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A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
Another wonderful chapter, with quite the journey, starting with Heather's dreams about the dead and ending with a difficult realization brought about by an imtimate conversation between friends.
Interesting how Jake disturbs her sleep, whether she's hearing him getting up at an ungodly hour or he's haunting her dreams.
I liked the inclusion of Hawkins in this chapter, bringing with him the big picture that Jake (and Heather) are already stumbling across, highlighting how urgent it is that they start acting. I think you've captured his grim sense of humour- I could picture him saying the things he says here.
I really liked all the details in the way Jake and Heather interacted throughout this chapter: Heather 'teaching' Jake about water heaters, him holding the wrench 'hostage', the truths they choose to reveal and those that they skip over. I especially thought Jake's story of Nasim was interesting. In telling her about him and the other children, he's both revealing an intimate part of his past and, I think, finding a connection to her world through her hopes and fears about her former students.
Your version of the Jake-tackles-unidentified-New-Bernian-with-gun scene was great. I realized where you were going just as it happened, and was completely immersed in the scene, wondering what the outcome would be (even though I should have had a reasonable expectation of what would happen). I guess what I'm saying is, your retelling was well done, so I was interested in how the characters involved would react and what they had at stake. And I thought it was really intriguing, how you gave both the assailant and would-be victim reasons for their actions and reactions. It made me reconsider what I thought I'd known about the first time I'd seen that scene.
I thought it was really interesting the way you gave us a picture of how everything in town was working, through Heather's quest to find one particular item. I liked the glimpse we got of Dale here- and the backstory you establish between him and Heather. As I may have mentioned before, I love the ensemble aspect of Jericho, and was always curious about how all the characters who didn't have many scenes together would interact.
The scene where Heather goes to her old classroom was so bittersweet. I imagined, as I read it, how strange it would be to return to this place where her old life if seemingly perfectly preserved. How sad, and yet, how unexpectedly great it would be to find the 'treasures' in the closet. This scene really got me.
The scene with Emily was, um, interesting as usual. I think you've captured both characters so well, as always. You do such an excellent job balancing everything that is happening, all the things that they are thinking and saying. Especially as, I think, they both begin to realize exactly what is going on with the other, and each manage to convey something without flat-out stating the truth. They're subtle. Very much the way things happen between friends in real life.
I liked Jake trying to start and drive Charlotte. At first, I thought this line was funny :
Emily watched as Jake left, puzzled by his reference to Heather’s truck as ‘she.’ It wasn’t like him. Even when he used to fly airplanes, when his eyes used to light up as he recounted his in-air maneuvers, Jake never referred to a plane as though it were a person. No, that sounded more like Heather.
Though it also made me feel for Emily, in a weird way. In fact, throughout this chapter, I was torn between my usual annoyance with her and feeling very sympathetic to her. She's so human, really. She wants Jake and everything he seems to promise to bring back to her, but she's recognizing (and trying to pretend she doesn't) that many things have changed and no matter how hard she may try, things between Jake and her will never be exactly the way she wants/remembers them to be.
“Are you staying in Jericho long?” Emily asked, hope in her voice. Lieutenant Hamilton might’ve been just what the doctor ordered for Heather. Emily had to admit that he was very handsome, albeit it a little too clean cut and straight-laced for her preference these days. But there was something about him, a quality she couldn’t quite pinpoint, that she found very appealing. And he definitely seemed to have taken an interest in Heather, for which Emily was delighted. If Heather could find happiness with him, that would be perfect. And if Lieutenant Hamilton would help Heather to get her mind off of Jake, then that would be the icing on the cake.
