Yeah, it started out as a shipfic loooooong ago, then as I started following the story and all its ramifications -- especially after early readers encouraged me to bring in the Crimson Squad -- it turned into something like the real game, with a cast of dozens.

Except wouldn't you know it, Elma started out as a minor character I hadn't planned on keeping throughout the story (much like the Father Zuke cameo)...and she managed to slip in another 'ship story arc.

I'm so glad you just jumped in and weren't daunted by the number of chapters. :)
The one thing you may have missed, because of the name change: Juno is actually Paine.