Fic: Jericho - Foreign and Domestic - Teen

[tanaquiljall]

Title: Foreign and Domestic
Fandom: Jericho
Rating: Teen
Warnings: Implicit reference to violent deaths
Words: 860
Summary: Major Beck receives some news he's been expecting and dreading.
Disclaimer: These stories are based on the Junction Entertainment/Fixed Mark Productions/CBS Paramount Television series Jericho. They were written for entertainment only; the author does not profit from them nor was any infringement of copyright intended.
Author's Note: This story is part of Awesome!Jakeverse, the shared post-season 2 verse being written by Scribbler (scribblesinink) and Tanaqui (tanaquific). Thanks to scribblesinink for the beta and sgafan for checking my American-speak.

oOo
Heather knocked quietly on the door frame but Beck didn't turn. He was staring at the map of Jericho on the wall of the interview room that he and his men used as an office when they were in town. His hands were behind his back; his feet planted; there was tension in every line of him. He didn't respond even when Heather called his name. It was only when she crossed the room and put a hand on his arm that he jumped.

His gaze, when he glanced down at her, was dark and haunted, and he quickly went back to staring at the map that he surely wasn't seeing.

Heather snatched her hand away, the same wave of shock, fear and adrenaline coursing through her as when she'd unwarily grasped that hot door handle during the library fire. She took a deep breath, and then tentatively reached out again, her hand stopping just short of touching him. "What is it?"

He swallowed. "The last mail exchange." His voice was raw. "There was a letter from the Red Cross...." He tilted his head towards the table.

Heather gave him a searching look, and then crossed the room and turned around the single sheet of paper in the centre of the table. It is with regret that we write to confirm the deaths of Alejandra Beck and Isabel Maria Beck in a car accident on I25 in the vicinity of Belen. Date of death is undetermined. Burial was arranged by the authorities in Belen on 22 January 2007....

The crisp print blurred in front of Heather's eyes.

"I'm so sorry." Her own words were choked by the lump in her throat. She turned back to where Beck still stood unmoving.

"I'd been expecting...." He stopped and his head dropped a little.

Heather took two quick steps back to his side. "That's not the same as knowing." She tentatively rested a hand on his back and was surprised, and yet not at all surprised, to discover he was trembling. She slid her hand up and gently gripped his shoulder.

They stayed like that for a long minute, Beck silently accepting the little comfort she could provide, until there was an apologetic cough from the door. They both turned, Heather letting her hand fall from Beck's shoulder. Beck's aide-de-camp was hovering in the doorway. "Sir. Everything's ready."

Beck nodded absently. "Thank you, lieutenant." His voice was still rough. "I'll be right there."

The lieutenant dipped his own head in acknowledgment and left. With a weary sigh, Beck crossed to the table and picked up his helmet. He paused, looking down at the inside, and then reached in.

Heather's fingers on his wrist stopped him. "Leave it," she suggested gently.

He didn't look at her, but he nodded. She let his wrist go, and he jammed his helmet onto his head, buckling the chinstrap as he strode out of the room.
oOo
Jake had been standing at the counter, some papers spread in front of him, when he looked up and saw Heather and Beck standing close together. Heather had her hand on Beck's shoulder, but he couldn't see if they were speaking. He swallowed down the bile that rose in his throat. Why couldn't she just stay away from him?

Eventually, he saw Beck turn away and pick up his helmet, and then Heather was at his side again, resting her hand on his as she said something to him. Then Beck came out, his face impassive as he left the office. Heather followed a minute later.

"What's eating him?" Jake nodded in the direction Beck had gone as Heather rounded the end of the counter.

She halted, one hand resting on the top. He noticed her fingers were curled into a fist. "He just received confirmation from the Red Cross that his wife and daughter died."

Jake suddenly felt very ashamed. He turned to look in the direction Beck had gone.

"It's OK, Jake." He heard Heather sigh quietly. "I don't expect you to feel any pity for him. Not after what he did to you."

Jake looked back at her. "I'm not completely heartless, you know." Her softly spoken words had bitten even more deeply into him than seeing her with Beck. He shook his head. "I'm never going to like the man, but," he reached out and gave her shoulder a quick squeeze, "I am glad he's got a good friend around."

