BAHAHAHAHA TIGER LILY!

This would be the point at which I ask you when the next story is due. (If I did that, of course, it would be a joke... since you already said not to ask. Which is why I *would* ask. Cuz I'm just (not) funny that way.)

At the risk of sounding redundantly repetative, this is not usually the kind of story I like to read, but you handled it marvelously. What they went through in this story speaks a great deal about who they are and what they are willing to do for each other.

You paced it quite well, and their jokes and games come off nicely. I enjoyed the fight (even though I wanted to smack HIM for being so male), and liked his extra gesture (Tangram) to make up for it. The final chapter brought it to a good close. (Their discussion of his visit to Jiaoshu's made me think they were going to fight again -- that Dee person is unpredictable when it comes to things that might set her off. I'm glad I was mistaken.)

So, for an overall closing statement: Great work, Q! I look forward to the next one - whenever that will be.

Yay! more mushy goodness! And mushy not sappy or maudlin' - just the right touch.

Since Dee obviously speaks 'tiger', there shouldn't be any problem (not that I anticipated any!) in keeping him happy and healthy. The tiger Tangram, not the 'tiger' Eddie! ^_^

I was trying to think of a way you could improve this chapter, but honestly can't think of any. Maybe it could have been longer, but the place you stopped is a logical choice. Marvellous as usual! If you keep writing, I'll keep reading!

That ended much more cheerfully than I'd anticipated, actually.

I thought the disagreement might go on longer, but I'm glad I was wrong.

You very neatly point out just how many aspects of character Dee has by, at turns, making her forceful, coquettish, stubborn, playful and cynical.

Good job!

Thank God! He redeemed himself!

I really enjoyed their stubborn streaks. Makes for good fun.

As always, the psychological nuances of the characters help make the stories believable and enjoyable.

Now THAT's an apology!

Y'know, Q, you sure do know how to keep someone in suspense. I think that's an amazing trait of yours. Even though I don't typically like romance stories (and I admit I was having issues with this one at the beginning), this one is proving to have just enough surprises that even *I'm* enjoying it.

I'm liking the snappy dialogue ("You're lying to me, Eddie." "Yes I am."), and the sheer delight he takes in trying to make him happy. He still has much to learn, obviously ("You're not supposed to be crying! Damn woman!"), but -- in spite of her denials -- she will teach him.

Good work. Noogies all around!

^_^!! AWW! THAT WAS SO KAWAII!!

Ah, I enjoyed this thoroughly. It was funny, to me. Jiaoshu's exchange with Eddie was humorous, and I think it's always nice for Mr. Nigma to get put in his intellectual place, once in a while.

To go on what flicky said, a little...yes, we may have heard this sort of exchange between Eddie and Dee before, but (for me) that's okay because:

1) You never know when you're going to have a new reader who may need to explore an established dynamic.

2) It has to do with ego and self-esteem issues. Those don't go away after one argument. Hell, they don't go away after 13 years of arguing. When couples disagree, they often trod upon the same ground over and over, because that's what gets stuck in their gourds.

Anyway, I thought this was great and lots of fun.

Your series continues to surprise and impress, Q. Benny & Trigger are great fun. And the developments between Query and Riddler (oh, excuse me, not Riddler but "Eddie Nigma, teller of bad children's riddles" - ouch) still entertains (and how!) while avoiding cliche, glopiness, or idiot plotting.

I wouldn't have thought Eddie would be such a respectful "waiting" kind of guy, or that "bad riddles" wouldn't be cause for a Jihad. But what you manage to do is to let characters SURPRISE us while still being credible as themselves. It's a hard line to walk. It takes a real understanding of the characters to pull that off. And you do it consistently.

You do have my attention once again, I must say.

What could be transpiring in that man's devious mind?

I loved the interplay between Xiaohu and Manchu, as well as Jiaoshu and Manchu with Eddie. The segment involved seemed ripe with history, and even some inside jokes. It was kind of funny to see them making light of his misery -- revenge on her behalf, I'd say. Nicely played.

Unfortunately, it had to happen: Something that flickguy didn't care for! (**Gasp** Say it ain't so!) Relax, it's not something that "sucked". It's just, as I think I mentioned to you once before, isn't my cup of tea. It was their follow-up argument. Most of what they said to each other, I felt we'd already heard before. Maybe only internal (we love my memory for details, don't we?), but still there. I also thought it seemed out of character for Edward to kick her door in. It struck me as "abuser" behaviour, and I was less than pleased to see Mr. E displaying it.

Still and all, these are all personal gripes that frankly have no bearing on how well you're doing with the story. It's engaging, and I'm looking forward to what comes next.

YAY! AN UPDATE!!
o_0.. eggroll and dumplings? HAHAHAHAHAH!! thats a good one!
anywho plz update again soon!

Pull back hand and - WHAM! Smack upsideth the head of Nigma. Been a lurker and enjoying your works, but I just had to leave a review after this chapter. As always the dialogue is wonderful, but yoy - the twists and turns you throw at that poor girl! Definatly curious to see how this story progresses.

Wow. just... This is a real relationship. Not even after the warm glow of the first time is everything perfect. Nothing is perfect, everything takes working at and these two very real people have their individual hang-ups and issues to deal with /before/ they can really make the relationship work... but it's clear that they do work together. They spark off each other, they fight, even when things are good. You are making these characters live and breathe, and they are whole people, not some sit-com-y cardboard cutout. Not that I ever thought you would do that! You portray this beautifully! I look forward to your next chapter!

Smooth move, Edward. *shakes head*

We should send them both to therapy (real therapy, not Arkham therapy) for their self-esteem issues.

Hm...elsewhere you commented that this chapter (4) was fluffy, but it isn't. It's more like two adults with emotional problems trying to work out the sticky beginnings of a romantic and sexual relationship.

Fluff (to me) is more like when two characters spend an entire story walking hand-in-hand down a warm, twilight beach and talk about stuff.

Anyway, it doesn't stick in the craw with syrupy sweetness, nor does it play around at blissful perfection with an ideal mate. I like it because I find it believable.

Once again, there was a lot of dialogue, which pleases me. I have the tendency to run off at the keyboard with too much description and not enough dialogue, but you seem to manage both really well. As always, you have an ear for the spoken word, too. Eddie's speaking is readily identifiable as his, and Dee's is very separate and unique to her.

man, he put his foot in his mouth big time huh? well hell has no fury like a woman scorned. too bad he didnt figure that out sooner.
well i cant wait till the next update so i can find out what happens! so plz hurry!