centexhairysub

An interesting start to this new story. I have to admit it was just enough for me to want to know more about what is going to happen. I would like a little more background on the individuals on the shuttle and what they are actually hoping to accomplish. Good writing but I did find the pacing a little choppy; not enough to cause any issues with enjoying the chapter however, just seemed to bounce a little. I do find that five deaths in such a small number in a small amount of time to be an unlikely occurrence; makes you wonder if the mission wasn't so secret and if someone may not be who they appear to be onboard. Can't wait to see where you go with this.

I may find this story dark; and honestly have had to take a couple of breaks from reading it because of that, but your writing ability can't be questioned. I don't have to like how a story goes or turns out to like the writing and process behind the story itself.

Well, I truly did enjoy this chapter; but wasn't sure if I wanted to laugh or cry through most of it. I agree that Jerry seems to be coming back to his former self somewhat; but have to wonder if that is where it is going to end up... Keep up the good work.

Don't know how to get rid of the box, trying to do this on my phone and it just kept popping up... I really enjoyed this chapter. The terror of seeing ones child in danger can be unimaginable and this chapter really conveyed that. Just truly loved how all of that was handled from start to finish. I know people like Gabe that feel they have to get everyone around them into a relationship because they are happy and want everyone else to be; can be okay or very annoying. Keep up the great work.

Another really good chapter, although a little short, HMMMM??? Pacing was good and it is good for their to be a little less danger in their lives for the moment. Understand how hard it is to forgive someone that has betrayed you, but you can't let their actions make your life miserable...

Well written and the pacing and word choice was excellent in this chapter. Can't wait to see what happens next; although a chapter or two with no disaster might be nice. Great job.

Well, this may prove very interesting; I am almost sure that Tsar Paul was assassinated in March of 1801 and replaced by his son Alexander I. There is some argument still on how involved Alexander I was in his father's removal but there is no doubt that his taking the throne of Russia help lead Napoleon's ultimate defeat. Alexander I was the choice of Catherine the Great to succeed her, but she died before she could get rid of her son; now there was a practical woman. I don't know that anything I have ever read hinted at the involvement of the British in the assassination but I guess anything is possible. I love of Granger interacts with those that he has both served with and those he will serve with. His interaction with Roberts was just spot on. I don't think we ever saw the side of Gatling that Robert's is describing but then we only really had a limited view of him when he was much younger. I do think that Granger was right to keep Calvert and Gatling together. I have to wonder how Granger will get along with Grenfell, he does appreciate innovation but I don't think he will accept any insubordination. He handled everything with Spencer just right as well. I loved how Spencer reacted when Granger got the awards, and also how easily he understood Granger's reaction to them. I think that Daventry and Granger will work well together as they have in the past; the key there will be that I don't think the Granger will give an inch on doing something that subrogates his honor at all, while I think Daventry will for the right reason, King and Country and all of that. Can't wait to see where you take us with this; just truly superb work on this one Mark.

Sorry, I still don't like how this played out; although JJ does not seem really as upset as I thought he would be. I think in some way Patrick actually got how easy it would be to really hurt JJ more than Will or Darius did. I do think JJ never even considered that Carullo could have been just asking him out, but I have to admit that there was nothing in how it was presented that made me think or believe that either. I do hope this gives JJ pause to reflect on how he truly feels about Carullo. I don't know if I like the idea of the changes to the roof top or not, it might be hard for JJ to live there with a constant reminder that he can't escape from, but in general it would be an interesting tribute. I am still pissed as hell at Will, Darius, JP, and Stef; I think they acted much more childish than JJ had been acting, sorry, I really do. Loved how the scene at Goodwell went; it was funny that Matt actually had maybe the only idea that would help Elizabeth overcome her issue while keeping her available to help in the upcoming fight. I do find it funny that Mary Ellen keeps going after her mother but it was her bringing her into Mary Ellen's fight with JJ that may have started most of this, or at least made it easier for whomever is really behind it. Well done, Mark, the writing as always was first rate.

Ah, the unabridged joy of parenting and adopting a six year old with issues that you and he will all have to come together to figure out and work to overcome. Really good chapter, can't wait to see where you go with this new part of the story. I was really happy to see that you included bringing in the art work from Dane's heritage. It is so important for us all to understand where we come from; so we can know where we are going.

