THIS WAS A GREAT PIECE HART WARMING BETWEEN MARK AND MILT BUT NOT TO MUSHY KEEP THEM COMEING

Love it!

Incredibly spot-on dialogue, and a terrific filler. I love it.

“People like that, they’re never gonna understand. They see somebody like you and they slap a label on, never once taking the time to look deep enough to see the person underneath it.”

Labels, Jaz, are indeed a powerful thing. I’ve had a few slapped on me over the years. Luckily, there are people who can see the “you” underneath, even at the worst of times (thanks, LM, Owl, Jeannie and Cheri).

This is a nice debut, with something we don’t see a lot of in fanfic: a moral. Many of the H&McC epis had a lesson attached to them, although some of them might have come across a bit clumsily. Overall, the show had something to say, and that might be one of the reasons for its appeal. Your story shares that quality.

And, then, of course, sometimes labels aren’t meant in a harmful way. Friendship and trust stretch the boundaries. You point that out, as well: “Yeah, but Judge…you know I’m going to tell you that you looked like an idiot no matter what…”

Good read!

Pony

Such a terrific be nice to have a sequel on this you where Hardcastle and McCormick do go where they are suppose to go and Hardcastle kepping his eyes and ears open to anyone who decides to say anything else harsh to McCormick and made Hardcastle has a few harsh words of his own to give right back to any and all of them who said or implied anything harsh to Mark McCormick.

JeanneZ84

WooHoo! A great fic! The banter was spot-on-you know these guys so well! Reading this fic was like watching it happen on screen. I could hear their voices in the dialog. One of my favorite lines: "Sometimes he (Mark) wondered why he didn't just give in from the beginning. But he figured they'd both miss the game." Kinda sums it up nicely!

Very enjoyable read. Thanks!

I hope you're working on your next fic...

I can wait... ;)

-I liked this! Every once in a while, you would see that "I-don't-belong-here" expression creep onto Mark's face, and this ep was definitely one of those times. I can see this situation playing out exactly as you wrote it: Mark's "stepping out of the picture", and Milt's "They can jump in a lake" response.

-Hope to see much more fic from you soon!

Judy H.

Brilliant...I LOVED IT! The banter was perfect, and I could really picture the scenes.

Welcome aboard! I can't wait to read more.

A lovely first story and I hope there are lots more where this came from. Great banter, a good reading of the characters, and a scene that had been waiting far too long to see daylight.

I like the way you demonstrate exactly how well these guys know each other at this point. The bit about the proposed b-ball game to see why the radar was pinging, Hardcastle knowing all about McCormick's inability to keep quiet, the way they edge right up to the Dreaded Cliff of Emotion, then back away with shared pink necks.

Very, very well done and I'm already looking forward to the next one!

A really excellent choice for a missing scene. This really feels like it had to have taken place; after all, Mark wouldn't want to deep-six Hardcastle's political chances and yet he's there at that first press conference.

Yet this is the road less taken, for sure. And a lovely road it turns out to be, with just enough dappled sunlight making its way through the rather dark, shadowy trees, and no lions or tigers or bears in sight-just two guys who know reach other awfully well and the 'Something's Not Quite Right' Radar pinging away.

This has got to be my favorite line: "Even now he could feel the truth crawling up inside him, itching to get out, and he knew he’d be spilling his guts in seconds." A terrific bit of imagery. Poor McC, not only casually insulted by Dutton, but also being expected to behave in a way that's distasteful while hiding his reasons.

Nice foreshadowing in Hardcastle's reasoning-he's worked out exactly what he'll say to the reporter later than afternoon. I can see him just itching for a chance to repeat his argument publicly.

Very good work and I do hope there are more where this came from.