Anton_Cloche

Between the (not "Good Dr"😉 ) and @Tonyr , I'm guessing Science, Biology and Med were not courses 'aced'? No matter how hard & how often they try... their results will be pregNOT. 😅 🤣(unless one of them is Pope Innocent XIV from Conclave). Ps: sorry, not sorry for any possibly perceived 'rude' puns, but it's Hump Day in my part of the world and -4°C (or "really damn C🥶LD" for those on Fahrenheit) 😉

Wonderful chapter Q, and lightly hidden 'between the lines' are potential new stories that will require the appearance of not only Cooper, but also Giles, Davis, Jasper and others integral to this story. One of these new stories catching up on the 'Canadian' cousins? Cooper's 'handling' of media intruders: "While they were distracted by listening to Dad’s response, I removed the memory card from the camera that I was holding, and as I knelt down on the ground, and placed it in the camera bag, I felt around and located a second camera, where I removed that memory card as well, and slipped them both into the side of my shoe, before standing again, as I now held onto the camera bag with a tight grip", missed something important. Most experienced Media, especially photogs, knowing they might be discovered, usually swap out film and SD Cards, just in case they are seized. The media may still have what they wanted. Q? After the next / last chapter, there will be a separate Epilogue? 🫰

With a dogs hyper sensitive noses Bailey knows something is different about Bear. Great chapter Bill. Devin is still very mercurial regarding his health and the horrendous things that could be done to him, Mac and both their families should they be found out. I foresee his attitude being a potential issue to their long-term relationship, especially if they have children, either through surrogacy or adoption. If they adopt, depending on the age of the children, they may be sensitive to arguments, heated discussions etc between Devin and Mac. And NO child should have to suffer from that! As for his long overdue swipe at Louella deVile? Couldn't happen to a more deserving ...

And a good time was had by (almost) all. As for the politicos (WA Guv'nor)? Sometimes they are "hoisted on their own petard". (For readers unfamiliar with that saying / quote, it essentially means that a person, (usually self-centered and self-serving), has been messed up by their own actions. Synonymous with "Karma". 🤣 🤪

Carter's Dad is with the AFP (Australian Federal Police). As Australia's national law enforcement organisation, it has an investigative and operational focus on counter-terrorism, national and transnational crime and national security. It's closest Canadian equivalent, (who Carter's uncle worked for), in terms of scope and activities would be the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police). It appears that his Uncle and his Uncle's wife's deaths in a car "accident" (in Canada?) may be as a direct result of work he did with the RCMP. Work that may have involved criminals who would seek to kill him and his entire family, which explains "Operation Nullabor" and Carter's cousins Reuben and Roderick 'on the run' and heading for the safety of relatives in Australia. (with both boys having 'dual Canadian and Australian citizenship as a result of being born in Esperance WA).

A very special seating place for Dave at bar in HELL. HELL's Bar where they quadruple capacity by turning barstools with seat cushion on floor and 4 wooden peg legs pointing up. Have a seat Dave, and rotate! Really too bad Drew's grandfather, who founded the business, didn't secretly leave a giant TRU$T Fund to Drew bypassing his father (and Step-Monster) completely. Or did he, and Drew only becomes aware once he is 21 or emancipated? Hint, Hint, HINT.

Thank you @chris191070 for the way you created and 'handled' this chapter. Like many, I lived through loosing friends & associates at WTC. Thankful Doug and Michael still have each other. Wonder if they're rethinking their return to NYC? Looking back, 'it' heralded many things including 'Remote Working'.

As does Alan. He is less of a DOM in a DOM/sub pairing and more of a taker, who will throw away Cal once COVID lockdown is over. By which time hopefully Cal will have turned the tables on Alan.

I'm surprised Mac didn't involve Devin's Dad and Gramps again on impressing on Devin the serious dangers of being discovered (examined, tested, experimented on and likely dissected) by the government. Devin has both the inexperience and impatience of youth, despite being in university. The accident should have been a caution for him, but his quick initial recovery had made him feel more invulnerable than before, which could set the stage for a relapse or ?

Indeed it appears she does, but when and where this story takes place may determine what "professional help" is available and entails.