A few moments earlier, she's realized how Heather feels about Jake (though Heather herself may not fully realize it), and here she is, hoping that the situation will be fixed by Hamilton so that she can be happy for her friend and not lose what she sees as her own chance for happiness. As Hamilton guesses, she doesn't really seem to understand her friend's feelings and wishes, and I think she doesn't want to, out of self-preservation. But she is blindly hoping Heather can be happy anyway. It's a difficult place to be in, and I did feel for her. To a point. I just felt bad for Eric after this line:
Emily continued with a waggle of her eyebrows, “Eric would get so mad because he’d hear us in there and couldn’t sleep. He’d knock on the wall and threaten to tell their parents that I was with Jake. Johnston and Gail were progressive parents in many ways, but that was not one of the ways.”
I loved your introduction of Michael Flaherty. He seems like an interesting character, an interesting part of Eric's backstory, and I loved his pet name for Jennings and Rall. As usual, I love the way you write scenes between Heather and Eric. Here's a line I loved:
Eric shrugged. “Damn. See, this is the problem with being convinced you’re going to die in prison. You tell all your deep dark secrets, end up making it out alive, and then—bam—you get blackmailed.”
You always show both Eric and Heather holding onto their senses of humour as they deal with everything that they've seen and experienced (and maybe even as a tool to help them deal). I love that they also try to deal with their own problems by reaching out to each other and trying to fix the problems they see in the community. This line was so heart-wrenching:
But as she’d spoken, her voice had become shakier, more tenuous. “He doesn’t want me Eric. He never did. And I am fine with it.”
Eric draped an arm around her shoulder and absently kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry, Heather. I’m sorry I pushed. I just don’t want you feeling like you have to pretend for my benefit.”
Really wonderful story so far, Sandra. I'm glad I've finally caught up, I've really enjoyed reading it, and I look forward to the next chapter!
Thank you so much for your comments, Penny!
All the characters have quite a bit going on, some of which they're freely letting others know, some of which they aren't. Heather is, obviously, dealing with the fallout from what happened to her in New Bern, as well as her own conflicted feelings for Jake. Jake is struggling with his floundering relationship with Emily, the intrigue of Heather, worries that his town has basically been handed over to the bad guys, and the greater conspiracy issues that Hawkins brings along. Eric wants so badly to be the man his father was and feels constantly that he falls short. Then there's the overwhelming task of getting the town back on its feet. Emily is desperate in a sense for her relationship with Jake to work. She wants stability, but her actions to ensure stability will likely have an opposite effect. Hamilton was probably the only character in this chapter that wasn't dealing with some kind of inner turmoil. Despite everything that's happened, he's very sure of who he is and where he stands.
I'm glad you enjoyed the teasing between Eric and Heather. I view their relationship as being almost familial, but in this case, they've picked the other as family. Humor goes a long way in making untenable situations easier to endure. Certainly from personal experience, I can say that there have been times when, if I didn't laugh about something, I would have to cry about it.
I'm also glad you liked the New Bern would-be attacker scene. I had thought to myself when I watched the scene in season 2 that there is so much we don't know about the people from New Bern. I wondered what would make a man take his life into his own hands to come to Jericho to exact revenge. So that was definitely something I wanted to revisit in a different way. That little scene will also have ripple effects that will impact the story down the line.
Thank you again, Penny!
I really like Gail's thoughtfulness in leaving the bag of necessities and the not welcoming her to their house for Heather. The keychain with the saying ‘Home is where you're loved' etched on it was really a nice touch. I can imagine how welcomed it made Heather feel. I think that Gail knew exactly what she was doing when she picked out that keychain.
During Heather and Jake's conversation in the basement I was pleased that Jake wanted to learn about what made Heather tick. I liked the little insight into Heather's life where she talked about her dad and how he thought it would be a good idea for her to learn how to take things apart and put them back together.
Quote:
"I understand little people. Children, I mean. They don't have pretenses. They eventually learn to, but they aren't inherently programmed that way." Her eyes fluttered closed, and she could envision her former students, so full of life and personality. Her job hadn't been easy-no job ever done well ever was-but teaching third grade had been fulfilling. She'd considered it a privilege to get to share in the children's lives and their learning experiences.
I really like the insight into Heather here about how she feels about teaching and why it is rewarding to her.
