Empty Spaces (Chapter Sixteen)
Jun. 11th, 2007 10:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
missmara13Title: Empty Spaces - Chapter Sixteen
Author: Mara
Rating: R
Warning: AU, some Violence and Language. Sex in later chapters (Not much worse than on the show)
Summary: Kirsten Nichols and her son Ryan have always been fine on their own, so have Sandy Cohen and his son Seth. But now everything's starting to change for both families, some of it for the better, some of it for the worse.
Empty Spaces - Chapter Sixteen
"On the count of three, I want you to take a deep breath, then cough," Neil instructed as he prepared to remove the intubation tube the next morning.
Ryan nodded, doing as he was told, and doubling over with a racking cough as the tube came up, scraping his throat. "Oh God," he groaned, his voice scratchy.
"Don't try to talk yet," Neil said as he helped Ryan sit upright again and handed him the notebook he'd been using. "You're throat's going to hurt for a while, you need to rest your voice."
want mom, sum Ryan wrote, his hand shaking and the words barely legible as he coughed again
"Let's try to get you to stop coughing first, okay?" Neil said, moving so that Emily could approach with a spoon and a cup of ice chips.
"It'll help," Emily said as she spooned a few chips into Ryan's mouth. "Just let them melt on your tongue and trickle down your throat."
Ryan did as he was told, but pointed at what he had written again, staring at Neil. "Mom," he said, grimacing in pain.
Neil sighed, but nodded. "I'll go get her," he agreed, leaving.
"You are one loved kid," Emily said, giving him a few more ice chips. "There's practically an army out there in the waiting room, and they're all here for you."
"Yes, we are," Kirsten said as she came back in, smiling and moving to kiss Ryan's forehead. "Hailey went home to give Dad an update because I don't want him near you right now, I'm too angry at him."
Ryan nodded and wrote on his notebook. home?
"Don't start, Ryan," Kirsten said. "You aren't going home until Neil and Dr. Julian okay it. We're not taking any chances. And once you do go home, we have a new alarm system that a friend of Malcolm's is installing for us right now, plus we're going to have constant guards on both of us until Malcolm tells us it's okay."
mal = paranoid Ryan wrote, smiling to show he was teasing and understood the precaution. sum?
"You want to see Summer?" Kirsten asked, waiting for him to nod. "Okay, how about Alex? Because she's been with us since she found out you were missing. She and Summer have gotten to be good friends."
alex here? Ryan wrote, surprise clear on his face.
"I'll go get her first," Kirsten said, getting up again. When she returned, it was with Alex in tow, the younger woman wearing a familiar sweatshirt of Ryan's over her jeans.
"Hey," Alex said, moving to his side. "Don't you ever do anything stupid like get kidnapped again, okay?"
grandpa = idiot Ryan wrote. "I like you," he added aloud, reaching to take her hand.
"I'm the idiot for believing him and running out," Alex replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I like you, too. Which is why I will dump your sorry rich boy ass if you ever go and get kidnapped again."
"Deal," Ryan said.
"And stop talking before you hurt yourself," Alex added, smiling. "Just write whatever you have to say."
Ryan nodded, but didn't write anything. Instead, he just held her hand a little tighter as they sat in comfortable silence.
~~~
Kirsten got Ryan moved into a room that had enough room for more than one visitor at a time, and by the next afternoon he was sitting up and playing poker with Hailey, Summer, and Alex while Seth watched in awe. "Dude, who taught you to play like that?" he asked.
Ryan gestured at Hailey who shrugged. "She taught me to count cards," Ryan said in a hoarse whisper.
"And that is why I try to limit his contact with her," Kirsten spoke up from the couch she and Sandy were seated on nearby.
Ryan laughed, which turned into a cough, and Alex grabbed a glass of water for him to take a sip. "Thanks," he told her, smiling.
"Anytime," Alex replied as she returned the smile, squeezing his hand and trying to catch a glimpse at his cards only to have him fold them down against his chest and give her a scolding look.
"Cheater," he teased.
"Can't blame a girl for trying," Alex replied.
There was the sound of a throat clearing in the doorway, and they all turned to see Malcolm standing there with two men they didn't know. "Good thing everyone's hear, it'll make for quicker introductions," Malcolm said. "On my right is Jake Thomas and on my left is Eric Brandon. They're the new bodyguards for Ryan and Kirsten. I used to work Special Ops with them, and I trust them with my life and both of yours, so listen to them like you'd listen to me."
