Thanks so much! I feel as though I'm getting to take a fresh walk through the series, too, and it's a lot of fun. The hard part is deciding what to emphasize and what to leave alone. I loved most of the characters in different ways and for different reasons, but since the focus this time is G/B, I have to keep an eye to that and what works for them.

I always liked Leeta. I couldn't turn her into a villain or some sort of vapid idiot, because she really wasn't. If she had been, there's no way Julian would have stayed with her an entire year. He was better than that, too.

I'm really glad some of the other characters ring true to you. There was so much with Odo and Garak and Kira and Dukat that I wish we had gotten to see. Fascinating characters and interactions, great material to mine and build on. I sort of have an idea where some of it is going, but a lot of it is still up in the air, having to address it as it comes. Kira's journey was such an important part of the story that I'd feel really remiss if I ignored it or didn't deal with it in some capacity. In some ways, I think it relates to Garak, too.

I'm not done playing with Garak's anatomy. :-D It's too amazing and fascinating and all around fun. I like Ziyal, too. She was a bright point of light that got shabby treatment by never settling on one actress or knowing where to go with her. I hope people will like my take on that, even people who traditionally don't like Ziyal because they feel it killed any chance of anything with Bashir and Garak. All I can say is...that's not my take. ;)

Thanks for the understanding about RL and general muse issues. I do think most writers and fanfic fans hit that wall sooner or later. Lately, the muse has been kind, though. The next story is well underway and not showing many signs of hitting a snag.

I appreciate the in depth review. I always get a lot out of these, seeing what's working for people, what isn't, where interest lies. it means a lot.