Paladin

So much fun in this chapter as the adults deal with their chaos and Kenny accepts being Steve's boyfriend and part of Steve and Lydia's business operation. A shoebox full of cash (was Steve really organised enough to tightly roll the wads of notes) a problem for Kenny? Not at all. Just ignore "keep out" stickers and fling it at Lydia to deal with. My favourite quote: She patted Steve on the cheek fondly. "And you can get something into you..." Kenny went white as a sheet. And Steve went red as a beet. "I meant a sandwich," Sally rolled her eyes. "Boys, I swear, one track minds."

Jordan wondered why Noel Lawson wanted to talk to him as he called Joshua while keying in the inspector's number. "What do you want Dad?" "The AFP Inspector wants to talk to me. You may need to know what this is about." Jordan switched to speaker as the call was answered, "Australian Federal Police, how can I help you?" "I'm Jordan Anderson and Inspector Lawson asked that I call him back." "Yes, he's expecting your call. Hang on while I put you through." "Hello Jord

Liquidate sounds like a romantic evening that requires a lot of lube.

I'm assuming the cards have told Jack that he is Theo's mate. As we've seen wolfshifter alphas can be very possessive when it involves their mate. Vince is starting to look like a universal guardian.

True and it must be remembered that the colony rebelled (mutinied) against him and indeed arrested him. Even after that he was promoted to vice admiral. He obviously had more influential friends than Vane.

Truthfully, I wasn't anticipating, foreboding.. Much like Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

I'm older than both of you and I grew up in a city. Because of my parents and grandparents, I also gained a lot of experiences on farms and in very small rural communities in NW NSW and Qld. In that context bum fruit for eggs was very much an expression used by my parents' generation. No doubt a dying expression. @Lynx003 is correct. They are native to China and were also marketed in Australia as Chinese Gooseberries. I admit I prefer the green variety. I still have trouble calling them Kiwi fruit, but that's an age thing.

Lately, I've experienced a sense of foreboding when I see that Word of the Day has been posted. Today was different.

An absolutely wonderful story. I particularly liked that in the end it was Pitt who went to Blake and went to stay. Previously we had seen Blake going to Pitt and Pitt resisting despite his feelings. Even in Port Royal it was Blake who went to Pitt's room. It's true that after a pause in letter writing and Pitt refusing to tell Blake where to meet, Blake went to him, but importantly to visit, not to stay. For the relationship to be real and lasting Jamie needed William to show it by coming to him. The scenes of them in Lymington were of them enjoying a mutually loving domestic country life. A beautiful conclusion.

Nate is really experiencing late 1970s free love in his short time in Nimbin. Skye said she delivers to Kandanga Falls so Nate may have another hetro experience before he leaves for the army. While army training may be a shock after Hippyville he won't have to face going to Vietnam. I'm old enough @Mark Ponyboy Peters and @Summerabbacat to be familiar with the reference to eggs being bum fruit. Very much a country expression and largely with people like Jake and Danny who kept their own chooks. As for Kiwi Fruit. Another example of New Zealand appropriating as their own, something which is not indigenous to New Zealand or even originally marketed by New Zealand. I'm looking forward to more of Nate's developing awareness of sexuality and finding his own place sexually.

Mr Johnson turned out to be even worse than we expected. His behaviour was not only repulsive but criminal. Initially I was sad that Mr G wasn't reinstated but I warmed immediately to Miss C. I don't see her taking any nonsense from Nick and his friends, or allowing anyone to abuse them. A formidable mother hen, or maybe aunty hen. Noah still lurks in the background and I still don't trust him. I think he still sees Nick as a potential "conquest". Jack, who has survived by shutting down and not showing emotion, is showed that very human emotion, jealousy. I see that as positive for Jack's improving mental health, but also something Nick and Jack have to work through together.

Blake and Pitt take the opportunity to show their love for each other and then, in the light of day, they are once again separated by "duty" and "the articles". Their letters, personal unshared disclosures, reveal that their love is not a one night stand destined to fizzle, but something that will endure. Endure until they, hopefully, will be together again. Great writing.

