Interview with Will and Taylor

I have been a huge fan of this wonderful series since it started in 2008 and I usually can’t wait for the next release as soon as I finish the current one. Since I knew that it would be at least another 9 months before a new adventure and my next fix, I asked author Josh Lanyon’s permission to have the fans interview the stars of Dangerous Ground, Will Brandt and Taylor MacAllister, Special Agents with the Department of Diplomatic Security.

The response was unbelievable and Kiracee, who re-read the entire series of 4 books to prepare for the interview, was first off the mark:

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From Kiracee

Will, you dated a girl in high school and college. When did you know/accept that you are gay? When did you tell your family? How did they react? Is there a reason you are afraid they would not react well to learning you have a significant other?

Will: The Marines. When you say “tell my family” it sounds more formal than it was. My mom died when I was six, so it’s just my dad and my brother Grant. I told my dad a while back that I wasn’t going to be settling down.

Taylor: You’re not?

Will: You know what I mean.

Taylor: I just like seeing that line of sweat break out on your forehead.

Will: Anyway, Grant is in the marines and we haven’t exactly had time for any heart-to-hearts. I figure my dad told–what the hell is so funny?

Taylor: No wonder you don’t want me to meet your family. You’re not out!

Will: You’re nuts. Of course I want you to meet my family.

Taylor, when did you know you were gay? When did you tell your family? How did they react? Your sister knows about Will – what about the rest of your family?

Taylor: I knew for sure when I was fourteen. Bobby Machek and I were–

Will: Fourteen?

Taylor: Sixteen. I came out to my family before I went away to college. My mother cried. But she got over it. They all know about Will.

For both Will and Taylor – what siblings do you have? Are you oldest, youngest, middle sibling? Are you close to/have frequent contact with your family?

Taylor: I’ve got an older sister and an older brother.

Will: He’s the baby of the family.

Taylor: And Will grew up with a kid brother and three cousins who I bet also don’t know he’s gay. So I guess that answers the frequent contact question for him.

Will: It’s not like either of us have had a lot of spare time over the past couple of years.

Taylor: True.

Rdafan7

In DG3 Will admits to having a girlfriend at college (Madonna!) and questions his own reasons about never having introduced Tay to his family…my question is similar to the 1st, when is Will’s family going to meet Taylor?

Taylor: Yeah, Will. When I am I going to meet the kinfolk? And will Madonna be around?

Will: Is this what they mean by Madonna Complex?

[Taylor :lol:]

Will: We’re heading up to Oregon in a few months. And if anyone really is unaware I’m gay, I promise there won’t be any doubt by the time we leave.

When they start their new business together, how hard is it going to be to separate their working relationship from their personal relationship?

Taylor: No problem.

[Will opens mouth and closes it. Taylor looks at him.]

Will: No problem.

Where/when does Will want them to get married? (Canada, US, Spain etc).

Taylor: I vote for a long engagement.

Will: Cold feet?

Taylor: I don’t want to rush you picking your china pattern. I know how you like things to be just so.

Sirius

Will, do you see yourself as a control freak? If the answer is yes, do you feel a need to control Taylor in your relationship?

Taylor: Yes.

Will: Hey, if wanting things done right means I’m a control fre–

Taylor: Short answer: yes.

Will: Wait a sec. Is that serious? Do you think I try and control you?

Taylor: I think you think it’s your job to protect me.

Will: You don’t think it’s your job to protect me?

Taylor: Of course I do. But I don’t think it’s my place to protect you from yourself.

Will: Neither do I.

Taylor: Come on, Brandt. Are you saying things haven’t changed since I got shot?

Will: Of course they’ve changed. We’re together now. Naturally I feel…

Taylor: Exactly. You feel like I belong to you.

Will: And you don’t feel that? You don’t feel invested? Maybe a little possessive?

Taylor: It’s different, Will.

Will: Maybe it is, but if you think it’s about a lack of respect, you’re dead wrong. I think you’re the best agent I’ve ever worked with. Bar none.

Taylor: Okay.

