I figured I better leave my comment. It was so great to read this again, as there was so very much I didn't remember. I wonder how many thousands of stories I've read since I read this one. And yes, I believe it's a thousand.

I'll start with the lesser of evils... well, not lesser, because it was pretty awful. Sean Sapperstein... what a scumbag. No better than his uncle. The apple sure didn't fall far from the tree. Let's just hope that we have seen the last of the two of them. It's too bad so many years have passed. Justin should have really turned Sap in. I was just happy to see that Justin finally broke down and asked for Brian's help.

MICHAEL!!! God... I just can't express how very much I hate him. Talk delusional. Killing off JT and Dr. Ken... in order to give Rage and Zepher a chance, just as it should be in real life. Should I laugh or cry? Gosh, I really hope Ben reads that garbage... soon!!! The only problem is, with Justin giving everything to Michael, Michael can well afford to live on his own. Somehow, he has to be knocked down a few pegs. I was ticked off when Michael decided to take in the meeting with Connor and Brett, but all's well that ends well, in that case. So glad Michael FINALLY learned Justin is a wealthy man. You can't believe everything you read on the internet. God, I laughed!

The women in Toronto... I am NOT happy with Mel... (I want to write something nasty regarding her.) Is the next story going to change, or has your writing changed over the years? Is Lindsay really a good person, and Mel is evil? I really don't understand Justin giving Lindsay $11k... especially when he's aware of the new loan Brian has arranged for them. I'm VERY interested to know what that is about, too. I have started the other story, but have pretty much just reread the seven chapters that were a rewrite of this ending. I hadn't read that before I started it, so I was a little confused. I don't get to read too much outside all my WIP's that I read... but I will get through it. It's fun reading and reviewing on current stories, but it's also reading completed ones too. Just not as much fun commenting as often.

Well, for a first story, you did an awesome job.

HUGS  ~Cathy ❤️

I went back and started on chapter 24 to really get into the story before reading the ending. I remember how I had to quit reading the first time I started reading this. It was so gut wrenching and I had to literally tell myself not to read at certain times. Then I decided to take the plunge, and I'm so glad I did. For all the horror, you brought us a beautiful love story. A story of two lost souls and the love of an innocent child. A child who knew how to discern good from evil... who at the tender age of six, was a better, brighter, and wiser person than his own mother could have ever hoped to be.

Then you gave us the perfect epilogue. You left no stone unturned and justice was actually served. Death or life imprisonment? At least Telson suffered. It's too bad Jim and Ron's was so quick. At least jim had to look his maker in the eye. And Connor can no longer gaze upon beauty. Brandon should have met a similar fate. Hopefully he can suffer some type of torture before his final day. And Craig...  if we're lucky, he will drop the soap and some huge seven foot bear will think his ugly, old ass looks appealing.

I'm sorry if I sound so harsh, but I have watched too many documentaries associated with men that feel that can abduct, control, torture, kill. Where people like Elizabeth Fitzel and Jaycee Dugard have to try and get their lives back. People like Bundy and Rader and the multitude of others after god knows what they had to endure.  Yes, they should have all had to suffer like Telson, and yet he still got off easy. He should have known a little more pain. A little more fear.

Nichelle, you're a beautiful writer, no news there. You did the story justice. I can't begin to know the mindset it must have taken to write something of this magnitude. But thank you for the taking this leap and giving us an amazing story.

And on a lighter note, since it wasn't commented on at the time the chapter was written... Officers Lorie and Star were slighted. They should have been given the opportunity to be at LaGuardia and had the pleasure of taking Lindsay away. Of possibly inflicting a little more pain to her already battered body. Surprising how she recovered so quickly though. Maybe they got night duty one night...

HUGS  ~Cathy

I'm not sure if you are still reading reviews on this... but my gosh, what a tangled web you are weaving. I'm not sure if you have anymore bullies to introduce, but, wow, I hope these guys get a break soon.

I do have ONE question that I hope you can answer. Is the eldest Hobbs, (senior) the grandfather, and Junior the father? Because if Senior is 85... and now Chris was looking for his grandfather... well, I'm slightly confused.

I do hope Chris doesn't let the money hang over his head, and does the right thing. And if he truly loves George and wants to be with him, there should not any decision about what the right thing to do is.

