whole is such an integral part of that.

And the next chapter? Um, yes, a little heart-wrenching involved...

Red

[greenleaf9]

Red, you have got me so topsy-turvey with this story...

Is Josef going to die, live? I am getting mixed messages...I honestly don't know at this point and it's terrifying me...I'm scared to read on, yet I must.

What pain is Josef going to inflict on his friends? What is he not telling Beth? Oh god. Red, I hope you know your writing is driving me insane (in a very good, gut clenching, heart racking way. ) Mick and Beth's reunion was so beautiful.

I must read on, I am compelled to read on. *gl9 rallies her courage, wipes her tears off her cheeks, and clicks on part eleven*

[redwinter101]

gl9, I admire your stamina. And I'm delighted you enjoyed Beth's homecoming. I confess, confusion was my goal...

Red

[jen]

Warmth, life, her, like autumn rain on parched earth, flowing through cracks and crevices, reaching into his corners, washing him clean

Oh, Red. This is so beautiful. You are such a poet and have a real gift for painting such a lovely picture with words.

The essence of Moonlight. Fabulous!

[redwinter101]

Thanks, jen. I always try to write what I see, to paint the picture as you describe it, and there's nothing better than hearing that you see those pictures too.

Red

[Shadow]

Whew, all I can say is thank heavens this is not the end of the story! I just love the contrast here between Mick and Beth's joyous reunion and the dark mystery surrounding Josef. Even Mick and Beth's scenes are touched by it, as Beth at least knows that something is very wrong .... There is enough unresolved tension in this chapter to drive a reader quite mad if they didn't get to go on! Awesome plotting, Red.

[redwinter101]

:curtesy:

Thanks, Shadow. Plot's always been the most challenging part of a story for me - so I LOVED that you're enjoying the tension...

Red

[jen]

Yes, there is confusion.

How heartbreakingly sad, too. Only Josef knows what is coming. Everyne else is blissfully unaware, seeing only what they want to see.

[redwinter101]

Thanks, jen. Josef not only planned to "fix" everything - but he was determined to do it on his own.

Red

[maggatha3]

Josef has added new depths to the meaning of the word ''evading''. I have to start counting how many times he was asked if he is hiding something, if there is something he isn't telling Mick and Beth...And I know, both of them deep inside have a fear of the things unknown to them, but being in absolute bliss...they are blind to it.

Awake, alive, alone, they sped through the night, no-one in the sleeping city to bear witness to their glory.

This chapter is so intense as far as Josef is concerned,that you don't really get to enjoy the happy couple's reunion that is coming true after such a hard year of separation..
But at least they did..

The new joy and old pleasure of re-discovery;