Quote:
Jake watched Heather and got the sense that she was holding on to far more than she revealed. He knew better than anyone how complex human nature was, how near impossible it was to maneuver through the cavalcade of what people said versus what they did or thought. Hadn't he been caught up in that cavalcade for the good portion of his adult life? Working for Jonah Prowse, sugar-coating exactly what those "deliveries" were about, being in war zones, unwittingly providing weaponry to the highest bidder, hiding his past from his family for so long, even being caught up with Hawkins and "the package" again, pretending there wasn't a nuclear warhead hidden under a garden shed only a mile and a half away?
Great insight into Jake's mind.
I really liked the story that Jake told Heather about the his time in Afghanistan and his message that the children never gave up and found happiness in the most unlikely of places. I liked Heather's memory that one time she thought her students dreams were alive with dreams and possibilities and the truth of Jake's statement that the children of Jericho will adapt better than most adults. In this conversation I also liked Heather's response that he couldn't have stopped her when Jake told her that he shouldn't have let her go to New Bern. I like how Heather's response speaks to her independence and her determination to help Jericho.
The scene on Main Street and the one later in town hall were very good. I liked how Jake held Heather and reassured that he was alright and that Marnie mistakened them for a couple. I wonder how Jake will feel when he realizes he unwittingly revealed that Heather was alive in front of the would be assassin from New Bern.
Buffalo Credit...I'd be wary of it just like Heather is. It just seems like another way for J&R to steal what's not theirs. The memory of Heather's conversation with her dad where he tells her to be nice to everyone was poignant. I have to say I really like how you intertwine little snippets about Heather's past into the story. I really feel like I'm getting to know her.
The irony of Heather having ‘The Butter Battle Book' as her book during the week the school celebrated Dr. Seuss week was very appropriate I thought. I can just imagine the desolation Heather felt when she was walking through the halls of her school and when she stepped into her classroom. I thought the detail in this scene was excellent and it painted a very good picture of how Heather was feeling.
Just by the things Emily was saying to Heather you could tell she considered Heather a threat to her relationship with Jake. Emily is really staking her territory in a mean way by telling Heather the story about how she used to sneak into Jake's room. I thought it was typical of Emily not to hesitate to tell Heather what was wrong in her world when Heather asked her how she has been rather than steering the conversation back to how Heather was. As her friend I think she should have realized that Heather was avoiding and would want to know why. I thought the contrast you made between how Heather and Emily grew up was interesting and helped explain their present day personalities.
Seems like Heather is beginning to realize Emily's tactics and Emily is realizing it prompting her to tear Jake down and manipulate the situation again. I just loved that despite what Emily says she trusts Jake completely.
It's just like Emily to try and continue to manipulate the situation by talking about how good Roger was for her and then saying he chose the refugees over her. I think it is so typical of Emily to paint herself as the victim. I'm glad that Heather realizes that there's more to the story.
The whole conversation between Jake and Gray was very interesting. I get the feeling that Gray resents anyone with the last name of Green. It's so funny that the mention of anything green makes Gray think of the Johnston Green's family. I liked the tidbit that Gray had an ex-wife. I can imagine how difficult he might be to live with. Good for Jake for calling Gray on how much information he was giving the military. Interesting that Gray was told about a nuclear bomb being in the area. Kind of symbolic I think that Jake drove away and left Emily standing in the parking lot.
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But as Emily paused to think, she knew. Jake was one thing they had in common and one thing that had the potential to pull them apart. Wasn't that the dichotomy that always troubled her existence? It went back as far as she could remember. Stability and excitement; endearment and lust; forgiveness and rancor. They had all warred within her at some point; still did in many ways. And now she found another dichotomy. More than anything, she wanted her relationship with Jake to be different this time, to actually work out. Maybe then she would be able to let go of the past. She also wanted her friendship with Heather to continue. Heather Lisinski was the first person in Jericho who looked beyond Emily's troubled past, beyond her father's influence, and beyond the stares and whispers.
