Great job! This story is fascinating! I’m especially interested in how this is going to shape into Julian eventually applying for DS9. Looking forward to more!

Amazing story! So happy to see the end of Palis/Julien - she’s so selfish even before the prejudice! And it’s awesome to see Julien becoming friends with Jaxa right when they both need someone most! Keep up the great work and looking forward to the next chapter!

This is so beautiful! I just love Jules!

Whoa! I’m new to the Star Trek fandom and just discovered Julian Bashir’s amazing story - so to find this is gold! Amazing job and I love the characterization!

I'm back! Sorry for the time away!

And thank you for these nice long chapters. :)

I'm glad Palis is behind Julian. I envy him Kukalaka (it *was* a teddy bear in that safe box!): having a friend you can take with you everywhere seems like such a comfort.

That poor Bajoran woman! She's risked everything to be there, and because of peer pressure...

The self-harm section was very hard to read. *Shiver* poor little dear...

And Julian is bending all the rules to help her. What a risk! And although he is well-trained, I'm sure, we've read nothing which would give him the experience needed to be a qualified therapist. I have a bad feeling about this, even if it is sweet that they're trying to be friends (though the patient-caregiver dynamic will make it uneven).

As far as romance... Now that Julian is a free agent, maybe he'll look outside his species for love? There is his racquetball partner who's sweet on him, and I'm sure there are others. Perhaps an alien wouldn't feel as disgusted by his genetic modifications as someone from Earth.

Cruel Are the Times is another brilliantly written companion piece to both Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation! It is so neat to see how you're integrating the events of two TNG episodes into the Academy life of a major character from DS9. The subject matter is difficult to read at times, mostly because of how close to home it hits, considering the geopolitical situation humanity is living in at the moment. Exceptionally well-written and timely, doing what Star Trek does so well: "to hold, as 'twere, the mirror up to nature, to show virtue her own feature, scorn her own image, and the very age and body of the time his form and pressure."

I am very much looking forward to reading more of this excellent work! You are truly gifted!

Great couple of chapters. Love the interaction with Jaxa and Julian. Can't wait to see what happens next. I've noticed that you've stopped posting to twitter, what's up with that?

Ah me, the wounded healer does much good here. Thank you for this chapter and insights into the vulnerability and the strength of Jaxa. (And of Julian!)

The night shift...a great chapter, but so sad about Nova squadron, and about Jaxa and her struggles and that poignant STNG episode Lower Decks. So so sad. Blessing Julian for his compassion. What the world needs...

A marvellous completion of the previous chapter –so heartwarming... they both need a friend at this point.

Rereading tonight and it is well worth it! Now I understand the last sentence – poor Jaxa, expecting the inevitable. Also, I noticed TPriel and her remarque about substandard record keeping. Luckily Julian „always“ keeps records in good order :)

Awww. Julian's thought processes - especially about never letting anyone find out his secret- remind me so much of Remus. I think its partly why I like the this story and TVW so much, despite never having watched the show or knowing any Star Trek information whatsoever.

Speaking of, I wondered if you found a decent Shakespeare quote for that AtM MM yet? I have been craving your brand of Remus-y goodness over the new year :)

Ah Julian! Your path ahead is so so so great! You can get past this. She aint worth it. You are worthy.

And HEY, the Enterprise in orbit and all the angst of Cadet Crusher... I love, love, , love, this overlap...makes me smile. So does your writing and seeing a new chapter come in. Thank you for sharing your gifts!

And hey: I can certainly guess who is going to accidently on purpose not make valedictorian...

Best ending: comfort in Kukalaka. So simple and so true.

things just keep getting worse and worse for Julian. I think even though it is very hard he is making the right choice. I dont think he could spend the rest of his life feeling like he has to hide from his partner as well as the rest of the world.

I hope he finds someone who doesn't care about his enhancements someday.

I'm also hoping (have not seen this far in the show) that the "secret" facility they moved the Moab colonist to was the Starfleet medical Academy, then maybe Julian could have a chance to talk to her and she could talk to someone who wont automatically think she's the worst.

:((((((