Heather caught his hand as he drew back. "Thank you."

His fingers curled around to clasp hers for a moment, before he let her hand drop. She gave him a half smile, and a nod, and then was brushing past him on her way out.

Jake watched her go. He hadn't lied. This wasn't the kind of thing any man—even Edward Beck—should have to face alone. But it also wasn't something an officer could share with those under his command, and Jake knew Beck hadn't mixed much with the townsfolk. Which left Beck with few options. So Jake was glad Beck did have someone to help him through it.

He just wished it wasn't Heather.

Comments

[tanaquific]

Thanks for the kind words. I hoped you'd like this piece. *g*

I think I find these three so fascinating together because everything is so tangled between them, and yet they're all good people who are always trying to do what they think is right. (Even if they're horribly misguided about what "right" is some of the time....)

[shirleyann66.livejournal.com]

I think you've hit the nail on the head with these three. They are all basically good people doing the best they can - and trying to help as many people as they can. The best triangles are those where you can really understand why the person in the middle is torn.

Beck has the edge for me, simply because he's more of a thinker than Jake is (and I find that incredibly sexy). Not that Jake is stupid, only that he tends to do the first thing that comes into his head in reaction to situations, while Beck appears to actually choose a course of action. Which is why he's also a very scary guy.

That said, if they hadn't introduced Beck in season 2, I would have been a hard core Jake/Heather shipper regardless of his "act first/think later" tendencies. ;)

[tanaquific]

Beck has the edge for me, simply because he's more of a thinker than Jake is (and I find that incredibly sexy).

Oh yes - Beck's control over himself and ability to think through situations rationally and work out what to do is extremely attractive. Especially once you discover there's a great deal of intensity and passion inside....

I like the journey Jake starts to take over the course of the series towards not just reacting. And I think he needs Heather around to help him with that. Mind you, Beck needs Heather around to help him lighten up a bit....

*sigh* As you said, the best triangles are those where you can understand why the person in the middle is torn. (I very much want to do justice when I come to write it to how hard a choice it is for Heather to decide between them.)

[shirleyann66.livejournal.com]

Oh yes - Beck's control over himself and ability to think through situations rationally and work out what to do is extremely attractive. Especially once you discover there's a great deal of intensity and passion inside....

Not to mention a vulnerability which in no way diminishes his strength. Absolutely awesome. :)

I think that's also why I adore Hawkins so much as well. I don't see the same kind of intensity and passion as Beck and, yes, Jake possess. What Hawkins does have (to me, anyway) is...not vulnerability, but...heart. It's hard for me to articulate without writing an essay, and it has so much to do with Lennie James' subtle acting choices. Every time we've seen him "murder" somebody (the FBI agent; the truck driver in New Bern, even the guy from Ravenwood), there's always this split second when I can see Hawkins wishing there was another way; a moment of regret followed by him doing what needs to be done.

It kept Hawkins human for me.

I like the journey Jake starts to take over the course of the series towards not just reacting. And I think he needs Heather around to help him with that. Mind you, Beck needs Heather around to help him lighten up a bit....

I agree. On all counts. I liked that Jake was starting to become more..."thoughtful" - but he still has a lo-o-o-o-ng way to go...and sometimes the hot-headed hero type just gets...tiring. :) (not to mention they keep going for the wrong girl *cough*Emily*cough*).

I have to admit that when I watched the pilot, I really liked Heather (she was just so...likable), and I was intrigued by Hawkins (who is this guy and what does he know??), but I didn't particularly like any of the other characters (including Jake). Jake grew on me after, I think, the third episode, but it was Heather and Hawkins who kept me coming back for more.

(I very much want to do justice when I come to write it to how hard a choice it is for Heather to decide between them.)

If your past work is anything to go by, I have absolutely no doubt that you are going to do an excellent job of it. :)

[tanaquific]

Not to mention a vulnerability which in no way diminishes his strength.

Oh yes.... *daydreams*

and sometimes the hot-headed hero type just gets...tiring. :)

*nods* There is that. ;-)

(not to mention they keep going for the wrong girl *cough*Emily*cough*).

