Really good. Inspiring. I'm such a TNG junkie, but I find myself wanting to watch the VGR episodes I haven't seen (and that would be most of them) to understand all of your vignettes. Fanfic has been my guide for Voyager so far, to pick my way through some very uneven episodes and find the gems. I have a feeling you might be the best tour guide I've come across so far.

Referencing section numbers, so it'll be easier to follow. :)

1 was my favorite section. I've never seen the crash dramatized in a fic, and it's such a key moment in his backstory. "A downward spiral of screaming metal that will end the life he has built on his father's dreams" - great line, evocative and the perfect characterization.

My favorite bit is how you handled the aftereffects of the crash. It has so much more emotional impact to not actually say it's blood or name the consequences. The dripping red and screaming metal convey his shock and horror perfectly, at a moment when he's too overwhelmed to process the accident in a more rational way. Great job!

You've done a good job showing his relationship with his dad clearly, even when his dad's not there. I loved the line in 1 and the snide comment Janeway doesn't catch in 3 especially. It was also great to see a mention of Tom's mother. She's so rarely mentioned at all. I'd love to see more of their relationship.

For 5 & 8, which episodes/events are these sections referring to? It's been years since I last watched Voyager and I can't recall the context anymore.

I also love how you show his reactions to the women in his life, showing his attraction, but don't restrict it to a pairing (at least in this fic). This, more than anything, shows the progression of a life over time, even if I didn't know where any of the events fit into his timeline.

Alright. It's official. I'm succumbing to author alerts. I had know idea you actually posted this until a moment ago, when I went in search of something else.

Runawaymetaphor hangs her head in abject failure, and her alter ego cringes behind her laptop...

Anyway. . . I still love the fragility line about letting go of Kes. Still gets me, right in the thumping core of my Metaphor. But, yes, I also sniggered at the addition of Tom's foot-in-mouth disease.

Freddy Friggin Bristow indeed.

Interesting collection of snippets. Some of them felt like there was a longer story lurking in the shadows behind, waiting for their chance to be told ... I liked it.

I always like these litlle fics you write between your big creations,though I didn't think you could write something so small (not complaining, just stating the fact...)

see you in the next one!

that was cool

in a series of vividly captured moments, you've led us along stepping stones in Tom's life.

Some stones were beautiful, some cold. Some were rocky, some may yet be worn smooth.

This is more than a set of random drabbles.

You've written a story in stanzas.

(Although I guess this is a drabble review.)

I *really really* nearly forced myself not to read this one tonight. Then I decided, what the heck, it was only half-past midnight, and I succumbed - and am glad I did. Not only that, but you're working on Something Really Long again? Bring it on!

Awwww! This is so good! And thank you for the mention of the drabbles! You reminded me I need to update today. I love this insight into Tom's past, and all the little thoughts and feelings around major moments in his life.

Really good! Thanks for writing it!

I really enjoyed this.

Fabulous. I can never get as deep into Tom's character as I can B'Elanna's, so I must rely on others to do it for me, and when the writer is someone as dedicated as you, it's sure to be good. I love how this piece surprised me in places, gave me a chuckle here, or a start there when I hadn't considered something before. Some favorites:

"As he contemplates whether that price was worth what he gained (or managed to keep), he remembers the look on his mother's face when they led him away."

"Apparently, the small continent is the only landmass on the planet where leola root doesn't grow."

"Then he thinks of Voyager, the ship's resilience and character - and surprises himself with a vow for the future: That someday he will build her a shuttle, as good as this little truck they found floating in space (maybe a bit sleeker)."

"And he wonders just why he refused her offer to leave his friends a message."

(That last one could be a whole story in itself...?) And of course I adored the P/T... :)

That was excellent, thank you!

Poignant. Bittersweet. Amusing in places.

I love it!