Okay, first of all I am going to state that while I work extensively with adolescents and have numerous nieces and nephews, I have no children of my own. I once again respectfully disagree with this. If JJ had disciplined Maddy, I think you would be more inline with my thinking but he did not. He stopped her from running around a busy kitchen, which honestly she could have been hurt in; was that JJ's motivation no, but still I don't see how this was wrong. I would never think twice about stopping any child in my extended family from running around any of hour family kitchens, nor would any parent of said child have an issue with it, I asked this morning. If he had spanked Maddy, or even made her stand in the corner, then I would agree those actions would not be for JJ to take. But no kitchen, not even one are efficiently as I am sure any kitchen in a house owned by JP and or Isidore is really a safe play area for a small child. I cannot tell you how many times I have put my hands on a small child in my family, usually on the shoulder, and marched them out of a kitchen. I just don't see where this is an issue at all. Now, if it was a child that I was not related to; I would probably get a relative to take the child out of the kitchen unless there was a issue where time or safety did not allow that. I think this statement sums up so many of my feelings on this; if the actions of Will, Darius, JP, and Stef were in any manner constructive I would not be having as big of a reaction to all of this. But I honestly feel that they have all regressed back to kindergarten and are fighting over who gets the bucket in the sandbox. The problem is that JJ because of his history is more susceptible to the negative impact this may have on him than others in the family. Okay, I got some feedback that I could just not label something abusive or cruel and not explain my reasoning so as quickly as I can here it goes. Some I an not going to rehash as I already feel I have done before; but one of the biggest reasons that I find this abusive and cruel is the loss of JJ's identity and safe place once again. JJ has a history of sexual abuse and self harming. In addition, he lost his mother's involvement in his life when her mental issues overwhelmed her; he then lost both her and Robbie when the towers fell; then he lost his career that he had given up any semblance of a normal life for by suffering a debilitating physical injury; and then he lost his first love, and yes, others in this family seem to fall in and out of love and lust on a daily basis but JJ seems to require a level of emotional and psychological attachment to those he cares for before he can get really involved and this makes the loss harder on him than some of the loses suffered by others in his family. JJ truly seems to be the forgotten child in his family. Other than Claire, Matt, Will, and Stef no one seems to ever take any interest or makes any effort to get involved in his life in any meaningful way because they actually want to. When he was sexually abused by his coach, his family stepped in but honestly, when Michael was taking all the photos of him naked, most of the family just tried to sweep it under the rug. I know some will disagree with this but I want written proof of any sustained interest that any others have ever really taken or tried to involve themselves in his life. And I will give you that each of them; Claire, Will, Matt, and Stef had made an effort at times; but few of the instances have come across as being out of love and familial caring. JJ has set himself up in New York. He got back into school, and is trying to carve out a life for himself outside of skating and his family. With Claire and Stef's help he was trying to make a place for himself in the fashion world. I find nothing in his actions that indicate he was trying to make himself feared by anyone; yes, maybe admired but then is that not a basic need that most of us have. He had chosen Bellona as his surrogate loco parentis without the legal obligations and as his mentor. He was forming an important bond with her in order to establish his place in the very closed and insular world of high fashion. But the actions of Will, Darius, JP, and Stef have truly ripped all of this away from him, once again he has suffered a major loss of security and happiness. The fact that they pulled Bellona into the scheme means that no matter what happens, JJ will never be able to fully trust her again. JJ is smart enough to realize that part of the party scene could not have occurred without her assistance. He has once again lost one of the few adult figures in his life that meant something to him. Even if the issue with his family resolves itself; the rupture that JJ will have with Bellona will never fully go away, he will always be looking out for when she betrays him again. Plus, as with any insular community like the high fashion world, there are few if any secrets. People will find out what his family pulled and this will always taint JJ's place in their world. So once again, JJ will have to recover from losing another important relationship with an adult that really mattered in his life, plus will have to realize that no matter what, his place in the new life that he was trying to make for himself with be forever tainted. I don't know how you could call this anything but cruel and abusive.

Really did enjoy this chapter, sex and religion always causing some interesting conversations and debates. I actually do like talking about and exploring religion of many varieties. I just don't like it when someone can't have a conversation and share ideas without feeling that they are being attacked or their own belief system is under attack. The path to God has many twist and turns and no one way to reach the end.

