Live at the Perk: Wednesday Morning

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[The Doctor is dressed to kill this morning. It's only when one looks at his face that one can tell there's something very, very wrong.

He orders a triple macchiato and waits for Beka.]


((The thread between Beka and Ten is locked. However, other people can play in the post, of course.))

Comments

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

As always, Beka has dressed for the day. She's wearing a black and white schoolgirl plaid mini-skirt, a crisp white blouse mostly unbuttoned and vampishly a visibly black bra. The omnipresent thigh-high boots are missing in favor of a more practical, shorter boots.

It's obvious if you look at her that she's had a bad night. She's wild around the eyes and her mouth is set in a grim line, when she nods to Ten. She doesn't bother speaking before getting coffee. Extra-large, two extra shots, black. And water.

She turns, takes a deep breath as if gathering herself, then heads to the table and sits. "Morning."

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

Morning. [He looks her straight in the eye.] You look like hell. Then again, I imagine I do too.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

She meets his gaze, easily, if exhaustedly. "Thanks. Give me a half an hour, some coffee, and I'll be good as new. You, on the other hand... what the hell, Ten?"

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[He looks at her over the top of his glasses, shoulders sagging.] What the hell what?

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"What the hell, you and CJ, what the hell," she snaps. "Want to tell me why I found your girlfriend... practically your wife and goddamned soulmate... crying in the park last night because she's afraid you'll grow past each other?"

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

[He stares at her, eyes empty.] Don't tell me that you think this is my fault, Valentine. She came to me, she spoke to me about how we need to slow down--I'm sure she'd be thrilled to hear you call her basically my wife--and she told me that I change her, that I make her into something she doesn't want, because I keep stepping in, saving her.

And I understand her points, and I agree with them, and I'm willing to work on this. I didn't throw her out, Beka. She ran from me.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Letting out a long sigh, she shakes her head. "No. I don't think it's your fault. I got all that from her. But still. What the hell, anyway. I mean... And I know this isn't fair... but you two are our model. Of how to get it right, you know? And then there she is crying and here you are...and here I am, the Queen of Relationships Gone Wrong trying to tell you how to make it better....

"I'm sorry." She takes a long sip of coffee to steady herself. "That was totally unfair. I called you. I was worried. I'm still worried. I care for you both. I just had... a very bad night. Forgive me."

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

I want her back, Beka. And I want her to be happy with herself. And not to think that I'm making her something she doesn't want. [He looks very, very tired.] But I don't want her to leave.

...What happened to you?


((Mun's off, back later.))

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka studies him and wishes there was anything she could do. "Ten, just...don't shut her out. Talk to her. Every day. Even just for a few minutes. Tell her you love her. Every day. Don't push. Just be there. She loves you. She doesn't want to lose you."

She shakes her head. "I can't really talk about it. Chalk it up to a whole hella lot of angst and emodrama. And none of it mine."

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

So I'm supposed to not shut her out. But I'm also supposed to back off some. [He closes his eyes and mechanically sips some of his drink.] I am so bloody confused right now.

And at least the drama isn't yours.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Be accessible, talk to her, but don't demand her attention or demand you spend every minute together. Not that you would. If you're just there and accepting, she'll be back soon, because she likes to talk to you more than anyone. For hell's sake, don't rescue her from anything... if she's in danger...call me instead."

Beka drinks again, clutching the coffee like a lifeline to the land of the awake. "It's not yet. But I have a feeling it will be."

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

But how is she supposed to know that I'm there and accepting? Because I am...but if she's running about town upset, it seems like she doesn't know that.
And I'm taking some time off from the hero business.

...Beka, don't make it yours if you don't have to.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

Beka arches an eyebrow. "It was right after the big talk. Sometimes it takes awhile. Just...don't be cold when she comes home tonight.

"As to that...if I get a choice, believe me I won't."

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

I won't. I promise.

[He sips his coffee.] Sometimes we get involved when we don't want to.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

She sighs, sips coffee, looks very very tired. "We do. We get involved because we care. Because the people we love need us."

[ten-and-chips.livejournal.com]

Aye, that's true. [He yawns widely.] God, I wish I'd gotten some sleep.

[valentine-tart.livejournal.com]

"Me too, Ten. Me too." She smiles a little. "You and CJ will make it through this. I'm sure of it."

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*Vala wanders in. Apparently the rest of the town agreed with her beliefs on the joys of sleep, and there was nothing all that interesting open this early*

*She takes her time to ponder, then selects the floofiest whipped-macchiato-mocha-frappe coffee drink on the menu, and settles back with it at one of the tables*

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*after a while she gets bored out of her skull antsy and charms a barrista into letting her use the house phone (http://www.livejournal.com/users/whitedeathpod/1532.html?thread=1101052#t1101052) for a minute*

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John, late as always, strolls in and take a seat across from Vala.