Will: I mean it.

Taylor: Okay. I believe you.

From Cheryl

Taylor, when did you realize that what you felt for Will was more than a work partner/friend or someone you’d like to sleep with a few times? Also, you’ve been known to have the mating instincts of a young gazelle. Is being in a long term, monogamous relationship difficult for you?

Taylor: Hmmm. It must have been one day when he was lecturing me about gun safety. Or maybe it was the lecture on filling out pa —

Will: Ass.

Taylor (laughs)  I don’t know the exact minute. I know the first time I saw him I thought whoa baby. But I also knew I didn’t want to start something with my partner. And then later I knew I didn’t want to start something with my best friend. But in the end, the fact that Will was my partner and my best friend just made it better. Because he was already the most important person in my life.

Will: How about the monogamy part?

Taylor: I’m not the one with the old boyfriend hanging around like the Ghost of Fornication Past. 😡

Will: You’re saying you never feel tempted?

Taylor: I’m saying nothing is worth jeopardizing what we have.

Will: Good. Because that’s exactly how I feel.

Will, are you ever intimidated by Taylor’s previous, ah, sexual adventurism?

Will: Of course not. (Will clears his throat.)

Taylor: Anyway, it’s not like there was that much adventurism. Really. It looks worse on paper.

For both of you, what are the biggest sacrifices you feel you’ve made for your relationship, and what are the biggest rewards?

Taylor: It doesn’t feel like I’ve sacrificed anything.

Will: You gave up a more promising career than I did. You know damn well they wanted to fast track you.

Taylor: I got exactly what I wanted.

Will: I think we’ve both made sacrifices but what we have together is worth the sacrifice. To be able to be together all the time, to not have to hide, to choose our own path — that’s worth anything.

Sylvia

To Taylor and Will: How does Will’s assignment in Paris affect your relationship and would you do it again knowing what you know now?

Will: No. It was a mistake.

Taylor: I think maybe we had to go through that separation in order to clarify what we really wanted.

Taylor, we know that Will is keeping contact with his ex, David. Do you maintain a friendly relationship with a past lover?

Taylor: Sure. I’m friendly with all of them, if they want to be friendly. I don’t have any ex-boyfriends who mistake friendliness for something else.

Will: Okay, okay. Can we not go there again?

Dottie

Hi Will and Taylor!

Will: Hi Dottie.

I was wondering…if you could do it again, would you? How does it affect your working relationship? It would irritate me to no end if my current boyfriend kept in contact with his ex. Taylor, I know you’re confident, but how do you keep it all together?

Taylor: I’d do it all again. Except the part about getting shot. That part I would skip. 🙂

Will: I’d skip that part too.

Sue

Taylor, do you have a sense that Will would always feel the need to protect you, even from yourself?

Taylor (laughing): Déjà vu, Will.

Robin Covington

Now that it looks like you guys are venturing into unknown territory in regards to your relationship and your work – what worries you the most? What keeps you up late at night? (and no, that isn’t a sex question – unless you want to make it a sex question *waggles eyebrows*)

Taylor: It’s a mistake putting that stuff into words. It makes it seem bigger than it is.

Will: I think Taylor is afraid that I regret our relationship. I think he thinks I still have feelings for David Bradley. Neither of those things is true.

Taylor: I think Will is afraid I’m going to do something reckless and get myself capped. And if I’m that stupid, I deserve it.

Will: That’s not funny. And no I don’t.

Taylor: Mmhm.

Now, put earmuffs on each of you as the other answers this question – What is the one thing you don’t want the other to know about you?

Will: I don’t think Taylor is wearing his earmuffs.  😮

Taylor: Yes I am.

Will: I don’t want Taylor to ever realize how much I’m afraid…vanilla won’t be enough.

Taylor: Huh?

Will: Your turn.

Taylor: Uh…I don’t want Will to know I ate the last of the ice cream?

Will: Come on. The truth. I can’t hear you anyway.

Taylor: I don’t want Will to ever realize how much his good opinion matters to me.

uh, josh . .. I think they might have to pull over for these questions. What do you think?