I honestly would prefer that you do actually kill JJ off if this story arc is going to continue in the same manner. I would rather him get back to the condo, swallow a bottle of pills, get into a warm bath with sharp instrument and actually end it all; in real life I truly believe this situation could lead to a resolution like this. I totally disagree with methodwriter85; I think this is extraordinarily cruel and abusive behavior, as a therapist; I would honestly advise a patient to get as far away from any family member that did something like this. If you don't want him to kill himself; then maybe have whomever the Black Widow is try and kidnap him and he get killed in the attempt. Either would be preferable to what is happening now for me.

Sacrilege!!!

The problem is that Will is never as honest as he wants others to be; if he was, he would have told Dally about him and Buzz before he did anything. You know at some point, someone is going to say something and how will Dally feel about hearing it from someone other than Will.

I am sorry, but I can find nothing in the last two stories that would even imply remotely that JJ is still in therapy or even really had any after leaving the hospital for cutting himself. And I can tell you that you don't have to be in therapy to get any type of medication in the world of doctor shopping today, and we all know how good JJ is at shopping.

OMG, I feel like I am in a scene from the Godfather! I have spent the last few days re-reading the last two books and I just don't feel that JJ has acted like a total douche. I just don't see where anything you all are referencing is really born out. Yes, JJ is rude to Carullo; but once again, I don't think it is because he is being snobby. JJ likes Carullo, can't figure out how to relate to him plus has to see a parade of guys sleep with him including Will, Zach, Brad, and that skanky guy that Brad slept with previously. Yes, he has been rude to Will on the phone; but he was upset about Buzz, then found out that Will had told everyone that he gave Buzz and blowjob, and worse yet, was not good at it. I am sorry, but I think that Will's behavior the last two stories has been as bad or worse than JJ, period. I think part of the problem is that some people are partial to Will and just cannot admit that he does anything wrong. The fact that he looks older, and sleeps with anything that stops long enough for him to insert part A into part B, regardless of who is inserting their Part A into Part B; makes some feel he has to be given more leeway. I completely disagree with the idea that JJ should not have stopped Maddy from tearing around the kitchen screaming; did JJ do it for the right reason, maybe not; but that does not change the fact that she was acting badly and if you don't start getting a child under control at that age, you never will when they are a teenager; been there and done that. Sorry, but Will got played by Maddy badly with that situation. In the end, I and everyone else have to defer to Mark as this is his creation, and if he really sees JJ like this then whether that has been communicated in a manner that we agree is irrelevant. Am I liking how this is going, HELL NO... After reading the last few stories again, I just don't feel that JJ's behavior has warranted this type of reaction at all. Honestly, in the real world, I truly believe it would be cruel and abusive but this is NOT the real world, it is a magical place brought to us and designed by Mark; and we have to hope that there is a plan somewhere that will explain this sequence.

Between Alfy and Patsy, the guys should have it much easier with Dane than they would have otherwise. It is amazing what a friend and dog can accomplish. Great chapter, can't wait to see where you go from here...

