Chapter Text
Ryan packs her things. She glances around the apartment at Judah, the bed that they shared. The kitchen they played so many competitive games in. Their fake wedding pictures. The façade of a life they built that had become very, very real to them both.
The life about to be ripped from under their feet like they were never deserving of it, the life that has saved them both in different ways. They were about to be ripped from each other, the untangling of their hearts being their inevitable fate. A relationship built on lies. A relationship built on shaky foundations.
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Jada rings Sophie to let her know that Ryan has been detained to be charged with fraud. Her trial would be in a few weeks time. The police would be contacting Sophie to get her side of the story. Jada’s mostly disappointed. Disappointed in Sophie because she thought she was better than that. Better than what Ryan clearly still represented in her mind.
Jada could never move past Ryan’s faults. To her Ryan was a walking time bomb, it didn't matter to her how much she said she’d changed, because Ryan always reverted to the ways she'd grown accustomed to. Wayward and deceptive. She thought Sophie was a good change but maybe not.
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Trial Day
Sophie stood outside the room, nervous. She dons a tailored skirt, her hair pinned back in a low ponytail with black loafers. She enters the room and slowly shuffles between bodies to find a seat in the far corner. As she’s about to sit, Ryan walks in. They both stutter to a stop, they haven’t seen or spoken to each other in the last few weeks, since the day Sophie kicked Ryan out. They hold each other’s stare for a second before Ryan moves to be seated.
We are here today for a hearing in the case of Lance Corporal Ryan Evanta Jet-Wilder. Lance Corporal Jet-Wilder stands accused of entering a fraudulent marriage to secure BAH and FSA funds, a clear violation of article 132 of the UCMJ. We have a signed testimony from a Angelique Martin of the fraudulent marriage. Lance Corporal Jet-Wilder’s wife is a civilian. Her case will be reported to the local authorities who may decide to pursue charges of their own.
The judge continues to speak but Ryan’s hearing is muffled. She considers the fact that she doesn't want Sophie to pay for her mistakes. Yes they entered the marriage to help Sophie with her medical stuff but if it wasn't for her relationship with Angelique, they wouldn’t be here right now and Sophie wouldn’t be looking at charges herself.
Against her lawyer’s advice, Ryan pushes to make a statement.
Judge: Lance Corporal, how do you plead?
Ryan’s Lawyer: Your honour, my client wishes to make a statement
The judge nods. Jada bows her head, closing her eyes in frustration, knowing what her daughter was about to do. Marquis rubbed his forehead in frustration, Sophie’s confused, not sure what’s going on she mouths “what?” To Ryan, who’s eyes have yet to leave her.
Ryan: Your honour, Miss Moore did not know that our marriage would violate military law, I made sure of that. I coerced her into this marriage, I take full responsibility for my actions, i'm prepared to face the consequences my actions will have.
Judge: Very well Lance Corporal, then I find you guilty of all charges
Sophie chokes back a sob, she knows this means Ryan will be sent away and that her career in the military will be over after that.
The judge gives Ryan her instructions. She’s to return for her six month sentence at 1700 within the next few days. After her sentence is served, she will be discharged for bad conduct.
Ryan looks back at Jada and Jada nods at her, seemingly knowing that Ryan needed her support at that moment.
Judge: As a result of this hearing, Miss Moore’s case will no longer be referred to the authorities
A loud bang is heard as the Judge’s gavel hits the hard surface below it. Signalling that the hearing has ended.
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Sophie watches their wedding video with Jordan, curled up on her sofa in tears. Jordan comforts her sister. She’s tried to convince her a few times that she needs to see Ryan before she goes away but Sophie refuses.
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The Day
Sophie prepares to open for Florence and the Machine. One of the band members finds her in the back, telling her how full the concert is.
For the most part she’s excited about their future. How they’ve grown from doing free shows in the bar that Sophie works at to securing a record deal, to now opening for one of the biggest bands around. On the other hand, she can't stop thinking about Ryan. Ryan who’s going away for 6 months. The same Ryan she’s spent the best part of almost a year falling for, the Ryan she’s never expressed her Love to. She loves her. Sophie Loves Ryan.
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At the Jet house, Ryan prepares to report to base for her sentence. She’s stopped in her tracks when she sees her Purple Heart, hung next to her grandfathers. Jada enters the room, dressed and ready.
Ryan stares at the medal, “I didn't know I’d still get this”
Jada nods, a regretful expression etched on her face, “Come on baby girl, it’s time to go”
Ryan’s heart swells at the nickname she’s not heard for years. She blinks back her tears, “You’ve not called me that for a long time”
Jada walks over to Ryan, cupping her face. She uses her thumb to wisp away a stray tear that escapes as Ryan settles in the comfort of her touch.
