Conner

Just loved that line. David was great in laying it all out for Robbie. The ball's now in Robbie's court. I think he'll do fine....which should mean that Brad will be really enjoying himself once this Amphion affair is resolved. I often wonder how much "espionage" actually goes on in the business world? The threesome with Kevin was awesome.

I always thought that the kaboom ingredient in dynamite was tri-nitro toluene (or tnt). However, knowing CJ and his depth of research, I'm betting he's right on with the nitroglycerine. It's definitely a kaboom ingredient too.

If Brad breaks off with Robbie, he will do so still loving him. Brad's definitely getting his pound of flesh from Robbie. That tells me how much he's hurting. His own pride is torturing him right now. I think he's going to have to have some kind of epiphany around the relationship before he can forgive Robbie. Super chapter, M

Like nitroglycerin, I am becoming more unstable as I get older. I'm starting to leak, too! Was that TMI? Let's start a contest where the prize is a night in bed with Joel. Strictly platonic, of course.

Frankly, the DA and the police really don't give a crap about Jake. He's been a thorn in their side for some time now. Jake has to cooperate or he loses his deal - he goes to jail - presumably as a minor, but the DA probably could prosecute him as an adult given his age. Given Jake's history, the DA would probably be successful. The DA has the gun that he believes Big Tony uused to shoot Jake. The gun can be tied into Big Tony. The DA still needs Jake's testimony...unless the DA gets his hands on one of the bullets from Jake's stomach. With the ballistics on the bullet and gun, the DA really won't need Jake's testimony. That leaves the DA the option of saying, "Look, jake, I don't need your testomony se we no longer have a deal!" Jake's screwd at this point. The 3-way switch on the licence plates was ingenious! Brett to the rescue. I'm anxious to see how this plays out. May the fleas of 1000 camels nestle into Jake's dad's crotch!!

...and on a more serious note. Frankly, I don't thinks gays will have any easier a time with marriage than straights do. For me, though, it's about equality. It's also about moving towards normalcy.

Dude, you get my vote!!!

Last time I looked, Jack and Claire were married. I wasn't suggesting that Brad participate. That would not work on so many levels.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with straight sex. Mind you, it's second on my list. Here's an experiment Mark could try in Millenium, you know, to test the waters of straight sex in his stories....Brad inadvertently stumbles on Jack plowing Claire. That would be so hot.

Chapter 15 was just superb! A "feel good" chapter if there ever was one. Thanks, Mark! Best line...

Sweet, sweet chapter! It's true you know. Being in service to people who need it is extremely rewarding. And it needn't be money. One of my favourite quotes from a book called "Me to We"...

Senility has its positive side. For example, it's simple to forget who the assholes are in your life.

Great dialogue in that chapter! Robbie's begining to see the light.....instead of the bald spot. Stef's line was great. I have no memory of Dan Church. :wacko: Can someone fill me in?

Fascinating development! I'm not talking about the sledge hammer either. If Carson is part of a plot to bring down Brad and Robbie...well, Robbie's going to look and feel so stupid. Duped by a twink. Definitely a cliffie. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Excellent chapter, CJ! Joel was so cute with all that anxiety over buying the ring. Some guys just shouldn't be straight. Kudos to Trevor for trying to put Joel at ease about his going the Indian and Pacific Oceans all alone. I just love the banter between these guys...

So, you're saying you're a gold-digging slut.....like Kevin. Good on ya! Try thinking for longer than a moment.

My take on this is that Brad and Robbie will survive this crisis. It definitely is a crisis and a serious one. I don't question that. My best argument is that they still love one another. Yes, I acknowledge that love doesn't always conquer all. But it's good to have in your hip pocket. I cannot give serious consideration to a relationship between Brad and Kevin. Brad would never had bought that car for Kevin if he was remotely interested in a romantic relationship with him. He's literally being a "sugar daddy" towards Kevin. Not a good foundation for a relationship. Yes, Brad is loving the ego stroking he's getting from Kevin and it's something he needs right now in order to keep his head above water. If Kevin saw Brad as a potential mate, he wouldn't have accepted the gift. The stage is set for that relationship and it will run its course. I'm not ready to declare Robbie as unstable. Yes, he has tons of personal luggage and a really messed up family history. So far it's a mid-life crisis - not unheard of these days. He was upfront with Brad about "seeing other people" - he didn't cheat behind Brad's back. As it turns out, what Robbie really wanted was a relationship with this twink who appears to absolutely adore him. Robbie hadn't been getting what he needed (or at least what he believed he needed) from Brad. Brad even admits to some culpability here. Also, a good crisis can rejuvenate a relationship.

That was one hot chapter! Loved it! The Brad - Robbie split is becoming most appealing. I believe it's pointless to try and keep score on everyone i.e. who has had it worse, who has done what for someone else - and afix blame on that basis. Anger is a human emotion. It's not right or wrong in itself. It just is. The right or wrong part is how you deal with that anger.

As I see it, if Brad's going to be messing around, I might as well force myself to enjoy it! It seems Cody's advice might be working. Perhaps Robbie should get his sweet ass back in Brad's bed before Brad really starts enjoying his new found sexual freedom. Sexy chapter, Mark! Looking forward to chapter 6.

Don't use that anymore, ricky. It's mine!

It's a credit to Mark's writing/story telling skills that readers are expressing strong emotions around the characters in this story. Personnally, I have never felt it useful to apply my personal standards for a relationship to fictional characters in a story. It seems so pointless. In my mind, the real "losers" in all this drama are Brad's and Robbie's kids. Neither character has raised this concern. But it's definitely all human behaviour. Super chapter, Mark!

I think you're on to something there, Benji. (see Benji's spoiler). Joel's planning a long engagement. Joel was so sweet to Trevor in that chapter. Geek island

No way is Brad becoming a bottom! What will happen to all my Brad fantasies? It sucks that he's hurting so bad. All he wants to do now is hurt back. He's feeling betrayed on two fronts - with Robbie and with his business. I wouldn't want to get in his way right now. I feel some heavy bitch slapping coming on.

Short chapter, but I loved it. Jake hooks up with Mitch and they do the "So you think you can top" tango! Hot. Very Hot! For some reason Jake doesn't get engaged unless there is risk involved. There's got to be a win for him in it. Makes him sexier I must admit.

So even when you run your own business, like Trevor's charter business, you still got to kiss a lot of butt. It seems even more so in the service/tourist industry. I must admit, though, that Blake was an interesting distraction. I was hoping Blake and Phil would both get thrown overboard when that horrendous wind came sweeping down from the island mountains. One thing seems for sure. There's going to be a KaBoom at some point. It just wouldn't be a CJ story without some sort of KaBoom. I think Trebs nailed it with the wedding ring explanation. Makes a lot of sense. The only argument against it is the ages of Lisa and Joel. They're both way too young - still in high school. That's young love for ya!