No, nothing that was said in this format bothered me; I realize that some of you are just not bright enough to understand that I am always right and that you should all just fall in line with my opinion. Nothing that you said was offensive at all, the ones that annoyed me were the ones that emailed me. Okay, this really is my last post, but I felt that I needed to respond to Timothy M. First, I really liked your post; did not agree with all of it but I did appreciate the obvious thought that went into it. I do think that JJ's behavior with Carullo has been rude; but I don't think there is any real snobbery behind it. I have already expressed myself on this point previously. I think his behavior with him is rooted more in his being attracted to someone then having to deal with the fact that on top of not knowing how to communicate that to him; he had to see a parade of people Carullo slept with including but not limited to Will, Zach, and Brad. As some of you may know, in the real world, I deal with adolescents generally between the ages of 11 to 18 or so. Sometimes I am involved one on one but sometimes as part of a therapeutic team effort. A number of these individuals are either academically or athletically gifted, some close to the level that JJ has reached and one or two over the years have been as good or better than JJ in their respective fields. I can tell you all that nothing, and I mean nothing that JJ has done can hold a candle to what I have seen a great number of these young people pull over the years, nothing he has done would even rank in the top 100 things I have witnessed or dealt with. I think that is why when those commenting talk about how horrible JJ's actions or behavior is, I go back and read the chapter and think, what the hell are they talking about??? Obviously the vast majority of you have never been around a real primadonna before. My primary issue with the actions taken are two fold. First, I have gone back and am speed reading through the last two books prior to this one and I can't find one instance where an adult, actually attempted to have a real conversation with JJ about his behavior. Now, there are several times that Will or Darius has called and yelled at JJ and threatened repercussions if he did not straighten up, but frankly, I don't view either of them as an adult authority figure. Brad did scream at JJ and threaten to pull him out of competitions before his injury and then gave Wade the authority to do so as a way of trying to modify JJ's behavior but I never saw any actual conversation between the two. I actually think Wade handled the situation much better than Brad did. I honestly don't believe that Brad has been any type of valid or nurturing parental figure to JJ in years. And yes, I did read JP's conversation with JJ, but it just annoyed me because I don't see any attempt by JP or anyone else to really modify JJ's behavior prior to this, have I missed it in my multiple readings of these stories or did I just over look it, can someone point out when an adult figure actually set JJ down and had an actual conversation with him about his actions and any consequences that he could suffer if they were not modified? I am not saying it did not happen, I can get so caught up in the story and I miss something and will find it on the next reading or the third one and wonder if Mark did not go back in and put it in just to confound me. LOL. The second issue I have is how JJ could potentially perceive this rebuke or ambush depending on how you want to look at it. I am going to add some personal information here, to perhaps explain part of my reaction to this. I recently had a young man that was an inpatient at a facility that I consult with from time to time. I was part of a team that decided he was ready to re-engage with his family and after several short visits home was allowed to move back home. Less than a week after being home fulltime, there was an incident, his family intervened in a way they thought was appropriate. They really did not view the matter and their actions as anything but supportive; unfortunately, the young man did not. Without going into all the minutiae, by the time a note was found it was too late and the young man had ended his life. The note he left, made his feeling plain that the families actions directly lead to his subsequent actions. I have been dealing with several members of this family trying to help them to overcome this tragedy. While the actions taken against JJ by his family are in no way really similar to what happened in real life, there is a parallel between the two that is very real to me. In real life, the family acted to try and get this young man to change a behavior that they saw as holding him back without realizing that he simply was not ready to deal with it yet. They thought their actions would help him; but to him it was as if they were condemning him and how he was trying to move forward in his own way. This young man was not an athlete but was academically very gifted. He was often viewed and stuck up or snobby but in reality he simply did not know how to deal with many of those around him. The fact he was as intelligent as he was honestly prevented him from being able to deal with many of those in his own family in a manner that they could understand. and appreciate. He also, like JJ had a history of abuse, his was not sexual in nature but it was there. Reading how Darius and Will played this whole situation and how JP backed them just really brought back everything I have been dealing with over the last few months. I never really thought about it until this chapter, but I can honestly now see several ways that this young man so matched up to JJ in this story. I can honestly see JJ taking what happen and the rebuke from JP and going into a tailspin and doing something really horrible. I honestly don't know if I could deal with that right now. I think that the adults in the family, and no regardless of their age or legal definition, neither Will or Darius are adults to me in this story; should have come to JJ or made him come to them and had an actual conversation with him. I truly believe that if JP, Stef, and Claire had gone to him they might have been able to get through to him. Yes, there would have been yelling and tears and probably tones that JP prefers never get reached but they could have dealt with it as adults not in this reactionary juvenile manner that this occurred. It is a true gift, a rare one, that Mark has to make his characters so real that we infuse them with our own wants, needs, and points of view. He allows us to become so invested and involved that we actually spend parts of our precious time discussing them and their actions on here and with others in our daily lives that we know follow the series. Mark is not writing this from someone with my experiences or point of view and I have already expressed to him my issues with the actions leading up to this chapter and this chapter. I do NOT want Mark to adjust his writing for me or anyone, he must remain true to his vision for this characters and this saga. But there are times when what Mark writes is so lifelike that what is going on in our real lives can bleed over into his stories and that can have unintended repercussions for those experiencing the magical marvelous world that Mark has created. I am not trying to sway any to my point of view, the correct one by the way, we are all entitled to our opinions and prejudices. I have never understood the glee that some have in picking a character and deciding that all they do is wrong and that somehow they need to be punished for their actions. I have seen the Will haters; the Brad haters, which I come close to being; and those that could not stand Robbie or Gathan or Zach, all at one time or another call for there heads. While the chapter bothered me; I can say that the joy and glee that many expressed at the perceived comeuppance of JJ bothered me as much or more. Would you really be still so gleeful if Mark decided to take this truly dark and had JJ end his life because of how he perceived the actions of Darius, Will, and JP; why can some never be happy without others being miserable... Would his death make you see him more clearly as a talented but flawed human being trying to deal with tragedy, life and love while part of powerful and at times overpowering family???

