042 - Rhubarb

[deadly_ned]

[Sitting in his self-made pillow fort is the Piemaker, with a hand on his dog, Digby, and a rucksack over one shoulder. His room behind him is made up and neat]

I ought to have done this...maybe four or five months ago but change was never something I was particularly attuned to. Change and me were on different wavelengths.

I graduated two inmates and I'm...heading home. To Chuck.

And I just wanted to, to, um...


Thank you. Everyone, all of you. For..making the changing easier and for letting me stay as long as I have and for making this place harder and harder to leave.

It's hard to leave. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done even though I know it's time. Past time. That...probably says more about my time spent here than anything else I could say.

...Yeah. I know I'm stalling now, so I'll just...

Thank you. For the memories.

[Private to Bleu]

I'm sorry I wasn't so much here for you as I should have been. Is there anything I can do for you? Before I go.

[Private to Hannibal]

I'll be checking in, periodically. When I can. Your graduation was the one I wanted to see most.

[Private to Abigail]

I left the rest of the records in a box by your door. I'm hoping that wasn't too forward.

[Private to Esther]

You're better than you give yourself credit for. I really...really do hope you find your way.

[Private to Dean]

Dean, I...

I know you don't really know who I am. You don't owe me anything. At all.

But if I could just...see you. To say goodbye. It would mean everything.

Comments

[routemistress]

Oh, Ned. You need to be back 'ome. But I don't like thinking of a barge without you on it.

Can we drive you 'ome?

Private

[darknessb4me]

It's no place to stay, this ship.

[ned no :C]

[deadly_ned]

I think the Admiral's trying to tell me something when he didn't pair me up. It's time. Past time.

I'd. Like it if you did.

Private

[deadly_ned]

It's not. Not really.

Why is it so hard to leave, then?

Private

[darknessb4me]

Because you have friends here you'll never see again.

Private

[deadly_ned]

Right. That's it.

I'm hoping they come to visit but to be honest that's what you always say before you leave forever. "I'll write." or "I'll call."

And then the months get longer and longer with no calls or letters.

Private

[darknessb4me]

Or they die because they're in terrible space prison.

Private

[deadly_ned]

Or they die.

How's your heart? Beating?

Private

[darknessb4me]

Yes.

... There's more I wanted to show you. Or talk to you about.

Private

[deadly_ned]

How much time do you need for that?

[routemistress]

I think 'e's just trying to tell you we've got more wardens than inmates right now. Bugger the Admiral; you'll never be redundant 'ere, Ned but you're just as needed at 'ome and you know it.

[Iris doesn't believe in destiny, and Cain hasn't been paired yet either, which is her real objection to this idea.]

Come to mine, she's not that keen on doing little jumps up on deck lately.

[deadly_ned]

I do feel a little redundant. It's probably him telling me he doesn't need me.

But I miss Chuck. I miss her badly, and I was going to stay around for Dean and for Arthas but I'm not helping. Not really.

Okay. Digby and me are on our way.

private

[versusnurture]

It's not . . . forward. It's just . . .

You're really leaving?

private

[deadly_ned]

I really am.

I'm sorry I couldn't stay to watch you graduate, Abigail.

private

[versusnurture]

It's okay. It's okay.

You . . . really think I will?

[with_my_teacup]

Take care, Pie man.

private

[deadly_ned]

Of course I do. One hundred percent.

[The Piemaker was never one hundred percent on anything]

[deadly_ned]

Thanks, Riddick. Thank you. For your help and your food and your comfort.

[with_my_teacup]

I'll keep baking. Try not to be too hurt about the occasional cake?

[That may mean 'thank you' too.]

[deadly_ned]

I'll try.

Maybe cheesecake is a good compromise. It has a pie crust.

private

[versusnurture]

[Abigail is silent for a moment. She does not believe in herself one hundred percent, or even fifty percent. She wonders if he's lying. She wonders if she'd care if he was.]

That's a lot of certainty.

Thank you. [For the records, or the truth, or the lie, or all three.]

[with_my_teacup]

I'll keep that in mind.

Say hey to Chuck for me.

private

[deadly_ned]

You're welcome.

And by the time I can send a message back, you'll probably be there already. Just a..hop, skip and a jump.

[deadly_ned]

She'd like you. Chuck.

When you're done here, maybe you'd stop by for a visit? Just for old times' sake.

[with_my_teacup]

You mind if Arthas comes too?