Very heartbreaking mate, very heartbreaking. Not a fan of the Zack/Max pairing at all but I love the way you've woven this and fit it so nicely into canon. You made my heart ache in sympathy. :D

Author's Response:

Your comments are heartwarming. It's nice to see that I got what I was aiming for with this fic - the whole possible storyline that could be canon compliant. Those are fun ways to play in the sandbox - more so, possibly, than in writing post-series and AU.

Thanks, Skye, for reading and commenting - and sorry it took me a while to respond. Cheers!

Wow, it took my breath away with the intensity in which it was written. It was deeply engrossing, the emotions, the thoughts, the pain. I could believe that Max wouldn't remember him that way. After all they were taught how to forget. Max was all about guilt and awkward, hated heat encounters. It would add to why Zack was so selfless when it came to her too. He kept hoping... Loved it Shay. I heart Zack-fic almost as much as Alec-fic.

Author's Response:

Kimkimminy! Have I told you lately that I love you? *mwah*

As a reviewer (not to insult the others, cuz I appreciate them too) you are one of the best. You always seem to point out the things you liked or didn't like - and the reasons why - and that always helps. I can look back at a story and think, 'That's something I can try to improve or repeat,' so I thank you wholeheartedly.

Now for the actual words :P I was aiming for pained Zack who never gave up that spark of hope that danced in the back of his mind. I saw Max wanting to forget the encounter - possibly not even remembering him if it was at the peak of her cycle when she was far gone in sexual abandon...and not wanting to look at the poor guy she used when morning broke. And Zack for all his talk about 'phony sentimentality', I don't think he could ignore it when feelings overwhelmed him and gripped his heart. He may be a soldier, but he's also a man.

I was kind of worried that I either packed too much into too little space, or didn't give enough to make the emotions work. Thanks for putting my mind at ease.

Love you, babe. Talk soon? *hugs* and thanks again!

There isn't a whole lot when it comes to MZ, so I haven't really decided if it's a ship I could get into... but this was interesting. It was a nice reminder that there is more than MA out there haha. Great work.

Author's Response: LOL PBW! I have to agree with you, and personally, I think there IS something to the MZ 'ship. It was my first pairing but I didn't get into it too much b/c as you said there was too little of it. I think people also find it difficult to write Zack in a romantic role because his character is so uptight and rule-abiding (when it comes to issues of safety and self preservation) that it's not easy to picture him as a softer sort. However, I think he showed great promise. There were certain things he said and did, ways he looked at Max, that gave me reason to believe in the the 'ship. I wish there was more out there to convince you :)

Thank you for your comments. Good to know that you found it interesting (hopefully enjoyable) and I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

While poor Zack. Awesome job

Author's Response:

Hey, Karen!

Sorry I didn't respond right away. I posted this around the time I had eye surgery and completely forgot to get back to 
you (and the others!)

Thank you for reviewing, hon.