"Hey there. You're looking a lot better then the last time I saw you."

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

Yeah. *grins, then looks down, remembering* Things are much, much better.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John smiles. "Glad to hear that. And, since I'm sure you heard about it, Cam and me beating up each other? Nothing to do with that thing. Just us being stupid and competitive."

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*nods, testosterone poisoning was considered a valid insanity excuse on several planets she was aware of*

So, hey, you said you had something to ask about that wasn't all...? *waves hand vaguely, indicating last week's fiasco*

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Oh yeah! Thanks for reminding me." John leans closer, resting his elbows on the table. "I wanted an opinion since your a woman...not from Earth. I'm planning on giving Aeryn something that might signal BIG committment. Should I approach it in a special way since she's, you know, from out of town?"

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*Vala's eyes go wide*

Uh, how big a committment?

*wonders if she even knows Aeryn well enough to help here...*

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Not marriage," John says quickly. "And not tattooing her name on me. I was just thinking about giving her some things in my room or for my room to make her feel more at home."

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

Awwww.... I think that's sweet! *is totally sincere*

But for Aeryn? *thinks for a minute*

Well, you know it's not like all us not-from-Earth girls have a secret club or a secret handshake or anything. Aeryn and I -- I'm not even sure we're from the same dimension, to be honest. And I don't know anything about her culture -- other than it seems, well, a little more different than most of ours.

I don't know. She might find it weird if they don't do things like that where she comes from. But she's adapting really well, and she obviously loves you....

*finally looks at him*

Do it. When you two are alone. And expect she might freak out a bit. *smiles* But I've never seen a pair more perfect for each other than you two, so I know she'll come around. Even if she ends up not wanting it, anyone can she wants you. So hang on to that, o.k.?

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John tries not to blush beet red at Vala's last statement. It doesn't work and he can feel the blush from his cheeks to his toes. "Okay, so do it then, huh. I shouldn't be this nervous about something like that. I'm not proposing or doing something rash. It's just a couple of trinkets." John looks up at her. "I am such a doof."

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*Vala grins at the blush, it's so cute!*

No, you're not a doof, John. *ruffles his hair*

You're just one of the good guys. The really good ones. You care and worry about her so much... it goes beyond sweet....

*waits until she's caught his eye* Aeryn's a very, very lucky woman. And she'll have the sense to see that.

*smiles*

And if she doesn't? Send her to me and I'll smack some sense into her, o.k.? *grins*

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John smiles again. "Well, I feel doofy. Apparently Aeryn doesn't mind it either because she sticks around." He blushes again at the compliment because he's insecure and shy and it's just weird hearing them. "Thanks. Really. That means a lot coming from a friend. And you'd smack her around for me? I'd pay to see that," John says with a huge grin.

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*laughs* Yeah, I'd probably get myself killed if we were in the gym, but I bet I can take her in a talk-off!

*pauses, gets more serious*

Hey, John? Can I ask you something. You know, guy advice?

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John leans closer and nods. "Sure, of course. Ask away."

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

Well, it's about Cam. *sighs* I still feel terrible about the things I said to him last week. He says he understands, and we've made up and all. *happy smirk on her face for a moment*

But I want to do something for him. I mean, after all I did he's buying me presents. I just... *awkward pause* He means a lot to me, John, and I don't want to take him for granted. I don't want to screw this up. *looks worried*

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John reaches across the table and takes her hand. "Honestly, Vala, you've done the best thing for him by being with him. He's happy and he's smiling. That's a good thing." He smiles at her. "But, if you're intent on doing something, do something personal. Write him a letter, cook or something. He likes things from the heart."

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*bites at her lip and nods*

But that... I mean being with him... *isn't blushing!* That's for me too... I mean... *sighs*

*squeezes his hand* Just, don't let me screw this up? Promise me if I do something stupid you'll... I don't know... come smack me over the head until I fix it? *looks pleading*

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John laughs. "I know it is, Vala. I didn't mean to imply that it wasn't fun for you both." He squeezes her hand back. "I won't. I probably won't hit you but I promise to tell you. And, about the only thing that might screw this up for you and Cam is if you tell him you suddenly don't like Sea World."

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*laughs* I don't even know this seaworld, but if he loves it that much, how could I not? *grins*

*holds up hands* A pact then? Between friends? We don't let each other be stupid about this stuff, right?

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John holds up his hand. "A pact. I can do that. Watch each other's back, stop the stupid stuff. Sounds good to me!"

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]

*grins* Cool.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

{OOC: And I've gotta run to the second job now. Be back later tonight. Slow play??}

[aka-vala.livejournal.com]