*squee* Oh, thank you so much! It's lovely! I'm sorry I didn't get back to you when you posted this--I've had computer trouble and it's only now fixed enough for me to get back online.

You know, sometimes I wonder if people just think I'm a lunatic who can't "settle" on a nice, blissful Clex scenario, but your comment makes me very happy: YES! I like to question the relationship and the possibilities, even the ones that aren't shiny-perfect, friendly or healthy.

I think one of the reasons I am so happy with this story is my satisfaction with the way dreams and metaphors work (or, perhaps, don't). Of course, they're a map of how *my* brain works and I'm just saddling Lex with the result, but I still think it worked out well ;)

Again, thank you for the lovely cover. I'll get it up on my site today or tomorrow.