Good insight into Emily. Interesting that she thinks that her relationship with Jake, if it works, will allow her to let go of the past.
Hamilton is such a gentleman. I like how he saw through Emily right away. It's very telling that Hamilton, who has only known Heather for a only a short period of time realizes more things about her than Emily who has known her so much longer.
I like the little backs story on Michael Flaherty and got a sense of his pride in his business with the statement that the work he did in Jericho and surrounding towns was his showcase. I always find it interesting how people you didn't like when you were younger you like when you are older. I can picture Michael and Eric working well together. Eric asks some very good questions about the state of the nation in this part of the story. You are providing him with some good insights. I like the Eric's thoughts of his father and how they applied to him.
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"That's understandable." Eric remembered how his father had urged him toward that job with Mr. Flaherty the summer between his junior and senior years of high school. Johnston Green had been convinced that it would help build character and instill in Eric an appreciation for hard work. That was the same summer that Jake lived and worked on the ranch with their grandfather after managing a QPA of 1.8 in his first year of college, the summer which marked the beginning of Jake becoming mildly involved with Jonah Prowse's operations, a decision that set their parents on edge. The more Jake pushed their father away, the more Johnston had pushed Eric to succeed. "I never figured I would have anything to do with building again. I wasn't cut out for construction back then."
I really like the detail you put into describing your characters. I thought this paragraph was very insightful in explaining why Eric is the way he is.
Thank you so much for your comments, Skyrose. :)
Heather is definitely carrying more baggage than anyone (other than Eric) is aware. Luckily for her, she's in a good place at the Green house. Gail is just what the doctor ordered--very thoughtful and welcoming. Plus, Gail sees what Jake and Heather can't admit to themselves just yet, that they are very good for one another. And I think you're right about the inscription. There was definitely a message that Gail was trying to convey to Heather.
I felt like I was treading a rather precarious line with Jake and Heather in this chapter after how the previous chapter ended, so I'm glad that their conversations came through okay. They're both torn between what they want to do and what they think they should do. Throw into that mix Jake's being pulled back in with Hawkins and Heather trying to come to terms with what happened in New Bern, and it's a pretty messy situation. They're trying their best to keep their feelings in check, but it's becoming obvious to those around them that there is a connection between them. Marnie saw it right off the bat, and it's 'not for nothin' that Emily is feeling threatened.
Speaking of Emily, she has certainly had more than her fair share of bad things happen to her. But I also feel like at some point, she's making a choice to wallow in her self-pity. She's certainly got quite a mileage out of it--and she's continuing what has essentially worked for her up until now. But yes, Heather is having a difficult time reconciling what Emily is saying with what Heather knows of Jake. The way they view him is quite disparate and indicative of where those relationships are heading.
And yes, Jake may have inadvertently revealed Heather's presence to those in New Bern. And certainly, there will be people in NB who are interested in that information. When he realizes what he's done, Jake is going to be pretty angry with himself.
Gray is a fun character to write, largely because he's usually a jackass, but he has these moments of clarity. However, his unease with following in the footsteps of Johnston Green does cloud his decisions and sometimes his judgment.
I have to admit that I enjoy writing original characters almost as much as writing canon characters. Flaherty, the Schuberts, and Hamilton certainly aren't the main focus, but I think it's always good to have a reminder that there are people in Jericho other than our main characters. Hamilton, in particular, is a favorite of mine. You are right that he absolutely has Emily figured out. He's good natured and doesn't directly cut her down, but he can't quite figure out why Heather is her friend. Certainly, he wants to see Heather happy.
The Heather/Eric friendship was one thing that I expected to see on the show but never did see. Considering that these two were in NB together, going through life and death situations, I figured that they would become close. Perhaps this is taking dramatic license on my part, but I really felt like Heather needed a friend who wasn't interested in her romantically (a la Hamilton and Jake) or feeling threatened by her (Emily). Eric fit that bill. :)
Thank you again for all your comments, insights, and encouragement.
