I'm intrigued, is this more of a performance piece now? Mixing with your fans and continuing the story as reviews?

(ps. Yay you, for fixing the author respond-thingie ^^ )

Crackerjacknpez, while neither of us can reach the height or caliber of Jac's writing, you truly write well and express your self eloquently. I could feel your pain re: Miss Parker and Jarod in your last reveiw as clearly as if it were my own. Truly you are gifted. And because of that, I was spurred on til late at night, writing the story I had started. And now it is complete, a tribute to your's and Jac's inspiration.

Author's Response: I could not agree more. you can see the talent in all of the reveiws here, it is just oozing out all over the place.

Your story is a moving tribute, and i am forever grateful for it.

... Wow. That is such thought-provoking material! The way you described MP's heart turning toward J, the work she's willing to put into it... whoa! It's so moving, yet so in-character for both of them! I can really tell the angst and the emotional journey MP had to go through. Thank you for you vulnerability in this fic!

Author's Response: So very pleased you liked it. You may well imagine how much time it took me and I am glad it is paying off so well, and you are having the chance to enjoy it.

RaChell, Broots wants to be her "puff daddy"! ;-)


Author's Response: Another nasty incident to witness...lol

"Testing"
Wow, it says it all in chapter 3! I have to agree with M. Doc and Manoline, it truly fits the Centre.

Testing...that is what they are about! Sydney testing Jarod growing up and now twins and who ever else he can get his hands on to test. Raines testing the loyalties of others, Catherine Parker, Angelo and Ethan. And Mr. Parker, always testing Lyle and Miss Parker, even against each other. Who can forget the episode where he sends her to kill Lyle!

Then there is Jarod, always testing Miss Parker's faith in her father, the Centre and some times even her soul. The episode Keys comes to mind, when he tested her humanity re: saving the little girl's life. When they made their way through the storm to obtain vital antibiotics and forcing her to face the truth about her mother's beating. What about Bank? Testing her even there with Mr Feingor.

Miss Parker is not above testing herself. Watch how she tests Broots' loyalty. And what has he suffered for her? Sitting under Raines' desk while he attended to his personal needs. Stealing vital information, lying to Lyle (Flesh and Blood).

And what about Brigitte? She was tested and sadly for her it didn't turn out well in the end. Mutumbo even tested them in the season finale of season 3. Who can forget the power of his speech, what a dramatic delivery it was standing on the platform above them at the Centre, telling them they could not have chaos in the Centre. Ah yes, testing defines the Centre.

But it was Chapter 2 which brought tears to my eyes and really hit me in the gut. "Hey, Hey." Blade is right and no one could have put it better, "childish innocence, golden age of comedy", it sums up Jarod. But not only Jarod, it sums up the other characters too.

Mr. Parker in IOTH just before he jumps. "Hey, hey." describes that look on his face so well.

Mr. Raines when he washes Willie's feet. Nothing describes it better then "hey, hey".

"You're beautiful when you're angry." It's the look in Lyle's eyes, that little sparkle, that cute little grin. Akin to what Broots said in "Flesh and Blood" about the look that Lyle has when he's about to eat a steak raw. I could be wrong about the quote but still.... Nothing else can describe the look of raw passion for his sister.

"Hey, hey." You can almost hear it in the conversations between Sydney and Jarod with each phone call.

And don't forget that throaty look of"Hey, hey" between Miss Parker and Thomas when she's standing there wearing his shirt! It reeks of sexual connotation!

"Hey, hey", ........ two simple words that say so much.


Author's Response: I could not agree more with your analysis. It is insigtful and very accurate. It is like you are.... Angelo, and knew exactly what i was feeling as i was writing it. Truly amazing

Oh dear.

This story really does quite manage to touch the unsuspecting heart, and to move it to great depths of feeling. It is like one did not know what to true poetry meant, and upon reading the words "hey hey" one awakens to a new world, filled with meaning and hope.

It truly invokes the characters of the Pretender on an entirely new level. Certainly it is one of the most poignant portrayals out there of their never-ending plight 

I'm all moved, and such. Good thing I have that extra-large box of Kleenex nearby. 

Well, I’m not sure if we all understand what you’re trying to tell us with this kind of stoic words. Is it Miss Parker or Jarod who wants to see if this works? Or maybe Catherine?

It’s quite poetic and it’s really a whole-time-job to interpret it! You could become a doctor by writing a book about it.

P.S. Sorry RaChell to tell you this, but you’re wrong: It’s not U2! It’s a line of the live-version of Nelly Furtado’s “Hey, man”. The “testing” also is a part of the story:

Hey, man, don't look so scared.
You know I'm only testing you out. <- TESTING
Hey man, don't look so angry,
You're real close to figuring me out. <- Miss Parker is afraid that he finds out about her feelings …

We are a part of a circle. <- prophecy!
It's like a mobius strip,
And it goes round and round until it loses a link. <- “missing pieces”
And there's a shadow in the sky and it looks like rain,
And shit is gonna fly once again.

Hey, man, we look at each other with ample eyes, <- Carthis!
So why not some time to discover what's behind your eyes?
I've got so many questions that I want to ask you. <- all the secrets, her mother’s past …
I am so tired of mirrors- pour me a glass of your wine! <- well, not wine …

And there's a shadow in the sky and it looks like rain,
And shit is gonna fly once again!
I've got a bunch of government cheques at my door.
Each morning I try to send them back but they only send me more. <- Sweepers!
I look at myself in the mirror; am I vital today?
Hey, man, I let my conscience get in the way!

And there's a shadow in the sky , and it looks like rain,
And shit is gonna fly once again,
And I don't mean to rain on your parade,
But pathos has got me once again...
And I don't want ambivalence no more, <- ambivalence: she loves him, but she has to return him to the Centre!
I don't want ambivalence no more,
I don't want ambivalence no more,
No I don't want ambivalence no more!

Absolutely one of the best stories I've ever read!  (wink, wink)  Can't wait for chapter 4 to see how it ends.  What inspriation did you have to write such a daring and challenging fan fic?  You know I have to give you a ten for this , it would be a crime not too. 


Author's Response: ROFLMAO
Oh Rachell, that is just too classic. I can't stop laughing!!!

I had planned to delete this epic I started as it was only to check some edit option bug (which should be fixed soon) but since there has been such a good response, I might leave it and continue.

Perhaps others will model from my example and the fandom will reach a new height in wriitng excellence.