EXETERRPG: (1 - 1800) FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight and (Kyros Ryelle)/Ryan Christopher

[Mark Howard]

Mission: Lights, Camera….Action?

Day: 1

Stardate: 2446.01.01/2025.06.30

(Toronto, Canada - Knight/Christopher apartment- FO Cmdr Ailynn
Bracken/Gabrielle Knight and Ryan Christopher -1800)


Ryan stood patiently at the stove top as he could here the sizzle of the
onions on the pan. He  hadn’t originally planned on making dinner, but
after how weird she was acting earlier in the morning, he figured he’d
surprise Gabby with a home cooked meal. One of his specialties. He slowly
added the cream and some blue cheese crumbles to the frying pan to mix in
with the onions to make a blue cheese cream sauce. The deep fryer next to
the stove top was going and after he was satisfied with the way the sauce
was forming he turned to the fryer and began slowly and carefully dropping
some freshly cut potatoes into the oil. They still had the peel on them and
were cut into the shape of french fries. Then as the cream sauce seemed
done, he placed the frying pan onto the side and took a long rectangular
piece of cast iron metal, and placed it over two of the burners. It was a
stove top grill. He then placed two beautifully seasoned sirloin steaks
onto the stove top grill and smelled the perfection.

“Perfect,” he said. “She’ll love this.” He smiled as he saw the freshly
baked sourdough bread on the counter. It would be the perfect steak
sandwich with home made fries with cajun seasoning.

Ailynn’s mood was about as low as she could remember it. Tears openly ran
down her eyes as she entered her apartment. In all honesty she had no real
recollection of the last 40 minutes, given that she only lives 10 minutes
away.

Upon entering she could smell food cooking, something that she had actually
wanted to do this evening, for therapy’s sake, but it smelt amazing, so she
swallowed her pride and stepped through the doorway and into the kitchen.
The door closing behind her signified that it was okay to be worried, and
scared, it was fine to let go of all the trauma that her tired, tired mind
had absorbed.

“Hi…” She managed before the tears took over.

“Hey silly goose.” He said with a smile. He was wearing khaki shorts, a
black polo with a toronto blue jays logo on it and a White Blue Jays cap.
“I thought I’d make us up some dinner and we can sit and watch the Blue
Jays play. Just cuddle you know. You were having a rough morning, thought
maybe something easy would cheer you up.” He said flipping the steaks over.
He then saw her crying. “Hey, hey.” He reached out, grabbed her hand and
pulled her into a hug. “It’ll be ok.”

His arms enveloped her, she could feel the subtle strength in the muscle
surrounding her, invoking deepset memory. “I’m sorry...I’ve had such a
day...the hospital…”

“It’s ok, I know how hard those can be. But even if its just for a little,
even if there is nothing you can do for that girl, you gave her joy, and
thats a gift worth giving.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, “I know...but…” She wanted to explain,
wanted to tell him, but she didn’t. “She had the most beautiful eyes I’ve
ever seen, and hair...like...like Darcy’s. You know, Trinity? The most
beautiful auburn? Chemo of course…” she looked at him. “Can I change? Do I
have time?” she motioned to the griddle.

“Yeah, you’ve got, by my count. 5 minutes or so, but I’ll wait because I
love you.” He said with a smile.

Ailynn found herself smiling, her tears waning. His arms had felt safe, and
comforting. It reminded her, of course of the way that he’d held her as
she’d died, intent on sacrifice, but this time there was warmth, not
sadness. “Be right back” she said.

He smiled as he then took the steaks of the stove top grill and then began
slicing them into strips for the sandwich.

Sighing gently she walked through to the bedroom and after a few moments
poking about, pulled on a fresh set of nightwear out of the drawer. A few
moments had passed, and Ailynn checked all the doors and drawers that she
could see. ~no bunny rabbit bathrobe? Psychopath…~ she thought, as she
pulled on a black satin robe that covered mid thigh before stepping back
into the open kitchen living area.

“Smells amazing. My turn tomorrow. Tuscan wild sausage ravioli.”

Ryan smiled as he placed the opened baguette styled sourdough roll on the
plates, then placed the steak, and smothered it with the cream sauce. He
then placed a healthy dose of fries on each plate and brought them to the
kitchen table. “You, cook? Now I know something’s off.” he said with a
laugh. “I’m sure it will be delicious. I can’t wait.”

Ailynn smiled, but reeled her mind in, ~think...stupid girl.~ “Saw
something on Youtube… suggested feed?” she remembered from earlier. “Some
bloke called Ramsay? I dunno, made it look easy.”

“Well I’m sure you’re gonna crush it.”

Ailynn looked at the plate in front of her as she sat at the table. “This
looks amazing.” She took a bit of the ensemble in front of her. “Mmmf.” It
reminded her deeply of Caitys steak sandwiches back in the Nine and Dine.
There was something about the taste, the lingering aromatic spice on her
palate. “French Mustard...Dijon?” she asked.

