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Hello everybody.
My first Northern Exposure fan fic on a show that ran years ago, and I have a soft spot for.
Keeping this quick despite the show’s various ups and downs is nothing hurt it like season six.
Beginning with breaking Joel, and Maggie up permanently, a pairing they had put us through enough will they/won’t they since day one, not to mention a couple which actually makes sense. It really was a part of the show’s heart.
The other is from day one of Joel’s journey is going from a man who hates Cicely, Alaska yet by series end willing choosing to remain having found a home, and family.
Yet they screw over both all due to having contract disputes with Rob Marrow/Joel. Regardless of whatever issues with the actors you do not ruin the story.
The story is most important as everything else follows.
No wonder people dropped off during season 6 once neither of those stories were properly concluded.
Here is my attempt at wrapping up both in a satisfying way.
Early morning during October 1995, inside Ruth Ann’s store
Maggie looks down at the envelope containing an all too familiar address, one belonging to Joel Fleischman, being on the same postcard that he had sent when returning to New York months prior in February. Doesn’t even move her finger to unseal the envelope as is painful yet curious all in one. A desire to hear from the only man Maggie knows deep down in her bones that she’s ever loved.
How Joel was the first time she fully understood what partner meant, or even considering marriage yet it scared her so much. Scared her that this loudmouth, egotistical doctor from New York who complained more about not being there big, crowded city, had a heart buried deep down.
All his persistently motor mouth or narcissistic comments, though given how repeatedly said around her just more of knows it was done to be aggravatedly flirtatious, was to conceal deep insecurity. Eventually, she came to understand those doubts. Regrettably the same feelings Maggie knows she made worse. Because not always winning a best girlfriend award, or even fiancé for the smallest time it existed.
Unlike various others including Mike Monroe, a disaster for how much it hurt Joel, and well Chris burned out extremely quickly. Strangely when they broke up months ago Chris had this smile commenting on appreciating the memories, and hopefully should go after what she really wants. They’ve stayed friends of course, like the whole dating mess never occurred.
Having ended up alone again it forced Maggie to confront what she has been running from is Joel Fleischman. Running on years even when they dated, and later since leaving for New York. How deep down she regrets not joining him when leaving Cicely, all for pride.
Unwilling to make the biggest sacrifice Maggie remembers when Joel told the story of Anku’s pride regarding his cancer years back when first moving here. Pride can be a deadly matter, something Maggie knows extremely well.
The thought of flying to check in has crossed her mind, possibly living there if needed. Deciding having put the matter off long enough and before Ruth Ann returns after resorting the supplies, an excuse to give her space knowing how personal Fleischman is, Maggie decides on opening the envelope.
Using a finger to lift the lid on pulling out a postcard showing a fictionalized drawing of Amelia Earhart by an aircraft. Smiling Maggie removes something else a letter, and a ring dropping both down onto the counter. Recognizing the ring as the one Joel gave her, Maggie overcome with varying emotions picks up the letter instead.
“Figured you can tell me off in person. I’m returning and so far, nobody knows, so keep this one quiet O’Connell.
Love, Joel”
Grinning as despite everything feeling a joy has not felt in months Maggie pockets the ring, postcard along with the letter in her coat before exiting the store.
At a cabin
Opening the door Maggie exiting the truck with her boots hitting the icy ground heads up the porch steps. Despite the early morning mail from Fleishman Maggie ended up getting busy with a flight out to Anchorage, surprisingly with no sign from Joel, then upon a return putting new snow tires on her vehicle, plus helping others too.
Thankfully no longer has the job as mayor having quickly decided it wasn’t for her, had a recall election with surprisingly Holling getting it once more, somewhat ironic Maggie thinks. For owning the local movie theater was so glad to be rid of that nightmare she sold it to Maurice of all people. Because it was starting to interfere with flying which is where her truly heart lies. The other half is Joel, Maggie knows.
Speaking of Maggie briefly debated on stopping into Joel’s old office, that’s what it will always be, and not just to her but to a lot of other people. Marilyn has remained through Phil and Michelle Capra who had a breaking point for Cicely’s weirdness, a few other doctors whose names Maggie never even cared to remember. Essentially, tried a little with the Capra’s, but just they were not Joel.
Currently, Maurice has seemingly given up as nobody actually wants to actually work out in this, to the rest of the medical world, a dying community in the middle of nowhere.
Shoving those thoughts aside Maggie opens her always unlocked front door, flips on a nearby light switch illuminating the room before seeing Joel wearing a basic pair of his gray dress pants, blue dress shirt, and the same old crooked tie. His hair was not the tangled mess it was when last seeing each other, rather more like first moving here.
Hanging up her coat Maggie also realizes Joel is casually sitting by a table with a desk lamp while doing a crossword puzzle. And extremely comfy too, especially given the fire already started in her fireplace. Slipping the ring into her pocket Maggie walks over sitting in his lap as Joel sets the crossword puzzle aside while letting his hands rest on her waist.
“So, you just break into my home, and sit there like a stalker? Even after everything” Maggie says.
“First nobody locks their door here, and nearly everybody has a key. Next, your one to talk after how many times you prefer to ignore anything to do with us having a relationship. And finally, I had to do something while waiting, caught up on what will be my last current crossword puzzle until always being a bit behind” Joel replies.
