Ooh... good update. Thank you for not making me cry during this chapter. Crying tends to gives me headaches, which seems a common factor after my accident.

Anyway... you sure wove Mel's downfall to perfection. She always has hated men, but the lengths she went to, are shameful. Regardless of the fact that it was Canadian Law, I would think a betrayal like that would follow her no matter what country she tried to practice in. She just might find it very difficult to practice law anywhere, ever again. The fact that now she wants to make Jenny believe Gus is going to choose Ian over her... the same that she used on Gus and Jenny as kids in regards to Lindsay, makes me think the witch is a little unhinged. Why hurt your children like that? So, that said, I really hope Gus and Ian go to court to fight for custody. When everything is disclosed in court... Mel's and Michael's manipulations, Mel's unorthodox law practices, (therefore having no money) and not to mention... I'm almost certain her anger issues will spike in court... Well, to me it should be a no-brainer. And at sixteen, I think Jenny's wishes will hold a lot of weight with the judge. Mel can try and blame everything on Brian and therefore Justin, but NOBODY is going to buy that.

I'm assuming the fact that Justin had told Michael he wanted to discontinue Rage, is why Michael wanted JT killed - besides the fact that if JT was killed he could have Rage and Zephyr fly off into the sunset and settle in Palm Springs.

It is a really, REALLY a scary thought that Michael - in some underhanded way - is really manipulating David behind the scenes. Did he make something up about Jenny and then telling David that's why Ben walked away and didn't want anything to do with her? Is Michael the one that wants them in Florida - so that Jenny - and therefore Gus - can't have anything to do with Brian? All scary thoughts - but I put NOTHING past him. But, I thank the heavens that Deb found out what Michael said WAY back at the anniversary party... that had to shock her, and then to know Michael put those same words in Gus' head to be spoken TO Justin, yeah... her baby isn't very innocent. I'm glad Ben and therefore Hunter - walked away from the family. Hunter probably thought he traded a good-for-nothing mother, for a worse good-for-nothing father (in Michael.) I know I asked before... but I have to wonder if anyone knows the deal Michael made with Ben... maybe Hunter does... yes... let that be so... because when the wedding of the century takes place, Hunter can spew that knowledge to Jenny - and therefore anyone else within earshot. I don't think Daddy Dearest will look too good in Jenny's eyes (or anyone else for that matter.)

HUGS  ~Cathy

Ian is not Ethan.  He's smart and he got the read on Mel.  Why does David want to control Michael so much?  He's not really worth it.  Good to see that Emmett and Ted are back in touch with Gus, Brian and Justin.  Mel has caused her own problems as she's about to find out.

LOVED this chapter! Strangely, I like the idea of Gus and Ian having charge over Jenny, even more than I like the idea of her being emancipated. She certainly needs to get the hell away from Mel! The fact that she was actually trying to use Gus to reinforce Jenny's thinking that she's disposable... well, there aren't many words that I can use to describe Mel and still keep my soul right! And then to basically preach 'conformity' to tjhe girl when all Mel's EVER done is try to stand out in her male-dominated career... Seriously someone needs to REVOKE her Career Dyke Feminism card ASAP! Just for that srong-armed attempt to violate Jenny's right to be an individual makes me glad she lost her job and is about to be disbarred in Canada. She's completely unethical!

Brian brought up a good point about Michael constantly living in the land of Make-Believe. It wouldn't surprise me in the least to know that Michael the Moocher is still alive and hell-on-wheels to deal with. No one can do doe-eyed innocence better than Michael could both on the show and in fanfic. It was interesting to read about how Deb stopped defending her baby, and began to look at the malicious little snot she birthed. It's too bad that it took her losing not only Ben, but Hunter in order for her to finally get a clue. I sooooo HOPE that someone will be able to answer the question of why Ben stopped coming around for Jenny, even if Ben doesn't appear at any point in the story. It will just drive the point home even more about how Michael plays puppet master while looking like he wouldn't hurt a fly. Bum-ass Bastard!

So glad that Ian mostly handled the situation with Melanie. I couldn't stop chuckiing and cheering all throughout that section. The way he kept putting her in her place, or silencing her altogether was so masterfully done! Not only that, but it wasn't hard to hear just how much she sounded like Michael, placing blame on everyone else but herself for her bad decisions. In dealing with her, and hearing excuse after excuse about why she was a bitch and an ineffective parent, I think it will give Ian a good idea of what to expect when he meets Michael, even though Evil Mickey Mouse will be much worse than dealing with Evilena. 

I'm glad that Brian and Justin have the 'punch' time out in the open, and actually traced the parallels between Michael's manipulations (ie. the punch from Brian, to the comic, to Gus spewing Michael's thought almost verbatim). By getting it all out there, they are constantly taking away any ammunition that the Malicious MM Bitch Brigade can use against them. It's going to be interesting to see what happens when the formal announcement of B&J's impending nuptials is made public. In Mel's case, it's one thing to know it's happening, but another thing to see it in black and white, spelled out on plain English so that there are no misconceptions. 

My-OH-MY the screeching to be heard! LOL

HAPPY WRITING and HUGS,

~Chelle