i love it! Update soon!

I'm getting bored just waiting for the next chapter. I'm actually watching all the seasons on my comp when I wait for the next chapter. Please please please continue.

Please continue with this story I really enjoy it!
Shannon

Argghh! I knew this was coming, but I'm still devastated by it. Poor Aiden. I swear, nothing bad enough could happen to DJ Pratt, in my humble opinion...
Anyway, I love that this was a happy Flack/Morgan chapter sprinkled with just the right amount of suspense leading up to the "big reveal" about Aiden's murder. Those two really feel like a strong couple - I love that Flack is jealous of Morgan's little star crushes, btw - and I'm glad Danny is getting over his whole protective big brother thing to some extent. I'm anxious to see how Flack and Morgan lean on one another during the Pratt investigation.

"All Access" is one of my favorite episodes - I thought the Stella/Frankie storyline was just brilliant. I remember some "sparks" between Flack and Stella in that episode, but you handled that really well here by having Morgan present for The Hug. And she brought Stella flowers! *hugs Morgan* what a sweetie, that's our girl!
"Flack grabbed her by the shoulders and said solemnly, “Trust me, if someone ever tried to hurt you, I swear I’ll empty a whole clip of bullets into the guy.”
“It’s kinda morbid, but it’s sweet of you to say that.” - LOL what a great little Flack/Morgan exchange. I love it when they're in the flirting corner!
LOL Flack dreaming about Morgan and Danny pillow-smashing him for it, now there's a mental image I would dearly love to see on-screen!
I think this chapter was a nice way of integrating Morgan more fully into the CSI world. The last few chapters have been so focused on her relationship with Danny that we hadn't seen her interacting much with the other characters; here it felt more like she was part of the cast. And I love the way her relationship with Flack is shaping up. Though I can't help worrying he might have his "if anybody hurts you I'll kill them" proclamation put to the test soon, if the Tanglewood Boys make a reappearance...

So we pick back up with Danny still in the mess Louie left behind - and Morgan smack in the middle between her brother and half-brother. I like that Morgan isn't sure how to get back on "normal terms" with Danny after her harsh tirade in the last chapter; Danny earned her words, no doubt, but I can still see how she would be uncertain of how to act around him now that her words are between them. And could she also be looking for a reason to avoid going to the hospital bc she just can't deal with facing her more-than-cousin Louie now?
I really like how this chapter is tying together different threads of the story - Danny's relationship with his father, with Louie, and with Cole Bryant. As Mac would say, it's all connected, right? ;-)
*squeals* Morgan and Flack kissing! Always a good insertion for a chapter, heehee
“Take care of your brother,” Mac said to Morgan. - Ah, I love it when Mac acts like the role of father to his little crime scene investigating family! I can just see his stern expression as he delivers this terse order, too. Really nice characterization of how Mac would handle getting the Messer sibs to "kiss and make up" - forget the gooey sentiment, just take care of each other, darn it!
"Reaching out to touch his hand, Morgan mumbled almost to no one in particular, “Why are all the men in the Messer family the same? They’d rather be misunderstood and resented, rather than express their true feelings. Danny’s like that for sure, and you too, apparently. And I guess Dad was probably the same.” - Morgan, Morgan, Morgan, it's the Y chromosome - it prevents honest, open communication (try grunts and belches, that's more "male communication" for ya!). Seriously, I love how this chapter wraps up, with Danny still unable to totally give over to the sharing with Morgan. I wonder what role dear old Dad is going to play in the sibs' reunion?
Anxiously awaiting time to read another great chapter...
elvie

Reading and reviewing here...
I wondered when we would catch up to the events of the show. I'm anxious to see how (or if) Louie fits in here...Looks like he's going to! *bites fingernails* I'm with Mac - this is not going to be easy for Morgan or Danny!
LOL I love that Morgan, being the curiosity-killed-the-cat, but-satisfaction-brought-her-back gal that she is, is more annoyed that Danny knows all about Louie than she is about him keeping a half-brother hidden from her all these years. That is just so Morgan. You know she's gonna run down every last detail about Louie the minute Danny walks out the door...