Yes, although (and I may just be wearing my J/H-goggles here) I swear what's on screen looks like the big bosses were sending down notes saying "more J/Em" and the actual cast and crew playing it like Jake was very ambivalent about being back together with Emily....

Hence making it very easy to detach him from Em. (Working on a story on that right now. *g*)

I have to admit that when I watched the pilot, I really liked Heather (she was just so...likable)

*nods* She really was, wasn't she?

I was intrigued by Hawkins (who is this guy and what does he know??)

See, I found Hawkins distracting and irritating to start with - it was all too "conspiracy theory" for the rest of the show. It took a while for me to appreciate him. But having watched the whole show, and knowing where he ends up as a person with his family, I had my socks blown off on the rewatch by seeing how he struggles to become fully human and reconnect with his family. That was the story arc in the rewatch I most enjoyed following.

Jake grew on me after, I think, the third episode

Ah, Jake got me in the pilot by having a moment when he hit one of my favourite character kinks. (Not to mention I was already a J/H shipper from reading a draft of one of scribblesinink's fics....)

[shirleyann66.livejournal.com]

the actual cast and crew playing it like Jake was very ambivalent about being back together with Emily....

*nods* I always got the vibe that Jake felt guilt rather than overwhelming love and passion for Emily.

To be fair to Ashley Scott (who I in no way blame for my intense dislike of the character; I blame the writing and the direction), she gave me that ambivalence as well - as in, there was a lot of good history there mixed with the bad, and there was still the pull of a shared childhood/friendship. But again, I never got the impression of overwhelming love and passion and irresistible attraction.

See, I found Hawkins distracting and irritating to start with - it was all too "conspiracy theory" for the rest of the show.

LOL - and that's one of the reasons why I loved him. The first was because Lennie James just had so much...presence - he intrigued me, and when he was on screen, I was riveted to him. But the idea of a larger conspiracy and that Jericho was in the middle of it (whether they knew it or not) was very appealing. I would have been just as happy if the conspiracy element hadn't been there - but I enjoyed it as well. And Lennie James, like I said elsewhere, always played Hawkins with an element of regret at the actions he had to take. I think he's an awesome character, and the actor was outstanding.

by having a moment when he hit one of my favourite character kinks.

I'm a little scared to even ask what that was... :)

Seriously, though, I didn't dislike Jake or the rest of the characters (although the inspirational speech by the Mayor at the end of the pilot made me cringe - people called it "Little House of the Apocalypse" for a reason), but I don't know if I would have tuned in for the second episode if it hadn't been for Heather and Hawkins.

I guess this really proves that Jericho had something for everyone. :) (And then, of course, there was Stanley/Mimi/Bonnie - which rocked the house.)

[tanaquific]

Re Jake/Emily - I feel as if by the time he came back after five years away, he was more in love with the idea of being in love with Emily than actually in love with Emily. And from Emily's perspective, their relationship always seemed to me to be about her being able to control Jake and have him wrapped around her finger. (Her relationship with Roger seemed similar.)

I think it's a great tribute to what Ashley Scott did with the material that I ended up liking Emily quite a lot despite the fact that every time I stop and think about the character and her motivations and actions, I keep coming back to how much of what she does seems to be self-centred and self-absorbed. (Heather, of course, being awesome, is almost always unselfish; it's notable that pretty much every time she claims Jake's attention in the first half of season 1, it's to offer him support, not demand it from him....)

by having a moment when he hit one of my favourite character kinks.

I'm a little scared to even ask what that was... :)

Hee... I probably made that sound... kinkier than it is. *g* There are just certain traits in characters that I really respond to - and which will make me fall for that character very, very hard. (Hence the "I am so predictable" icon I used on this post. ;-) )

One of the things I find very attractive is characters who display courage (as opposed to heroism). By which I mean that they're in some way (justifiably) afraid of what they're facing, doubt themselves and don't think they're up to the task —- and yet still try to do what needs to be done. To me, that conscious effort to do the right thing in the face of fear is far more sexy than automatic/unthinking "heroics".

