Members: 74
Series: 4
Stories: 79
Chapters: 249
Word count: 1920246
Authors: 10
Reviews: 456
Reviewers: 31
Newest Member: stevenjohn
Challenges: 8
Challengers: 2
A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
Wonderful story! Wished you had written some more. Thanks for sharing
Great chapter!
I think as I mentioned in the earlier parts of 13, I enjoyed seeing the Cheyenne crew and the people back home converging in these phone call scenes.
A few of the highlights I really enjoyed in this part:
"You going to milk a cow, Dee?"
Darcy couldn't help but laugh. "Really funny, Rob. Tell you what: I'll milk a cow the day you go on a turkey shoot." She smiled to herself as she pictured the corners of her husband's mouth turning up slightly when she heard the amused chuckle on the other end of the phone. It made her heart jump just a little.
"Who would have ever thought . . . our city boy on a farm. I hope he likes it better than camping."
This really makes me chuckle. A great comment on the Hawkins family and their slight bemusement at the adaptations they have to make after being transplanted to rural Kansas. We often seem to notice Mimi not fitting in I think, but the Hawkinses too are from the city and this reminded me of the little bits of humour we sometimes saw from them on the show as they observed the small town people and their customs.
I also in general love how you put a spotlight both on the Hawkins family and on the relationship between Hawkins and Darcy. I think you've captured both their seriousness, their sense of history together, but also the sly sense of humour they share.
Heather looked between her friend and the man she was going to marry, "All right, boys, I'm off to the kitchen. Try not to miss me too much."
"You know I will, but go ahead anyways," Jake replied bringing Heather in for a quick kiss before letting her go.
"Oh, I think we can manage," Chavez said. He clapped Jake on the shoulder.
The dynamic between the three of them is cute and funny. Though I do feel for Chavez throughout. He of course reacts in a way anyone who's ever been an odd man out around a new, crazy in love couple will understand, but he's also able to joke and be good natured. I like the energy you give Chavez, how you capture him being funny, maybe a little more impulsive than Hawkins, and with a warmth.
I also like the scenes with the back and forth between those in Cheyenne and those at home. I like how you highlight the different contributions of the group - I get a sense that what Eric is doing, what Mimi is doing, and of course, what Darcy is doing is a valuable contribution. One of my favourite themes of the show was how the group of townspeople contributed various things according to their abilities and talents, towards the goals of surviving. I like how you have a bit of that going on here, on different levels.
Also, I like the idea of strawberry shortcake, post apocalyptic style!
I enjoyed this and look forward to the next part!
Nicely done, Skyrose!
I think these conference calls between Cheyenne and Jericho are a great way to move the plot along. I also really enjoyed how Jake and Heather torture poor Joe. Too funny.
It was a great idea to have Heather and Darcy both get the chance to use their computer skills to outfox The Powers That Be. Jericho especially owes Heather a debt of graditude for concealing the existence of the salt mine. Gray does too, but oh, I want to wring his neck! J&R really lucked out, getting Gray to deal with as mayor instead of Johnston. I hope Eric really puts the screws to Gray when he ultimately helps him out!
What a rollercoaster this chapter was! So enjoyable! I like how you blended humor (the article Heather was reading and Jake's reaction to Heather crying after he says the L word), action (Constantino's attack), and character development (Robert's history) into one chapter. Great story, skyrose!
I kept meaning to come back to this story and read more, but real life got busy. Glad I saw that you updated. I have some catching up to do.
Trouble's brewing! I like how you have different storylines intersecting. That's not easy to do.
Constantino is looking for Heather. Not good. Lucky for her, she has Jake. Speaking of Jake, I'm glad he's come to his senses and realized what she means to him.
The conversation between Hawkins and Chavez about Heather was funny. Hawkins is right. Chavez doesn't stand a chance. I can't help but like Chavez, though. Maybe there will be another nice woman in the story for him somewhere.
Just please don't let it be Tara. Yuck.