Okay, this is my last comment on this book for a while. I completely agree with this statement. It is indeed a testament to Mark's writing ability that we are able to get this involved and passionate about these people; we almost treat them as if they are real and we are somehow involve in their actual lives, that is a comment and discussion for another time though. I guess because of my job, I tend to read or react to things based on how they would effect someone like JJ. And yes, it is NOT how Will, Darius, JP, and Stef think their actions are correct or their rationale for taking those actions but how JJ " perceives " those actions. Honestly from a clinical and therapeutic standpoint what occurred was negative and harmful for him on several levels. Because of his past, I could see this instead of causing him to modify how they see his behavior as being wrong; actually cause him real harm. Something like this orchestrated attack could actually send him spirally back to either self harming or worse. While I know several have applauded the actions taken, I honestly see them as almost abusive. I am 100 percent sure that Mark did not write them or intend them to be taken that way; but from a clinical standpoint they could easily be viewed that way. I think that the main reason that JP's actions bothered me so much; while I would not have expected Will, Darius, or even Stef to have analyzed and looked at all facets of this type of plan, I would have expected someone like JP to do so. The fact that he does not seem to understand how JJ could easily read this ambush and the actions taken in a truly negative fashion really troubles me. P.S. Those that sent the flaming emails, don't hold your breathe waiting for a reply; or maybe do and see what happens...

Sorry, but what part of any behavior by Will or Darius was classy at all.

Sorry, but I completely disagree. When you look at their history, Will has done much more to bring the family into conflict and drama than JJ ever has. I guess because I work with young people, generally 11ish to 18 and many of them are elite athletes or academically gifted and I can tell you from a whole lot of experience that neither JJ nor his actions would even make the top 80% of the snobbish, elitist, narcissistic, and egotistical behavior that many on here seem to deem it. It is rare for anyone to reach the heights that JJ has in a competitive sport without convincing themselves that on some level that they truly are better than others, it is what gives them the drive to succeed. If you don't have that belief in yourself; you really can't reach those heights. And exactly how has JJ done anything to hurt the family; people keep commenting about how his actions have diminished or hurt the family and I just don't see that at all. I fully agree he has been rude to Carullo, but I don't think that is so much because Carullo is blue collar as it is the fact that he likes him and doesn't know how to deal with that fact; plus the fact that Carullo has slept with Will, Zach, and Brad. And while we are on that; this is the fourth time that Will has slept with or in some way come between JJ and someone that he cared about. With Alex, Will did at least not sleep with him, but when JJ found out it really did effect him. And I will give you that Will did not realize how JJ felt about Carullo when he pulled Zach into the three way with him; but he still did not really address this after he did find out, and no that weird conversation he had on the phone with JJ was not addressing it. I know that JJ only gave Buzz and bj but it really bothered JJ how everything went down, and then Will let everyone know about it and what a failure he was at it and everyone just sort of sniggered about it or blew it off. Now Patrick, who JJ was starting to have some feelings for has slutted out with Will, and JJ is just going to see this as another time Will used sex to push him out of the picture. But back to my original point; except for being rude to Carullo, what exactly has JJ done that negatively impacted the family or anyone in it really??? I am sorry but from a mental health standpoint; how Darius, Will, Stef, and JP played this is horrible and damaging. There was a couple of phone calls from Will and Darius threatening JJ and trying to modify what they saw as bad behavior but I saw no other attempts by anyone to really impact his actions. I am sorry, but because of his past; the route that has been taken could really have negative and damaging effect on JJ, and honestly may due nothing to correct the behavior that they are accusing him of. Honestly, as a therapist, I would advise the JJ to get as far away from his family for a while as he can. Their actions are more damaging toward him and his future than anything he has ever done. I am sorry, but the more that I thought about this over-night the more upset that I have become on how this plan was brought to fruition. And I don't care how well written this was; it just was wrong.