Josh: I think they’re not wearing their earmuffs.

Rdafan7 again and she’s really pulling out all the stops here

Because I like a challenge as much as Will & Taylor:

Work/serious related:
What is something you had to learn during your training that you hated? Why did you hate it?

Taylor: I didn’t hate it, but I thought the course on writing reports was boring. And language training is not my strength.

Will: I don’t remember hating anything. The SPAS — consular management tradecraft — seemed like a waste of time for guys who were going to be out in the field.

What’s the most important thing for success, do you think?

Taylor: Flexibility

Will: Persistence

What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?

Will: Mark Twain. “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.” Why? Because everyone is afraid sometimes.

Taylor: “Honor has not to be won. It must only not be lost.” My dad used to say that. Maybe he made it up. I don’t know.

What are you most proud of accomplishing so far in your life?

Will: It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve my country — first as a Marine and then as an agent of the law enforcement arm of the Diplomatic Service.

Taylor: Same here. Getting into the DSS is an achievement. Only a handful of applicants even make it to the interview phase.

What’s your favorite place in the entire world?

Will: Paris

Taylor: There’s no place like home.

For fun:
What do you wear when you go to sleep?

Will: Boxers and T-shirt in summer.

Taylor: Sweatpants and T-shirt in winter

In your opinion, what is your best feature?

Taylor: I don’t want Wave to lose her PG rating. [Taylor, this is Wave. Go for it. the site is rated NC 17. I would be happy for you to let it all hang out]  :blush:

Will: She doesn’t have a PG rating. Anyway, your best feature is your mouth. [Wave again. Really????   :shock:]

Taylor: Go on. Say it. Especially when it’s closed?

Will: No. You have a sexy mouth. It’s full and sort of…sensual. [OMG – I’m blushing]  :blush:

Taylor: Oh. Well, if we’re being serious, your eyes are your best feature.  You have the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen.

What one word best describes you?

Will: Taylor

Taylor: Will

What annoys you more than anything else?

Will: Carelessness. Inefficiency. Stupidity.

Taylor: Starts with D and ends with me kicking him to the curb.

What would be the perfect gift for you?

Taylor: A week with Will in Hawaii. 

Will: A week with Taylor in Yellowstone.

What’s the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?

Will: Taylor. Alive. Alive in a hospital bed after getting shot in the chest.

Taylor: Will’s face when we’re fu–making love.

What time of day is your favorite?

Taylor: Early morning.

Will: Same.

What kind of weather is your favorite?

Taylor: Sunny and warm

Will: Warm and sunny.

What is your favorite food/drink? What is your least favorite (besides Cobra wine).

Will: Perfectly cooked prime rib and Sam Houston bourbon. I won’t eat liver and onions.

Taylor: Tea-smoked duck. Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold. I like salsa, but I can’t eat it. [Wave again – I can’t let this go. “Tea smoked Duck”?? What the f**k is that? Does the duck smoke the tea or vice versa?]  :hysterics:

What would you wish for if you found a genie?

Will: A million dollars

Taylor: A really comfortable pair of boots.

How ticklish are you? Where are you ticklish?

Taylor: I’m not ticklish. I have skin like leather.

Will: He’s ticklish everywhere. I’m not ticklish.

Taylor: That’s true. He’s really not ticklish.

What is the perfect romantic date?

Will: We answered this. A week in Yellowstone.

Taylor: I think you mean a week in Hawaii.

What is your deepest, most well-hidden sexual fantasy? Would you ever try it?

Taylor: You’re making Will uncomfortable.

Will: The hell. Go ahead and answer.

Taylor: My fantasy is not politically correct. But it ought to appeal to your inner control freak.

Will: I….

Taylor (laughing): Your voice cracked, Brandt.

For Taylor (not sure if Will wants to know the answer):
What was the wildest thing you’ve ever done, sexually? Who was it with and when did it happen?

Taylor: It involved a lot of saki, a Sent?, and a couple of male prostitutes. It was a very  long time ago.

