Fic: Five Ways Juliet Burke Gets a Better Ending

[ozmissage]

Title: Five Ways Juliet Burke Gets a Better Ending
Characters/Pairings: Juliet, James, Jack, Richard, Jacob; (Juliet/James, a smidgeon of Juliet/Jack)
Rating: PG-13
Words: 1,076
Warnings/Spoilers: Through The Incident.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Summary: She has a choice for the first time in a long time and maybe leaving is a mistake, but it’s her mistake to make.

A/N: I will warn you this is possibly this most self-indulgent thing I’ve ever written. It happened because I read something about next season that wasn’t actually spoilery but still made me fly into a rage because apparently I have some issues to work out where Juliet is concerned, at least with what they did to her. So this fic is basically me saying I am not happy with what Darlton did and I don’t trust them to fix it anymore. Hence this fic.

 

1.

There’s a moment right before she puts her foot on the first rung of the ladder and starts her climb down into the sub that she hesitates. It’s not doubt that holds her back, not a sudden fit of early nostalgia for this hell that Ben calls a home, it’s disbelief pure and simple. She’s spent three years on this island, three years of begging, three years of blood and death, three years in which she lost everything that she thought she knew about herself and the idea that it is finally going to end feels more like a dream than a reality.

Jack places a hand on the small of her back and she winces, the mark still burns hot and fresh.

This isn’t a dream.

“You ready?” he asks.

She is but she can already tell he’s not. He’s looking back over his shoulder down the dock and she knows he’ll have to come back one day that this isn’t over for him---maybe it never will be. But it sure as hell is for her.

“Absolutely,” she says.

She places her foot firmly on the first rung and starts her climb down into the belly of the sub.

2.

Rachel figures it out three months after her little sister disappears behind that gate. The Mittlelos Bio company won’t accept her calls and then their headquarters seems to disappear into thin air and there’s no record of a Richard Alpert having ever existed.

She goes to the police and they humor the crazy pregnant lady until someone makes sure they stop. One day she walks in and they all look at her blankly, dismiss her worries, and wave their hands as if her sister hasn’t been kidnapped by some evil ass corporation for God knows what reason.

She hires investigators, but the funny thing about cancer and pregnancy is that aside from the obvious drawbacks they’re really fucking expensive and investigators as she quickly finds out, like to be paid.

Then Julian’s born and the cancer comes back and a hot guy with blond hair shows up at her door and she suddenly experiences a miraculous recovery.

She knows bullshit when she smells it.

On September 22, 2004 she takes her son to a park where she spots a man with dark hair watching them. It’s been three years, but it’s kind of hard to forget the guy who kidnapped your sister.

“Richard Alpert?”

He looks up from his paper and smiles.

“Hello, Rachel. You have a beautiful son.”

She shakes her head, three years and the son of bitch doesn’t even have the decency to pretend that he doesn’t know her.

“Where the hell is my sister?”

Richard sighs and there’s something defeated in the sound. And when he opens his mouth to speak she can feel that the words are costing him something. His voice is low and conspiratorial.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.”

3.

“I’m sorry James, but I have to leave.”

His brow creases and he shoves his hands in his pockets and he looks so much like a lost, little boy that her resolve almost crumbles. But she gave him his two weeks; it’s not fair for him to ask her for anymore.

“Well, you do what you got to do, Blondie.”

The words sound rough and angry. She wants to say you don’t have the right, or you can come with me, or maybe just suck it up, cowboy, but she doesn’t say any of those things. Instead she kisses him, soft and chaste. She thinks maybe if she stayed she could love this man with all of his hard edges and his puppy-dog eyes.

But she won’t stay, not for a maybe, not for another man in love with another woman. She has a choice for the first time in a long time and maybe leaving is a mistake, but it’s her mistake to make.

“Take care of yourself,” she whispers.

4.

He looks at Kate and something inside of her breaks. She’s given him three years, she’s given him more of herself than she’s given anyone else and still it wasn’t enough. She’s not enough.

But that doesn’t change the fact that they’ve got a job to do. She finds him in the jungle pummeling Jack and she watches.

For a moment she thinks about stopping him. Maybe Jack’s right, maybe they can change everything, maybe they can start over and she can live a life where she never meets James, where she never has to face the idea of letting him go.

But that would mean losing everything in between, every kiss, every touch, every conversation at four in the morning, every lazy Sunday afternoon, every argument, every I love you, every I hate you, every damn thing they had ever had together all just to spare herself a little pain.

It’s not worth that.

She closes her eyes and turns away from them, lets James do what he has to do, cocks her gun in case she has to finish the job.