"So only if I like what they're saying?" Hailey said mock seriously.
"Don't start thinking that I don't know all about you letting Ryan driving your convertible to see Alex at the club two weeks ago," Malcolm said, giving her a look.
"Hailey Nichols!" Kirsten said. "First, that's not a safe and secure vehicle, and second he barely has his learner's permit!"
"He did fine," Hailey said. "The kid can't spend his entire life riding in armored hummers, he's 15 and deserves a cool car when he turns 16."
"If it keeps him safe he sure as hell will be in an armored hummer!" Kirsten said.
Malcolm let out a low whistle. "Didn't mean to start that," he said.
"You do remember last Christmas?" Ryan asked, coughing again as he finished.
"With the eggnog throwing? Yeah, I remember," Malcolm said, nodding. "That was... messy."
"I don't even want to know," Jake said, looking between the two women.
"I do," Eric said, nodding. "Food fights rule."
"What kind of people are you bringing in to watch out for them?" Summer asked Malcolm.
"They're more professional than the act," Malcolm promised. "I use to trust these two with my life, and you know I wouldn't bring anyone in that I thought I couldn't trust with Kirsten and Ryan's lives."
"Better be or I'll kick their asses," Summer said.
"With my help," Alex added.
"They will," Malcolm said, nodding. "I don't know about Alex there, but Summer has a really mean right hook. I should know, I taught it to her."
"Alex could be a bouncer," Ryan teased his girlfriend with a smile.
"And if you ever get kidnapped again, I'm gonna kick your ass after I kick the kidnappers ass and the ass of whoever was falling down on the job," Alex said with an equal smile as she leaned down to kiss him.
"But the scary girlfriend is cleared to be near him?" Eric asked.
"Yes, everyone in this room is cleared to be near him," Malcolm said, scanning the room quickly. "If his mother clears someone extra, then it's allowed, but if she tells you that someone isn't allowed near him, keep them away. If you feel someone who otherwise was cleared is going to cause physical harm or extreme emotional harm, feel free to escort them away."
"Understood," Eric said, and Jake nodded as well.
"My father is to be kept away from Ryan until I say otherwise," Kirsten said. "I'll talk to him, but I don't want him anywhere near my son right now."
"Understood," both of the new guards said at once.
"And Ryan's biological father is to be kept miles away from him if possible," Kirsten added. "Jimmy Cooper is not to have any contact with my son under any circumstances."
"Why would you need to mention that?" Ryan asked, only coughing a little this time. "Not like he's ever tried..."
"He showed up yesterday," Kirsten said quietly. "Wanted to see you. Malcolm and I both told him to go to hell."
"Good," Ryan said, though his brows were furrowed in confusion. He had a few fuzzy points in his memory for the days he was gone and even the few days before that, but he vaguely remember arguing with Jimmy at the party, and he couldn't help wondering if maybe Jimmy had felt bad about how he'd treated Ryan after realizing how close he'd come to dying. Maybe Jimmy was actually interested in being in his life now. Not that Ryan really wanted him in it, but... it would be nice to know he was actually wanted by the man.
"You okay, kid?" Sandy asked, coming closer.
"Fine," Ryan replied, offering a reassuring smile to his mom when she turned, concerned. "Just thinking."
"Save the deep thinking for a couple days, huh?" Sandy suggested. "Wait until you don't have a tube under your nose at least."
"Deal," Ryan agreed.
Malcolm chuckled and walked over to grab Ryan's wipe off board and write a message of his own, just for Ryan to see. I like this guy. Ryan grinned and nodded, then turned serious and wrote his own message back to Malcolm, who read it, then nodded slowly. "I'll find out," he said.
~~~
That evening, Kirsten and Ryan got some time alone as Sandy drove the other kids back to their house to sleep. "Are you comfortable?" Kirsten asked after briefly speaking to Jake out in the hall.
"I'm fine, Mom," Ryan replied, laying on his side. "So, when do I get out of here?" he added hopefully.
"Not for a while yet," Kirsten said, brushing a hand through his hair. "You really scared me."
"I'll try not to do that again," Ryan replied with a smile. "You know, Sandy's a good guy."
"I know," Kirsten said.
"Not many would stay by the side of a woman they'd barely known a week when there were bad guys out there," Ryan continued.
