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Danny couldn't believe his eyes. He had just finished questioning the vic's friend, Amber, about what had gone down the night before, when he turned to see Jacob Monaghan's mom blushing, actually blushing, by something his partner had said. He ****ed his head to the side and shrugged his shoulders.
Now, he had seen Super Seal make women fawn, flirt, wave, and virtually throw themselves at him, but never blush.
And, it was Grace's little friends mom. Yeah, Danny knew exactly who Melanie was- she was that fun, involved mom who he had seen at every event at Grace's school Rachel had deemed to let him attend. Jacob's mom was the one all the kids gravitated to, because she wasn't afraid to get on the dance floor, or play the games, or yell out during Bingo. In fact, if he remembered correctly, she sat on the PTA with Rachel. Oh, great.
Meanwhile, her husband, when he showed up, was the guy in the corner with the Blackberry, who only came out and participated when his son dragged him to do so. Danny hated guys like that- who took for granted the time he got to spend with his child and wasted it. Danny would have given anything for more time with Grace.
As he approached Mel and Steve, he could sense the awkwardness of the moment.
"Hey, if you guys are done with this staring match, can you tell me if there is anything new you can share about our victim here?" he asked putting his hands out to stress his point.
"Melanie and I were just taking a trip down memory lane", Steve replied with a half smile and a twinkle in his eye. Really, a twinkle?
"Not a very long trip," Mel added.
"But, a memorable one".
Danny had enough. "Wait, so you guys know each other?"
"Not really", Mel answered.
"Yeah, we do," Steve said at the same time.
Hmmm...Danny's interest was peeked. But, time was ticking and he knew the Governor wanted answers fast. Plus, he was feeling a little something...annoyed? Jealous? Frustrated, that once again McNavy was getting all the interest from the pretty girl in the room. Well, a married woman really, he had to remind himself.
"How are you doing, Jacob's mom?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.
Now, it was Steve's turn to make a face and turn towards Danny. "Jacob's mom? Do you both know each other?"
"Grace and her son go to school together," Danny explained.
"Hm," Steve said with a perplexed look, "so your a mom?"
"Yep?" Melanie replied matter of factly.
"And, your married?" Steve asked/said in a disappointed manner.
Danny started to answer yes, but Mel interjected "well,sorta. Its complicated".
Now, it was Danny's turn to perk up, "Really? But, what about that husband of yours that shows up for events at school with you?"
"Not with me. At the same time. And he's only technically my husband."
"Technically?" Danny said with a half smirk.
Now was Steve's turn to chime in. He was starting to feel left out and little something else as well, "Ok, as much as the CSI's marital status interests me as well, we really need to get on with this case. Any info you can share with us right now?"
Mel was happy to be back on safe ground, "I can tell you that the blunt force trauma to the back of her head was not what killed her. Perhaps Max will also be able to find something out after the autopsy. I really need to get back to the lab and run some tests on these particulars to see what is going on here."
"Ok, well when do you think you will have answers for us?" Steve asked, placing his hands on his hips.
"I'll have answers when I have answers. I'll get in touch when I find something out",
Mel explained. She didn't like to feel rushed.
Danny liked this- she wasn't backing down and she wasn't intimidated by Steve. By contrast, she seemed to have some effect on his partner. He was equally amused and bit turned on.
"So, that would be...." Steve tried again.
"When I have an answer", Mel said again with emphasis.
"Ok, well just don't make me wait 12 years again," Steve replied, as he turned and strode away.
Danny was left shaking his head and facing Melanie, who had since risen from where she had been kneeling.
"12 years?" he asked.
"Really, I need to get back to the lab", Mel stated, as she turned and headed back the other way. Cute tush, he noticed. Married tush, he reminded him self. Well, technically.
Danny headed around the house to where his partner was leaning against the car waiting for him.
"You drive," Steve said.
Danny got into the driver's seat and turned to Steve.
"12 years?"
"It's a long story. Or, should I say it was a long night....."
Danny would have pushed, but he could tell Steve was deep in thought. No wonder why he was letting him drive for a change. Clearly, his buddy had a lot on his mind.