Valente, double-yuck. Heather's a brave girl to go into that lion's den.
Thanks for the good bedtime story, Skyrose.
Skyrose, I loved this! So many good things to comment on! I hardly know where to begin!
- Hawkins and Darcy: I love how you show the change in their relationship. I'm glad that they're at a point where they have a better understanding of each other. I also appreciate the fact that Hawkins is seeing Dee as a partner. The trust he's placed in her is really indicative of how they've grown.
- Jake/Heather/Chavez: Too funny! I think my favorite part had to have been when Chavez commented about how the beer would taste better from the bottle and Heather kissed Jake and subsequently proclaimed that it tasted better from the kiss. Sigh.
- the group phone call: I'm amazed at how you manage to incorporate so many characters into the same scene. I can't do it! Even though you had so many different characters, you really kept each true to their characters. In hearing more about what's happening in Jericho, I have to say that it's very scary. I could just wring Gray's neck, but Jake is right. Eric can't leave him to fend for himself because the salt mine is so crucial to Jericho's well-being. I also like how you had each character's strengths really shine through and how each is contributing in his/her own way.
Thanks for sharing this chapter with us! I just love Taking Another Page!
Skyrose,
One of the many things I love about this story (beyond the fact that I prefer your version of Season 2 to what we actually got) is the little bits of humor you infuse into both the adventurous and romantic moments. Things like:
Quote:
Hawkins was spared from answering Chavez when the door opened and Heather walked in. "Hey guys! Sorry we're late, we were –"
"Delayed," Jake abruptly finished as he walked in behind her, glaring at both men, daring them to say anything.
And
Quote:
"Romantic? Jake was romantic?" Gail asked incredulously.
I'm glad you take the time to put these things in, they make the story seem more real to me. Those are just two examples of where this story has really made me smile.
This was a lovely little installment. It was great to be included on the happy news being announced to Gail and Eric. Can't wait to see what happens next!
I was glad to see the next installment of this story posted!
Great chapter, Skyrose. I love this little reunion via telephone of our Cheyenne team and their loved ones back home. Just as their meetings with each other must provide a bit of respite in their dangerous daily grind, I imagine it's a small but significant relief to have this (few minutes? Half an hour?) of contact with their family and friends back home (or out there, for the Greens and Hawkinses back home).
I liked the glimpse into what's going on back home, the reminder that even though the Jerichoains are not caught up in Cheyenne politics (well, aren't immerse in them, since they are actually experiencing them too, in an interesting way), they are facing their own challenges, and I liked how you showed the way their grief and hurts (Gail's bittersweet musing on her anniversary, for example) are happening alongside things like reaching out to each other, starting things over (the new planting and rebuilding of the town) and of course, Jake and Heather's good news. Sort of a hope/dark times contrast.
I look forward to reading the next part!
It's good to see the amount of trust Jake has in Heather to be able to unload the weight he carries on his shoulders. Ugh at Emily for having Jake give up his dreams for her and then criticize his choices.
What a lovely story, Skyrose!
I was so glad to see Jake and Heather finally encounter each other. They almost bungled up their reunion, though, didn’t they? It’s good that they were able to work through why Jake hadn’t been there earlier.
I also like this situation you have set up with Jake and Heather, namely him staying with her to help keep her safe. That’ll give them the chance to really bond. I’m worried about what all happened to Heather in New Bern. The fact that she’s not able to talk about it doubly worrisome.
And surprise, surprise. Emily has redeemed herself. I was very amazed by the contents of her letter to Heather, essentially giving her blessing for Heather and Jake to move forward. That was very good of her. After the whole selfish debacle of her hiding Heather’s letter to Jake, I have to admit that I was expecting some nasty tirade. Of course, that is probably my own dislike of Emily shining through.
Nicely done, Skyrose!
I like the background you give on Tomarchio and Sheridan. It’s good to know that not everyone in the Cheyenne government is corrupt. I am left to wonder if he eventually be an ally to Hawkins.