“Just a little bit, on one side of the bread. Pairs well with the blue
cheese, cream, and onions. It’s what I made you on our first date. Thought
this could be a nice reminder and pick me up.”

“Its amazing.” She smiled, genuinely meaning it, she was losing herself to
the moment. “And you’re right. I needed it. Everyone I’ve met today has
been…”

“Been what gummy bear?”

“So the Make-a-Wish aside, I saw Cait...Sam...and she hates me, that cut me
deep. After that I saw Farfallina, and...well, she’s...well, lets say that
Ailynn wouldn’t recognise her and love her as Sienna; and then Tristan was
just...ugh...full on.”

“Full on? I’m sure he was fine. He’s just got a lot going on. They all do.
But they mean well. In their own way. I think.”

Ailynn took a few more bites of the admittedly beautifully cooked steak.
“Cheat day?” she asked pensively. She wondered if all of Gabrielle's meals
were like this,somehow she doubted it.

“Treat day. Somedays you just, need to treat yourself. Ya know what I mean?”

She smiled, and ate more, “This is amazing.” she stood up from the chair,
and half remembering a bottle of red that she’d seen earlier, she pulled it
out of the cupboard, and poured an aromatic glug into two large glasses.
“This should pair well.” she said gently smiling toward him.

“Red wine, red meat.” he said with a laugh.

Ailynn smiled, she could talk about oak and blackcurrant aromas, but her
heart was elsewhere. “Yeah, pretty much.”

“Hey so talk to me gummy bear.What is really going on?”

Cleaning her plate she smiled as she sipped at the wine. Wanting to lie,
and cover it, she failed. “Just...woke up not feeling me, and so much got
to me. Can we not talk about this hun? I'm kind of just calming down and
feeling happier. ”

“I will always respect what you want to do babe. But don’t bottle this
forever ok. I’m here for you always.”

She motioned to the sofa and sat in the corner, her legs resting over his
lap. “I know...Its just.” she welled up again. “I have everything,” she
waved around her. “She’s a poor kid who is just coming into herself, just
becoming the amazing woman that she could be, and she’s dying.”

“I know, but the thing is, the very true and sad reality my love, is that
life isn’t fair. So we have to enjoy the little moments we have while we
have them. Sometimes good people die and shitty people live, and we
just...there is nothing we can do about it.”

Ailynn sighed. “I spoke to Andrea earlier...you know her year one set books
are going to cost her $500? I hate that knowledge has a price.”

“Yeah, well maybe we could help her out with that. Like a birthday present
or something.”

“Yeah…” She sighed leaning into him as he flicked on the large screen
opposite them. She saw a few frames of the game and Ailynn’s mind wandered
almost instantly.

“You know we could watch something else if you like, or just sit and talk.”

“I dunno” she smiled. “I’m happy. Please just hold me?”

“Of course.” he said as he wrapped her up into his arms and smiled. “I’ll
never let go.”

“You smell nice, like you did when you held me back when I...Ailynn died.”

“It’s the cologne you got me for my birthday.” He said with a smile. “You
know it’s a shame they cut that one scene from the episode before Ryelle
died. Would have made his death mean more.”

“More...I remember.” Ailynn smiled gently, a warmth settling in her body.

“Yeah, it was right after he got put on the away mission, and he confided
in Nurse Drake that he was in love with Ailynn, but it would never be
returned. But that’s ok. As long as she was happy, he knew eventually he’d
find another fish in space. But they cut it for time. Would have made him
dying for her more….powerful. He knew she’d never love him, but his love
led him to die for her, to save her, so she could live and find her true
love.”

“Those moments made me…” she recovered, “and I’m sure her so happy.” She
twisted and and rested her head laterally to his chest.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Always.”

“Does she love him?”

“What do you mean?”

“Ailynn...I mean, the writers totally have her and Caity, I get it,
Ailynn’s bi. Fine, but does she love Ryelle? I...I actually think that she
really does. You?”

“Well, I mean I never thought about it. I mean, Ailynn is just such an
interesting character. I think she’s still trying to figure out what
romantic love is. Like she's had opportunities, but in a way its still
foreign to her. The concept of romantic love and what that means. So I
guess I mean a part of her might. I mean she will always love what he did
for her. But romantically I dont know. Why do you think she loves him?”

There wasn’t a thought. “She remembers the way he held her as she was
dying, the strong arms the whole thing. After that, I dunno, tiny things.”

"Like what?"

Ailynn sighed, and stopped fishing, her mind was tired, and her body weary.
“I dunno, looks, glances, memories that she has, regrets she may carry;
just me being silly. “ She enjoyed his arms around her. “Can we go out on
the deck?”

“Sure,” he said. As he stood up he cradled her in his arms and carried her
outside. “You know I still remember the lines from that scene.”

Ailynn nodded. “Ry...let me down, please just...hold me?”

Ryan did as he was asked and held her tight to his chest. “Like this?”