No one’s detonating any bombs today.

5.

She wakes up at the bottom of a crater and there’s no part of her that doesn’t ache. She’s broken and bloody and she can’t help but cry because she should have known better than to believe the island would give her the luxury of a quick death.

“Hello, Juliet.”

She turns her head and the effort makes her cry out. She feels a cool hand against her forehead.

“Shh…it’s okay. You did good work today.”

She blinks up at the man, his eyes are so blue.

“Who are you?” she whispers.

“My name’s Jacob. You saved my life; you saved a lot of lives.”

He smoothes back her hair and Juliet wonders if it’s normal for the pain to disappear right before you die.

Jacob stands up, and brushes the dirt off his knees. He offers her a hand.

“You can get up now Juliet.”

“I can’t…”

But even as she says it she knows that she can. She takes his hand, lets him pull her to her feet.

“James…is he…”

Jacob smiles. “No. He’s fine. He still has work to do, as do we. He’ll be back here soon enough, they all will.”

Juliet nods as if she knows what he means.

“I never thought you were real,” she confesses.

Jacob winks. “Perhaps you’ll be a believer now.”

 

Comments

[elliotsmelliot.livejournal.com]

This may be self-indulgent, but it is always incredibly righteous. I hate, hate, hate how Juliet's story was truncated in S5 to the point where she barely spoke and was just there to get James' back. She so deserved a centric episode so we could see her experience through her eyes - not just as bookend to Sawyer, Jack and Kate's story. I wanted to know why she stayed, how she reacted to meeting young Ben, and why she decided to give a relationship with James a whirl. Thank you for filling in the blanks here and having Juliet accomplish some of her goals. I loved the section with Rachel and how kick ass she was in finding her sister. I love that you had Juliet getting to leave with Jack and more importantly, choosing to leave in 1974. But best of all...

No one’s detonating any bombs today.

Hallelujah! This is the only reset I think works.

And it was nice even after all the madness, that in another universe, Juliet finally got her visit from Jacob in a meaningful way. She did not have to be the sacrifice the island demanded. I got a real kick out of this! Thanks so much for writing thins and giving Juliet's story such an elegant voice. You are my hero!

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Oh man, thank you so much! I hesitated about posting this because I don't usually write fics because I'm angry, so I'm glad it wasn't dreadful.

I've been frustrated about what happened to Juliet last season for months now and it finally just boiled over when I saw that the tptb were using the damn triangle to advertise next season. This is the text they're using:One of the GREATEST LOVE TRIANGLES OF TELEVISION HISTORY will be – RESOLVED. That combined with something Holloway said that made it pretty damn clear that whatever happens with Juliet next season isn't going to have anything to do with resolving her story just pushed me over the edge.

She may have been a plot device to them, but for me she was my favorite character on the show. She was awesome, she spoke latin and kicked ass and was delightfully screwed up and she deserved better than being tossed down a well. *ends rant*

[coffeecrisp7.livejournal.com]

Stalking your comment and popping in to say THANK YOU for saying what's been on my mind for the past year or so... Juliet has been my favourite character since Season 3, and although most people started loving her in Season 5, I was quite disappointed. I run a forum for Juliet fans, and they all go NUTS over her this season, but I don't understand how Juliet fans can overlook the fact that her ORIGINAL plotlines, the ones they introduced her onto the show with in Season 3, were completely dropped! A mini Ben Linus, the guy who Juliet spent 2 seasons fighting with and against, shows up on the island, and we get a bit of a weird look from her when he's hyperventilating in bed. THAT'S IT?! I know she would have seen him before that, but for the audience's sake, they could have given her some lines about it. The Oceanic 6 arrive back on the island, minus Sun, the woman who she spent 2 seasons helping survive, and there's not a peep out of her about where she is? And I would have liked a little more resolution with Jack as well, but I can't tell whether that's because of my strong bias or not =P. As for Rachel, I really would have liked to see a bit more backstory about why she decided to stay... Because I can't see her staying for a guy she's known (and liked) for what... 3 weeks? And we're certainly led to believe she stayed for Sawyer... I still loved her this season, and she still managed to be pretty darn awesome at times, but I felt like the writers could have tied in Season 5 Juliet and Season 3 Juliet a bit more... Also, although I was never the biggest Sawyer/Juliet shipper, I am scared that in Season 6 she's going to be completely overlooked for the sake of the triangle, and that scares me.

@ozmissage: This is a really wonderful story. And I would have loved to see any of these 5 endings on the show =D

[elliotsmelliot.livejournal.com]

I was really surprised about how many people went nuts for Juliet this season. I suspect she gained some love from Sawyer fans who preferred her over Kate. But really - why now? While I've always thought her story had big gaps deserving more attention, Juliet was barely a presence in S5 for me. She was much more active and interesting in S3 and S4.

