Have you ever fancied someone you just can't have

and if so, did you bow out gracefully or attempt to do something about it.

I'm not exactly brimming with self confidence, so I tend to sit back and pine away over them.

Defintely, but I'm a sensitive soul, if I get even a whisper that they're either unavailable or not interested, I move on.

Yep, certainly have.

If someone is already taken, I respect that and I keep my thoughts well and truly to myself. And sometimes it almost kills me I admit. I've slipped up only once, and it was nothing of a physical nature, just basically being honest and letting the other person know that under different circumstances there would be nothing I would like more than to be with him. But it doesn't lessen the hurt you both feel when something feels so right, yet due to other obstacles can never be.

yes.. and now as a female, i still fancy women, who may not obviously be available to me, now I am female.. weird old world, there are a few men on my "to do" list, who i might be able to have

Yes, both in real life and one who I had the chance to get to know via the internet. It does hurt sometimes like Benj said when you realise it could be so right, yet there's no way for it ever to be, but I hold both these men still close to my heart as friends so in some way there is a small happy ending.