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A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
Very intriguing!
The first paragraph hooked me in and left me wondering exactly what Heather did in New Bern that she is worried about Beck arresting her and using her to set an example.
I really enjoyed the interaction between Heather and the two soldiers who were ordered to fixed Charlotte. What I particularly liked about it was the inclusion of, I think, Chavez (a.k.a. Parker). I am interested in seeing if Heather is going to call Beck on why he asked the soldiers to help her when he already knew about her mechanical abilities.
I like the interaction between Jake and Beck. It may be wishful thinking on my part but I got the impression that they were both trying to size each other up with Beck failing miserably and while Jake saw Beck for what he is. I'm interesting in seeing both Gail's and Heather's reaction when Jake tells him he's now sheriff.
I think you captured Gail perfectly - her scene with Heather was my favorite part. I am really enjoying seeing their relationship develop. I enjoyed the back story you gave Johnston and Gail, similar in some ways to Jake and Heather's story. I think that she tried to draw parallels from her story and what she sees as Jake's and Heather's story to let Heather know that she is not alone and to give her some hope. I especially liked how Gail hooked her arm in Heather's not only to comfort Heather but to comfort herself.
I did feel bad for Hamilton in this part, not knowing that his friend, Buchs, is dead and having to institute a search for him.
The ending left me really intrigued about what the brother and sister team are going to do next.
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The private opened his mouth to speak, thought better of it, and shut his mouth again. Lieutenant Parker looked on, a bemused expression crossing his features, one that surprised Heather considering the importance of protocol. Heather knew all too well the value placed upon rules, regulation, and propriety; her time at Camp Hayward had been an opener, indeed.
No wonder Parker (a.k.a. Chavez) irreverence to protocol appropriate here, afterall, he knows that the government in Cheyenne is not the true government.
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Each passing day was minutely easier than the previous but the throbbing she felt was still so palpable and yet her situation so surreal.
I like this insight into Gail's grief and the reality of the statement.
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"Good. I want to see Jake happy. Heather, first loves aren't always lifelong loves. Jake knows this, though it's taken him a long time to get to the point where he's willing to act on that."
I really like the message that Gail is giving Heather here. I also thought it was well said.
I really enjoyed this part and I'm looking forward to what's coming next.
Thank you for your comments, Skyrose. I was hoping that the readers would catch on that Parker was Chavez, but I didn't want to beat people over the head with it. So I'm glad you noticed. :)
Jake and Beck are definitely trying to size each other up. Neither trusts the other, but they also realize that the other holds something they each want. Beck would provide Jake with information that may be pertinent to Hawkins, the future of Jericho, and beyond. Jake is "the guy" that Beck has to win over because Jake wields so much influence over the townspeople. Beck's primary goal is restoring order, and if he has Jake's cooperation, he feels he's more likely to have that order he wants. I guess you could say that they're using each other, though Beck is less aware of this mutualism than Jake is.
This is a very intriguing chapter, Sandra, right from the start!
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When Heather first heard the crackling of the gravel, she thought it was her imagination, but as she peered around the open hood of Charlotte and the outline of a Humvee came into view, her initial impression was replaced by dread. Were they there for her? Had they tracked her down to arrest her for what happened in New Bern? If Major Beck was investigating as he was purported to be doing, would she be in the proverbial line of fire? Would they use her as an example?
So what did Heather do in New Bern that she thinks will get her arrested?? You've certainly got my attention. Actually all the details of the crackdown are coming into sharper focus here, such as Beck telling Jake that he knew where he was because he checked out of town but never checked back in. Interesting stuff.
However, the part that interested me the most was Gail's talk with Heather, and the backstory you gave us for Johnston and Gail. While I can see why Gail had her doubts (Johnston really was borderline cad), though I have to agree with Heather that it's the stuff of a great romance. I love that they got to know each other so well through letters -- so well that Gail would actually (I assume) accept a proposal of marriage by mail or maybe phone. That shows some true faith on both their parts.
