Best Forgotten, Part 34. (It only feels like Part 340)

[chazper]

I'm trying to hard to finish this story but it's coming in dribs and drabs now (mostly drabs.) In any case, here's January's installment for anybody still interested.

Disclaimer: You know, the standard stuff. Characters (well, the central ones) still not mine, errors (well, all of them) still mine alone.

Best Forgotten, Part 34

Comments

[beachtree]

I'm driving by, but I couldn't resist reading (when I should be prepping for more an early, early, early meeting). I'd almost forgotten it was THAT time again. Part 340? Really? Who's counting?

I'd be repeating myself from the last 2 chapters if I really emphasized how physically and emotionally compromised Ryan would be with his Dr. Killer cocktails taking their cumulative toll, anesthesia, whatever was done to make him too "sick" for surgery, and the litany of what would be done to any human guinea pig. If Dr. Killer's objective was fame and recognition, he only needed Ryan alive to suit specific needs, not healthy. However, what does resonate more powerfully is that the Cohens, not just Lucy, are now aware of the gravity of the situation more now. Even Seth has to face facts while he tells his mother what he hasn't fully accepted.

However Ryan reacted due to disorientation, lack of lucidity, chemicals, instinct, or any litany and combo of factors, I think it would be natural, regardless of his response, for Kirsten to revisit and assess her own attitudes and behavior from the outset. Even once Ryan was at Casa Cohen, she still allowed her father and the Newpsies to disparage Ryan and mistreat him. That's something she has to own and contend with and it would/should feed her guilt. By making the connection between her and her father, she also has to know Ryan would do the same on some level, but she might not consider that Ryan would want to protect her too. She doesn't know him well enough yet, but that's what barriers do.

As for Ryan, with his foundation of security and self-worth as solid as Dr. Killer's ethics and compassion, he'd be convinced he was the problem even without the assistance of the deck that's stacked against him because of his compromised status and battered psyche. He has to have a finger hold on reality at this point, but he's still looking out for anyone but himself.

Once again, the interaction with Lucy is extraordinary. She's a gem. Ryan's going to need lots of help when he's finally well enough to travel and I sure hope Lucy has a passport. You've provided more very gentle, honest, genuine, intuitive interactions between them. Not many people really connect with Ryan, and to have someone care for him and reach him the way she does is the one bright spot in this nightmare. If he emerges able to begin to mend, it will be because of her.

Hats off to you for some very eloquent and descriptive prose. You've found a very creative way to give words more power and impact with the way "shadows chased across his face," for one example.

I think you know my feelings about Kirsten ever being Ryan's mother in canon, even at the end, so I'll admit that the emphasis here, so early on isn't what I'd envision, but I can see where Lucy would want that for Ryan and would have her own perspective. Of course, this isn't canon!Kirsten either.

Thanks for continuing the ride and I'm very impressed that you made your self-imposed deadline. Double score!

[chazper]

Every time I write the Kirsten-Ryan relationship I think of you, beach. Of course this isn't canon!Kirsten, but like you I wish we'd seen her like this more on the show. There were glimpses, but sadly that's often all that we got.

Anyway thank you so much for "eloquent and descriptive prose"--such a lovely compliment! I'll try to live up to it in the next chapter. (February though--a short month! Must get to work . . .)