That got cut short! Happens when you live in the boondocks! I meant his facade. He is trying to escape his past but not realizing it is catching up to him. Just good writing and hope you mine this charcher for what he is worth. The series writers sure did not.

Ahh, reflections! And here Scott is breaking his. I think the mirror is in the privy versus his room, but I am not quite certain. Your depth of feeling for this wounded solider is just amazing. Of course he could not contain his fauctue

Beautiful and heartbreaking. Thank you for another incredibly perceptive look at this most unique character. Thinking of the Civil War, again, as I just got finished packing for a weekend of drill and skirmish and thoughts of soldiers always hover close. Then come to find this new post of yours. Reality is always more profound than make-believe, even though this story would be called fiction.

Oh, Barb. If the series had writers of your caliber and emotional depth...it probably wouldn't have lasted any longer that it did, and fanfiction writers would have nothing left to mine.

This timestamp is awesome in the truest sense of the word. Thank you.

By mistake I hit the send before I was finished! Eek! So back to chapter 16. Also well handled was the graphic sketches that has Johnny wondering at first who they depict. That he could not recognize his own brother gave him quite an insight into just what Hell Scott had been through. A picture is worth a thousand words is true, especially in this case. As always when you write of Scott’s war experiences it rings so true that I am always in awe of your research and insight into the mindset of a military person. Congratulations on a story so very well done! Please forgive my typos in my earlier review!

I apologize for being so late with this review. But, I wanted to give “the reunion” the justice it deserves. For that, I had to reread the first chapter of this series. And it was as I remembered:Scott looking at his reflection in a train window wondering if it would ever match and one in this head. And with this latest chapter you have brought that image full circle. He realizes that indeed he can. That they are one and the same. I have no idea if this is the conclusion of this saga or not, but this merge of the first and last chapters was just brilliantly done!

Another outstanding chapter to this saga. Selfishly hope you do a complete story about the reunion. It must be wonderful to write as well as you do, you can hear their voices throughout.

This is just a marvelous addition to the journey that Scott is travelling on!

You set the tone nicely with Scott hard at work, but very reflective of the degree of comfort he now feels at Lancer and in California in general. This letter from Carter has things all stirred up within him and he's not quite sure how to process it all.

A fantastic scene with Johnny. He already seems to know that something is up with Scott just from talking with Cipriano and Frank. His entrance is perfect with an offering in hand, so easy to bring in their shared experience with Murdoch.

Johnny's reaction to the sketches is spot on. Very tough to see, I'm sure, but he manages to handle it in just the right way, no overreaction, no sympathy, just acknowledgement. I'm sure that was a great weight off of Scott's shoulders, that easy acceptance between them.

I love that Johnny encourages Scott to go to the reunion and that it seems to be just the nudge Scott needs to get him going in that direction. I do love Carter, and I hope we are going to see this reunion in person!

Your use of language is particularly fine here-Johnny being 'made of shrug' and 'truck memories' Great job!

Adding to feedback given elsewhere... this is magnificent. Scott is reaching the end of some journeys

Oh, Murdoch... :(

The way the Fates work against him here is just too cruel for words. There are times my heart breaks for Murdoch, and this is one of them.

I've been meaning to write a review to this entire wonderful series, but for once I'm glad I tend to procrastinate. Now I can add my kudos to the time stamp at the end. From your heart-wrenching scene on the train platform as Scott comes home to his grandfather, to your exquisite use of Private Reese's pencil sketches of Scott in the prison camp, to Mortimer, and to your final image of Murdoch Lancer convincing himself his son could not possibly have suffered like the young soldier on the stage, this saga has been a tribute to the unexpected strength of a privileged young man. It also serves as a vivid condemnation of war, and the price we pay for it. Thank you for writing so well, and for sharing your talent with us!

So Scott's home but really he isn't. Just for now only. Hate the way Scott had so much Guilt and that another added to that before giving forgiveness which to me was never ever warranted or needed. This only added to Scott's malaise. Admittedly she redeemed herself but so much despair for our hero before he came to some sort of acceptance. Really enjoyed this back story of Scott before we became acquainted to him in the flesh so to speak. Thank you

You know , that is one of those stories I am waiting for. The sort of story that fills the emptiness that the series leaves but in some way, suggests.
Reading your story, I have no doubt that Scott did as you have said. He is very young, no more than 21 years old and he lived such ordeal ! a quick way to be a grown man . And a quick way to know if that scion of Lancer will be an erect branch of a strong tree or it will be a weak bent branch.
There will be more years searching answers or searching what he wants . But when he arrives at his 24 , we all know he will find the trail. Of course, we are in advantage because we know what it will happen but it is interesting to see how a person walks in the right direction to his destiny. Meanwhile the time must arrive, he will heal the scars of the war, to be " only " the marks of a growing branch becoming in a strong trunk.
Once more, you made me to dream , and once more, I congratulate myself to be in love with the virtues of a man that although he is a fictional character , he is so credible as a true real man with his feet on earth.

I have trouble even imagining how difficult survivor's guilt must be to come to terms with. One thing is certain, there must be a measure of forgiveness somewhere if any healing is to take place, and I'm thankful that has finally been achieved. Such an inspiring conversation between Josie and Scott. When he took out the battered Thoreau—well, that was one of the most poignant moments in this whole story for me. That, and the scene where Scott was seriously contemplating walking into the light, or into the horizon in this case, made this story something special.

He still has questions that need answers. Some answers will be found, some won't, but one thing is certain—he *will* find what he's looking for. It will slot in as the missing piece he's been, until then, unable to put a name to. Hurry up Pinkerton guy! :)

Beautiful story, StarGzer. :)

Who is at fault? And for what? Multiple decisions made by multiples of people, leading to an outcome... And these same scenes will play out through time, for other warriors, other widows. A sad story of another pair of brothers. Whether destiny or luck (bad or good)... we all play a part. Guilt is a heavy burden.
Forgiveness does matter. I love this - what do you believe you can do, Scott? Love the end even more. He *will* know when he finds it. You hit this one so far out of the park it might hit the moon and disrupt the path of eclipse totality.