Oh, my heart just ached the entire time. Even though I *knew* (prayed, really) it would all work out in the end, I was still completely petrified one of them would do something foolish...again. So hard to read them hurting each other like that--and such a surprise to see them finally being open and honest with each other, both revealing so much, jugular included. ;) I'm rambling now but I just adore this sort of exquisite torture in a fic. Loved all the marvelous details of the trip as well--sounds like a wonderful place to visit. Excellent work.