Thanks to authors like ozmissage for recognizing her potential depth.

[demonqueen666.livejournal.com]

Self-indulegent writing is sometimes necesary, I think. And sometimes it brings forth beautiful work.

Like this one :)

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! *hugs*

[cantbesilent.livejournal.com]

This is fabulous, and even more proof that Darlton is clearly talking out of their ass when they say her story was finished. The voice here is wonderful, and the endings you choose to give her fitting and lovely and happy and sad all in one. Ugh, Juliet makes me ache.

Really good job. I support your self-indulgence, it is necessary and justified and produces great pieces like this.

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

When I read that interview with Darlton I wanted to break something. Nothing was finished about her story, nothing was resolved---she never went home, never confronted Ben, and died knowing that she was still just the "other woman". It's quite possibly the most depressing ending for a character ever.

*sighs* I love Lost, but they certainly dropped the ball on this one.

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

He looks at Kate and something inside of her breaks. She’s given him three years, she’s given him more of herself than she’s given anyone else and still it wasn’t enough. She’s not enough.
Arrrgh! Yes, that's exactly it, that's the knife that Darlton stabbed into me with that scene. I could have ripped Kate apart with my bare hands that night.

I love the visit from Jacob - so very well voiced, and it gave me chills!

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

I hate that scene so damn much. Although I'll admit it was Sawyer that I wanted to rip apart. Because seriously, you're still hung up on a girl you knew for three months who made it pretty clear that she was never going to pick you? There's something wrong with that picture.

If Jacob would just do that I would totally forgive him for making Sayid watch Nadia die. ;)

[valhalla37.livejournal.com]

This is FANTASTIC, and I'll give a hearty thumbs-up to self-indulgent writing if this is what it produces. ;P

This is a million times better than what S5 gave Juliet at the end -- a sense of purpose, actual recognition of what she did, an IC response to that Kate/Sawyer foolishness and a refresher of someone who's so important to her story (Rachel). Seriously, this is so, so great -- wonderful characterization, especially; she's so kick-ass and complicated, but still empathetic and awesome. Great job!

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

I love that woman so much, and I'm having hard time coming to terms with the idea that she's really going to end like that. I just want something better for her.

[mollivanders.livejournal.com]

She closes her eyes and turns away from them, lets James do what he has to do, cocks her gun in case she has to finish the job.

No one’s detonating any bombs today.

THIS D: Horrible, but so perfect. And the last one < /3. Your Juliet is as perfect as ever.

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you so much! Heh. Much as I love Jack I would have found it cathartic if someone had shot him in the leg. Stupid, bomb. :(

in light of "LA X"...still one of the best Juliet fics ever

[greedyslayer.livejournal.com]

In light of the season 6 premiere (despite the ray of hope it offered at the same time), these are even more meaningful.

I love the '5/Numbered Things' format for fic, and it was used especially well for Juliet here.

1: Jack/Juliet was my first real Jack ship, and of course my first Juliet ship, and even after claiming Sawyer/Juliet as my favorite, I still have a soft spot for them. Though I really love the Sawyer/Juliet shout out with "absolutely."

2: I think this one is my favorite. I love how this plays out as an accurate and in-character reaction that Rachel would have once she realized her sister wasn't coming home. Makes me wish we had a Penny & Rachel team-up before, since they both lost someone to the Island. I love how you detail Jacob healing Rachel and now I'm crack!shipping Jacob/Rachel just a bit. And then RICHHARD. :D I love how Rachel immediately recognizes him (and explains how of course she would) and that Richard doesn't even pretend to not know her, very in-character of him, that and his polite compliment to Julian. (I dunno about Rachel, but to me that's sorta classy and badass of Richard.)

“Where the hell is my sister?”

Richard sighs and there’s something defeated in the sound. And when he opens his mouth to speak she can feel that the words are costing him something. His voice is low and conspiratorial.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to talk to you about.”

THIS. The really big thing--Richard's apparently there to help out with bringing Juliet home, for whatever reasons, and I love how he treats this apparently contrary decision to Island decision with that air of gravity and seriousness. And I definitely do ship Richard/Juliet despite ultimately going for Sawyer/Juliet.

3: ;O; What's painful about this is, despite season 5's finale, I'm still worried that even leaving the Island then wouldn't have been a good choice for her. I dunno, maybe something would've happened to her off-Island in the 70s.