It's interesting to me, too, that Johnston as a young man seems to have behaved, at least a little bit, the way Jake refuses to. Yes, Jake is running around with and flirting with Heather, but Heather at least knows about Emily, leaving them both very cautious and aware that they're playing with fire. Jake is trying very hard to not lead Heather on the way it seems to me his father did lead Gail on. Anyway, the comparison struck me.
Finally, I loved the fact that Gail gave Heather some hope to hold onto. I know that her first priority is Jake and helping/pushing him to be the best he can be, but she seems to like Heather just for the fact that she's who she is. It's sweet that she would offer a few words of encouragement, especially since she didn't get anything like them from her own mother-in-law. (Jumping the gun, I know!) Anyway, this was wonderfully said:
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"Good. I want to see Jake happy. Heather, first loves aren’t always lifelong loves. Jake knows this, though it’s taken him a long time to get to the point where he’s willing to act on that.”
As always, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your comments, Marzee.
You know, I hadn't really thought about it, but Johnston's behavior after meeting Gail was caddish, wasn't it? It's easy to lose sight of things like that when they were presented as a bastian of true love and integrity on the show. I have to say that it was fun to outline the story of Johnston and Gail's courtship, largely because there was such a blank slate in place. I remember in the episode where Gail and Johnston clashed over the April/Eric/Mary situation, it was suggested that the circumstances surrounding the Johnston/Gail courtship had been less than ideal, but the writers really left it to the viewers to draw their own conclusions. Of course, the only thing I can figure is that they might someday revisit that part of their past if the show had lasted and Gerald McRaney had stayed on the show. Nevertheless, it was fun to draw some parallels between J/G and Jake/Heather.
You're right that Gail's first concern is Jake--and she wants what will make him happy--but as you can tell, she does have a preference. ;)
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So what did Heather do in New Bern that she thinks will get her arrested?? You've certainly got my attention. Actually all the details of the crackdown are coming into sharper focus here, such as Beck telling Jake that he knew where he was because he checked out of town but never checked back in. Interesting stuff.
The events of New Bern will heavily figure into the remainder of the story. That conversation that Beck mentioned to Heather will be front and center very soon, along with a few surprises.
I tell you, though, if I were a citizen of Jericho, I would be more than a little perturbed that their whereabouts are so closely monitored. That is creepy.
Thank you again!
This was a very intriguing chapter, Sandra!
I liked how the setup begins with the two worlds we've been obvserving in the earlier parts of this section sort of colliding - the quiet, introspective world out at the ranch being intruded upon by the forces at work in the bigger picture.
The Jake and Beck interaction here was interesting. Interesting to see how this scene, this moment between the characters happens differently in this world, and the different stakes they both have. It will be very interesting to see where things go from here and also, Heather's and Gail's reactions to what Jake has to tell them.
My favourite part of this chapter was the interaction between Gail and Heather. You capture Gail so well, reflecting on her past, coping with her present, and still hoping for the future. I'm so glad we get to see her making a difference in this world, as she was so badly missing from the show in season two. I love how you handle her both dealing with the constant pain of missing Johnston and still seeing the greater picture, what is happening with her family and friends, and trying to provide support and guidance to them. The relationship developing between her and Heather is interesting and I look forward to seeing how they both handle what is to come.
I felt for Hamilton in this part, not realizing his friend is dead. That was some dramatic irony!
I'm very intrigued as to who this brother/sister pair are and what they will do next. Their interaction hit such a chilling note at the end!
I look forward to reading more!
Thank you for your comments, Penny. As nice as it was for Jake and Heather to be at the ranch, away from the craziness of the outside world, real life must go on. Turns out they have several problems coming their way--some things of which they are aware and others of which they are blissfully ignorant.
I'm glad you enjoyed the Gail/Heather interaction. It was fun to write a backstory for Gail and Johnston. A less than noble backstory was hinted at between the two when they disagreed over the whole April/Eric/Mary debacle, but it was never fully explored on the show. I thought that there were some interesting parallels to Gail and Johnston's relationship and Jake and Heather's burgeoning relationship, so I couldn't resist making a point of it in the chapter.
Yeah, Hamilton's day is about to get pretty bad. Poor guy. The brother/sister pair are certainly going to be causing their share of grief.
Thank you again! :)