Ailynn sighed as she looked across the water, the sun setting, and the
light from the city slipping into the view, “Yeah,” she snuggled into his
embrace.

“Gabby?” he asked softly. “I love you dearly.”

Ailynn turned toward him, and nuzzled into his chest. “I love you.” she
answered honestly.

“I was gonna wait until, well until after you got the first episode filmed,
but I guess now's as good a time as any.”

Ailynn’s emotions where all centred on him, smiling gently, she wa confused
as to how this had taken a sudden turn.

“What is it?” she asked gently

“Wait, just wait right here ok.” he smiled as he went and ran into the
house towards the small room he used as an office.

Ailynn stood there in the cool evening air, in her nightwear, the cool
evening air whipping the delicate satin against her torso.

Returning he smiled. “Feel free to say no, and that is not time, but its
been on my mind for awhile.”

She looked toward him and smiled gently her body glowing.

Ryan than got on one knee and smiled, then pulling out two tickets he said,
“I know, I know you aren’t the biggest sports fans, but I was able to get
two tickets behind home plate for the Blue Jays next month, and I was
wondering, if you’d be willing to take our relationship to the next level.
Going to sporting events with me, even though you hate them.” he paused.
“I’ll buy you ballpark food.” He smiled like a silly goose.

“Chilli dog or I sleep with the second spare backstop.” The words coming to
her from a half remembered something years ago.

“You mean the shortstop?” he said with a laugh.

“Him too.” She said gently, taking in his stance. “I'd really like that. Is
there something you want to ask me Ryan?”

“Yeah, if you wanted to go to the game. What did you think I was gonna ask
you to marry me?” he said with a wink.

Tears welled up, she knee that she shouldn't feel like this, it made no
sense why she'd become so emotionally attached, but in retrospect, she
realised that she'd carried a torch for him for a while, the dreams had
made sure of that. “I’d like you to…” She felt herself drawn closer and
closer to him. “If that was the question, I mean...baseball is okay...but “

Ryan got up and put his hand in his pocket. “You know there are who knows
how many women on this ship, and I happened to fall in love with the one
who is unavailable. I mean she’ll never notice me. Her brilliant mind is
too focused. Not to mention there is always someone in the way. But since
the day I met her in Med school, I just knew she was special. That Ailynn
Bracken. She just doesn’t realize it yet. She’s more than just brains and
tenacity. She’s got a gentle soul when she feels like it. She’s….I love
her, but I don’t think its meant to be. That’s ok though. My main concern
is her happiness. I would die for her if I could. It’s the crush that just
wont die. So that’s why nurse drake, I’ve requested a transfer. I just
don’t know if I could handle loving her and not being able to have her love
me back. But it’s ok. Because her happiness is all I care about.”

She watched him go through something that he’d clearly got set in his mind.
She held his hand. “Don’t stop.” she said.

Ryan smiled, “That was from the scene they cut. I kinda get what he’s
saying though. Your happiness is all I care about to. Which is why, I used
the tickets to guage your interest, so I can see if it was the right time
to pull out this.” He took a ring from his pocket and knelt down again.

“Gabby,” he said with a smile. “Will you marry me?”

Ailynn smiled deeply, and her body had exploded with happiness. "Yes…" she
said, tears of joy running down her cheeks. "Yes I will" She pulled him up
and held out her hand, allowing him to slip the ring on.

He smiled. “Well I’m officially the luckiest guy alive.”

She looked at him, part of her still seeing Ryelle, but in her mind the
hidden feelings she had had been transposed over. "I love you…" she said
gently.

“And I you.”

Ailynn bit her bottom lip as she regarded Ryan, then gently led him back
into the apartment, and picked up the glasses and bottle, carrying it
towards the bedroom, where she placed it on the bedside table.

Smiling happily  she shed the robe, and nudged her head beckoning him.

Ryan smiled and followed. There was something about her, something special,
and it filled him with joy.

She slipped into the large bed on her left hand side, and was pulled
gently, a little spoon; his arms wrapped around her waist gently, but she
could feel the strength in them surround her. She gently guided a hand
toward her breast as she turned and kissed him. “Please...”

“Well since you ask so nicely,” he said as he began to kiss her neck.

 Sighing happily at the embrace, she felt comforted, protected, and happy
to the core. Feelings stirring with her she half turned and caught him in a
gentle kiss, then another deeper slow gentle deep kiss, turning her head
over her shoulder.

He kissed her passionately. “I’ll let you keep the last name, you know
since you’re more famous than me.” He then held her close.

Ailynn looked to Ryan, and returned the kiss, “Ssh…” she said gently as she
pulled him closer toward her.

Ryan smiled, looked his fiance in the eyes, and spoke softly, “If this is
what you want my dear, I will happily oblige.” With a near sprint, he
turned off the lights and returned to his lovers arms in their shared bed.

“I love you…” Ailynn managed, gently.

(Reply none)

(Posted by Will and Mark)
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