4: YES. THIS. Hell, this could've been slipped into canon, 'cause I wanted more sensible lead-up to the detonation if they had to do that--but that's another topic. Anyway, this one stings when Juliet believes she comes 2nd best, yet hopeful when she realizes she can't give up every other good thing, everything else, for a respite from pain. And that glimpse of the hard core that will always be in Juliet.

5: I STILL WISH THIS HAD HAPPENED IN THE SEASON 6 PREMIERE. It was just so perfect! :D More pain over Juliet musing that the Island wouldn't even give her a quick death, and then growing hope as Jacob comes and finally gives her a damn break.

This really is one of the best Juliet fics ever, you write her so well. I've read some of your other Lost/Juliet fic too, I need to get around to properly commenting on all of them.

Re: in light of "LA X"...still one of the best Juliet fics ever

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Thank you so, so much for such leaving such lovely feedback!

I was a little hesitant about the second part of this because I wasn't sure if everyone would follow my wacky troll logic as to why Richard was helping Juliet, but there was this air of impending dissension about him in season three and I like to think he has a soft-spot for Juliet.

And four was definitely wish fulfillment on my part. That's what I wanted her to do, face everything head on.

Again thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed it! :D

Re: in light of "LA X"...still one of the best Juliet fics ever

[greedyslayer.livejournal.com]

I was a little hesitant about the second part of this because I wasn't sure if everyone would follow my wacky troll logic as to why Richard was helping Juliet, but there was this air of impending dissension about him in season three and I like to think he has a soft-spot for Juliet.

Actually, trying to figure out Richard's motivation was still vauge and twisty and mysterious--like him, so I did like how it wasn't clear cut. But I think he could've done that, 'cause Richard always struck me as oddly nice a lot of the time, and you're right--though I have to rewatch season 3, Richard seemed mutinous too, and I think he might have a soft spot for Juliet. It's a real shame, 'cause I don't remember them really interacting anywhere else except when he's recruiting her--which is a really big thing, especially for Juliet (does she hate him for that? I think it would end up being more complicated than that...), so you'd think we'd see more of Juliet and Richard. But, like I said, I don't remember them having any other scenes besides that, so that's disappointing. Well, that's what fic is for. ;)

And four was definitely wish fulfillment on my part. That's what I wanted her to do, face everything head on.

Definitely. And in general, I didn't buy all the Losties going ahead with the bomb plan. I would've preferred them splitting up and fighting over it, but in the struggle, Jack's team wins--the bomb goes off (since when faced with agony and certain slow death, Juliet can go for possible reset/return Sawyer home, or it either gives her a quick death--either way, even if she had been against the bomb, if she found herself down that well, she would've still used her sheer badassery and determination to detonate it).

I really did like this, and can't wait to see more Juliet fic from you. :D

[mfirefly10.livejournal.com]

(After reading your C/S/T TVD fic, I simply had to check out some of your other work and when I saw you wrote for Juliet...well...chances are I'll be reading most of those pieces when I have the time :D)


JULIET!!! *sobs* *sniffles*

Even after all this time, Juliet's death still KILLS me. It was just so unnecessary. Darlton claimed they had no more story to tell with her but you and all the other Lost writers out there prove them wrong over and over again. Juliet's story was in no way complete and it breaks my heart that the writers just didn't care.

I loved every single one of these AU endings but I think #4 was probably my favorite. As a Sawyer/Juliet fan, I can rationalize that her real reason for trying to re-set things was to save him from ever coming to the island but it still kills me that they would've lost everything they had together if she'd been successful and this section voices that in such a beautiful way.

Thank you so much for writing this (even if it took me this long to find it :D)

[ozmissage.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Juliet is my favorite character ever. I'm not even exaggerating. I was obsessed with her and Darlton's thing about "her story being over" still makes me ragey. She was such a rich character and there were so many things left unresolved (the Rachel storyline in particular) that it makes me sad to think about all the stories they never bothered to tell.

I'm not sure how much you've read in Lost fandom, but I did a Juliet character manifesto (http://het-reccers.livejournal.com/347471.html) and a Sawyer/Juliet shipper manifesto (http://het-reccers.livejournal.com/173949.html) for het_reccers a while back with lots of Juliet recs if you're ever in the mood to go on a Juliet fic binge. ;)

[mfirefly10.livejournal.com]

First, I love that you use the word 'ragey' because...yeah...it's a very good word for how canon + fandom often makes me feel. Second, Juliet is probably tied with 3 or 4 other female characters as my favorite so I totally understand your love of her :)

Will definitely check out both manifestos, as I've really only read Sawyer/Juliet and not even that much of it :)