HUGS  ~Cathy

I have different feelings warring regarding this chapter, starting with the party.

I'm not surprised the first words out of Debbie's mouth was to halt Brian, thinking he should go after Michael. What I am surprised about, is her lack of (do I want to say horror) to find out that was what Michael had said while completely sober. Melanie and Lindsay fall into that category too. There should have been gasps of shock and surprise.

I do want to say *Kudos* for each Michael and Justin getting some well-deserved punches, and I'd like to see them try and sue. Ethan came into their home, during their wedding... and Michael... Brian wouldn't let him. Besides, Carl was there. They were both well deserved.

I applaud Cynthia and Colby!

As far as Brian and Justin go... okay, Brian was concerned with the way Justin reacted... but when Justin more or less told him he knew that Brian forgave Michael for saying that before, Brian SHOULD have apologized. Then I think Justin should have said, 'he's your best friend, deal with it' and went into another bedroom, only arriving back in there 15 minutes later, and then dominating Brian, working through his anger. Brian should have had to stew for his lack of remorse.

Hey! This is what you get for asking what we thought of the chapter *smirk*

HUGS  ~Cathy

I can only imagine who John's boss is... hopefully he picks someone... Cynthia and thereby, Colby... to relay everything... at least what he knows.

Yay for Ben kicking Michael out! I'm proud of him. It should have happened long ago. I'm still wondering if Ben knows about the comic.

So it seems Debbie had to see through her rose-colored glasses, but for how long? They get back to Pittsburgh and Michael's wheedling and whining will have her caving, I'm sure. If that happens, she can kiss Carl goodbye.

It seems Michael thinks when he calls Brian today he will answer and forgive him. (Nobody knows Brian as well as me!!) But, Brian has been taken from his home, by the police, for questioning, when he's having his wedding party, with potential clients present, and all due to Michael's vindictiveness. I don't foresee forgiveness happening any time soon. I'm sure the last time Brian had the police come to his home is weighing on his mind, too. It never sits well with a gay person.

HUGS  ~Cathy

Good thing I know you love our boys, because you are doing your damnedest to make us believe otherwise.

HUGS ~Cathy

I just read this AMAZING, heart-wrenching story. I noticed it when I looked at one my favorite authors 'Favorites', as it was listed as one of her favorite stories.

I went through so very many emotions while reading this. Outrage, fear, and tears are a few... then so much love for Brian, Justin, their select few family members (listed in ch 29), and the Brothers. This must have been so gut-wrenching for you to write in certain places... but I am so happy you saw it through. I had to take a break from reading after 'Little Boy' had 'Died'.

"Is that how you greet a king, little boy?"  So happy the last thought we heard from Connie Simpson was, I'm in here! Can't you see I'm in here! I hope it wasn't a very nice facility they put him in. I would have liked to have seen his daughter to have received an anonymous letter stating what he had done to Kinney as a child.

The conditional Novotny's...

Debbie... glad to see Brian spoke up about the use of the word 'asshole' and slapping him in his face. Would have liked to see what her relationship with Carl turned out to be.

Michael... him and his... "Christ... It was a fucking mistake, Emmett!"  And, still not owning up to his actions. Did him and Ben stay together? It would be nice to see him all alone.

Mel and her sanctimonious attitude! Her SMUG retort, "He won't stop supporting his son." Well, Ms Marcus, Guess What? The lawyer had other plans for you! They had apparently relied a little too heavily on Brian Kinney's money for their personal use. And the well had dried up. It would have been nice to known just how over-extended they were, and the results of that. And Lindsay... How did she let things get so out of hand? With her upbringing, Didn't she realize you don't bite the hand of the person feeding you? Her parents showed her that. I'd also have liked to have witnessed Brian and Gus' relationship.

Emmett and Ted. Two truly great men. Not falling in with the 'family' bullshit. True-to-a-fault friends. Cutting all ties with the rest of the family, never been so proud.

JUSTIN... The most beautiful man I ever saw. So loving and understanding. Sticking by his man... for better or worse. Willing to give up his life as he knew it, to stand by Brian and his Brothers... Accepting.

