Room 209, Friday morning

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Aeryn's sitting on her bed, driver's ed manual in front of her. Of course, since John's still sleeping, she's refraining from throwing the book this time. She might be starting to feel some pressure. Just a wee, tiny bit.

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[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

John mumbles and rolls, attempting to reach for Aeryn. Of course, since she's not there, he gets nothing but blanket.

"Aeryn?"

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She reaches over to rub his knee as a hello. "Right here," she says.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Hi." He rubs his eyes and blinks at her. "Everything okay?"

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"Fine," she says. "You know, this book would be a lot more helpful it if would tell you how to operate the frelling car."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

He's still fuzzy from sleep so all he can manage is something that sounds like 'yeah.'

"You'll do fine," he says, curling her pillow to his chest. "Come back to sleep."

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"I don't even know if the final is this week or next," she says. "Not that I have any hope of passing it, anyway."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Honey," he says, reaching out towards her, "you'll do fine. You're smart and intuitive. I'll help you study if you come back here."

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Aeryn answers that by laying back down, on her stomach right beside him, book in front of her. "I shouldn't be bad at this. It's just like flying, only on the ground. And without weapons, which is still a disappointment. Only I have no practical experience. ...Help me study how?" she asks, because the next step is beating herself to death with her driver's ed manual.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

He pulls the book from in front of her and holds it in front of her face.

"I'll ask you a question. Get it right, you get a kiss. Get it wrong, you admit that I'm cute. Sound good?"

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"You said you were never going to bring it up again."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"If you get the questions right, I won't." He smiles at her and asks a question from the book.

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The answer's automatic, and right. The book even came with her when she left. The actual knowledge itself is there. She's just not going to tell him that. "I'll just fly the Prowler everywhere. I had no problem learning that."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

She gets a kiss though.

"You know this stuff, honey. Why're you nervous?"

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She pauses, and says, "Because I don't like to fail exams, but it was easier to accept doing poorly back when I knew I'd be leaving someday. Now, I'd rather get it right."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

He reaches over to brush her hair back from her face.

"You will. This will be a breeze for you."

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Aeryn sighs. "I don't even think I did that well on the Tactics of War take-home exam."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Honey." John makes sure he's looking at her before asking, "What's with the sudden insecurity? Your so damn smart. Don't do this to yourself."

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"Because written tests are enough of a headache, and I just... need to get this right. And I should not be failing at something I should know how to do."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Aeryn," he says, "don't pressure yourself so much. You'll get this right. You know it."

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"No," she says honestly. "I don't."

She looks at the time and says, "I have to get ready to go. And if the final isn't today, you get to put up with me like this for another week."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"I'll help you," he promises again, getting up himself.

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She leans in to kiss him lightly. Just as thanks.

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Do you want me to come back?"

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She nods. "Yes."

[whitedeathpod.livejournal.com]

"Okay. Go get ready. I'll come back."

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"Okay," she says, and kisses him again before going to do so.