I know you aren't a shipper. I know it, and, yet still I read that last paragraph and I have to say after reading everything else pretender in the interwebs this is the most stunning bordering heart wrenching happy ending. It's not cheesy, it's not too syrupy. That Parker didn't reach the decision lightly and almost parted ways with Jarod makes it that much more

Masterful. You don't add too much detail. You don't like to hear yourself speak as we say in the business. You're not too vague either. Balance is beautiful. You have that. You tell the story well and it's no secret how scarily on-the-nose you write the characters.

You are such a reluctant smut writer and we have to push and push you and peer pressure you so much but you deliver and I know you can deliver some more.I love this. Seriously, you were born to write and you were born to write smut at least twice a year. Please?

Love it, and it goes like lightning, so fast. I'm struck. You have to write more smut.

How about writing a sequel sometime? I really love this. There's some comedy gold mixed in with the serious stuff. It's freaking awesome.

loooove it

"awed to discover that pleasuring felt just as right as hurting each other had"

It was wrong but it was so right. HOT!

But that last part is so sad!

"You'll shoot me in the knee, I got it" lol! Jarod can be a pain in the ass. I love this story, really light and very different from Circles of Hell and Forces of Nature. You are a versatile author, and probably versatile in general I bet.

Did you know that I'm slipping your muse money?  I guess the secret's out, since she keeps ending your stories so delightfully for me!  :) It tickles me how you say your stories get away from you.  That's why they're so good; because you don't try and force an ending you may have imagined at the beginning, but where the story doesn't end up leading.  I hope that makes sense.  It's a compliment, I swear!

I had to look up what the 1972 Scout looked like, because I had no idea what that was.  So, my learning of the day is done.  Beautiful scene at the end, as they're coming to an agreement, of the sunrise appearing.  Even THE SUN wants MP/J together - you can't fight that, Mirage!  LOL

Seeing Jarod kill was a surprise, but I could see how the Jarod who's been out in the real world, seeing and understanding all the evils both out and inside of the Centre, and wanting to free a child from it, could do it.  He and Parker make an awesome team - young Cooper will grow up in a happy and colorful (albeit perhaps somewhat unconventional) home, and the Centre will come crashing down.  Jarod on the show seemed sort of surprisingly uninterested in 'real' revenge on his captors - why fuss around playing pranks when you (a certified genius) can just destroy the whole thing? 

Anyway, as always, I enjoyed it!  Of course, the only question left is:  when will Parker and Jarod find time for handcuff games with a youngun running around?  ;)

Mirage, I thought that was lovely. I agree the best stories take a life of their own and lead you. A little sappy gooeiness can be a quite lovely journey if done well and my dear you've done it well. It was a wonderful read from beginning to end which is all that really mattters in the end isn't it? Thanks for writing I really rather enjoyed the journey with you!

They're dead to the Centre, so no matter what your final chapter says, I shall choose to believe they're going to rezendevous.  Once Parker's kidnapped (guess it sort of does run in the family) Cooper, a name I love BTW, they'll reunite.  And once the kid's asleep, she'll handcuff him for a change.  :) 

That's probably nothing to do with what the actual final chapter will be, but you've been very decent to give MP/J a little nookie time out from their horrid lives, so I'll trust you.  LOL

Mirage that was lovely, so bitter sweet and sad but lovely just the same. You've created quite a tale can't wait to see how it will end. Nice work ;)