This is just amazing. I love how you delve so deeply into Matt's psyche, and then switch to Kitty's reactions. Looking forward to reading more.

This was the most riveting piece of work I have read in a long time. The strength that is shared by these two people is palpable. Kitty goes to such lengths to protect the man behind the badge and you have drawn a perfect correlation to that fact. I can not wait for the next installment. Angst, love, fear...it is all there. Thank you

Great writing ! Love the storyline. Can't wait for next chapter. Thanks for sharing.

Sheesh, GunShy, you had me holding my breath through this entire chapter (and 3,000 words is a mighty long time to hold one's breath!). I could feel both the tension and the love between Matt and Kitty. Your sometimes staccato pacing is great and adds to the anxiety of the chapter. And I love the line, "The iron tang of his blood filled the air." Bring on the next chapter!

I like this story very much! Can't wait for more.

What a great addition to a favorite episode. Can see and hear them all through your skilled and sensitive writing. Look forward to more.

Great story, excellently written. Hope you will have more for us, soon. Maybe even add to this storyline. Thanks for sharing your talent with us.

Your writing is so beautifully descriptive, a reader would never know this was your first fic! Matt and Kitty, Doc and Louie, and that heinous villain Mannon - they all leap off the "page" with your deft characterization and dialogue. Spot on, Gunshy, just perfection. And it is sublimely interesting to eavesdrop on the inner workings of Matt Dillon's psyche-not many authors have been brave enough to attempt it, but you have, by golly, and are doing it well.

Great story. You captured Matt and Kitty. Their characters rang true. You are a very talented writer.

You offer amazing insights into that episode. Matt's confusion and Kitty's wanting to wait to explain make me understand both points of view. The bravely embodied by each of them is evident. Nicely done.