Do NOT eat at RFK Jr diner, (OMG please don't let current Senate approve him as Sec HHS, FDA etc or we are DOOMED), where undercooked pork is on the menu. (RFK Jr Diner plates).

Definately not FoD's Ruby Red Shoes. (gifted by Glinda)

Over a century and a half since Cooper's "Great, great, great grandfather Henry" left UK in 1867 for Australia, the family's land holdings, thought to have been sold off, have continued to expand, in size, types of properties and great wealth. Cooper is now the 7th (?) generation to have inherited the now sizable 'family' portfolio. It seems that barrister Thymes' appearance is very timely indeed, Hmm?

It's obvious that Drew (Patterson) is hated / despised by everyone (school, EMT, hospital staff including Doctor looking after Mickey, and now Jill) for whatever his family is or has done. More information in that regard would be helpful @Connectwriter, and on how Mickey was injured (fire? Car accident?). What can Drew do to make up for bad past behaviour of his family, and make a path forward for him and Mickey?

Minimum drive of 29 hours and 1600+ miles from Wyoming to NYC. And that is staying on major routes (Interstate and Toll Roads), with no bad weather, diversion or disruptions. What could possibly go sideways? Fingers and toes crossed for Michael and Doug to have a much deserved HEA.

OWW. Louella De Vile (Cruella) to "Dev-Sit"? The sheer weight and mass of her 'derrière' would crush more than his spirit(s). You may also be on to something, in terms of Devin, the clear thinker and planner, being impatient and less mindful of consequences? Was something missed on brain scan? (sorry, RFK Jr scan. Or to paraphrase '47' "They're eating the brains".)

Bill, everyone's comments about the "impatient patient" are hitting the nail on the head. I feel Devin's pain and impatience, knowing first hand how maddening immobilizers are having had serious Rotator Cuff surgery that involved both the immobilizer AND a Cyro-Sleeve that wraps around the shoulder and arm, put on first that circulates ice-cold water to help compression and speed healing. For 20 minutes every 4 hours for 3 weeks. However, Macs discussion with Pa about the too real dangers of being discovered, needs Devin to relay that conversation with Devin. Otherwise, Dr's Scully, Mulder and the 'Marlboro Man' with have them all in a facility they DO NOT want to be in.

There's an old saying, "When it rains, it pours", basically referring to something unexpected happening and in large amounts. Which basically fits for politicians and government officials inviting themselves, in this case to The Tower. As for Pellini, a magistrate 'of sound mind' should not have granted bail to someone with a grudge (axe to grind) and the means to cause harm to others with guns, (or other weapons ). With dignitaries arriving (like a swarm of locusts), expect AFP 'Armed Officers', helicopters and other 'special vehicles'. Unfortunately for Cooper, media will get wind of this and make matters worse for him. Hopefully it doesn't set Cooper off, (like main characters in other 'Q' stories. BTW, this is NOT a complaint, just observation). Cooper's barristers will be busy, both in London and Perth. Looking forward to the Avon Descent. (Toodyay Herald 2024). (Not all kayaks on AD) (my namesake rapids)

Know anybody with Hannibal's number?

An interesting premise Ken. Your prologue offers just enough temptation to keep me reading. Let's see where this journey with Cal and Alan leads to. 😉

Another great chapter @P. E. Knapp. Seems the vacation cruise was also more than a bit of research for Orion and Quinn, and perhaps future plans for their own business. Although the waters are significantly different here than Texas. The "sub" adventure described reminded me of Disney World 'ride', overpriced and underwhelmed. Christmas Tree engagement gift for two lovebirds was lovely. Engagement Rings for scuba divers?

Hmm? Or a visual clue for what's next? 😉

Wow! Fantastic story, but two New Yorkers out of the Big Apple, not yearning to get back to business ASAP? Hmm, what else don't we know?

I would imagine a "Cease and Desist" order, along with "harassment" and "intimidation" suits, accompanied by police reports with electronic and audio evidence will have a very quick and decisive impact. I suspect, after heads roll and a settlement is reached, Cooper will probably donate some, perhaps most of any award he receives towards improving emergency medical services. Even if Cooper's "Gramps" does not survive, it was the quick response of RFDS and in-flight medical treatment that kept him alive until he reached the hospital in Perth to further treat his stroke, before his coma. 🫰