Five (and a Half) of Seven

Posted on Sunday, 11 July 2021 - 12:17pm by Lieutenant Scarlet Rogers

Mission: Operation: Lazarus

7 songs for 7 singalongs

Both Scarlet and Ryan had the day off the next day, following their movie night. Scarlet was the first to wake up. She had a promise to fulfil and for her, the soundtrack to her life started now.

She quietly started humming 'good morning' which featured in the classic film Singing in the Rain as she kissed a sleeping Ryan's forehead. The woman continued as she stood up, padding out to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

Ryan woke, turning over to find the other side of the bed empty. He could barely hear singing from the other side of the door. He stood and stretched, then handled things in the bathroom before padding out with an immense yawn and a giant case of bedhead to find Scarlet next to the kettle. He smiled. “good morning to you too.”

"Good morning, good morning, we danced the whole night through, good morning, good morning to you," she sang trying not to chuckle. She kissed him softly, "song number one of seven - - every morning, without fail."

He smiled. “A very nice way to wake up.” He chirped, as he swung around her to get the coffee started. He’d normally join her for a cup of tea, but he was feeling the need for more caffeine. “Croissants?” He asked.

Scarlet turned around with a mug of tea in her hand and felt Ryan very close, her mug almost on his chest. Instantly her humming was muted and her eyes seemed to wander a little. The woman didn't really hear Ryan from the tune that was now playing in her head.

Ryan paused. It took him a moment to realize that him being shirtless wasn’t causing embarrassment, but arousal. He decided breakfast could wait. He slid his arms around her waist and just smiled. “If you are hearing you can leave your hat on...” He smirked.

Scarlet chuckled but blushed, "Gawd, I can't sing what's playing in my head, right now. You'll laugh!"

“I promise I won’t laugh.” He waggled his brows, and tugged gently, beginning a slow walk out of the kitchen.

"You're, umm, you're the only American I've ever dated, so this song is new to me," Scarlet stuttered a little, allowing herself to be pulled. As the song got to its chorus, she finally sang a little timidly, giving in to letting him hear song number two of seven, "Cause I saddle up my horse, and I ride into the city, I make a lot of noise, 'cause the girls, they are so pretty, riding up and down Broadway, on my old stud Leroy and the girls say 'save a horse, ride a cowboy', everybody says 'save a horse, ride a cowboy'."

Ryan pinched his lips closed, and held his breath for a moment, in a desperate attempt not to laugh. He had promised after all. He had to pull back though and turn his face away, or he’d never be able to contain himself.

Scarlet giggled and stopped, "you've got this… hold it together."

Ryan took a breath and turned his face back. “I am the cowboy here, right?” He smirked.

Scarlet blushed a little more and defended playfully, "it's better than my other song which used to be Marvin Gaye, let's get it on. This is unique to you. You're my only cowboy."

Ryan was all smiles as he tugged her the rest of the way into the bedroom.

******

"Good luck un hearing that song everytime we… you know…" Scarlet grinned breathlessly as she looked up to Ryan from her comfy spot on his chest.

“I think I can muddle through.” He brushed a lock of hair off of her face. “So, rare treat, we both have a day off. Is there anything you’d like to do?”

Scarlet smiled at his gentle touch, "I have no plans. I'd be happy just spending it with you. What do you fancy doing other than making me save another horse?" She chuckled, "we could have breakfast in the lounge?"

Ryan giggled. “Later maybe.” He playfully waggled his brows. “But breakfast in the lounge sounds nice. We can do a full english breakfast if you’d like.”

"Gawd, yes," she replied. She reluctantly got up and headed to get ready.

*********************

Scarlet walked with Ryan to the lounge and she paused and grinned to Ryan just before entering. "I'm such a nerd," she declared, "ready for song three?"

“Ready.” Ryan replied, eagerly. Yes, it was a fun game, but he always loved learning one of Scarlet’s ‘quirks’. He found every last one of them endearing, and he just loved her more for them.

As the doors opened, Scarlet started humming the Cantina song from Star Wars. She looked up to Ryan as she walked in, grinning.

Ryan grinned in return. “I should have known that one.” He started to hum along.

Scarlet chuckled and couldn't help but ask, "last time I did this, I got dumped. Let me know if you need me to shut up, ok?"

“No, please don’t. I love it.” Ryan pulled a chair out for her. “You manage to make everyday things new again. It’s nice.”

Scarlet smiled. She kissed his cheek before sitting down. At his sweet response, her tune changed and she decided song four may as well be this one. The woman started to hum it: Cute Love. It was a song that had emerged in recent years, and was a popular choice in new superhero movies at the point the guy gets the girl.

Ryan actually blushed a bit. “I rate a superhero tune. I am flattered.” He changed the subject as they ordered. “I’m in for the full english, minus the beans. I can’t eat beans for breakfast, it’s just wrong.” He smiled.

Scarlet chuckled, "I'll have it all, minus black pudding and fried bread." She looked back to Ryan and smiled, singing quietly, "how do you like your eggs in the morning? I like mine with a kiss. Boiled or fried, I'm satisfied, as long as I get my kiss." She chuckled, "that one, you can blame on my dad. He used to sing it to my mother every Saturday, whilst he was serving up a full english.

Ryan chuckled. “I like his thinking.”

"I still owe you two songs," Scarlet thought out loud.

***********************

A few days later, the couple had opted just for a movie day. Scarlet was snuggled up to Ryan on the sofa, watching the film.

The film wasn’t holding Ryan’s attention. The staff meeting had put several other issues on his mind. “So, I don’t know if you heard through the grapevine yet, but the Captain is leaving.”

"I know," she replied, "it is a shame. I've heard nothing but good things about him."

Ryan nodded. “He’s a good Captain.” He took a breath. “Anyway, the reason I bring it up, is we will be taking him home.”

Scarlet looked confused for a moment, "we as in you and I, or we as in the ship?"

“The ship.” Ryan replied. Then went on to clarify. “My X wife is on Prairie. I don’t plan on seeing her, but I didn’t want you to get blind sided.”

Scarlet shrugged, "Gawd, I thought you were going to say something awful." She smiled a little, "it's a planet, not a tiny ship. What are the chances of bumping into her? And either way, it's over, right? No feelings left, right." A beautiful orchestra in her mind started to fade into an out of tune hash of the strings section tuning up. Every string, every player was out of tune and enjoying the monstrous fingers down blackboards… wait… was that the psycho theme? Maybe. Great, song six was the psycho theme. She wasn't going to allude to that though.

Ryan sighed. “Well, I don’t wish her bad will or anything, but there are certainly no romantic or friendly feelings involved. The whole marriage was rather a disaster.”

Scarlet's mind seemed to settle, "I can't say I won't freak out if we do bump into her on the off chance, but I can say I'd be polite and all smiles. I'm too nice."

Ryan smiled and kissed her softly. “I like it, the being too nice thing.”

Scarlet chuckled, "probably because I don't say 'no' a lot or voice my opinions much. My parents always told me it was a flaw-- being too nice-- but a good one to have. Never really learnt from it, mind. Not been in a position where I've been pushed that hard."

Ryan pulled her a little closer, running a hand through her hair and making sure it was pulled back from her face. “Well I hope you feel comfortable enough to tell me no, and I always want to hear your opinions.” He blushed a tiny bit, realizing he was being completely sappy.

Scarlet kissed his heated cheek, "I still owe you two songs."

Ryan chuckled softly. “Yes you do.”