*sigh*

I re-read this amazing fic quite often, I really hope you come back to it soon :)

consider it done ;-P

*hugs* on the life stuff :( I've been waiting patiently for an update on this one. Now I have an excuse to go back and read it all from the beginning :)

Author's Response: Thank you! Although I don't deserve the hugs. I'm a terrible person who's read The Waiting, has a guilty affection for your Wolverine, but hasn't left a review. No excuse...other than I'm still ill & my brain short circuited after reading some of your scenes? It happened. I'll send you the doctor's bill. ;)

Just re-read the story because I am desperate for an update *puppy dog eyes*

Author's Response: I know. I'm a complete & utter ass. Life turned less than exceptional in the Spring & now I fear that my beta has drowned in a pile of her own work. Search & rescue missions have been under way for my muse and my beta for quite some time now. Trust me, I haven't forgotten about this piece and have no intentions of leaving it unfinished. It was a matter of getting my life back on track & now waiting for my beta to catch her breath. It truly helps to know that people still read this and are interested. Thank you!

Nah, you're still not an a-hole. Life happens. Hope you can get it all sorted soon and with minimal pain and suffering.

Author's Response: Oh I'm pretty sure I'm an a-hole considering I haven't been able to update. I just hope that when I do I won't get pelted with too many rocks ;)

Sorry, I meant in my review, I said "belief" when I meant "disbelief." It doesn't let me edit. Sorry to be confusing. At least you get three reviews out of it! ;-)

Do you know how much I love your updates??

I love them so much that every time you post a new chapter I go back and reread the one before it first so I can make it last longer...thats how much I love this fic.

Author's Response: Do you know how much I love reviews? I do. Love them. I *live* off of them. So tasty and fat free! Aww, I love that you reread. Makes me feel like an ass for not updating for so long. I'm working on rectifying that. Don't know how just yet, but reviews like this motivate me. Thanks!

okay...Wierdness...I reviewed earlier but it didn't take. I love this and I like the differences you have brought to this version of the characters. Love this story and waiting impatiently for more.

Author's Response: Weirdness is that I completely missed this review! Please don't smack me, I have no idea how I didn't see this. I'm going to stick with RoseSumner's theory that the ghost of Jean haunts this sight & screws with our ability to post things. I hope you'll stick around & that you like where this is going!

Really enjoying this one. You have a lovely deft touch and keep up a cracking pace ... but the characters are still nicely fleshed out. Particularly liking Rogue's gradual introduction to Logan ... and Carol's memories :D

Author's Response: Thanks for this! Always, always, always great to know that a new face is enjoying this (not that you're new to the site or that I can see your face - that would be weird). I'm very happy that you like the pacing so far. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep everything balanced :)

Oh, dangit dangit DANGIT!!! Very long review got cut off halfway through--don't you hate when that happens?.....Anyway....And I'm not even going to ask how many chapters it will be before Logan and Rogue are comfortable with each other and/or clothes start falling off. I'm not going to beg, I'm not going to bribe, I'm not going to offer one answer to any spoiler question of my current or any future fic of mine you might read. I'm not. Know why? Because you are the writer, and we readers are only happy to accept any scraps you see fit to throw down to us...Btw, Sahara, you look very pretty today. That font looks great on you.
Dialogue is impeccable. Everything said is so believable, so *right*. You tell the readers so much about the characters and situation without them noticing that they are being told. And that's talent, the best of skills. Very worship-worthy.
You're writing is like Chinese food from a favorite restaurant. Filling, delicious, something you can't shake the craving for, will spend your last penny to get...and leaves you dying for more upon finishing. You're my eggroll, Sahara!!