“There’s more.”
“Whoopee. Why didn’t I see that coming?” - Fantastic Messer-sib exchange. I can just see Danny giving that adorable little frown-smile of his at Morgan's sarcasm, and Morgan staring him down, not bothered in the slightest that he's peeved.

“The more I find out, the more I think I don’t know who you really are,” she said. - Ouch! Wow, like Danny, I didn't see that one coming, but it is a perfectly logical reaction to the two "bombshells" Danny just dropped on our girl. It does seem like, by trying to protect Morgan, Danny has actually kept her from knowing who he is - and I think that hurts her more than any of the lies or half-truths he's told over the years. I'm curious as to how the Messer sibs are going to go on from this revelation; I know Morgan loves Danny, but is she going to reach a point where enough is enough, and he either takes on a total honesty policy or she cuts him out of her life? *bites off another fingernail*

Oh, wait, already Morgan is feelin the guilt! And of course Flack is there, gentle and loving. Excuse me while I swoon over his hotness...

Ok, I'm back. Thoughts on this chapter? My goodness a lot happened! I love how you've worked in the Louie storyline to your plot - it clears up some of what happened on the show, but more importantly it really added some depth to Morgan's character and is probably going to be the reason she and Danny can start having a more honest, adult relationship, which I've been hoping for since Chapter 1. ;-) Kudos to you for making these characters so real, and for making me care so much how the Messer sibs work things out between them!

First of all, I LOVE THE NEW AVATAR! Jasper rocks. Truly.

Ok, on to the review:
Interesting: Morgan, who works in the crime lab, is a little creeped out by graveyards bc they remind her that death is real - w/ consequences for real people. I like the idea that she can somehow turn off all of the humanity involved in death when it comes to her work, when she's surrounded by really horrific evidence of death, but not when she's in a "cleaner," more socially-acceptable death environment. Just something that jumped out at me!
“Well, maybe you’re not working hard enough,” an annoyed Morgan said as she stalked off and went back to be with Danny.
Boy, she’s a feisty one like her brother, Cole thought to himself with a smile. - I love this! No wonder Morgan eventually got into crime scene investigation: She had a desire for justice (and revenge) early on. I also now officially want Sonny to die a slow, painful death after your description of Danny broken and bleeding in a phone booth. *stalks off to kill Sonny*
Morgan the human lie detector LOL! Maybe Danny should let Flack in on this trait, just in case our darling blue-eyed detective ever gets any ideas...
Seriously, I like the way this chapter ends, not only on a great cliffhanger, but also with Danny still unable to overcome his instinctive desire to protect Morgan from the truth. But the more she proves herself capable of handling the truth, which Cole always knew she was it seems, the more Danny's reasons for secrecy seem like justification for things he's ashamed of - things he simply doesn't WANT to own up to. That adds a whole other dimension to Danny's character, tho I think it's one supported by him in the show, since he can be kinda selfish and pig-headed, and doesn't always act in the best interests of others.
Another fantastic chapter further deepening the Messer siblings' relationshop. Great work, as always, elf-sis!

Hey, elf-sis! I'm reading and reviewing and enjoying the start of a three-day weekend...

Aw, Morgan covered Danny's drunk butt up even though she was royally peeved at him! *hugs Morgan* She is a sweetie, despite all the outward toughness. Fantastic bit of character development, too: Sometimes when the Messer sibs get to sniping at one another, esp. over Danny's sordid past, it's easy to forget how much they love one another, but like the good writer you are *bows* you give us these little details to remind us.

Heehee, Danny's not too hung-over to be sour over Flack dropping by the apartment to check on Morgan. I love that he thought Flack had spent the night. C'mon, Danny, do you really think you were drunk enough to sleep through THAT?

“I know you find me to be a nag sometimes, but if it gets the job done, I’m willing to be a nag.” - Possibly my favorite Morgan line, ever (which is saying something)

Wow. I love the flashback to Danny's past - young Danny's reactions to Cole Bryant, not sure if he trusts him at first but then coming to embrace him as a father figure, really felt in-character to me. I wish the show would have taken some of your ideas with Danny's Tanglewood Boy involvement; I found the whole Louie storyline to be a little anti-climactic, I have to say, more of a cop-out to keep Danny from ever really having been a bad guy. I think your take on the mistakes Danny made as a kid is much more interesting.