“Yes, but besides Adam, nobody is usually waiting in pitch blackness. Second Fleishman as I recall you were extremely slow on picking up any hints I gave. Not to mention kept jumping to the wrong conclusions” Maggie says.
“Remember Soapy’s wine? Those hints you claimed I didn’t pick up on? Well, some were when we were in a relationship with other people” Joel replies.
“I would have broken up with Rick, not like he was completely faithful anyway. Next, I am curious to hear your excuse regarding not making a move when we weren’t seeing anyone. Never mind how focused you were on New York” Maggie says.
“Because when we weren’t I never really knew where I stood with you then when things got serious you…” Joel says trailing off laughing.
“I… what’s so funny Fleischman?” Maggie asks in a mixture of fondness and annoyance.
“The first time we see each other in months only instead of us, being oh I don’t know something like a normal couple, yet we are falling right back to arguing for who was apparently the worst partner like there’s some prize,” Joel says lightheartedly.
Leaning her forehead against his “Would you prefer it any other way?” Maggie inquiries grinning.
“No,” Joel says.
“Good and are you really staying?” Maggie replies uncertainly.
“Yes, I am. Regardless of us, the other part of my home is Cicely, and last I heard they are in desperate need of a doctor. There’s nothing for me back in New York, if there ever was. My home is here if you’ll have me” Joel says uncertainly yet in warmth.
“Still a chance of you dying with that bloody curse I have following me around,” Maggie says in light worry.
“No, that’s just bad luck. I’d say it’s more of fate we keep ending up back into each other’s lives” Joel replies.
“You Fleischman a believer of hard, practical science bordering on the extreme logically to the point of insanity, is telling me you trust fate?” Maggie notes in disbelief.
“What can I say? I guess I’ve come full circle or something after everything I’ve lived through. At certain points, there is no logical explanation. Guess Cicely has a very corrupting influence on me” Joel says.
“Just this town?” Maggie asks smirking knowingly.
“No” Joel replies.
“Good,” Maggie says “And I got your postcard, by the way, I like it. Got the letter too.”
“And I’ll wait until you’re ready or never if you prefer,” Joel says.
Quietly Maggie pulls out the ring from her pants pocket giving it to Joel who goes to set it on the table, only the bush aviator lets her hand cover his as the healer looks on in surprise. Maggie gives a light nod while Joel quietly slips the ring on her finger.
Fingering his tie “You still can’t manage to figure this out yet, Fleischman? Really are helpless you know” Maggie says playfully.
“And you can’t help but criticize O’Connell, is this what it is going to be like with us forever?” Joel asks in a similar tone.
“Maybe, you’ve got a problem with that?” Maggie replies smirking.
“Goodness no, I’ve missed you, missed us,” Joel says warmly grinning.
Leaning forward Maggie kisses Joel who quickly returns it passionately, lovingly, yet savoringly. They continue making out while Maggie quickly unwraps his tie tossing it aside before removing his dress shirt as Joel lifts Maggie’s cotton long sleeve, and under shirts off, both tossing their clothes elsewhere. Breaking apart they grin at each other.
“I love you,” Maggie says.
“Love you” Joel replies.
Returning to their previous actions Joel starts working his way down Maggie’s neck who moves her hands down his back.
Later in an old office
Stepping through the doorway Joel looks around to notice how the room hasn’t changed that much, only alteration is the blank lettering where his name used to be. Over at the receptionist's desk, Marilyn remains causally knitting, and doesn’t even bother looking up. However, can tell it’s not one of unhappiness, just more like waiting.
“I’m here for the job,” Joel says, a reflection of the very first words they had.
“Your late” Marilyn replies.
Grinning “Stuck at a terminal and lost a connecting flight,” Joel says.
“Early appointments tomorrow” Marilyn replies.
“I’ll be here,” Joel says.
Marilyn remains quiet while continuously knitting yet a peace between them, and are glad to be back. Just another day in the office, only both hear familiar footsteps at the doorway.
“Hey, Fleischman, we’re going to be late for dinner at The Brick, but if you want to spend the night catching up, I won’t stop you,” Maggie says, “Hi Marilyn.”
“Hi” Marilyn replies.
“Oh, so she gets hi while I get complaints, very typical O’Connell. You should work for not being so petulant aggressive” Joel says playfully while moving to face the pilot.
“Still your landlord you jerk, not a hooker,” Maggie says good-humouredly.
“Actually, given both our names on Soapy’s place we co-own it, and I did spend the night at your place eventually” Joel replies.
“Yeah, you did,” Maggie says smiling.
Noticing Maggie extending her left hand as light glistens off the ring Joel can’t help but grin when taking it as they exit venturing down a sidewalk. The sun is lowering in the distance while a moose begins its journey into Cicely’s Main Street.
Hope you all enjoyed this and leave a review letting me know what you think for anybody reading.
The first scene was what I originally envisioned as something they could have very easily done in the actual show itself without needing Rob Marrow back.
Of course, I would have had Maggie put the ring on before leaving, giving a definitive answer but zero effort would have been needed.
And would have been for sure better than a Chris/Maggie ending we got. Goodness grief the Chris/Maggie pairing came out of nowhere.
Since I’m not bound by reality, I decided on doing my version of the show’s ending. Actually, seeing Joel return in person.
I figure the ending of Joel and Maggie with the moose would be a fitting final shot.
As a side note, I decided on getting away from the additional jobs since they were running out of storylines that they gave Maggie, I wanted to get O’Connell back on track.
Until next time.