Thank you for posting the link to this - I have no idea how I managed to miss this when you originally posted it; I can only think I was too busy to tackle something so long, because I read most of the other posts at the comm that day.

Anyway, this is wonderful; a totally different perspective on how Sam and Gene got together, and I like the way that for a long time it is slightly ambiguous as to whether either or both of them are actually gay. A really good story, and a lovely believable gradual relationship build.

I'm glad I found this; thank you.