I usually save comments until the final chapter, but I just have to say....WOW! the intro to this story packed one hell of a punch! I cant wait to read this through.

This is a fantastically imaginative, exciting, and character-driven story, nearly ruined by some occasionally awkward writing, poor grammar in spots - especially with proper usage of verbs and tenses- sometimes misleading use of pronouns, and the usual confusion in the correct use of contractions so many writers are guilty of -- your, you're, their, they're, there, etc. The nagging mistakes which continuously litter the text throughout detract from even a terrific story like this one, especially when one is gobbling it up like a starving person. I really loved the characters and the action, but too often was brought to a screeching halt with every technical glitch or awkward construction encountered. It is too good a story not to have another serious beta read and just a little judicious editing to really tighten it up. For all my criticism, however, I congratulate you on a wonderful story!

...woah


Author's Response: Thanks! Which bit did you read that got the 'Woah'?

Wow. I now think I can see what you mean about Logan training Rogue, about them both having to be strong and survive. This living-in-a-cave business is not some idyll. Even when no one's there, it's dangerous. Nothing light or cheery about this. *lol* I wonder if they can ever joke.

Some of your scenes are incredibly powerful. The scene where she breaks her leg and discovers her claws, and Logan's uncertainty about how much of him is going into her. The vivid, graphic detail of her first kill - the blood splatter, the bone, her indecision and bloodlust and the bile in her throat. And the way she's not sure if she will kill herself later, how Logan is afraid. The writing makes you remember those scenes. It makes you live them.

There are things I still don't understand. *Why* is Xavier so evil? Or is he? I mean - what would happen if they didn't kill those dangerous mutant children? If Logan thinks it's wrong, why did he ever participate? In what way are the others at the mansion culpable?

And Rogue and Logan don't seem to *like* the animal - so why embrace it? Just because it's part of them? I guess - it seems like there's an emphasis on their choice. Is stronger and wilder always better? Why? Does it make them happy? Do they believe that they're making the world a better place that way? For revenge?

It makes for gripping reading, not having all the answers. Lots of moral ambiguity. Ooh! I'm sure more is coming. Am looking forward to knowing more.

Author's Response: Gamma, your questions helped me to resolve some of the plot (so thanks honey!) but I'm going to answer the animal question. Embracing their darker urges makes them responsible for them, the way Marie tries to understand them through her eyes. The way she *feels* her way through the anger, the pain, the rage that Logan has to deal with all the damn time. Even talking to Scott pushed his buttons because he's an alpha male as much as he is. Logan *knows* the price of his darker side and what he loses because of it. If Marie loses the same things he'll never be able to forgive himself. Yet in that respect she won't because she's *not* Logan, she already had darkness in her, the coiled snake in her belly that was willing to fight no matter what. Adding Wolverine to her only made her darkness stronger, more accessable. Men have mercy, women don't, we kill enemies when we find them, we dont cripple and dominate. Logan's in for a surprise about her depth and it maybe something for him to fear but I'm not sure just yet. But I'm glad your following the story, more soon I hope!

Wow. Your stories are usually a bit darker than I can manage at one go, but I have to say that I really enjoyed this one. A completely different take on L&M, one that used their mutations in a completely new way.

"Because one day your going to have to put me down permanently an' before that happens I wanted you to have a few good memories of me before you found out the truth about me. About what I really am underneath all this.... humanity."

Poor Logan. But he doesn't want pity. And as much as I think that it doesn't have to be that way for him, I think that's the way it is. It's the world they live in, and I don't think Logan's the kind of man who shuts his eyes to that. So if Rogue wants to be close to him, wants to live with him, she has to accept that, too.

"But that wasn't how she saw it, it wasn't how she felt, how she needed him. Seeing the truth of what he did didn't make her hate him, it made her love him. He did what needed to be done but the price was one that Logan didn't need to pay alone. "

No, I think your Rogue knows exactly what is at stake here, and she's becoming like Logan, too. The price isn't more than she's willing to pay.

And I love how easy Logan's acceptance of it is. He's not tortured. He's not regretful. He's not jaded or spiteful. This is how it is. And if he's lucky enough to get help, then he knows how to accept what's valuable in life, too.

A hard lesson, one I don't want to have to learn myself. But a powerful story, I think. Much enjoyed it. Thanks.

Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed it, I was going for what felt like 'the truth' between them. I've been reading more of the comic book Logan and I'm finding a depth in there I've missed before. Hopefully it'll be coming out more in the fic I'm writing. He's a grown up, seen a lot of death and knows the value of someone he can rely on. Marie is just learning her way and Xaiver is not a nice man, Logan will teach her what it means to be what they are. Think I should carry this on Gamma? Thanks for the feedback anyhoo, it means a lot to me, thanks.

Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed it, I was going for what felt like 'the truth' between them. I've been reading more of the comic book Logan and I'm finding a depth in there I've missed before. Hopefully it'll be coming out more in the fic I'm writing. He's a grown up, seen a lot of death and knows the value of someone he can rely on. Marie is just learning her way and Xaiver is not a nice man, Logan will teach her what it means to be what they are. Think I should carry this on Gamma? Thanks for the feedback anyhoo, it means a lot to me, thanks.