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

[redwinter101]

MLC, you do just fine, honey. If you're still confused by the end of the final chapter, then the fault will be mine, and mine alone.

Red

[darlingcat]

I just discovered this wonderful story, Red. I actually printed the entire story and read it last night. Sigh! And I had a good cry over the last day Mick and beth spent together and their heartbreaking separation. Or when Mick gets hurt or his pain when he reads Beth's letter. It felt like I was actually watching the scene.
Stories like yours give me so much pleasure but also a bit of sadness thinking about all the potential ML had. So many untold stories, so many possibilities!
Thank you for this great glimpse at what might have been.

[redwinter101]

*squee*

Ahem, sorry, but hearing that you printed out my story, darlingcat, just makes me a little giddy . Thank you so much!

And I couldn't agree more about all that lost potential - it makes me so sad. And I think that's why, for such a relatively small fandom, there is so much ML fanfic - writers have been inspired to continue the story that barely got going and then was gone.

Red

[starbucksjunkie]

oh red,

I have been away, and it's so good to be back!

I will make more in-depth comments in a later post, but let me just say . . .

You. Are. A. Genius.

You have us all wrapped around your little finger with this story. And you have nailed the characters.

And I fear that blankie time is coming up.

I love you, girlfriend.

[redwinter101]

Thanks, sbj. I'm flattered (and delighted you're back ).

And you're right; blankie time approaches......

Red

[Luxe de Luxe]

What? What the hell is going on?!

You've got me all confused. If Pete wasn't the leak then who was? I'm dying to know what deal Josef struck...

[redwinter101]

Apologies for the confusion!! There was no leak - as Laszlo said, do enough digging around and you're going to draw unwanted attention - nothing more nefarious than that.

As for Josef's deal, well you'll have to wait a couple of chapters to get the lowdown on that one.

I love that you read this all in one sitting - thanks so much. Ch. 10 should be along shortly.

Red

[Luxe de Luxe]

Apologies for the confusion!! There was no leak - as Laszlo said, do enough digging around and you're going to draw unwanted attention - nothing more nefarious than that.

As for Josef's deal, well you'll have to wait a couple of chapters to get the lowdown on that one.

I love that you read this all in one sitting - thanks so much. Ch. 10 should be along shortly.

Red

aaahh.... interesting. From a technical point of view, did you drop those two pieces of information (Beth telling Pete; Mick getting caught) together as a red herring, knowing that readers would connect the two, or did the events in the story just happen in that sequence for other plot reasons (even if just coincidence)?

Once I got started I couldn't stop Red, although jumping links would have made transitions between chapters a little easier....

[redwinter101]

I wanted to create doubts about Pete. But also, I wanted there to be some logic between Beth widening her investigation by bringing Pete into it, and them rattling enough cages to raise suspicion and hence lead to the attack on Mick.

Red

[Luxe de Luxe]

I wanted to create doubts about Pete. But also, I wanted there to be some logic between Beth widening her investigation by bringing Pete into it, and them rattling enough cages to raise suspicion and hence lead to the attack on Mick.

Red

Gotcha. Hope it was ok to ask a techie q about this! Eep... a little too late if it wasn't.

[redwinter101]

LOL....

Yes, it's absolutely fine . It's lovely to have your interest.

Red

[toria1521]

Dear Redwinter,

But if Joseph is fearful, I'm terrified!

Hope you have more coming soon and that it does not involve the separation of MickBeth, or Joseph's downfall.



toria

[redwinter101]

Thanks, toria

More on the way soon.

Red

[JJRose]

Honestly, I think I've lost count of the number of times you've pulled the rug out from under me in this magnificent story. JOSEF doesn't know what to do? Now I'm petrified.

There's so many wonderful things to savor in this chapter that I don't know where to start. Josef the master game-player..."Oh good. It was." Best Josef moment ever! And I do so love this Beth, coolly offering Josef a brandy with that cocked eyebrow, keeping her head in the hands of an angry vampire...and then so carefully, codedly, telling Josef that if the choice is her or Mick then he knows what to do. What a heavy weight is on Josef's shoulders, and Mick (God love him) too emotionally invested to be allowed to help him carry it.

I CANNOT wait for the next chapter!!

[Moonlightsonata]

Red, I hope it is okay to say that I am anxiously awaiting an update on this story. Thank you.