"Ladies and Gentlemen... Nearly two years ago I disappeared, literally and figuratively. It wasn't the first time I had disappeared, but it was the first time I had anyone who cared enough to find out why." Brian looked over at his partner. Justin smiled and lowered his head, humbled by the love shining from that hazel eyed gaze.

God, I'm crying just writing this. I've never read a story of this magnitude. You did an awesome job. You either did a lot of referencing for this story, or your knowledge shone forth. I'm humbled by reading it. Thank you for writing this and sharing it with all of us.

Hugs, Cathy

Hey! I just read this. And on Fanfiction.Net, no less. I've gotten in the habit of pulling up goggle and typing in, 'QAF fanfiction... and then a simple plot of a story I would like to read'. Anyway, this story came up. So I read it, and then looked at the author to see if they had any other stories I might be interested in, because I was totally enamoured with this authors writing ability. Low and behold, you were the author. So I came back over to KD to leave you a review. 

Your writing is so breathtaking in places. So descriptive.  Gold trimmed blue trousers tucked tightly into spit shined combat style boots and hugging that phenomenal ass; black belt cinched perfectly around that narrow waist; starched and creased white shirt adorned with more ribbon and flash than Liberty Avenue during Pride week. There's others I could quote, but with this one, I could perfectly picture Justin in his uniform.

Michael... the ever nasty piece of shit. I wish he'd saved the comment he said in Woody's, to when he was sitting at Debbie's dining room table. He would have deserved the berating he would have gotten from Carl (or any others that chose to speak up.)  Maybe a hard slap on the head from Debbie. At least Daphne and Brian let him have it. And I believe he went down quite a few pegs in Brian's eyes.

And the ending. SUPERB!   "I am Cpt. Justin Craig Taylor, U. S. Army, Alpha Co., 2nd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group.  And I fucking love you."  It brings tears to my eyes just rewriting that. I'm so happy I found this story. And what an added bonus coming to KD to review, as I found two sequels! Will have to stop now and get some sleep. It's after five in the morning. I took a nap early evening, and then couldn't get to sleep when I was suppose to. So I've been reading all night. I'll read the other two tomorrow.

Thank you for sharing your magnificent writing with us readers.

XOXO ~ Cathy

All I can say is 'WOW'! I'm not normally a reader of MCD fics, but saw the shortness and thought I'd guve it a try. And I'm so happy I did.

Your imagery was amazing. But the fic was heart-wrencing. Their blood lingered together for all to see...  Just Wow!

Hugs, Cathy

OMG!!!  I just read this!  I really love anti-Michael fics, but I don't think I've ever read a DUMB MICHAEL fic... this has got to take the cake. I'd like to quote different lines that really grabbed my attention, but with every chapter that passed, I knew I couldn't possibly do that.  All I know is I did not expect the last chapter to portray the court scene.  I soon as I read, "Michael was asked if he wanted to address the court", I burst out laughing, before even reafing what you wrote.  I KNEW it was going to be anal, but you captured it perfectly. LOL... I'm still chuckling about about the whole story.  Wherever did you get an idea for something like that... and actually be able to wrote it?  Well, I need to get to bed, it's 2:30 in the morning, but I didn't want to stop reading. 

Saw this story as a fic rec on KD-FB, and couldn't resist. Not surprisingly I hadn't read it before, as I wasn't a member of KD when this was written, but I've read some amazing stories of yours, and I should have looked closer at your collection. This was an amazing read. Your narrative was beautiful and lyrically crafted. 

Someone needed to pull Brian and Justin's heads out of their asses, and Dusty didn't fail to fulfill that hope or expectation. Poor Brian to have had such a traumatic childhood, that he thought of himself as, The bringer of bats and bombs and broken children everywhere.  And Justin, not much better off with having Craig for a father. It's easy to give up trying, when there hasn't been many rewards.

Wonderful story,

XOXO ~ Cathy

I love SNO's comment and idea, but would like to expand on that. Would the boy's even want to sell it, even for a million dollars? I'm sure it would be publicized in the local papers, and what would Michael's reaction be?

I absolutely love mystery and intrigue. Sounds like Mikey is Mikey. Believing the worst of Justin, and the best of Brian (in Mikey's eye.) I don't think the cancer should return, though. Justin should be able to prove him and Brian haven't broken up, as he can prove what he's doing in Philly, and someone must have seen them together at some point.