Carlita

For Will:
I think you remain attracted to David because he is more like you and that spells safe to you. From the beginning of your partnership/friendship/ relationship, you have fought your feelings for Taylor with excuses about Taylor’s behavior. You love Taylor, but you seem the one who is conflicted and afraid.  It’s said we criticize in others what we dislike in ourselves. So, what happened in your past that makes you
a. Afraid to commit and trust Taylor without reservation. We know Taylor doesn’t have trust issues and you accept that. And, you did run away to Paris when the relationship was new.

Will: You didn’t tell me we were going to marriage counselling.

Taylor: News to me.

b. Control the parameters of your personal and work relationship at every turn.
c. Compulsive about protecting Taylor (did you lose someone important in your life because you weren’t there or he/she wasn’t there when you had the most need.)
d. Unable/unwilling to introduce Taylor to your family? You know Taylor’s sister and family.

Will: You know, it’s not like Taylor ever expressed an interest in meeting my family.

2. What made you reverse course and put a ring on it?

Will: I didn’t reverse course. This was always the course from the moment we agreed we were going to be together. I guess I could have expressed that more clearly. But I was also waiting for Taylor to indicate how he saw this playing out. I waited for his cue and I guess I waited too long.

3. You have a strong need for security, partly evidenced by the care you have given to remodeling your home and sanctuary.  Which is your favorite room in your home?

Will: In fairness, Taylor’s the one spending months remodelling that old bungalow of his. I like my house but it’s just a house. It takes something more to make a home.

For: Taylor:
1. How did you feel about Will choosing the promotion over your new relationship? Did you ever doubt he was the one for you?

Taylor: I think most guys would make the choice Will made. That promotion was a big deal. He made the logical choice.

2. Are you really OK with Will’s sexual experience not matching yours?

Taylor: Will’s a fast learner. He pays close attention and then he gives you exactly what you want. You don’t have to come out and ask for it because he already knows. That’s where being a perfectionist is a useful quality. As for my own experience, I guess I kept pushing the boundaries because there was always something missing in those encounters. And when I fell for Will I realized what the something was.

3. I know you don’t trust David, but are you concerned that he remains a threat to your relationship with Will after the ring scene?

Taylor: Nah. I guess I sort of feel sorry for Bradley now. Not so sorry I want him hanging around though.

4. Do you really understand why Will was so reluctant to commit to you?

Taylor: I don’t see Will taking a promotion as a lack of commitment.

Just curious: what quality surprised each of you about the other?

Taylor: That he had a sense of humor.

Will: That he was such a bad ass.

M

Will:

1. Whatever made you think that having dinner with David was a good idea?

Will: I do not get what the big deal was about having dinner together.

2. Did you ever tell Taylor about the job offer in Paris?

Will: Yes.

Taylor: How’s that for the Reader’s Digest version?

3. Have you really forgiven Taylor for shooting you?

Will: I’m just happy he didn’t shoot me again in Paris.

Taylor:
1. What kind of music do you like to listen to?

Taylor: Boring basic rock. Lifehouse, Keane, Nickelback, Coldplay

2. What was it about Will that made you decide you wanted to be more than partners?

Taylor: Boy, that’s a tough one. He’s handsome, smart, capable, has a good sense of humor, understands about the job, and chews with his mouth closed.

Will: And I’m a snappy dresser.

Taylor: True.

To both:

1. What one thing about the other just makes you want to rip your hair out?

Taylor: I don’t know. We’re pretty used to each other by now.

Will: When you act like you’re bullet-proof — which we both know you’re not.

Barb

Will either of you ever fully trust that the other is capable of looking out for themselves.

Will & Taylor: NO!

Taylor: Just kidding.

WILL – honestly, how close was David to being “the one” when Taylor made his move?

Will: At the time I guess I thought maybe David was that guy. But now I see we couldn’t have ever had what I have with Taylor. Taylor’s like my other half.  Or maybe my evil twin.

TAYLOR – I love how Will makes you purr, what does Will do – even inadvertently – that let’s you know just how much you get to him?