"I know," Kirsten replied, giving him an look. "Are you getting to a point?"
Ryan smiled and let out a soft sigh. "Just that he's a good one, Mom. I'm glad you went on the lousy blind date and ended up meeting Sandy. You deserve somebody good like him."
"Thank you," Kirsten said.
Ryan sighed again, this one immediately followed by a yawn. "And you can marry him anytime you want, I think the drama makes it count as like a year of dating," he added before drifting off to sleep.
Kirsten smiled, trying not to laugh and wake him up again, then bent her head to kiss his forehead. "I love you, baby," she whispered.
~~~
Trey slowly blinked open his eyes as he sensed someone other than a doctor entering his room. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light, then he swallowed convulsively, wincing as it tugged at the surgical stitches left from the doctors saving his life, as he realized it was Malcolm standing over his bed. "Anthony said we weren't gonna hurt him, just scare everybody and get the money," Trey whispered. "I didn't... I never would have done it if I knew he was gonna kill Ryan... can you tell Kirsten I'm sorry? I... I tried to stop Anthony... I swear, Mal, I tried... I know I deserve whatever I get, but... please, I didn't mean to get him killed..."
Malcolm's expression flickered for a moment, then he sank down into a chair, looking weary. "He's not dead," he finally said. "It was close, he wasn't breathing when we got to him, but... but he's breathing on his own and he's conscious. He should make a full recovery."
"Really?" Trey asked, relief clear on his face. "Then can you tell him I'm sorry? I know it's not enough, but..."
"I shouldn't tell you this, you don't deserve to know this," Malcolm began. "But Ryan was worried about you. He asked me if you were okay. That's why I'm here, to find out for him. You kidnapped him, held him hostage, and the kid asked me to check on you. Feel like complete dirt yet?"
"Tell him I'm sorry, I know it doesn't change anything or fix anything, but... I never wanted him to get hurt."
"I'll tell him that you'll live," Malcolm said. "Maybe later I'll tell him the rest, when he's not hooked up to machines to make sure he stays alive."
Trey nodded. "I told the cops, but they've got jurisdiction things to deal with, you don't..."
"Told them what?" Malcolm asked.
"Anthony was gonna go to Tijuana, and then to the south pacific, where the account was set up," Trey said. "I remember the name of the place we were gonna stay in Tijuana, and I can give you the passcodes and false name for the bank account in the Caymans."
"I may just decide to let you live," Malcolm said, pulling out a notebook and pencil. "Write it down."
To Be Continued...
Author: Mara
Rating: R
Warning: AU, some Violence and Language. Sex in later chapters (Not much worse than on the show)
Summary: Kirsten Nichols and her son Ryan have always been fine on their own, so have Sandy Cohen and his son Seth. But now everything's starting to change for both families, some of it for the better, some of it for the worse.
Empty Spaces - Chapter Sixteen
"On the count of three, I want you to take a deep breath, then cough," Neil instructed as he prepared to remove the intubation tube the next morning.
Ryan nodded, doing as he was told, and doubling over with a racking cough as the tube came up, scraping his throat. "Oh God," he groaned, his voice scratchy.
"Don't try to talk yet," Neil said as he helped Ryan sit upright again and handed him the notebook he'd been using. "You're throat's going to hurt for a while, you need to rest your voice."
want mom, sum Ryan wrote, his hand shaking and the words barely legible as he coughed again
"Let's try to get you to stop coughing first, okay?" Neil said, moving so that Emily could approach with a spoon and a cup of ice chips.
"It'll help," Emily said as she spooned a few chips into Ryan's mouth. "Just let them melt on your tongue and trickle down your throat."
Ryan did as he was told, but pointed at what he had written again, staring at Neil. "Mom," he said, grimacing in pain.
Neil sighed, but nodded. "I'll go get her," he agreed, leaving.
"You are one loved kid," Emily said, giving him a few more ice chips. "There's practically an army out there in the waiting room, and they're all here for you."
"Yes, we are," Kirsten said as she came back in, smiling and moving to kiss Ryan's forehead. "Hailey went home to give Dad an update because I don't want him near you right now, I'm too angry at him."
Ryan nodded and wrote on his notebook. home?