- Location:hawaii
- Mood:
thoughtful
*************************************
Melanie was embarassed by this revelation. Both because, as someone with a photographic memory should have remembered the guy standing above her right now, and also by the memory of that night floading back at her. In her defense, the memory was made sketchy by a day of shopping and drinking 180 proof grain alcohol drinks with her friend Julie at Fat Tuesday's. They had driven down from NY together to blow off steam before going back to real life. Julie was going to law school in the Fall and Mel had to decide which path to take. Her father, a lawyer by trade, had entered politics early in his career, and would have prefered his daughter to follow suit. But, since her parents had divorced when she was young, she didn't think he really had much say in what she did. Even so, they decided that DC was as good a place as anywhere to visit, since her father was down there at the same time. Much to her father's chagrim, it also gave her a chance to check out the FBI and see if that was the direction she wanted to go.
Ironically, as it would turn out, they were staying at a Hilton near Embassy Row. There were a lot of great bars and clubs around, they decided to head to the one across the street for a few more drinks and some dancing that night. And, if there were some cute guys around, that wouldn't hurt either.
The minute they walked in, they realized they had hit pay dirt. The place was crowded and, sigh, filled with guys in uniform. Mel always had a thing for sailors, probably because she grew up going into the city for Fleet Week. It was surprising to see so many guys from the Navy here though. She had thought they would all be down in Annapolis, but she didn't complain.
Julie and she had headed for the bar and immediately ordered Woo Woo shots. They went down smooth and were very effective at taking to edge off early. Liquid courage.
They always made a habit of hitting the dance floor right away. This way, they had a good time either way. Mel loved to dance. All these years later, she realized she didn't get 1/2 enough chances to do it. That's what happened after 9 years of marriage and a child.
Honestly, she didn't remember much about the beginning of the night. She was sure that there were probably a lot of guys out on the dance floor. But, it wasn't until later in the night that she remembered seeing two sailors sitting by the side of the bar watching Julie and her. So, making the excuse of being hot and needing water to get away from her latest dance partner, she had made her way back to the bar with Julie in tow.
In truth, Julie was the more forward of them, and luckily she did not disappoint that night. She had seen the guys watching them too. She went right for the punch and the blonde guy. In truth, they both had a thing for blondes, but Julie was faster.
"Hey, guys, conserving your energy for something?" she asked them.
The blonde replied "yeah, you.."
Mel had to stiffle a laugh...this was like bad 90210 dialogue.
"Well, glad you waited.." Julie replied.
"C'mon...." Blondie said and the two of them hit the dance floor.
That left Mel alone at the bar with the tall, mysterious looking one. In this light, it was hard to tell his eye color. Black, blue, grey, what was that color? Did she dare move closer and check?
Feeling awkward, she opted for taking another sip of her water.
"Good drink?" sailor boy asked
"Water", she replied.
Great. Julie was on the dance floor with the fun blondie and she was here with tall, dark and stoic. Tall, dark, cute and stoic, if you didn't mind the short shone hair and eyes that changed color 5 times in just the time they were talking.
"They're blue", he replied.
"Excuse me?"
"You've been staring at my eyes like you are trying to memorize every pixel. They're blue."
"Ohhh...."
"You can come closer and take a look if you don't believe me. I won't bite. At least not yet."
Mel took a few steps closer to where sailor boy was leaning against the wall at end of the bar.
"Closer...." he requested.
At this point, any closer and Mel would be between his legs and face to face with her requestor.
What the hell, she thought, you only live once.
Taking that final step that seperated them, she was rewarded by a smile that almost had her swooning backwards again.
"I'm Steve," he said, "and you are just about the cutest thing I have seen in a really long time...."
****************************************
- Location:dc
- Mood:
mischievous
part 2
"Don't I know you?"
Steve looked down at the pretty CSI kneeling over the bikini clad victim at Rep.Masuri's estate. He was trained to remember details, and he knew this face.
Mel sighed internally. "Yeah, probably from HQ. I'm the one going downstairs each morning while your partner and you stride upstairs." She didn't know why he made her so testy.
"Yeah, no, that's not it," he said with a halfcrooked smile.
Mel took off her sunglasses and looked up at Steve. Hmmm....kinda charming when he smiled. Much less ominious looking.
"In fact," he continued, " I am recalling a certain bar in DC and a very short kilt right now...."