Taylor: He gets this look in his eyes. Sort of dark and soft. And his cheek creases. It’s not exactly a smile, but it’s…happy.

Andy

Where do you guys plan to live, beach or mountains?

Will: We haven’t figured that far ahead.

You both willingly sacrificed your work partnership to attain a life partnership. Do you feel there are any more drastic life changes left in store for you guys?

Will: No. Knock on wood.

Taylor: We’re in a risky business, so it’s nice to have a peaceful home life.

Taylor, have you gotten a ring for Will yet?

Taylor: Er, no.

Thelastaerie (Eve)

To Will:
Do you realise you often focus too much on how different you and Taylor are? Is this your insecurity talking, your subconsciousness to find reasons in case this doesn’t work out?

Taylor: He’s just naturally pessimistic.

What did Taylor give you for your birthday after you gave him that expensive pistol?

Will: A Big Agnes Gunn Creek 30 degree synthetic sleeping bag — and the promise to go camping again. Which I’m going to hold him to.

This is not a question, but I’d advise you not to invite David when you and Taylor wed. Just saying

To Taylor:

How did you prepare yourself emotionally when Will took up the post in Paris? Was there an open plane ticket in your drawer?

Taylor: I knew he’d never make it through the entire tour of duty.

Will: Is that true?

Taylor: No.

When you said you’d take up the posting to Iraq in book 4, did you just say that out of spite? Do you honestly think you would have gone through with it, if Will hadn’t changed his “demand” attitude?

Taylor: Sure I’d have gone. No way would it make sense for me to sit home and twiddle my thumbs for a couple of years. The best thing is always to keep busy.

What do you think Will would say about Butterfly Board?

Taylor: Luckily he’d figure it was some kind of foreign bread board.

M. Durango

Will, does Taylor know that the ring contains lead from the bullet that shot him? If he does, how did he react when you told him? If not, do you ever plan to tell him?

Will: No. I’m afraid he’d think it was too morbid.

Sammy2006

Before I ask any questions–know that your guys are pretty special–okay now–these could hurt!

Taylor – Can Will really ever come first–before the job, before the next sighted terrorist?

Taylor: Will always comes first. But I mean, we do have a job to do.

Will – How do you feel about that answer? Do you think he’s telling the truth or is he just swept up in the emotion of the moment?

Will: Oh he means it all right. He means every word of it.

Taylor – You let Will put the ring on your finger– What does that little band signify to you?

Taylor: To love and honor —

Will: And obey.

Taylor: Ha. Funny. To forsake all others.

Will – what does it mean to you?

Will: To love and to cherish.

Taylor: You can say protect. I know you want to.

Will: To protect —

Taylor: And serve.

Will: And occasionally shoot.

Taylor: Till death do us part.

Will: Till death do us part.

Anybody having second thoughts?

Will: Maybe about the shooting.

Seriously guys–do you really think you both can give up the job?? Or do things look different now in the light of day?

Taylor: Well, we still have to do something for a living. So it may as well be interesting.

Hi Fellas–I had one more–well two actually Now, now be nice!

Taylor, If today were your last day on this earth you would______________.

Taylor: Go back to bed. With Will.

And you would make sure that you told WIll that______________.

Taylor: That he was the best. In every way. All the way.

(And no you may not say take out the garbage–be serious.)

Will – If today were your last day on this earth you would________________.

Will: Go sit on a mountain top with Taylor and watch the sun go down together.

And you would make sure that you told Taylor that___________________.

Will: I don’t regret a minute of our time together. Not one second. I wish we’d had longer. I wish we could have grown old together.

(I know that I do not have to admonish you as well Will, do I?)

Thank you fellas–and no you should not look me up in the FBI files–be nice, please!

Taylor: Us? Never! What a shocking idea.

Will: Yeah. Very. Since we’ve never been in the FBI.

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Will & Taylor’s Contact Information

The guys don’t feel it’s appropriate to give out contact information since they are sekkrit agents, but they sent this message. :loveyou:

   :biglove: