Comments | dtstrainers: Past Our Dancing Days

dtstrainers

Past Our Dancing Days

Apr 24, 2015 16:46

A prequel of sorts, a last bit of character background for my Peter Carlisle in An Officer and the Noble Woman. I was asked to explain what had happened to Natalie, since at the end of Blackpool it looked as though they'd both found their Happily Ever After. I want Peter to be happy, but that relationship would never have lasted, as much as I ( Read more... )

an officer and the noble woman, prequel, peter carlisle crossover, blackpool, peter carlisle

Comments 14

serenityslady April 24 2015, 23:09:48 UTC

He watched as routine daily circumstances ripped to shreds his illusions as to the noble nature of man, confirming all he long-suspected but couldn't quite acknowledge, proving time and again that expectation is the root of all heartache.

This is the sentence I mentioned. How poetic and heartbreaking at the same time.

This pretty little fantasy was over and Peter Carlisle was determined to be a damned saint and an honorable villain and go forward, leaving his heart behind one last time.

Ouch!!! Poor, poor Peter. It's no small wonder he threw himself into his work with the vengeance he did. (Somehow I see a bit of his long-lost cousin Alec here too!)

Beautifully done, as usual.

dtstrainers April 25 2015, 21:52:07 UTC

Peter Carlisle is such a cynical romantic, he breaks my heart. I loved his pursuit of Natalie, but I just couldn't see them together forever, given that Danny was the murderer Peter was seeking. Yes, Danny could keep a secret, but he didn't mean to kill Hooley and he obviously felt guilty over it. It was inevitable that Danny's guilt would give himself away in the end. He'd also figure out that Peter suspected, even if Hailey didn't tell him the DI had come to visit and I think, in the end, Danny would have to tell someone, and I can see him telling his mother under these circumstances ( ... )

dm12 April 24 2015, 23:32:49 UTC

I guess it makes some sense. Natalie would want to protect her child, and Peter must know the truth... at all costs, apparently.

dtstrainers April 27 2015, 00:41:17 UTC

I hope I didn't make it seem like Peter wanted this. He was perfectly happy with Natalie and would have remained so but for an unfortunate choice of words. But in thinking about it, I decided Danny could have never felt completely at ease with Peter, given what had happened in Blackpool, though, so unless Danny stayed away from his mother completely, this was inevitable. After all, Danny was watching the party from the bar when Peter approached him ( ... )

dm12 April 27 2015, 01:05:25 UTC

No, I did get it, but that's what it comes down to in the end. The third factor is Danny, as you said. He knew what he had done, and couldn't possibly feel comfortable with Peter around, even if Peter would say he'd protect him.

Of course Peter didn't want to break up with Natalie; I truly believe he loved her. It's kind of like a tragedy. Despite their love for each other, there was no way it could have worked in the end.

At least we know who he's found since, and she's brilliant!

dtstrainers April 27 2015, 02:16:10 UTC

Oh, Sweetie, whenever Peter Carlisle is no longer a part of your life, it's a tragedy.

From the few people I know in law enforcement, those who have stayed married have managed to do so by keeping work and family life strictly separated. Those who were unable to do so, for whatever reasons, ended up alienating their families and it wasn't pretty. I didn't want Peter and Natalie to end up shouting at one another in the end. It just didn't work out for them.

Thread 5

bas_math_girl April 25 2015, 09:44:24 UTC

Poor Peter! Like you, I've never thought him and Natalie would have lasted. This explained why wonderfully.

dtstrainers April 27 2015, 00:51:47 UTC

Thank you. That's high praise, indeed, coming from you. I think both Peter and Natalie needed each other at the time and would help each other move on, but I didn't see them together forever, given the circumstances. I will say this, however: as a mother, if I were in Natalie's position, the only thing on earth that would make me give up Peter Carlisle would be concern for my son.

dm12 April 27 2015, 01:08:33 UTC

I've got to agree with you there, as another mom. There is no power like that of a mother protecting her children.

tkel_paris April 25 2015, 14:56:54 UTC

Ouch. Ouch, ouch, ouch. No wonder he feels so much guilt and overreacted where Donna's safety is concerned.

I wonder if a particular someone who's been watching over will try to shove any of this in his face when they finally have their confrontation. I just hope he's got more than enough ammo of his own.

Love the descriptions!

dtstrainers April 27 2015, 01:05:27 UTC

Our lovely DI has been put through the wringer when it comes to love and he's determined to get it right with Donna. However, when you try to hang on to something so desperately, in my experience, that's when everything goes to hell in a hand basket

And yeah, there'll be a confrontation between our DI and a certain TimeBoy before all is said and done and the gloves will be off. I'm done with exploring Peter and Donna's pasts and I'm ready to move on from here to finish up with Officer.

I am always thankful for your words and for you continuing to take the time to read this.

dm12 April 27 2015, 15:33:37 UTC

Ooh, can't wait to see the confrontation between DI and Time Boy!

*Grabs a chair for a front-row seat*

sykira February 4 2016, 03:28:46 UTC

*sniffle*

Oh Peter. This was perfect. Poignant and thoughtful but not maudlin. Such great character background. I can never wrap my head around how this is your first fic and yet so amazing, must be witchcraft!

Happy sighs...so glad to finally finally get back to this one, I'm happy I have some new chapters to catch up on too:)