"I intend to keep both under observation". The Admiral watching is a double edged sword. Possibly professionally rewarding but potentially personally dangerous. Which will it be for these two talented sailors? At the moment they seem destined for careers apart on different ships. Their exchange of letters should be very interesting and maybe, revealing.

Seeing the fight between Ryder and Theo from the other side was a fun ride. Already knowing Danny and Vince's real roles makes a lot more sense of events, including why Ryder healed so quickly. I'm looking forward to more alternate POV of events we are familiar with.

I have profound respect for Huxley. A captain whose moral compass is as true as his ship's. His observations sharper than any lookout. All culminating with this: "When that happens," Huxley said, "a captain must act. He must protect his crew not only from the dangers without, but from those within." Excellent advice. It reminded me of the quote probably incorrectly attributed to Winston Churchill "The opposition occupies the benches in front of you, but the enemy sits behind you." Danger doesn't always lurk where you expect it. Pitt and Blake, take note.

I agree all that is possible. It could also be as simple as telling Nana that Jack didn't want to have anything to do with her. After all that is the approach they took with Jack. Saying Nana didn't want anything to do with him. At this stage I don't think the reason(s) for not being in contact with Jack are as important as what benefit will come from establishing contact now.

Just as Luke put it @chris191070. “Shut up,” Luke mumbled. “Everyone is just so much into you, it’s fucking annoying.” His "everybody" are clearly himself, Brad and Alexander. At the same time Luke can see the obvious “You’re really oblivious, my good dude.”. There's something else. Luke's comment “Nah. I enjoy the hell out of seeing her mad at me. It might come as a shock to you, but I have very little satisfaction in life right now.” Lyn was right in noticing that Luke's behaviour at dinner was very different from his previous behaviour in the group of four males. Brad repeats the "right now" when telling Lyn how pissed off he is about Luke. And how about when Lyn suggests that Brad hasn't known Luke for very long. Brad lost his smile. “What’s with the third degree, Lyn?” Is it possible that Brad has known Luke for longer than he has known Bella?

I'm really keen to meet Jack's Nana. So far she seems very positive but so far not strong enough to stand up to Jack's obnoxious parents. I hope that contact with jack will give her the strength she needs. 🤞 I can't get the image of Jonah in Amsterdam's red light district out of my head. I'm surprised they lasted in Amsterdam as long as they did.

An action packed start to the new story, with plenty of good and bad magic thrown in. In the end the good guys with good magic have prevailed. For now at least. I love phoenix/Kid Bondage and his sense of humour.

I'm happy there wasn't a messy threesome and happier that Carl and Ryan found each other, even if only for the short term. Maybe during that time they'll learn that being gay isn't just about sex.

WTF! I finally catch up and you do this to me. You, @andy cannon, deserve to be keelhauled but I'm sure you can write your way out of any punishment. A wonderful story.

I think, @Summerabbacat, you missed whose children they are.

Now, now @drsawzall, you're not at a pantomime (you didn't even get to shout, 'he's right behind you') with Noah as the villain. Although, come to think of it, a bit of cross dressing, especially Jonah, would fit right in. OMG I've started thinking of Jonah in drag. Wow!

Hang on @weinerdog, aren't these present day US kid's names? Nevada, Vivian, Griffin, Kai, Saxon, Damian, X Æ A-Xii, Exa, Strider, Azure, Techno, Arcadia, Seldon Lycurgus, and Romulus. Makes Phoenix and Joaquin seem almost normal.

Like everyone else I loved this chapter. Nick's mum inviting Tommy along for the day was an obvious setup, contrived by two mothers aware of their son's sexuality. Mothers can be loving and fail to respect confidentiality at the same time. Sharing "cute" and embarrassing infant photos is another example. Leaving condoms and brochures around shows she is accepting but also shows she is moving faster than Nick and Jack want to. She is entertainingly totally over the top accepting but embarrassing to the point of needing to pull back a bit. Jack is lapping up being part of a normal middle class family. It is something he really needs. The boys need to make the most of their break from school in their mutual and satisfying sexual exploration and deepening love. I fear that Noah is not one to take rejection lying down, as it were. He does expect his "charm" and insincere apologies to get him what he wants. Those are failing on Nick. What's his next strategy?