I totally agree. What has JJ done? 1. He arranged his own schooling without any assistance from his family so that after his accident and taking a step back from skating he could complete his education and move forward with his life. 2. He went after Ella to support Darius after what she did to him; WOW, what a horrible thing to do. 3. He has stood up to Mary Ellen and her mother; by making sure that Mary Ellen got a taste of her own medicine; and did it in a way that no one was physically hurt or killed. 4. He helped Carullo get his new job and made sure that he was dressed for success; what an ass. 5. He has had to deal with losing his mother from his life and skating before her death, her death, being sexually abused by a coach, then losing Tiffany, his coach and mentor with no notice, losing his step father and step mother; with little or no support from his family and then dealt with the events leading up to the anniversary of the worst day in his life alone. How immature of him to be. 6. He dealt with the loss of his first really important love, now I will give Will props for getting to London and getting JJ home, but then what did Will do; have a fight with Carullo, sleep with him, and move him into JJ's space without discussing it. Unlike Will or several other members of his family, JJ isn't a total slut, his loss of Alex really hurt him but he picked himself up, with little help and moved forward. 7. JJ dealt with Buzz's death, and all anyone else really did was sort of snicker at him for being a bad lay; but then he hasn't slept with half the western hemisphere like several other members of his family so he just doesn't have the experience yet. 8. He had to deal with his dad, his brother, and his brother's boyfriend all sleeping with a guy that he is interested in; honestly, I am surprised he did not kill someone, I personally think that is a major accomplishment. Then he has to deal with Carullo parading a line of guys through the condo, including one of his father's old nasty ass one night stands. 9. He tried to make his little sister mind, what a horrible concept. Plus, honestly the fact that a three year old played Will and got away with it says a lot more about Will's maturity level than JJ's during this incident. 10. Stood by Will when he was having issues with others in the family without hesitation, because he knew it was the right thing to do and that Will need that support. WOW, once again what a horrible thing to do. Now, I will agree with JJ is being bitch with Carullo, but I honestly think to some extent Carullo deserves it. Still JJ should show better manners and rise above everything and deal with Carullo honestly and forthrightly. I do think JJ is bitch and egotistical but honestly the fact that he has basically had to raise himself the last few years and uses this as a defense mechanism instead of going psycho and killing people is probably a good thing. I am so disappointed in JP and Stef more than anyone else after this chapter. The fact that JJ being bitchy and rude is the worse that the family can condemn him with, speaks volumes after the actions of others in this family. I honestly believe that JJ could eviscerate most of his family and eat their livers with a good Chianti and the gods would call it well deserved.

I know this isn't going to make me popular but I really did not like this chapter. I am giving it a like because well it is Mark and a CAP story but... I personally don't think JJ deserved this. I know he is bitchy to Carullo but I think that is because he likes him and doesn't know how to get to a point that he can talk about it with him. Plus, I am sorry, Carullo has been rather a slut since he has been living with JJ. I find it funny that with all the shit that Will pulls that he thinks he has any room to really go after JJ about anything. I do think the set up at the party was well written but I just found that this whole chapter just let me cold and annoyed.

Really loved this chapter; I do so enjoy with George and Caroline are in sync, they make an especially formidable team. I admire how George deals with his children, I think he has just the right balance and carries it off perfectly. I would imagine as they grow older, he will handle it equally well. I like that Granger is able to deal with Spencer in the manner that he does, even when he does not fully understand Spencer, he gives him his due and Spencer repays this by trying to make sure that Granger more fully understands his reasoning. Granger did what he could for the officers of the Renown; I believe that this voyage would be where Sawyer takes a tumble, of course it has been years since I read that series so it may be farther off than I remember. I hope that George is able to help Cavendish deal with his situation. Can't wait to see what happens next and with all of this; keep up the great work, Mark.

Enjoyed the chapter, I felt like someone should have referenced Betty Davis is " All About Eve " and the bumpy night comment... I did enjoy the chapter but did feel it was a bit uneven, it just did not seem to flow as well as most of yours do. Maybe because so much was going on, I just am not sure... Can't wait for the next one. Oh, by the way, Maria would have loved looking down 1000 feet. She would have handled it better than some of the men did...