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A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
Oh, Dangerous, how do I love you? Let me count the ways...
Actually that would take way too long, but I love the way you formed this story. I can see a hopeless Jake falling into Emily's fickle arms if he thinks Heather is dead and he looses his father.
I love the shower scene and the whole bit about them always ending up in the bathroom.
I love John Denver and the dancing scene and I love especially this bit...
(When they’d danced together, he’d had to fight the urge to tuck his thumbs in the waistband and…)
Thank you for writing this and I hope for more soon.
Sid
Thank you, Sid! The strange thing about the bathroom is that I didn't really plan it that way, but then it occurred to me that they kept running into each other there, so now I guess that's their special room. LOL.
A wonderful chapter. I really enjoy the insights into the characters that you weave into the plot.
I think your did an excellent job with Emily. I normally feel very ambivalent toward Emily but I found myself really feeling sorry for her for deluding herself into thinking that the only way she can be happy is if things were the same with Jake as they were before he left.
As always I liked all the interactions between Jake and Heather. All the detail you use to describe how they are feeling and what they are doing really makes you see the scene unfold in your mind. I just loved that Jake asked Heather to dance to create a happy memory for her and the feelings the dance invoked in both of them. I was happy to see that Heather opened up to Jake about her parents and just as happy to see how Jake listened to her and found the right words to make her feel better. It's a side of Jake that we don't normally see. I enjoyed the unexpected tie (I think!) between Heather and Jake's family, as I'm assuming it was Johnston who was Heather's father's army buddy who stood up for him. Most of all I was glad to see a willingness on Jake's part to take the necessary steps to ensure his happiness to see Heather finally acknowledge her feelings for Jake .
I liked the whole scene between Hamilton and Buchs. You really got me to like Buchs only to kill him off in the next scene. I am very interested in seeing what Buchs' death plays in your story in upcoming chapters.
Gail was great in this chapter. I also think that it must have been very difficult for Emily to admit to Gail that she was unhappy. I also thought it very in character to blame Jake (maybe if he'd open up to her more, involve her in his life like he use to) and not to realize that she played a part in making their relationship work. I like the wisdom of Gail's word when she told Emily that she needs to look to herself to find her happiness. I was also happy to see Gail making the point that there was no way Emily's relationship with Jake can be compared with her's and Johnston's.
I am very much looking forward to the next chapter.
Thank you so much for your comments, Skyrose.
You know how I feel about the character of Emily. It's sometimes difficult for me to not be heavyhanded where her characterization is involved. I'm glad she came across as someone who can inspire a reaction of sympathy. Her situation--albeit it partly of her making--really is not an envious one. Gail is a far better woman that I am. She got her point across to Emily without tearing into her.
In many ways, I viewed the Jake/Heather interaction here as being a build block for them, as well as a calm before the storm. They've known that there is a pull to the other, but here are finally getting a chance to explore that.
Poor Buchs. He never stood much of a chance, did he? I guess that's just another reminder that life is sometimes quite cruel. I suppose it wouldn't be spoiling the story too much to say that his murder was never about him, though his death will figure prominently in what is to occur.
Thank you again!
One more thing I forgot to mention... Are we ever going to find out officially that Johnston attended Heather's parents' wedding? And, did Johnston know his old army buddy was living with his family over in New Bern? You don't have to answer, but I am intrigued by the connection, and I'm 99% sure that's what you were implying! :-D
Good catch, Marzee. This little part of their story will be addressed in future chapters. :)
Sandra,
Some interesting developments here, not the least of which is the confrontation I see coming between Emily and Jake. I think your Emily is very believable in her self-delusion that if she just keeps willing the world to be the way she wants it to be, it'll happen. I almost found myself feeling sorry for her. I think Gail it the nail on the head when she told Emily that she couldn't make anyone else responsible for whether or not she was happy. I was also VERY glad that Gail let Emily know that her relationship with Jake could not be equated to Gail's relationship with Johnston.
I just have to say I loved the end of this chapter the best. You've captured Gail the way I always saw her, valuing her son for who he is, valuing Emily for who she is, but also capable of recognizing their faults. I'm sure Gail doesn't hold Jake blameless in letting Emily work herself into the state she's in, and I would guess/hope that Jake may hear about this soon.
All the Jake and Heather mushiness was lovely, too. I'm glad that Heather is starting to see acknowledge and accept her feelings for Jake, and I'm VERY glad Jake realizes he needs to settle things with Emily before he says anything to Heather.