Knowing that Danny will soon be investigating the murder of another colleague certainly made this flashback more poignant as well. I kept drawing parallels to Danny's reaction to Aiden's murder; too bad he doesn't have Morgan on the show to keep him away from that department shrink!

And the ending to this chapter, just...brilliant. I really think this represents your best writing to date. How could Morgan not wonder if Danny ever regretted taking on the burden of raising her? How could she not have questioned if he ever thought of putting her in foster care? I find it so moving that Danny doesn't even need to hear the question - he knows his sister has carried those nagging doubts inside of her for years. This scene left me all warm and fuzzy inside! Terrific stuff, all around. *hugs Danny and Morgan, bows to tinuviel*

Hey, elf-sis, I'm back! I had to refresh myself on the last chapter, but I'm ready for the read-and-review now:

Heehee, I can see Stella dragging Danny's drunk butt out of Sullivan's. Probably with her high heels kicking him all the way...

“Yeah, you love me too much to make me clean up puke.” Morgan teased. - LOL, she knows Flack is wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?

Love the whole scene between Morgan and Danny in the apartment - that is a totally little sister way of handling the situation. Sometimes I think this story should be entitled "Curiosity," bc Morgan is so darn curious! Can't even wait until Danny sobers up to get her answers, but honestly, she's probably got more of a chance getting past his defenses while he's hung-over. And she knows that too, right? Like she told Flack, she's been taking care of Danny for a long time. Here's a girl who knows how to work ALL of the men in her life, and I really love that about this character, btw.

So Cole Bryant's story is soon to be told - and soon Danny will be reliving the nightmare of losing a comrade when Aiden falls to Pratt. Man oh man, tough times ahead for the Messer sibs...Here's hoping Morgan can be strong for her brother, Flack and herself for a few chapters to come!

loved the chapter. can't wait for the next chapter. ^_^

Here's another review-as-I-read! Forgive me for being a crappy reviewer and taking so long between chapters! *begs for elf-sister understanding*

Stell-A! No calling Aiden about the DJ Pratt case! Are you trying to stir up a hornet's nest? *quietly fumes*

Ok, I'm forgiving Stella right now for bringing Aiden in on the Pratt case bc she is being so sweet to Morgan. *hugs Stella* How sad that Danny never felt he could share his pain over losing a fellow officer with Morgan! This scene makes me even happier that Morgan and Danny are developing more of an adult relationship; he needs someone to lean on, he really does (and since I'm not a character in your fic, Morgan will do for now, heehee).

Oh man! So we now have a new wrinkle in the Messer sibling relationship: Danny hid the death of an important figure from their past, Cole Bryant, from Morgan. I wonder just what Danny's relationship with Bryant was? Did he help Danny break free of the Tanglewood boys? And more importantly, why did Danny hide his friendship with the sergeant from Morgan, if he had one? Hmm. The plot thickens.

I am missing Flack, so I hope he returns soon. Morgan is going to need him for, um, "moral support" when the crap hits the fan with Pratt and Aiden. And poor Danny. As if losing one friend and colleague isn't enough for one lifetime, he's about to lose someone he was even closer to - Aiden.

Oh, btw, I like that Morgan doesn't quite trust Lindsay yet - closing the browser window, that reminded me of Mac and how extremely private he is. Maybe little sister Messer is picking up a few habits from her co-workers, hm?

I loved the Lillian Stanwick episode! Not only did it bring up Pratt - and what a great name for him, bc he is a "prat," as in a butthole, to put it nicely - but it was also the first time I really got the feeling that Lindsay and Danny might be an item. So glad you wrote that little scene into this chapter.

And Lindsay telling Morgan about Danny's "phone sex" experience - how big brother Messer would die of embarrassment if he found out about that! I love picturing "the girls" (Morgan and Lindsay) having their own little friendship, separate from whatever happens w/ their male relationships. It feels like a very real workplace relationship, though as you stressed here again, Morgan has a difficult time not comparing Lindsay to Aiden. I can only imagine how complicated their friendship could become once Pratt returns to the scene, bringing with him memories of Aiden's departure and, eventually, her murder at his hands...