"Don't start, Ryan," Kirsten said. "You aren't going home until Neil and Dr. Julian okay it. We're not taking any chances. And once you do go home, we have a new alarm system that a friend of Malcolm's is installing for us right now, plus we're going to have constant guards on both of us until Malcolm tells us it's okay."
mal = paranoid Ryan wrote, smiling to show he was teasing and understood the precaution. sum?
"You want to see Summer?" Kirsten asked, waiting for him to nod. "Okay, how about Alex? Because she's been with us since she found out you were missing. She and Summer have gotten to be good friends."
alex here? Ryan wrote, surprise clear on his face.
"I'll go get her first," Kirsten said, getting up again. When she returned, it was with Alex in tow, the younger woman wearing a familiar sweatshirt of Ryan's over her jeans.
"Hey," Alex said, moving to his side. "Don't you ever do anything stupid like get kidnapped again, okay?"
grandpa = idiot Ryan wrote. "I like you," he added aloud, reaching to take her hand.
"I'm the idiot for believing him and running out," Alex replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I like you, too. Which is why I will dump your sorry rich boy ass if you ever go and get kidnapped again."
"Deal," Ryan said.
"And stop talking before you hurt yourself," Alex added, smiling. "Just write whatever you have to say."
Ryan nodded, but didn't write anything. Instead, he just held her hand a little tighter as they sat in comfortable silence.
~~~
Kirsten got Ryan moved into a room that had enough room for more than one visitor at a time, and by the next afternoon he was sitting up and playing poker with Hailey, Summer, and Alex while Seth watched in awe. "Dude, who taught you to play like that?" he asked.
Ryan gestured at Hailey who shrugged. "She taught me to count cards," Ryan said in a hoarse whisper.
"And that is why I try to limit his contact with her," Kirsten spoke up from the couch she and Sandy were seated on nearby.
Ryan laughed, which turned into a cough, and Alex grabbed a glass of water for him to take a sip. "Thanks," he told her, smiling.
"Anytime," Alex replied as she returned the smile, squeezing his hand and trying to catch a glimpse at his cards only to have him fold them down against his chest and give her a scolding look.
"Cheater," he teased.
"Can't blame a girl for trying," Alex replied.
There was the sound of a throat clearing in the doorway, and they all turned to see Malcolm standing there with two men they didn't know. "Good thing everyone's hear, it'll make for quicker introductions," Malcolm said. "On my right is Jake Thomas and on my left is Eric Brandon. They're the new bodyguards for Ryan and Kirsten. I used to work Special Ops with them, and I trust them with my life and both of yours, so listen to them like you'd listen to me."
"So only if I like what they're saying?" Hailey said mock seriously.
"Don't start thinking that I don't know all about you letting Ryan driving your convertible to see Alex at the club two weeks ago," Malcolm said, giving her a look.
"Hailey Nichols!" Kirsten said. "First, that's not a safe and secure vehicle, and second he barely has his learner's permit!"
"He did fine," Hailey said. "The kid can't spend his entire life riding in armored hummers, he's 15 and deserves a cool car when he turns 16."
"If it keeps him safe he sure as hell will be in an armored hummer!" Kirsten said.
Malcolm let out a low whistle. "Didn't mean to start that," he said.
"You do remember last Christmas?" Ryan asked, coughing again as he finished.
"With the eggnog throwing? Yeah, I remember," Malcolm said, nodding. "That was... messy."
"I don't even want to know," Jake said, looking between the two women.
"I do," Eric said, nodding. "Food fights rule."
"What kind of people are you bringing in to watch out for them?" Summer asked Malcolm.
"They're more professional than the act," Malcolm promised. "I use to trust these two with my life, and you know I wouldn't bring anyone in that I thought I couldn't trust with Kirsten and Ryan's lives."
"Better be or I'll kick their asses," Summer said.
"With my help," Alex added.
"They will," Malcolm said, nodding. "I don't know about Alex there, but Summer has a really mean right hook. I should know, I taught it to her."
"Alex could be a bouncer," Ryan teased his girlfriend with a smile.
"And if you ever get kidnapped again, I'm gonna kick your ass after I kick the kidnappers ass and the ass of whoever was falling down on the job," Alex said with an equal smile as she leaned down to kiss him.
"But the scary girlfriend is cleared to be near him?" Eric asked.
"Yes, everyone in this room is cleared to be near him," Malcolm said, scanning the room quickly. "If his mother clears someone extra, then it's allowed, but if she tells you that someone isn't allowed near him, keep them away. If you feel someone who otherwise was cleared is going to cause physical harm or extreme emotional harm, feel free to escort them away."