So... Jake pretty much had me at the moment on the bus when the little girl he's treating stops breathing and there's this look of complete panic on his face - and then he gets himself together and does what needs to be done. It was the moment of panic that got me. *g* I'd been kinda meh about him up to that point (and was wondering why Scribbler was raving about him); seeing that moment of panic and his reaction made me go "Yes! That there! I want me some of that!"

That he ticked all my other favourite character trait ticky boxes like a mad ticky box thing helped, of course. *g* Not to mention that once I got more into the show, it felt like someone had taken ALL my favourite things and put them in one place - it was like this show had been designed especially for ME. Which I think is why my muses have glomped so hard onto it and are being so productive.

(Heather also pretty much matches my favourite character traits for a female character, and Beck ticks lots of my ticky boxes for a male character too. While Jake/Heather and Heather/Beck exemplify my two favourite relationship dynamics. So, umm, yeah... me and my muses kinda like this show....)

[shirleyann66.livejournal.com]

And from Emily's perspective, their relationship always seemed to me to be about her being able to control Jake and have him wrapped around her finger. (Her relationship with Roger seemed similar.)

*nods thoughtfully* - this is very true. She very much called the shots in her relationship with Roger; I guess there's no reason to think her relationship with Jake would be any different.

despite the fact that every time I stop and think about the character and her motivations and actions, I keep coming back to how much of what she does seems to be self-centred and self-absorbed.

Yes, this is my #1 pet peeve with the character as well (seriously, I've never disliked a character so much before in my life. Even Amy Gardner on the West Wing was semi-tolerable on occasion). I think that if the other characters hadn't acted like Emily's happiness was the Most. Important. Thing. Ever. and if Emily herself had been more consistent in her behaviour towards Jake, I probably would have been able to accept the fact that the character was the lead female.

Of course, when placed against Heather and Mimi (who was also selfish and self-centred, but who also went on an epic journey to get to where she ended up...awesome!), the character of Emily is at a severe disadvantage.

So... Jake pretty much had me at the moment on the bus when the little girl he's treating stops breathing and there's this look of complete panic on his face - and then he gets himself together and does what needs to be done. It was the moment of panic that got me. *g*

That was an awesome moment. :) I had never seen Skeet Ulrich in anything until Jericho (although I certainly knew the name), and I have to say that he did (eventually) win my heart as Jake.

One of the things I loved about the second season was that for the first few episodes, Jake always looked (and acted) like he was living on his last nerve. I thought Skeet did an awesome job with that - because honestly, who wouldn't be on the verge of insanity or a nervous breakdown after everything that had happened??

Which I think is why my muses have glomped so hard onto it and are being so productive.

And I'm very glad they did and are!! Yay, glomping muses!! LOL

Beck ticks lots of my ticky boxes for a male character too.

For me, more than Jake (obviously LOL). I certainly never expected to have my heart stolen right out from under Jake's nose - and in only 7 episodes!! Maybe I'm as fickle as Emily... *ponders*

[tanaquific]

I think that if the other characters hadn't acted like Emily's happiness was the Most. Important. Thing. Ever.

*nods* Yes. You'd think they'd have noticed after 30+ years that she was a little bit self-centred, and at least rolled their eyes about her a bit more. I can see Emily having good reasons for turning out like she did -- it was the fact everyone thought it was so awesome that annoyed me. Given they did such a good job of giving everyone else good complex, flawed characterisation that other characters reacted against, she really stuck out as sloppily written.

Mimi (who was also selfish and self-centred, but who also went on an epic journey to get to where she ended up...awesome!)

But Mimi was fully aware she was selfish and self-centred even at the very start. And I don't think particularly liked herself like that. I felt she believed she had to be that way to survive in her big city world, but once she got stuck in Jericho, she could allow herself to grow to be the nicer person she wanted to be. Whereas Emily seemed to have no self-awareness.

I certainly never expected to have my heart stolen right out from under Jake's nose - and in only 7 episodes!! Maybe I'm as fickle as Emily... *ponders*

Well, maybe I'm fickle as well? Because Beck did a pretty good job of stealing my heart too. *g* Blame Scribbler for hooking me with awesome fic into shipping J/H before I knew any better. ;-) (And I did even manage to make her feel sorry for Beck the other day, because she was going to make him end up in a Heck-less 'verse....)