Uh oh. So government representatives are seeing to it that people are not rebuilding factories? Is this so citizens will be more dependent upon the Cheyenne government? I smell a skunk. Heather does, too. I’m a little worried about her meeting with Valente, considering that he seems very aware of who she is already.
I also liked how you brought together Hawkins, Chavez, and Green. It’s good to see Jake being protective of Heather. And what a cliffhanger! Luckily for me, there are more chapters posted. Off to read more!
Another very satisfying chapter, Skyrose!
Uh oh on two accounts.
1) It looks as if Jake might have some competition for Heather! I was so surprised (but also excited) to see the character of Chavez. I enjoyed the backstory you gave him. Or the one he gave Heather, I should say, which may or may not be the whole truth. The fact that she's kept her distance from everyone else but is willing to befriend him is very telling, even if she is still thinking of Jake.
2) Constatino is like a rabid dog. Wait, he's worse because he is fired up for a target. It sounds as though Eric might also have something to worry about in the form of Goetz.
I'm loving this!
Oh crap! Heather has more trouble than she realizes! Valente and Goetz know who she is and are plotting to use Constantino to kill her?
It's good that Jake has someone (Hawkins) that he can rely on for help. I'm also glad that Jake isn't going to let Heather languish in Cheyenne.
And thank you for cutting that noose off of Jake's neck. I'm glad to see him have some resolution to his relationship with Emily.
Off for more reading!
Another great chapter! I was glad to see Jake let Emily have it for concealing the letter.
As I read Heather's letter, it was almost as though I could hear her voice in my head. You really did a good job portraying her character. I also liked getting the brief explanation of how Heather meant more to Jake than he'd previously let on and that the moments of safety he had involved her.
With Heather taking another page from Jake's book, she's likely to find herself in trouble. Someone must know about her. Otherwise, why put the papers under her pillow. Additionally, that person must not be one of Constantino's cronies (though I am worried for Heather on this account).
Skyrose, I really like how you're pulling these different pieces together.
It looks like things are getting really complicated for our characters! A bright spot in all this was how the Hawkins family seems to really be coming together. I always enjoyed Hawins and Darcy on the show, so I'm glad to see them featured so heavily thus far in Taking Another Page.
Constantino has escaped? Uh oh. That can't be good. I'm a little surprised that Jake could make himself wait until the next morning to leave to look for him, but maybe with the army still in the general area he figures he couldn't get very far.
QUOTE: "If we don't talk about this before you leave, I don't know if I'll be here when you get back. I'm sick and tired of your putting everyone and everything before me. I need for you to put us first. This won't work if I'm the only one willing to try."
Somebody give Emily a clue. Please. The reason Jake's putting everyone before you is that you're a hanger on, honey. I'm guessing the volatility is part of what makes their relationship tick, but she would be better served to find someone willing to be at her beck and call.
Oh, and the letter makes an appearance again. I wonder what's in it!
Skyrose, I like the start of this story very much! I'm very interested in seeing how Jake gets drawn into Hawkins' world. The house-to-house searches don't sound very promising. It was exactly the type of thing that led American colonists to rebel against British rule..oh, almost 250 years before this. Gray better be careful about what he's promising to the military!
Emily annoys me. She has no right to interfere with Jake's letter for her own selfish gain. My thought on this is that if Jake wants to spend time with Emily, he will. If he's not spending enough time with her to suit her, there's a reason for that. In general, people make time for the people that are important to them. That should clue her in.
I'm off to read more!
Ah, lucky, lucky chapter thirteen. ;-) I'm sure Heather and Jake agree with me, and I'm so glad you posted this treat for us, Skyrose, and on your one year, one day Greens of Jericho anniversary, too. :-)
This was an absolutely lovely "morning after" for our favorite couple. I'm glad, too, that you went to the birth control discussion. This is a topic that concerns/bothers me since we really didn't hear anything about it on the show. But given the ways of the new world order it is a real issue, and one that our characters would need to consider along with others. So that satisfied my practical side... and Jake's and Heather's choice to consciously (and together as a couple) accept whatever the future had in store for them satisfied my sentimental side.
