Of Regrets

[kriadydragon]

Drabble for wildcat88. Prompt: John Sheppard's biggest regret. Still more than a hundred words but way shorter than the last one.

 

“What is your biggest regret?”

John would have tolerated the question if it had been narrowed to specifics: specific mission, specific past trauma, specific reaction. Heightmeyer is usually specific, but has obviously run out of specifics. She's being general, going for prying him open rather than picking him apart.

Sheppard doesn't mind her attempt. He hates the question because it's purpose for today is so damn pervasive. His biggest regret. So where, exactly, would she like him to begin? His dad, wife, Holland, Sumner, waking the wraith, Kolya, Ford, Carson, Elizabeth... See, the problem with regrets is that the ones you make today will be forced to contend with the ones you make tomorrow. Most people don't work out their regrets until they have no more tomorrows left.

John smiles beatifically. “I'll have get back to you on that.” Then he leaves when the digital clock reads twelve pm.

The way he figures it, he'll either have plenty of time to sort it all out, or won't have any time at all. Hopefully the latter. He doubts he'll be able to choose between them, and doesn't really want to.

Comments

[karri-kln1671.livejournal.com]

I'm with John on that one. How do you answer a question that broad? *pats him* Fantastic job, as always. :)

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I was going to pick one, but doubted John would be able to choose between them.

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

Loved this line:

She's being general, going for prying him open rather than picking him apart.

Poor John, the question is like opening pandora's box and once it comes all spilling out, he wont be able to hold/pull it all together again.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thus, he stalls. But I honestly think it a question he would never be able to answer.

[wildcat88.livejournal.com]

A perfect John Sheppard response. How could he possibly pick just one? Well done.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks! So glad you liked it. Short as it was I actually had a lot of fun with it.

[bratfarrar]

I think few people would be able to answer this question with any truth. My regrets aren't as painful as his, but I've certainly got plenty. And I don't dwell on them, because then I'd probably be paralyzed in the present - or completely stressed out.

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

True. I also think that, in Sheppard's case, to choose one would feel like downplaying the others, labeling them as less important, and I just can't see him doing that.

[padawan-aneiki.livejournal.com]

Excellently done, m'dear. And that *is* the perfect Sheppard response. Along with all the ensuing "analyses" in the comments/replies section as well. :)

*claps hands* YAY!

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I will not claim to be the expert on his character, but ever since writing Castles in the Sky forced me to analyze the crud out of him, he's been a lot easier to write. I'm not saying I have his character down, pat. Just that he's easier to understand.