Author's Response: Ugh, gremlins. I hate when they cut off my reviews too! It's the ghost of Jean! I saw her do it! Honest to Abs, I swear I did! Yeah...it's going to be *a while* before they're getting that kind of comfy w/ one another. A long while. And that's all I'll say, even if this font looks good on me today. The slate metal background does *wonders* for my complexion! You have a knack for making me giggle out loud like a weirdo when I read anything you write to me - it's a wonder I haven't been carted off to an institution. I'm your eggroll? And you favorited me? *bounces* *squees* *does victory dance in the little tiny space in my room that I've cleared as more of a walkway between the bed & the door*rnrnGracias :D

Forget the squeeing, there's a friggin' brass band playing in my head. *Da-DA-da-DA-dada-DA. Dada-DA-dada-DA-dada-DAAA-Da.* And deservedly so, for this multi-chapter debut should be celebrated on a grand scale. OUT-FUCKING-STANDING!!

The description of Marie's physical and mental state in the aftermath of her complete absorption of Carol is positively harrowing. Rarely are we treated to such detail, which, I suspect, is because it's damn hard stuff to pull off, but you did it beautifully.

And then, in the middle of all that, you still manage to give us full-color glimpses of her life with the Brotherhood with amazing little sound bites like:

That’s something she does recognize from living around Erik for so long. Scott’s lecture is cut off when a shadow, a person, a wall of muscle appears behind him. She stiffens, her body preparing for the threat of Victor before her brain gets any say in the matter.

And...

This would be very different in her home, or what she thought of as her home. There wouldn’t even be a pretext of calm. Any member of the Brotherhood would take to the other’s throat and launch into a display of power.

And yet, as awful as she feels about everything, still her sense of humor shines through, most notably in her ability to laugh (or rather her inability to NOT laugh) at Carol's 'pacifier' analogy.

I'm glad you're not short on beta candidates. Still, should you need me, my email box is always open. --Wendie

Author's Response: Man oh man. I hereby dub you Review Queen! *bows, presents you with paper/glitter glue/macaroni noodle crown*. I always look forward to hearing what you have to say - you never disappoint. I'm a total whore for reviews with quotes too. Consider yourself a lifetime member of the MANimals club. I'm super happy you like where this is going!

Squeeee! I don't know what thrilled me more, seeing a new story by you or seeing that the "complete" box was unchecked knowing there would be more. I am totally hooked already. I think you did a great job of establishing the circumstances of the AU without having to spell them out in an intrusive way. I was a little confused at first but all was clear by the end. I know you've had other offers, but add me to the list of those who would be thrilled to beta for you. You have my email. :-)

Author's Response: Oh gosh there's a lot of squeeing going on these days, huh? I think you're one of the only people on this site who *likes* the unchecked complete box. Usually that's a sign of doom to readers. I've got plenty more already written & unless something unfortunate occurs *knock on wood* I'll be delivering it. With a side of Nearly Nekkid Logans for everyone. Okay, you're all just going to have to use your imaginations on that one. I can't actually deliver that. Thanks for this :D

Okay, so you know when you find something really really, unbelievably holy-shit-jumping-up-and-down-hungry-for-more-never-could-have-dreamed-something-could-be-this-good amazing, and there's this not-so-tiny voice inside you screaming, "AAAAAAAHHH!!!"? Well, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Omigod, Sahara! This is incredible. *So* brilliant, *so* in character, *so* well-written, *so* poetic. Every single sentence, every single friggin' *coma* is perfect. What were you worried about?

I couldn't put this down (love having a netbook, allows that expression to be so literal). My eyes were glued to the screen, tearing through this. And then I scrolled back up and read it again, like a magically wholesome dessert. I love BadassLogan as much as, if not more, than I love ProtectorLogan. And you do it so, so, *so* well. I can't pick out a single line about him, or about anything else in this chapter, that I didn't love. (Though, as last wringing-in-your-ears phrases go, the pacifier thing was pretty fantastic.) I'm so excited!! Can't wait for the next!

Author's Response: As I said, this made my day before you sent that wonderful email yesterday. I literally caught myself bouncing in my work chair when I read this - never been so thankful for a door with a lock. I love that you have a netbook and can read anytime anywhere...oh yeah & leave reviews anytime anywhere ;) This is just the best. The. Best. Thank you for this.