Brilliant! How I wish you were still writing for this Fandom!

Ah, another great read. This one was very logical to me-I could see it happening that way, with Mark having dealt with some of the aftermath of the Weed Randall thing, but not as much as he thought, and the judge knowing him so well and wanting his approval regarding his helping Sandy get thru it. I loved when Mark finnally realized the real meaning behind the judge giving him his gun-and the ensuing dialogue between the 2. You write their voices so well, it was like I was there in the den with them. The last paragraph left me there, in the den, behind the closed doors, listening the them go up the stairs...what a great way to end a great story. Thanks so much!

Wow, absolutely loved it - a beautiful psychological piece with perfect characterisation and lovely reactions!

I liked this. I can't really say just WHAT one thing I liked best about it, but I did like it. Does that make sense?

This is just a wonderful exploration of two guys trying to sort through the really big stuff. I think good ff explores character and expands on it without altering the essential qualities that make the reader like the characters in the first place. That's what you've got here. McC worries, and then covers his concerns with little jokes; that's just the way he is. Hardcastle apologizes for continuing to help Sandy-we know he's got to do it; it's in his essential nature.

And even though this is at heart a dialog, you have a very nice hand at evoking the setting-the storm and waiting in a darkened room. The moment where we (and Mark) realize who H was meeting with, is particularly strong.

And who can resist the little touches? H treating a flashback with neat whiskey-the *good* stuff (such a guy thing to do ;-)) and Mark's moment of annoyance when he discovers that Sandy has, at least outwardly, again landed on his feet.

What a pleasure it is and I hope the first of many.

I loved a Sansational was alot of emotional and there was humor as well.

I will be looking forward to reading more of your stories.

It was sad to see it end.I guess I just want to see how the rest wouldve turned out.

JeanneZ84

First, welcome! I'm always glad to see new authors jumping through the necessary hoops to join our small-but growing-fandom. :-)

And this is just a lovely story. Such natural conversation between the characters, revealing so much, and filling in another little piece of the post-Randall aftermath.

Thanks so much for sharing, and I hope to see much more from you.

You did a great job keeping the boys in character and still making it so emotional.

Some of the best "Hardcastle and McCormick" fan fiction is just a simple conversation that explores the relationship between the title characters. You've captured them completely with this in-depth look at a critical incident in the saga; the dialogue, the things they say (and think), the way they respond to each other - all are so true to the characters and so believable. And that's the highest praise I can think of for any fanfic.

The exploration of Sandy's background and motivations are fascinating, too. It's almost possible to feel sorry for him, and much easier to understand why he acted and re-acted as he did. Thanks for sharing this well-written, imaginative story!

Great story! I always wondered what happened to Sandy after all, and your story closed a few gaps. There's a lot in the story that I like, so I just mention my favorite part: It's when Hardcastle says: “You understand that I’ve got to be there for Sandy on this, don’t you, McCormick? Most of his so-called friends have already run for cover, and someone’s got to be there to keep the buzzards from circling.”

It's so typical for him, right in characters, and I loved it.

The story was mostly serious, but it had funny parts (like the one about Sandy's girlfriends). I'll hope to read more H&Mc-stories from you.