'After-words' and Acknowledgements

Well, what can I say? I'm not really sure what the original inspiration was for this story, but I know that I started writing it just after the first announcement of the Multiverse Challenge back in 2003. It's been sitting in the back of my mind since then, until I began typing it up last month. I realised then that most of the action takes place in the week leading up to Christmas, so why not enter it in the Christmas Challenge as well?

There are some references to other stories that I have written or am writing at the moment. There is one reference to my first fan-fic, 'Pride and Joy', along with several veiled hints at the rest of the story arc. I've tried to be as vague as possible with those so that I don't spoil the surprise (which is, coincidently, the name of the next story in the series) that is coming… I think that the identity Indigo' s first love is obvious from P&J (and 'The Gift', which isn't part of the series), and Scarlet's second wife is…

What, did you really think I was going to be that nice to you?

Thanks as always to Chris Bishop, who has encouraged me to write for the last five years, through my ups and downs and through my multiple exam periods. She has been my rock, and deserves all the praise she receives. Please keep up the sterling work, Chris!

Thanks also to Marion Woods, my long-suffering beta-reader, for the expert use of a fine-tooth comb, and for her words of wisdom. Any errors or omissions are my own.

I do not own the character of Captain Scarlet, nor any of the original characters I may have mentioned from time to time. They are the invention of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, and belong to Granada Ventures at the moment. Scarlet's parents are the invention of Mary J. Rudy, as is the engagement ring that Vermilion gives to Indigo, and are used with kind permission.

All of the other characters (Indigo, Vermilion, Claret etc.) are my own, as are the three alien species that I mention. Any resemblances that may occur are unintentional.

It took me quite a while to notice that my two main characters bear the same names as the two companions from Doctor Who 2005, probably because I named my Jack nearly three years ago, and Rose has been around for nearly five years now. I suppose I'll just have to put it down to one of life's little coincidences.

The character of Jack has evolved quite a long way in the last month or so – including acquiring a surname. I never planned for him to be a descendent of Blue and Symphony. He originally had dark hair and eyes (a bit like his namesake –Jack O'Neill from Stargate SG-1, who is rather dishy, for an older man), and he and Rose were not supposed to become a couple. Funny how things just seem to come out like that when you're stuck on a long train journey with a laptop and a plug socket (thank you, GNER – before the price hike, that is).

I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Have a prosperous 2006.

Lezli

22 December 2005 & 6 January 2006