Sam and his picture were a hoot! I totally crack up at this line every time I read it:
"No, me and my mom. She plays a lot better than my dad." Sam pointed to the third figure, "See, that's my dad on the porch. He's watching us play. Didn't you recognize them?" he said with a frown.
The joys of children's drawings! :-D
Can't wait to see what happens next.... and just how late Jake and Heather are to their appointment with Hawkins and Chavez!
Great chapter, Skyrose!
I liked the way you captured this moment in Jake and Heather's relationship, in the aftermath of their first night together, this important step for them. You write a sweet, somewhat idealistic (in a good way!) dynamic between these two very different characters, as they begin to share a life.
I also really liked the scene you gave us back in Jericho. I loved seeing the community (well, some of our favourite community members) and how they are coping while our heros are in Cheyenne. I liked the details, like Sam's drawings, Stanley and Mimi's kitchen-rearranging inside joke, Allison finally getting to be a teenager as she makes friends and finds a place in the community, and I chuckled over Darcy's knowing something that Gail is not two steps ahead of, for once.
I look forward to the next part!
So happy to see this posted, Skyrose!
What a nice morning Jake and Heather are having together. ;) I would say it's sweet that they can't get enough of each other, but maybe sultry is more like it. I thought the conversation they had about having children was really well written. The way they're going, that is something that they may deal with sooner rather than later. Heather strikes me as a fairly traditional kind of gal, so I'm sure she'd like to be settled into married life before that happens. Yet when coupled with the fact that everything is more complicated since the bombs (just look at what happened to poor April), no wonder there was some trepidation. I love the way they trust in their relationship with each other, though. And with the way they're going, I wonder if Hawkins and Chavez will be waiting for a long time before Jake and Heather make it for the phone call Hawkins arranged...
I know I've said it before, but I like the friendship between Gail and Darcy. It's good to see that they have each other for a support system. And Sam, in all his eagerness, was absolutely cracking me up.
As always, I'm looking forward to more!
Very nice chapter, skyrose!
You described this moment in Heather and Jake's relationship so well - it was romantic, sweet, and you gave us lots of images I really liked.
Some parts I really liked:
-the walk to the field of flowers. I could just see it in my head, and it was interesting to imagine such a setting, in the midst of Cheyenne and all the trouble around them. I like the contrast and how Jake and Heather especially seem freer in the field than they can be normally.
-the way both Heather and Jake have planned for this moment, and how each seems not to see what the other is about to spring on them. I liked how this scene seems kind of awkward and real, but also, Heather and Jake seem to be connected and their interaction is sweet.
-Jake's toast and proposal.
-Heather making her move. I think you captured both characters very well in both these scenes.
Great chapter, and I look forward to reading more!
What a wonderful wrap-up of this particular day in the TAP universe, especially after dealing with Constantino's attack on Heather and his very justifiable killing in her apartment. I like that the plans that Jake and Heather made separately dovetailed so nicely, especially after their early morning conversation and all that it seemed that was leading to. :-) It all does my little shipper heart good!
From beginning to end, I really enjoyed this chapter. The bouquet of flowers that Jake was smart enough to pick for Heather but then had no real opinion of when they were arranged in a vase seemed quite Jake to me. I loved too, that he wanted to take her on a picnic because his memories of childhood picnic is that they were a chance for his family to be a family outside the confines of the mayor's office.
I love the bantering you have in here between our favorite duo. They are definitely quite comfortable with one another and are really enjoying all that new relationship flirtiness. Loved this part:
Quote:
"Oh, Jake! I can't wait! I'm going to run into the bedroom and get a blanket. You can't have a picnic without a blanket!" Heather replied enthusiastically. She picked up her bag and clutched it to her chest as she threw Jake a mock suspicious look, batted her eyes and said, "I'll take this with me . . . away from your prying eyes."