[shirleyann66.livejournal.com]

she really stuck out as sloppily written.

TOTALLY. And I haven't even begun to rant about the inconsistency in how the character acts/reacts. I really, really feel for Ashley Scott, because she ended up with the wrong end of that particular stick, that's for sure.

But Mimi was fully aware she was selfish and self-centred even at the very start. And I don't think particularly liked herself like that. I felt she believed she had to be that way to survive in her big city world, but once she got stuck in Jericho, she could allow herself to grow to be the nicer person she wanted to be.

Word. I've always wondered if she was the way she was because of the implied affair she had with a married man (or at least in love with a married man). Was she hurt so badly that she became selfish and self-centred in self-defence? What made Mimi into who she was pre-Jericho (because you just know there's a story there...).

Whereas Emily seemed to have no self-awareness.

Absolutely none. I really need to rewatch the series, but it seemed like she had no idea that maybe the men in her life really couldn't do everything she wanted (Roger was supposed to give up a high-powered banking career to live in Jericho? And never regret that or change his mind? Really?)

Blame Scribbler for hooking me with awesome fic into shipping J/H before I knew any better. ;-)

I will! :D

(And I did even manage to make her feel sorry for Beck the other day, because she was going to make him end up in a Heck-less 'verse....)

Bite. Your. Tongue. *swoons in disbelief* LOL

[tanaquific]

it seemed like she had no idea that maybe the men in her life really couldn't do everything she wanted

Yup. And it was definitely the case that what Emily wanted/needed almost always outweighed what they wanted/needed, and dictated her actions. (Like: Scribbler and I were rewatching Sedition last night and I noticed that, in the scene where Jake's sleeping after he's rescued and wakes up with a start, it's because Emily touches him. And then she has the nerve to say she wishes he could have slept longer. Then stop POKING him! In her mind, her need to touch outweighed his need to sleep.... Grrrr.)

Bite. Your. Tongue. *swoons in disbelief* LOL

*whispers* There may be some Heck-ish moments in the fic I'm currently working on....

[shirleyann66.livejournal.com]

And I sooo wanted to at least semi-like Emily. But no matter how hard I try...*sighs sadly* . I really need to rewatch the series, because I've forgotten little things. I don't know about you, but the first time I watched, I think, Coalition of the Willing when Jonah leaves them high and dry, and Emily pulled out the "but I'm your daughter" card - I actually yelled at the TV: "yeah, that didn't seem to matter when they kicked him out of town!" How bad is it when I sympathize/empathize more with a criminal/thug/killer than with the heroine of the series??

*whispers* There may be some Heck-ish moments in the fic I'm currently working on....

*swoons for romantic reasons* LOL And I noticed your updated (?) icon - I couldn't have missed Beck before!!! That actually made me whimper a little today at work when I saw it. Thankfully, nobody was nearby LOL.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to the Heck-ish moments, but I'll do my best not to get too attached. ;)

[tanaquific]

Guh, sorry for the belated reply....

And I noticed your updated (?) icon - I couldn't have missed Beck before!!!

Yup, I updated it--decided he definitely deserved a starring role in that icon. *g*

That actually made me whimper a little today at work when I saw it. Thankfully, nobody was nearby LOL.

Hee! Explaining fannish obsession to work colleagues is always kinda tricky, isn't it?

Also, apologies for the lack of new fic posting. Lots of writing going on by both Scribbler and myself, but the current projects are deciding to be epic. Hope to get something new through final edits and posted soon.

[shirleyann66.livejournal.com]

Hee! Explaining fannish obsession to work colleagues is always kinda tricky, isn't it?

And since Esai Morales is already my desktop picture, it's even more tricky! LOL

Also, apologies for the lack of new fic posting.

No worries - I figured you guys were (a) busy with offline life, and (b) working hard regardless. ;) I've been extremely busy myself offline - as I keep saying "I suddenly have a life, and I don't know what to do with it. It's freaking me out, people!" But, it will slow down soon. My family will be leaving next week, and then the next sets of visitors are more spread out and won't be nearly so time intensive (phew...).

Hope to get something new through final edits and posted soon.

I see stories have been posted; haven't been able to read them yet, but I did notice them there! :)