Thank you for this, another beautiful gift. This chapter goes deep into the soul and heart of The Pretender. It was intense when Jarod began asking her to leave. The transition back to something so much more sweeet and tender is stunning. You articulate this beautifully. Thank you.

Thank you for this. Exquisite work as always. I've enjoyed every word so far and I'm feeling all of the old Pretender feelings. The same old feelings, the same old series. You bring a much needed modern and fresh slant to the table. This could easily be the next Pretender movie. Because of your story telling abilities I already see this all happening as I read. You really know the characters, and you write them well. More please?

I love it when they work together this way, although they've never had so much time alone to do it. They do it well, and you write it exceptionally well. I feared they'd have sex and lose the plot but clear heads prevailed and Parker's already still resolving some remorse about endangering Jarod's life when they were kids. I think revisiting the past caught them off guard and it was a sweet, completely innocent moment between two people who still have feelings for each other. You handled that delicately and painted it as tender and pure. You never do what I think you might do. You've demonstrated versality again and it feels like you took great care to show they still care for each other but that it's something they can't explore right now. It can't be easy to balance the responsibilities they have now. They care for Broots, as well. Does writing feel like a high wire act? You don't seem to struggle at all. It sesms to come naturally for you. I'm thankful for all you've contributed to the fandom and beg you to write more.

Happy holidays to you and those you hold dear.

Broots is the normal one of the lot and I can see this happening because he's already said he was having a breakdown back in TP2001. Too much weird, too much bad. Too much is too much. He's bound to break. Because he's the normal one of the lot. I love the direction, your characterisations are always spot on. Chapter 3 here I come!

I read all 6 chapters today and wish there was another waiting for me. You hit the target every time I read you. I think with Broots leaving Jarod would grow more afraid for Parker with no one other allies remaining. I think he probably began pleading in a state of panic. I wanted to see him do this in the tv series but it never happened but there was never a moment where Parker would be alone with no back up. Another thought is that he and his family might go into underground mode again until the fallout blows over and he doesn't want to go without her. I think the going into the past and reliving brings so much of those old feelings back to them. You set this up perfectly, with all the elements that make this plausible. Your word choice seems careful, selective. You're a wordsmith. The characters are the ones I recognize from tv and that's what I need in a story. It did get really intense when Jarod began to pleae, his "look at me" and I got the sense that Parker really didn't want to do that. It's like she knows what he's going to say. I think she would be afraid. I think from what we know about her on the tv series and how she has reacted to him plus not being able to leave because she's also afraid that it'll end like it did with Thomas.. there is reason to fear. That's more or less implied when Jarod's thoughts are that Parker's shock borders terror. I think you described her feelings perfectly, and all of this perfectly, really. This is the most complicated television series I've ever watched, and the characters are seem to have multiple personalities and polarities and they've gone so dark and have gone opposite to so sweet and selfless. You strike a perfect balance. I'm so happy that people are still writing, and so thankful to you.

Happy xmas!

Oh wow wow wow where do I begin unboxing this GIFT? The beginning.. but I want to start with the not social distancing part of this. Those 2 usually are 6 feet apart lol, covid compliant. Ok ok ok ok the beginning. Like an adult.

Time has elapsed and you write that extremely well !!my god I can't even. They are actually working and Parker, because this was her idea, wants and needs to be involved and I love that Jarod will involve her in these situations and this time it was HER idea. I love that she's like, no, Broots is too smart to make this kind of mistake and Jarod doesn't question her. He knows her and he knows how well she knows Broots. It's almost a love triangle witht those 3, but mostly a friend love triangle.

I love that Parker knows her limits. You're the one Mr. Bombsquad, don't ask me. I love Jarod imagining the fried rat who chewed the wiring. Comedy is present and accounted for and you really understand the assignment don't you, Mirage?

I like how she knows Jarod's value and worth and trusts him over some computer simulation. I know it's hard for her to trust, painful. You illustrated that in earlier chapters and the story title. Jarod is that last resort.

You show that Jarod has his own issues with trust, basically telling her if she saw the contact the deal was off. He was protectcing Emily. I think having family in the room with Parker will be hard for him. Pulled in 2 directions. I understand why he does what he does. You explain it perfectly. Emily is suffering from PTSD. She was nearly killed by Lyle. You never forget what already happened, you keep continuity in place, and balance with present events. You never minimize trauma of any kind either. I love that about you. Some authors would be like "she's over it" and that's not how that works, and you know that. I like that Emily didn't want to admit to being in agreement in Parker. I see the possibility of common ground.

I love that Emily warned him about trouble and she was thinking of him being recaptured but he was thinking of being captured by Parker they way he was in Carthis. I love his thoughts and I believe he would feel helpless when looking back. He can't change anything.