Jake laughed, amused by her antics. "You better hide that bag really good. When we get home, I'm going to start my own little investigation into the whereabouts of that bag."
"Oh, I'm not worried about that, Hon. I know a spot where you'll never find it." Heather replied batting her eyes one more time before turning and walking to the bedroom followed by Jake's laughter.
The walk to their picnic spot and all the other build-up to the proposal had me on the edge of my seat. Still, in the midst of all that, I was amused by how Jake rushed Heather along. For some reason, this just cracked me up.
Quote:
"And I love you," Jake replied before giving Heather a quick kiss. "Come on, losing light, remember?"
I was glad that Heather loved her surprise, especially after Jake spent a fair amount of time arranging it for her. Their picnic spot sounds beautiful. :-) I don't know that I've ever read about eating an apple before... but I'm absolutely certain that your version of eating an apple will never be topped! That was delicious indeed!
Poor Jake, just trying to get Heather to go for a walk so he can pop the question at an even more beautiful location and all she wants to do is make out. ;-) I'm rather impressed by his perseverance! I was really starting to feel his frustration as Heather just wouldn't cooperate! I'm glad he was finally able to get the words out. A lovely, memorable proposal, indeed.
Hawkins as matchmaker was funny... Hawkins as wine steward is also pretty good. I laughed at this, especially Heather's easy acceptance that Hawkins can do pretty much anything.
Quote:
"My pleasure, Babe. We have wine glasses, too," Jake said before giving Heather a quick kiss and motioning to the wine glasses on the counter.
"I have to say I'm impressed. How did you ever get a bottle of wine? I haven't seen one since the attacks."
"Hawkins . . . he got us the wine glasses too."
"Well, I guess that explains it," she said matter-of-factly as she took the bottle out of Jake's hands. She studied the label for a minute, "Mmmm....Pinot Grigio. Hawkins has good taste," she added as she handed the bottle back to him.
Now, before we get to the ending of this chapter - which is absolutely wonderful - I have to comment on the loveliness of this paragraph. I really like the self examination you allow Jake here, and well, it's such a nice, shippy paragraph, what's not to love?
Quote:
He saw possibilities with Heather that he never saw before. She had told him that he was going to be her ‘first' but she was his ‘first' in a lot of ways, too. She was the first woman he could imagine having a family with, the first woman who engaged him mind, body, and soul, the first woman who accepted him wholly, without reservations. It was the first time he saw his path to a happy and meaningful life.
Finally, the ending. :-D That was so wonderfully romantic, just what we've all been waiting for in this story. I love the mix of this story, Jake and Heather working together (with Hawkins and Chavez) to investigate and bring down the Cheyenne government, along with all the romantic, relationship building parts. Well, this ending was most outstandingly romantic. That'll keep me going for days!
Oh, what a romantic chapter! I loved it, from the gentle playfulness between Jake and Heather over what was in the Serendity bag to the end when she finally revealed the bag's contents to him and assured him that she wanted to be with him fully.
I loved the awareness between them throughout the chapter. The part where they shared the apple for dessert on their picnic was really sensual. I also liked how Jake put so much thought and preparation into making a truly beautiful memory for them. That they would have another beautiful memory later on after their engagement was just the icing on the cake.
Great job!
I really love this story! I guess you shouldn't glut yourself on a bacon cheeseburger with sweet potato fries when you aren't used to real rich food. Either that or Valenti did something to make her sick...Hmmm...Like living and being a perv.
More soon, please.
Sid
I am loving this and can't wait to read the proposal/nightgown chapter. What a freakin' plot twist for me Joe known Collins.
I can't wait to see season two.
Sid
I'll try not to keep you waiting too long for the proposal! Yes, Joe does know Collins and more on that as the story goes on. Thanks very much for your review!
I love Gray come-upance!