013 - Mile-High Apple

[deadly_ned]

I'm, um.

I'm leaving.

Thomas - my inmate - he's...graduated, he's left the Barge, so I think that's...probably my cue to leave too.

I'm...terrible at goodbyes, and let's be completely honest, I'm quiet enough that most of the Barge doesn't know I'm actually here, so I doubt I need to stay very long.

That sounds terrible.

I'm sorry. Something's come up. I have to go.

[The Piemaker - nervous, clearly hiding something, and agitated - leans over to shut off his communicator. Unbeknownst to him, he'll be back in a matter of days for reasons not clearly stated in this post]

[Private to the Marquis de Carabas]

And now it doesn't matter what you know.

Good luck graduating, you....bad, bad person.

Comments

[ Private ]

[deadly_ned]

This place won't make me selfish. Selfish is leaving as soon as I've got what I wanted regardless of the other people here. People I could help.

[ Private ]

[surfaceshine]

[Dean stops himself, smiles a tight smile. He hadn't intended that for Ned, necessarily, but it serves to draw him back to the point anyway.]

Why'd you come here in the first place, Ned?

[ Private ]

[deadly_ned]

I came here so that Chuck and I could be happy together and so I could touch her without accidentally killing her.

[ Private ]

[surfaceshine]

Has that changed?

[ Private ]

[deadly_ned]

No. I still want to kiss her more than anything. Without using plastic wrap.

[ Private ]

[surfaceshine]

Then go home, Ned.

Go home and be happy, and make that girl happy.

[ Private ]

[deadly_ned]

I'll try my best.

[ Private ]

[surfaceshine]

Good.

[Hang up, Dean.]

Good luck.