Okay. I am sorry about this one. Here I had a set destination in mind for this story, practicing a little clean-steam, just a one-off, and I'm writing and writing and suddenly that last line came out instead of the one I wanted to write.

I tried to go back and write it the first draft way, but I spent so long cackling maniacally about a twist that I just couldn't do it, and therefore it's ending up a little darker and longer than I'd anticipated. (Probably more than 3 chapters, but that's where I'm at right now.)

Let me know what you think! Un-betaed, so point out any points of confusion. Trying a new format for the back and forth time shifts, but not sure how it reads.

And for you light-hearted readers:

This last line grabbed me by the throat and won't let go. I'm hooked! Can hardly wait to read the rest!

Nice reader incentive, Mouse. I half-expected her to say something about a child or about day care (who knows, that might still show up), but not about her dying. Does Clark have anything to do with it? Did he accidentally pass on some pathogen to her during their time together? Will the cure have anything to do with them being intimate on some schedule?

He'd have to be some determined stalker to chase her for three years. I wonder if Perry is being so patient with her because of her condition? If so, does he suspect that Clark is the young man she spent horizontal time with three years before? You've got to come back and tell us what's going to happen!

You've cornered the market for pins and needles. Now it's time to give us a nice soft cushion to rest on while we scour the boards for the next chapter.

I don't believe you on the WHAM. Okay get back here and post the next chapter.

Thanks! Glad you liked it! Next chapter should be up in a day or two.


Why, thank you. I do love cliff hangers. And also... well, nevermind.

Methinks it was inspired by some curse mentioned by HG Wells in "Soul Mates" so... maybe?

Feel like I might have to switch boards for that... She's Vitamin-D dependent now


Wow! Quite the compliment. Don't worry, next chapter is coming soon.


You've been editing my copy for too long, haven't you? I'll rephrase: there will be some angst and drama and some WHAM flavoring but I promise it's not a deathfic.

Thanks everybody, more coming soon!

I read this the other day, but wasn't logged in. I enjoyed this first chapter and am looking forward to the second. The ending was actually probably my favorite part.

I was thinking of WHAM! Then I was like WOAH! I was not expecting that last line. Like someone else said I was half-expecting a child or something in that lines or maybe a fiance. But not the dying. Come back with more, please.

What an introduction! But what?! She’s dying!! Can’t wait to see where you take this.

To echo Lois:


I gently suggest that to avoid more of these guys
you should post the next chapter, and that quickly. I want to know what happens next!

Pretty please? With reader incentives on top?

Sorry for the delay! I got super-sick... but got a little extra inspiration from it. And a movie I watched while sick, which has become my new favorite movie. (It's called "Irreplaceable You" and it's on Netflix... but prepare to cry a LOT. Pulling this fic out of that nosedive... or trying to.) Glad you all enjoyed and will be posting chapter 2 shortly!

(No more required, I promise, Terry!)

Belated reading and very belated commenting, but here we go!

Mouse, what a wild ride and such an unexpected twist in your first instalment… I love it, although I didn’t relish the last sentence….

Uh-ho!

"

Huh ??!!?? Quite a different universe out there ! I’m intrigued…


How to botch one’s first assignation?

"

Oh, no!

Whooo! I found the story. I read the first chapter right after you posted it and then put it away.
I'm now going to read it all. Hey it's VACAY time now, even for those of us who do work at a job.
Blame SueS for pulling me back in!!!
r/
Artemis

How about some kind soul creating a TOC for Havana so it would be more accessible? It's now up to 9 chapters. I would if I could remember how.
r/
Artemis

Hi Artemis!

You can find the ToC for Havana here it just got buried lol.

Glad to have you back and enjoying! Yay for vacay time (I know I even still have a lot on my to read list- so much going on here lately!) Hope you enjoy the rest of it and looking forward to any comments you might have.