I have been rather recalcitrant in responding to your most recent installment of Dangerous, so for that I apologize. This was all good stuff, from Jake getting in Gray's face, to Hamilton figuring Emily out in all of two seconds, to Eric's and Heather's conversation. And, why do I think dinner at Emily's is going to be very interesting?
A few things of note:
It was always easy to look at Emily; it just wasn’t always easy to be with Emily.
Isn't that the truth!
The look on Heather’s face, as well as Heather’s staunch defense of Jake, when they discussed his leaving left very little doubt in Emily’s mind how Heather felt about him. As Emily began walking down the street, the thought occurred to her that Heather was actually quite lucky that Jake was attached to her and not free for Heather to pursue in her clumsy school girl manner. Jake would eat Heather alive, and she didn’t even have a clue.
All I can think is that this alone proves that Emily doesn't know Heather at all. It's very Emily, though, and just makes me feel sorry for Heather that she devoted so much time to a friendship with this woman who has never bothered to notice her strength.
It's taken me a bit to warm to Hamilton. I'm a diehard J/H aficionado and, well, I've been a bit suspicious of the lieutenant. But I take back all my suspicion. He's awesome! Thank you for having him call Emily on her absolute blindness to Heather's situation. And, how Emily to think that what Heather really needs is better clothes. (Insert all kinds of eye rolling here!)Hamilton’s mind was racing. It was all nice and fine that Emily Sullivan thought that this was a happy ending, but after talking with Heather the night before, he wasn’t so convinced that it was quite the happy ending that his Dorothy had in mind. Returning to Jericho, finding out life had gone on without her, and discovering that she had no home would have been more than the average person could bear. Hamilton suspected it had taken its toll on her, only she kept her feelings close to the cuff.
But if Emily Sullivan was Heather’s best friend, shouldn’t she be aware of that? And yet in listening to her and her reference to a happy ending, it occurred to Hamilton how completely oblivious this woman was. Hamilton shook his head.
Heather Lisinski sure did have an interesting taste in friends.
“No, no. Back up,” Eric spoke quickly. “What’s this about Jake getting married to Emily?”Ah, thank you, Eric, for being voice (or at least the thinker) of reason. There's something to be said for the fact that, in twenty years, Jake and Emily never did manage to get it right. And, I'm sure if Stanley got wind of a wedding, it would have been all over town. For that matter, no way Emily would keep it quiet.
“You mean you didn’t know?” Heather bit her lip. “Oops.”
Eric looked unconvinced. “Are you sure?” he asked with a frown. To the best of his knowledge, Jake and Emily hadn’t been that serious. Together, yes. Serious? Ready for a lifelong commitment? They’d not managed to pull it off yet. Not that Jake confided in Eric all that much, but Eric was sure Jake would’ve said something to Stanley. And knowing Stanley Richmond, if there was news of a wedding, it wouldn’t be secret for long.
Thank you so much for your comments, Marzee!
I agree with you that Emily doesn't know Heather as well as she thinks she does. Part of this may be due to Emily's own self-involvement; part of this may be due to the fact that the Heather who has come back from New Bern is coming back replete with new experiences and a greater world view. Heather is not entirely the same wide-eyed innocent girl who left Jericho.
I'm glad to see that you're warming up to Hamilton. He almost seems too good to be true, but he genuinely is a nice guy. I envision him as (almost) the male counterpart to Heather. Just inherently decent. He will definitely function in a vital role in the story later on, but like you, I am a devoted Jake/Heather fan. And you're right: Hamilton had Emily pegged in under two minutes. LOL.
If Heather was thinking rationally instead of emotionally, she probably would've come to the same conclusion as Eric, that Jake and Emily never have never managed to get it together long enough to get married. Alas, Heather has been through a rollercoaster of emotions, and she's not thinking rationally. Plus, she's put an enormous amount of trust and devotion into her friendship with Emily.
Thank you again!