Jada: You’ve never stopped being my baby girl. And I know I've not said it in a long time but, I'm so very proud of you Ryan. So proud
Jada gives her a fond smile, Ryan mirrors it. Mother and daughter failing to hold back their tears.
They have their moment and then leave, making their way to the base. Marquis and Renée will meet them there.
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The crowd cheers as Sophie sits and begins to play the chords of her song on the piano.
I was fine before
You walked right through that door
And now i'm something more
Than i ever imagined
I was so sure
I knew exactly who you were
But you were something more
Than I ever imagined
In your arms i'm safe and sound
Ryan lays on top of Sophie, kissing her softly as the sun rises
You turned my world right upside down
But all the hell we've been through
Had a purpose
Jordan’s watching from the crowd, hoping her sister will realise what she needs to do before it’s too late.
Together we are chaos and it's perfect
I didn’t, i didn't know
What love could, what love could be
Until you, until you
Loved my everything
Sophie throws her head back in boisterous laughter as Ryan tickles her in their bed
The good, the bad
The in-between
I didn't…know
You were something i could need
Until you, until you
Loved my everything
The good, the bad
The in-between, all of me
Their room is lit by the moonlight. Sophie runs her fingers through Ryan’s loose curls, gently bringing her forehead to her lips. Ryan closes her eyes and basks in Sophie’s touch
Sophie continues her song. Jordan watches in hope. Sophie remembers how she feels being held by Ryan. The safety, the love. She truly didn't know, until now.
They run through their set and as soon as they finish Sophie’s out the door. She tries to ring Ryan but there’s no answer.
Jordan: What are you waiting for Sis? GO GET HER DUMMY!!!!
Sophie smiles and gets into the car, “I LOVE YOU SIS”
Jordan’s left standing in the parking lot as Sophie peels away leaving skid marks in her wake.
Ryan says her goodbyes to everyone and Judah. Jada hugs her tighter than she’s ever felt before. As she walks to the gate she hears the wheels of a car cutting corners. A little too close for comfort.
Renée turns, tapping Marquis’ shoulder repeatedly, “Oh thank God”
Sophie slams on her breaks and jumps out of the car, barely giving it time to stop. Sophie stops in front of Ryan
“Hi”
“Hi”
Ryan: A record deal huh?
Sophie: Yeah..
Ryan: You did it Soph
Sophie: Yeah, Thank You
Sophie looks over Ryan’s shoulder at the marines
Sophie: Ahh, we don't have much time, do we?
Ryan’s voice is above a whisper as she chokes back her tears, “No”
Sophie: Well then. I'll say this, we vowed to take care of each other in sickness and in health and we did. And umm, yeah. I kinda think this is actually a real marriage
Sophie brings her hand up to shield her eyes from the sun
Sophie: I think, I think this might be the most open my eyes have been-
Ryan: Soph…..Sophie, i'm going away for six months you know that right?
Sophie: Yes Ryan, I know that. I was there remember
Ryan: Then what are you saying?
Sophie: I'm saying….. I wanna grow old with you, see you with a full head of grey. I wanna fight with you and laugh about it in seconds, I want you to hold me and I you whenever you need me to. I wanna have chilli contests with you until we get acid reflux or whatever the shit old people get
Ryan chuckles as she fights her tears
Sophie: I wanna wait for you
Ryan: Six months? And then what? I’m done here after that
Sophie: Are you even listening? I want you to listen to my songs first. Whatever you do after this, I wanna be the one you come home to. I wanna sit with you when the storms get bad. When you're stressed, I wanna be the one you call first. Because I Love you Ryan. I. Love. You.
Unshed tears fill Ryans eyes until they can no longer be contained
Ryan: I Love you too Sophie Moore
They both chuckle as they close the space between them, pouring everything into each other that they couldn’t or didn't say yet. Hoping this will keep them for the time they have ahead. Renée and Marquis cheer and Jada looks on at her daughter and daughter in law, trying but failing to contain her own emotions.
Ryan removes her wedding band. She’s never taken it off since the day Sophie put it on. She puts it in Sophie’s hand, folding her finger in on it
Ryan: You keep this safe for me okay? I'm coming back for it. For you….
Sophie: Okay…
Sophie hooks a finger under Ryan’s cin, bringing their lips together before Ryan is ushered into a van.
Sophie: I LOVE YOU RYAN!!!!
Ryan turns in her seat chuckling as she watches Sophie and her family slowly getting further away. She’s content in knowing she has her support system waiting for her to come home. She has her Sophie, waiting for her to come .