Fresh from Emily's anxiety he finds that Parker has completed the chore of inputting data and with nothing to do to keep her busy she seems anxious too. She all but confirms it when she says, you're a pretender. I love Jaord's response, "not with you." He just knows her. He begins t hat thing where he tries to save her. Her response, "because that worked so well last time" cut me to the core. Everyone knows that Thomas was the love of her life. She still carries that with her. She won't look at Jarod when he tells her to, and downplays it. I think that's a testement to her strenght. He tries some good intentioned manipulation, saying he'll take the money if he can help her leave. Oh, Jarod. Man. I get you.

You illustrate the complexities brilliantly and beautifully.

And surprise plot twist and happy xmas gift to us all time! Mirage, you're not a shipper, you get really super annoyed with Jarod and glare at him and say mean things to your screen when he's on it, yes, yes, true, and true, but you know what's up.

A second childhood kiss! Oh, bless. I need that in my life right now. How did you know?

Although, he would have been an adult by then probably and she in her teens, let's pretend they're the same age. "wanted to know what the fuss was about" sounds like the Parker we know and love!

Jarod is sooo obviously still smitten with her and I can't!

I think what almost happened next almost happened because of those trips back in the past. Every time they talk about the past they almost do something. They kind of get immersed back there in a simpler time and THEIR BODIES ARE SPOT ON!

YOU NARRATE EXACTLY HOW THE FANS ALL FEEL ABOUT THEIR STUPID MINDS AND THE F*** CENTRE!

She is remorseful. I think that will pave the way for a future. She obviously is so super sorry that she was careless with him when they were children. Jarod is typical Jarod "you brought color and light into my gray world. I wouldn't have had a childhood without you." My heart. My HEART Mirage!

Parker wants him to voicea complaint. He refuses.

And lol comedy gold. Jarod doesn't know who Julia is. I'm dying here.

Flirting begins. Because they've been in the past for a sec and their bodies remember what they try to forget with their brains. She felt comfortable with him when they were children. He felt comfortable with her too then.Their bodies remember that comfort.

You resolve the tension. That's right. YOU ACTUALLY RESOLVED THE TENSION. Now that you have I'm like WHY?! But you did. Jarod did. He breaks the tension for her. I think she lost her footing there for a sec, saying lunch when it's evening and obviously.. we saw her face when Jarod almost kissed her in Carthis.. until she covered her face with both hands. She was mortifiied. I think she's mortified here too.

Jarod cuts her a break. Comedy again. Boom. Hilarious. He gives Parker an easy out. She takes it, stealing his words Tradition from him to ask about the knife. She's expecting him to still be afraid of her. She's expecting him to say "come to think of it you are my huntress, no knife for you. " He didn't say that. He isn't afraid of her.

She doesn't seem too disappointed. I love that. It's more like a dull, "damn, I'm not so bad ass after all" realization. She doesn't want Jarod to fear her anymore, I think. ?? 

Jarod goes along and when she asks "expensive?" what she means is "that's your reason for second guessing giving me a knife?"

And Jarod's like they are really expensive knives but we don't have to tell mom and dad you were using the nice knives."

lol. He's being the easy going lighter version of Jarod that you seem to prefer but don't often write. He's in a cheerful mood, despite her not leaving the Centre, despite that she noticed the closeness and restrained herself.

I think he's happy to be near her. That's like... enough for him in this moment. I'm in love with that notion. He misses his friend, the light and color bringer.

DO you mean for it happen this way? Either way, it's what I was hoping santa would bring me. It's not cheesy, sappy, or syrupy, and there's no smut. You found a deeper place with this chapter, a tender place way deep in the heart that speaks to their childhood relationship, and affection for each other, and the best of the worst times. Their best was always when they were together. I'm glad you know that.

Oh and bonus points for "quiet quitting." Parker is so right!

Thank you from my entire being for writing this and so perfectly. I love you dearly for this. I wish you all good things and happy and healthy holidays, and everydays to you and yours.

Reading again and sill delighted. This is bloody well done. Were you by any chance born between 1959 and 1972? Just a question. Nothing weird. Please update soon.

So rich in detail and so in character and ooh I want more. Please update Devil's Advocate, Blindsided, The Retut, Oblivion, Lacunae, Hero's Heart,, Darkness Falling and any I've left out. I need more!!

Top notch as always mate. You're a hell of a storyteller and you write the tightest stories. You've honed your craft to pretender perfection. Tell me tho will there be Forces of Nature and Circles of Hell sequels?

Oh, holy wows please keep writing. I won't bug you about writing shippery stuff or smut, just write. I'll read it. I love the way you do it.

Please don't let the magic end. LOVE.