"Understood," Eric said, and Jake nodded as well.
"My father is to be kept away from Ryan until I say otherwise," Kirsten said. "I'll talk to him, but I don't want him anywhere near my son right now."
"Understood," both of the new guards said at once.
"And Ryan's biological father is to be kept miles away from him if possible," Kirsten added. "Jimmy Cooper is not to have any contact with my son under any circumstances."
"Why would you need to mention that?" Ryan asked, only coughing a little this time. "Not like he's ever tried..."
"He showed up yesterday," Kirsten said quietly. "Wanted to see you. Malcolm and I both told him to go to hell."
"Good," Ryan said, though his brows were furrowed in confusion. He had a few fuzzy points in his memory for the days he was gone and even the few days before that, but he vaguely remember arguing with Jimmy at the party, and he couldn't help wondering if maybe Jimmy had felt bad about how he'd treated Ryan after realizing how close he'd come to dying. Maybe Jimmy was actually interested in being in his life now. Not that Ryan really wanted him in it, but... it would be nice to know he was actually wanted by the man.
"You okay, kid?" Sandy asked, coming closer.
"Fine," Ryan replied, offering a reassuring smile to his mom when she turned, concerned. "Just thinking."
"Save the deep thinking for a couple days, huh?" Sandy suggested. "Wait until you don't have a tube under your nose at least."
"Deal," Ryan agreed.
Malcolm chuckled and walked over to grab Ryan's wipe off board and write a message of his own, just for Ryan to see. I like this guy. Ryan grinned and nodded, then turned serious and wrote his own message back to Malcolm, who read it, then nodded slowly. "I'll find out," he said.
~~~
That evening, Kirsten and Ryan got some time alone as Sandy drove the other kids back to their house to sleep. "Are you comfortable?" Kirsten asked after briefly speaking to Jake out in the hall.
"I'm fine, Mom," Ryan replied, laying on his side. "So, when do I get out of here?" he added hopefully.
"Not for a while yet," Kirsten said, brushing a hand through his hair. "You really scared me."
"I'll try not to do that again," Ryan replied with a smile. "You know, Sandy's a good guy."
"I know," Kirsten said.
"Not many would stay by the side of a woman they'd barely known a week when there were bad guys out there," Ryan continued.
"I know," Kirsten replied, giving him an look. "Are you getting to a point?"
Ryan smiled and let out a soft sigh. "Just that he's a good one, Mom. I'm glad you went on the lousy blind date and ended up meeting Sandy. You deserve somebody good like him."
"Thank you," Kirsten said.
Ryan sighed again, this one immediately followed by a yawn. "And you can marry him anytime you want, I think the drama makes it count as like a year of dating," he added before drifting off to sleep.
Kirsten smiled, trying not to laugh and wake him up again, then bent her head to kiss his forehead. "I love you, baby," she whispered.
~~~
Trey slowly blinked open his eyes as he sensed someone other than a doctor entering his room. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light, then he swallowed convulsively, wincing as it tugged at the surgical stitches left from the doctors saving his life, as he realized it was Malcolm standing over his bed. "Anthony said we weren't gonna hurt him, just scare everybody and get the money," Trey whispered. "I didn't... I never would have done it if I knew he was gonna kill Ryan... can you tell Kirsten I'm sorry? I... I tried to stop Anthony... I swear, Mal, I tried... I know I deserve whatever I get, but... please, I didn't mean to get him killed..."
Malcolm's expression flickered for a moment, then he sank down into a chair, looking weary. "He's not dead," he finally said. "It was close, he wasn't breathing when we got to him, but... but he's breathing on his own and he's conscious. He should make a full recovery."
"Really?" Trey asked, relief clear on his face. "Then can you tell him I'm sorry? I know it's not enough, but..."
"I shouldn't tell you this, you don't deserve to know this," Malcolm began. "But Ryan was worried about you. He asked me if you were okay. That's why I'm here, to find out for him. You kidnapped him, held him hostage, and the kid asked me to check on you. Feel like complete dirt yet?"
"Tell him I'm sorry, I know it doesn't change anything or fix anything, but... I never wanted him to get hurt."
"I'll tell him that you'll live," Malcolm said. "Maybe later I'll tell him the rest, when he's not hooked up to machines to make sure he stays alive."