Lastly, you finally have me intrigued by what's happening in New Bern, and by Ted's involvement (of all people!) I can't wait to find out more about what he knows and how New Bern and (I assume) Constantino are planning to go after Heather.
As always, thanks for sharing!
Marzee, I have been remiss in thanking you properly for your comments, so firstly, thank you for taking the time to read and post a review for what you read.
You are right that there is a major confrontation coming down the bend for Emily and Jake. Like you, I almost feel sorry for Emily. I think that in order to write her, I've had to tap into my empathy for her situation. She, like many others, clings to what is safe and familiar during times of trouble. Yet in doing so, she is only borrowing more trouble and heartache for herself. In looking back at what must've been a long off-and-on relationship for Jake and Emily, I can't believe that no one has said to them, "Hey, you two have been circling around each other for 20 years and never made it work. What makes you think you'll get it right this time?" Gail came fairly close, but she also knows it is counterproductive to interfere in the process here. In order for Jake to really put Emily behind him or vice versa, that has to be a decision that the two of them make.
The Jake/Heather mushiness was fun to write.
Glad that you're intrigued by what's happening in New Bern. These events definitely tie into where the story is heading.
Thank you again!
Sandra, I was so pleased to be able to read another chapter of this wonderful story.
Once again, you've done a great job blending together scenes of quiet insight into these characters with moments that move the plot forward to new dramatic heights.
The first thing I have to comment on here is Emily. You've done such an excellent job portraying her here (as usual). Truthfully I always expect to be bored or annoyed with Emily when I see her in a scene, but you always manage to make me feel for her and think about the circumstances and choices she's made in her life that have led up to this moment. In this chapter in particular, I really felt for her. Though it's true that she isn't really worried about Jake's safety, I think it's perfectly understandable that she is worried about the pain of being rejected by him, as she is anticipating. While I agree with Gail that she should be looking to herself to create the happiness she wants in life, I still sympathize with her wishing for the happier times she once knew. I really loved the details you included that reminded us of past-Emily. Gail's memories of the awkward pre-teen standing on the porch, and Emily's own memories of playing baseball with the boys and enjoying a (relatively) stable home life were poignant. It really made me see her vulnerability, I think.
The scenes with Jake and Heather were wonderful too. You create this whole atmosphere around them that makes me feel like I am observing the moment myself. I loved the subtle changes we saw in Heather's character in this chapter; her move from the selfless friend who would remove herself from the equation in a second to someone who is willing to assert herself and recognize her own feelings for what they are (and the fact that she herself recognizes this) is becoming more and more apparent.
I like the changes we see in Jake as he develops in this story, and in this chapter. You've shown us a different side of Jake here that we don't often get the opportunity to see. He's allowing himself to be sensitive here, and expressing himself. He's got his usual intergrity and, for lack of a less cheesy way to put it, he's very giving. But he's also examining his life and getting ready to make decisions that will make him happy. I think that's really an interesting contrast in this chapter: Gail advises Emily about making her own happiness, while Jake and Heather take steps closer to doing just that.
I loved Gail in this chapter. Remembering a younger, vulnerable Emily, but holding her own when Emily lashes out at her, and still managing to keep her grief from clouding her judgement, it reminds me of all the things I like about this character. I loved how she asserted herself, and I loved the wisdom she shared in this chapter.
Just a few other things: I thought the detail of Gramps serenading Heather was very funny, I really enjoyed the little backstory into Heather's parents, and I am very intrigued to find out what will happen next in regards to our friends from New Bern.
Great work and I look forward to the next part!
Penny, thank you so much for your comments. I always enjoy so much hearing what you think of a chapter. I apologize for my lack of promptness in thanking you. I thought I had posted a response, but obviously, I had not.
Gail is, I think, one of the unsung heroes on Jericho. I greatly missed her presence in season 2 of the show, so I couldn't not include her. She's been through a lot, yes, but she is still a woman of principles, of integrity, and of insight. I find her to be an interesting contrast to Emily, who wallows in her misery and is all too eager to point fingers. Gail gives sage advice, but I've find, in general, hearing advice can be difficult while taking advice can be near downright impossible. Gail may have insight into the situation, but Emily's not ready to hear or take it at this point.
I feel like I've been treading a fine line with Jake. I'm glad you perceive him as being someone who is growing into his character changes and yet still in character. I certainly don't want him to be recognizable; yet at the same time, his experiences have changed him and contributed to the man he's become. The same could be said for Heather in that her experiences have certainly shaped her. As Mary put it in an earlier chapter, Heather's realizing that she doesn't have to be a martyr.
Thank you again for your comments. :)