Mel closed her eyes and silently swore. It had been many years since she had worn short skirts, and she hadn't been in DC for -what - 12 years- when he father was first elected a State Senator to New York. She spent a summer down there right out of college, and had even considered the FBI, before deciding she couldn't abide by some of their practices.
"Hey, sailor boy....." was all it had taken back then for her to pick up guys. She had been much younger then- in the best shape of her life. Her hair had been darker- naturally darker at that- and the years hadn't taken a toll on her mentally and physically yet.
In fact.....
"Ohhhh...." she said out loud.
"Ohhhh...." Steve echoed. Yes, he remembered her alright. And, he remembered her well. This was the girl that stood him up the night before he shipped out.
****************************************
- Mood: naughty
Melanie Monaghan had been working in the CSI department of the Honululu Police Department since her husband's job had relocated them to the island 4 years earlier. Reluctant to move from her position in Vegas, she knew the move would be beneficial for her now estranged ex-husband's career with the Hilton, and it would be a better place for her now 8 year old son Jake to grow up.
Now that Charlie and she were in the process of getting a divorce, she wasn't so sure the move was the best thing. Jake was not being shuttled back and forth between her ex's suite at the Hilton and their home that they had so carefully selected together all those years earlier when they had been happy. What time she had left outside of the lab was spent with Jake between his school activities and gynmastics. Jake had also started to take an interest in surfing, something Mel had now knowledge of having grown up in a New York City Suburb. Yes, she had spend her summers going down the shore, but that was a time more spent tanning and listening to the radio, while trying to pick up boys, than surfing.
When Mel had first met Charlie, she was actually a full fledged New York City police officer, walking the beat. But, after 9/11, she had lost the taste for delivering bad news to people, and had found herself fascinated with the idea of studying the facts and bringing closure to people. So, she had gone to through the motions of moving over the the CSI division of the police force instead and never regretted it. Until now. There were days Mel hated being cooped up inside most days instead of out in the Hawaiin sun. Now that her son was older, she was itching to get back out in the field and do more legwork again. She did get out to crime scenes, like she was today, but often spent hours back in the lab, studying fibers and liquids to determine origins. Known for a photographic memory, she was often called upon to relay a crime scene in detail. But, her best skills were never used. She was a damned good shot and hadn't had a chance to yield her gun in years.
On this particular day, Mel had been asked to investigate a murder at one of the country legislators houses. She knew it was a sensitive case, because those guys from 5-0 were on the scene. She actually recognized one of them as Rachel Williams ex-husband Danny. Rachel and she were on the PTA together at their kids' school. She had spent many a meeting listening to how terrible Danny was and how great her new hubby Stan was in comparision. It was a shame, because Danny was really cute. He had the type of marble blue eyes that could make a girl walk into walls if she wasn't careful. He also had a compact, athletic body and amazing arms. The hair on his arms actually glissened in the sun. Mel closed her eyes and shook her head. Time to concentrate.
A minute later, she realized that she was not alone. Looking up, Steve McGarrett was shadowing over her. For some reason, this made Mel very nervous. Although he had a pleasant (who was she kidding- adorable) face, McGarrett gave off the air of someone who could break your neck in one fast move. She was equally intrigued and intimidated.......
- Mood:
creative
Connolly Has His Own "Entourage"
"Entourage" Star is Thrilled with the Hit HBO Show's Emmy Nod And Its New Direction This Season
Kevin Connolly sat down with Harry Smith to talk about Entourage's season premiere and the hit show's fourth Emmy nomination for best comedy series. (CBS/The Early Show)
Play CBS Video Video Entourage's Kevin Connolly http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5
163919n&tag=related;photovideo
Actor Kevin Connolly from the hit cable TV show "Entourage" spoke with Harry Smith about the new season and his character's evolution.
(CBS) It's already been a really good year for actor Kevin Connolly. It started with his first Golden Globe nomination, quickly followed with the huge success of his film "He's Just Not That Into You," and continued with this week's sixth-season premiere of his hit HBO show "Entourage," which had it's highest ratings in two years.
"Entourage" was also nominated for an Emmy for the fourth straight year for best comedy series, and Connolly said on "The Early Show" he was "very excited" about it.
"It's a big thing," Connolly said. "Even more so than like the individual awards. That's the kind of award that keeps the show going, and at the end of the day, that's the most important thing."
A Long Island native, Connolly loves going home to spend time with his family, who still lives there.
"I spend most of my time out there," he said. "It's great. I still have the same crew of guys that I grew up with."
In true Hollywood fashion regardless of what coast he is on, Connolly still has his very own entourage.
"It's terrible, but, yes, actually," he admitted. "I hang out at the same places actually."
His HBO series has been receiving great reviews this season and is almost experiencing a rebirth.
"It's been great," Connolly told "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith. "Also being the sixth year of the show, the fact that we're doing the numbers that we're doing and people are still into it, it's great. It's a good sign."
This season of "Entourage" has somewhat of a different feel, too.
"Doug Allen, our creator, I think he sort of knew he had to re-invent the show but keep it the same at its core," he said. "We knew we were doing something a little different. We were a little nervous, but people seem to have responded the right way."
This time around Connolly's character, Eric, is having a change of heart and is hoping to re-ignite an old flame.
"He's chasing down the old girlfriend, trying to get back with her. So that's sort of what I'll be working on this season," Connolly said.
Even the star of the show (Vince, played by Adrian Grenier) is getting his legs back underneath him.
"Last year was kind of a rough year for the guys," Connolly explained. "It ended well, but this year it's back to everybody's doing well. It's good times. Nice cars. Good parties."
The characters are maturing, learning how to make commitments and have finally looked in the mirror and said: "It's time," Connolly said. "I've moved into my house. Now I got to get the girl. That's what I'm doing."
Connolly, whose been acting since he was 6 years old - his first gig was a Tender Vittles cat food commercial in 1980 - knows firsthand what the Hollywood scene is like.
"I would say the show is very insightful, more than anything, as to sort of how the ins and outs of the business and how it works," he said.
Traveling around Hollywood, Connolly is often approached by fans who have their own ideas for the show.
"Everybody's got a pitch. And it usually is something that benefits them or whatever it is," he said.
© MMIX, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/1
www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/07/16/early
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By Kelley L. Carter, USA TODAY LOS ANGELES — Kevin Connolly is experiencing a case of life imitating art. The Golden Globe-nominated actor and the character he plays on HBO's Entourage, Eric Murphy, are both growing up. "I have an adult house, finally," Connolly, 35, says proudly, taking a bite of Chinese chicken salad at the Four Seasons Hotel, one of his favorite places to brunch. "Some of the places I've lived have been ridiculous. There was furniture that was covering holes in the walls. When I was a young actor, I was with my crew and we were terrorizing Hollywood. But ... I feel very settled and comfortable with my life. Now I need to find the girl. Once I find the girl, I can seal it up." That appears to be his character's mission, too. In the series (Sunday, 10:30 ET/PT), Connolly's character moves into his own house and continues his quest for the perfect girlfriend. In real life, Connolly says, dating can be rough. FIND MORE STORIES IN: Entourage | Katherine Heigl | Adrian | Julianne Hough | Nicky Hilton | Adrian Grenier | Kevin Connolly | Jerry Ferrara The actor, who also appears in The Ugly Truth (opening July 24) with Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler, laughs about the dating-war stories he and his castmates have shared. He and Adrian Grenier, Kevin Dillon and Jerry Ferrara are all good buddies, he says. "Adrian was one of the later ones who got here from New York, and he'd be like, 'Stop announcing to me who every girl I've gone out with has dated before! I don't want to know; I don't care.' And he's right. Because everybody is going to be somebody's ex out here," says Connolly, who moved to L.A. from Long Island after he finished high school. Connolly has had his share of high-profile, made-in-Hollywood romances. He dated Nicky Hilton for nearly two years and has dated Haylie Duff and Dancing With the Stars dancer Julianne Hough. "You know what they say about actresses?" he asks, leaning in over the table. "We're no better as actors. We're a bunch of crazy people trying to date each other. It almost doesn't work. On one hand, you meet people you can relate to. ... But out here, it's not like going to a bar in New York after work, where everybody is going to be diverse. " In the meantime, Connolly is focusing on diversifying his career. He has been directing music videos — most notably for The Game's single Camera Phone — and directing TV commercials. Connolly says his dream is to hit the 100-episode mark with Entourage. If that happens, he says, it would not only be a chance to see his character grow, but it also would be a nice testament to his personal Hollywood story. "My character starts out at a pizza place. ... I would like to see him really locked in and settled into a successful career. That would make me really happy. It'd be like, he made it," Connolly says. "That's how I feel about myself now. There's been so many ups and downs, but I feel like it's all been worth it. It's all made sense". | |||||||||||
The season premiere of Entourage, like this review, was better late than never.
And, the theme of the show was about what drives us all.
Vince finally gets his driver's license, not because of any sense of need for independence, but because he is driven in his career and his next role involves playing race car driver Enzo Ferrari. But, this new skill has come at a fortunate time, as his 'boys' all are becoming self-sufficient and moving on and out on him.
Eric is driven by his heart. He may be playing the field and taking advantage of his newfound success to date man woman, but he is still attached to the woman he truly loves: Sloan. He is moving out to please her and is motivated by doing whatever it takes to show her that he is growing up. It is his constant need to prove himself that drives him the most.
Turtle- well we didn't see too much of Turtle on the premiere episode. But, it is clear that Jamie-Lynn Sigler is what drives him right now. He is driven by love to be with the woman he loves. For the first time, it is he that is spending the night at his significant others home. She is the first person that has driven a wedge between him and Vince. Is he still loyal, yes? But, this is a guy that would drop everything to be there for Vince and literally drive him around all day. Not anymore.
Drama is still driven by the love of acting and his television career. This was evident when he said towards the end that he lived for his show's late night schedule. But, notice that this is a guy who has his own place, but is driven to spend as much time with his brother and friends.
Lloyd has his hopes and ambitions driving him to threaten Ari about walking away and seeking employment with another agency if he doesn't get a well deserved promotion. This drive is what gave him the patience to wait Ari out on his stoop. He will definitely survive his 100 days.
Ari is driven by fear in this episode. Fear of losing his business, his assistant and his bet with Barb. I fear this is driving him to drink.
Forshadowing?
So, ultimately, this premiere of Entourage has mapped out what road lays ahead for the boys this season. I for one am up for the for drive.
Road trip anyone?
emk
source:
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/9KhdvvHUO
For most people the Fourth of July is a celebration of America’s Independence but for some stars, it’s a day to be a diva -- or "divo" for that matter. Insiders were less-than-impressed with "Entourage" star Kevin Connolly’s entitled performance while partying at the Belvedere/SoBe Lifewater bash in Santa Monica on Saturday who, despite being given a suite for the day and a private VIP cabana, refused to be photographed with any fans or sponsors fullstop and ordered the waitstaff around.
"All the other celebrities were happy to wait in line for food and drinks but Kevin insisted on multiple servers bringing him everything he wanted as soon as he wanted it," said our snitch, adding that he later threw a "hissy fit" as he friends had to temporarily wait outside as the fire marshal closed the party after it reached capacity.
Connolly hung out all day with the newly brunette Britney Spears’s agent/rumored beau Jason Trawick, who sported new blonde locks at the poolside bash. We’re told his pop princess applied the highlights without his prior knowledge and before he knew it the Hollywood powerhouse was on the lighter side of living.
On the note of divas, we’re told by an inside source that Diddy’s personal peeps who were organizing his annual White Party were actually the ones being hard to handle and had so many unrealistic demands that the venue had to be changed at the last minute. On the other hand, the rumored high-maintenance party boy (who brought his beloved mama Janice as his date) took it upon himself to continually ensure that all press on the red-carpet were being taken care of and were supplied with an abundance of beverages and shrimp cocktails.
And even though Ashton Kutcher was helping host the party which raised funds and awareness for his charity of choice Malaria No More, the actor stayed holed up for most the time in his VIP cabana and even declined requests to pose for pics with some sponsors that were there supporting the cause.
Meanwhile across the country in New Orleans, Solange "Don’t Call Me Beyonce’s Sister" Knowles stopped singing midway thru her performance at the Essence Music Festival at Ford Motor Company’s Lincoln Super Lounge and demanded (in front of the entire audience) that a press photographer stop snapping her.
"Mr. Photographer, you are making me self conscious," Knowles barked. "I swear I make the same stupid three faces over and over again, so please leave me be."