Trey nodded. "I told the cops, but they've got jurisdiction things to deal with, you don't..."
"Told them what?" Malcolm asked.
"Anthony was gonna go to Tijuana, and then to the south pacific, where the account was set up," Trey said. "I remember the name of the place we were gonna stay in Tijuana, and I can give you the passcodes and false name for the bank account in the Caymans."
"I may just decide to let you live," Malcolm said, pulling out a notebook and pencil. "Write it down."
To Be Continued...
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 04:24 am (UTC)WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 2007-06-12 05:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 08:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 12:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 06:34 pm (UTC)And I'm really glad that Ryan is on his way to a full recovery. Thanks for updating.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 07:34 pm (UTC)The family bonding makes it for me, and makes me wonder what the next step will be as Ryan heals physically and emotionally, which, no matter how he might pretend to try to shrug it off right now, will take time. Technically, he died, and faced a very uncertain prognosis and outcome and that's very unnerving at any age. One of the people closest to him and sworn to protect him, betrayed him and did so easily and for personal gain. That plays with the head and shatters any sense of trust.
Now, it's a question of how much he and even Kirsten both withdraw, what the long-term effects are in various ways, and whether those close to them are brought closer, to the exclusion of others, or whether, Kirsten, for one, tries to isolate them more and if Ryan begins to question the motives of anyone around him even more. I'll be anxious to see how they regroup and if Sandy becomes more of an insider, as a result of the scene you just depicted, or if Kirsten becomes dubious despite his loyalty and devotion during the ordeal.
You had me wondering just what was in store for Trey, whom I didn't expect to survive initially, and then the same with Malcolm's visit. I'm sorry we missed that exchange between Ryan and Malcolm, but it is very in character for Ryan to be concerned about his former protector, quasi-friend and captor no matter what.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 07:59 pm (UTC)Malcolm chuckled and walked over to grab Ryan's wipe off board and write a message of his own, just for Ryan to see. I like this guy. Ryan grinned and nodded, then turned serious and wrote his own message back to Malcolm, who read it, then nodded slowly. "I'll find out," he said.
The message Ryan wrote was basically 'is trey okay?'. I didn't want to lead up to Malcolm going to see Trey, so I didn't reveal the message...
And the thing is, if Trey had actively been part of trying to kill Ryan, then Ryan wouldn't have been concerned so much as 'He's not gonna get me, right?'... but Trey got shot trying to keep Anthony from killing Ryan, so there's an element of 'I owe him for trying...'
no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 08:10 pm (UTC)I can see where Ryan would be more concerned about Trey because, in the end, he did try, but that still doesn't undo all the damage of what that sort of betrayal would cause, especially after how many years of establishing a bond and a comfort zone? That would have to rattle him.
I'm still getting back to Summer's POV for "The Truth" AU, but I reread the others for comparison since it had been so long.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 08:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 08:46 pm (UTC)Maybe? What can I say, you got me addicted.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 09:01 pm (UTC)Ryan's POV is the one that's currently finished and in limbo, waiting for me to decide whether it comes next or if I should put one more POV before it...
Anyway, my point is, even if I officially ended this portion of the story, I might very well, and very easily, be convinced to pick it up in a more normally formatted story, the way I did with the 'Broken Quartet' being followed by 'Another Day'...
no subject
Date: 2007-06-12 09:20 pm (UTC)I will definitely look forward to Ryan's disoriented, jumbled, painful perspective and just what he does incorporate, perceive and process over time. I'm sure that will be very emotional and insightful and very interesting to compare with what his loved ones have expressed.
The medical staff could be both detached and involved, depending on the person, degree of investment and simply how attuned different people are to individuals in their care in terms of viewing them clinically or with humanity. I guess some are distant and detatched to protect themselves and others might feel an affinity and get involved despite somethings.
Anyway, I do hope you continue and pursue this and I will welcome what you choose to share.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-13 05:22 am (UTC)I thought for some reason it was over the last chapter...so I was thrilled when this update popped up.
I just cannot get enough of Ryan and Kirsten together. Ryan's such a doll...asking about Trey. What a good...no longer dead...kid.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-13 05:30 am (UTC)You probably thought it was over last chapter because I stupidly accidentlly put 'The End' at the end of it instead of 'To Be Continued'... it's only when the second person asked me if it was really over that I realized my mistake and edited the post... lol