Poor Morgan. She's lost a great deal in her young life, and she's soon to lose even more, when Aiden dies.

Flack, injured and typically "male" about it: a big baby! ;-) Morgan came through with the TLC, of course. I could just picture her hauling him into the breakroom to inspect his injury (but I admit, I think you missed a perfect opportunity for a little hot-and-steamy stolen moment in the lab there, bc I personally would've had to kiss that bruise to make it better, had I been a certain younger Messer sibling...). My heart pitter-pattered nicely anyway! And the can of Coke was a very real detail. Nice touches are a way of writing for you; the scenes are always so vivid and well-imagined, right down to the little details many writers skip over in favor of the big picture.

I'll try to be more regular in reviewing - between prepping for the new school term and fighting off the flu and nursing my beloved thru the flu (again, men are babies about sickness and injury), it's been crazed. But please don't doubt my commitment to the story! I'm hooked, elf-sister!

Yup, it's another review-as-I-read:

Um, Morgan, here's what I don't believe - that you would push Flack back behind the wheel without first planting a long, sweet kiss on that fine boy for being willing to face Danny (and his death threats) again. Flack is a hero! He deserves kisses!

“Hey, it was justifiable, okay? I thought that guy looked kinda shady so I ran a check to be sure.” *falls over laughing* Ok, that was the most Danny line I've ever seen, including anything on the show. I actually said "boom!" after I read it.

They hug! The Messer sibs united once more! That was a really great - and necessary, from my point of view as one reader who wants to see these two moving toward a more adult and less big bro/little sis relationship with its attendant problems - scene between Danny and Morgan. You show how both of them are stubborn to a fault, but their ultimate concern is for one another: Danny couldn't not be happy for his sister after spending two weeks seeing her being deliriously head-over-heels for Flack, and he couldn't not be honest with her when she asked if he was happy for her. Good on Morgan for choosing not to continue the fight, too. It shows that she is still as committed to preserving her relationship with her brother as she is to furthering her relationship with Flack, and that is crucial to her development as a character.

Great dialogue again in this chapter. I got the sense you were really hearing this talk in your head. Your writing is always good but this chapter was especially clear and spot-on with how the characters on the show interact and react. Can't wait to read more!

Love the profile update, btw - Shia is smokin' hot! I'm way too old to think that, but I do anyway. *evil grin*

This is a review-as-I-read, so settle in for some stream-of-consciousness...
"Not funny. Okay." - Heehee, I thought it was a little funny, Morgan, bc Danny is acting a teensy bit like a jealous boyfriend here...But probably not the best time for jokes, esp. if he's armed!
“Okay, should I start to worry about my well-being?” Flack said. - Um, yes, my dear, I would start to worry, bc I don't think Danny is going to leave this at a simple stalking off while peeved. In fact, I'd be checking security cameras to see if he was on his way to that locker full of knives and other sharp implements they keep in the CSI basement...
Morgan, be nice to your brother! *wags finger at Morgan; hugs Danny* He retreated to the locker room and not to the ammo locker, right? Give him some credit! Honestly, I can't believe how, well, grown-up Danny is being about all of this. I'm pleasantly surprised (but still waiting for the explosion).
Flack comin on strong with the wisdom! I like it! Eerie, though, how he just said everything I've been writing in my reviews, and you wrote this chapter long before you knew me... *glances around nervously* Are you in my head? Am I in your head? No, I think this is more just the hallmark of a really well-written story: The relationships are so real that the characters react just as we would expect actual people to.
Wow. That scene with Danny and Flack was...intense. How much self-control and selflessness did it take for Danny not to punch him? And I love the sentiment: You hurt her, I'll kill you; but I love you, man, so stay alive, for her and for me. Seriously, I just teared up a little bit. I am so impressed by this chapter! I've been waiting and waiting for Danny to find out and for that to be the beginning-of-the-end for Morgan/Flack, but you really wrote a much better and more believable, not to mention more affecting, reaction than the stereotypical big brother freak-out. I just love this scene. It shows us so much about Danny and about Flack, what sort of men they are - good men, but with issues, for sure. Great work, as always!