Best Forgotten, a Fic for Brandy, Pt. 14

[chazper]

Getting this in just under the wire (meaning the end of the month.) I've actually written about 1,000 words more of this story, but that part isn't finished, so I decided just to incorporate it in the next (final? No, probably not) chapter. So, for now, here is part 14

Comments

[beachtree]

Looks like LJ is back from the fix-it. It also looks like Ryan and the Cohens are at the point where the toll has become physical, right down to the degrees of reaction. In Ryan's case, it's a pretty unfathomable emotional and psychological price exacted on top of the physical. He's been pushed to the brink when he hears Dr. Killer's repeated insensitive comment after the inhuman, deceitful, cruel and inhumane ways he treated and displayed Ryan.

Kirsten decides to join reality and stop her cruise down Da Nile in a very demonstrative way. Facing facts can be exhausting, or maybe it's the long-term avoidance combined with allowing the crushing realization to hit?

Charlie has the brains they need, but who has the luck and the time to make up for all that they've squandered? I guess you'd know that!

Getting inside of Ryan's tormented psyche is painful. Just like in canon, he manages to cling to a desperate sliver of hope in the face of overwhelming forces he can't control. As for trusting Lucy, we know he hasn't been able to truly trust anyone, only resignedly acquiesce when lack of choices, fear, and total exhaustion and despair dictated terms. I hope he can trust her enough, as the only advocate he might have, to be able to believe she can at least buy him precious time, whatever form her diversion takes.

Now, as for Caleb, anyone who thinks he can play God and decide to irreparably harm a child simply because he can, with no consideration for the life he ruins and risks, I bet Dr. Killer and his evil entourage of ghouls won't care who their patient is. Caleb meets the criteria for the ideal guinea pig. Time for a taste of his own medicine- literally. Fair is fair!

Thanks for making your monthly deadline, but what a cliff to hang from. Does Ryan deserve that? Okay, so he doesn't deserve any of it. Yeah, Social Services will be all over this little excursion and foray into a private hell while under the watchful and protective care of the Cohens- if he's still around to be of concern or aware of what's happening. Tick-tock...

[chazper]

Tick-tock indeed, beach! I'm feeling the pressure myself now. And look what you've done! I'd forgotten abut Social Services--as neglectful as they tended to be on the show, they certainly couldn't ignore this little incident.

[beachtree]

Nope. Social Services couldn't ignore this- not even in canon! Then again, if they'd been even remotely more of a presence (meaning they'd existed), and made even one visit to witness, say the oh-so-awkward Ryan/Kirsten dynamic in action, or, God forbid, come with Caleb on the scene, what would they make of... this? Ouch! Ryan sets the record for "worst placement ever." Who knew Dawn and A.J. could ever look so good?!