[Santo - Serenity]

[walk_ins]

[master post]

This is where the magic happens.

Most people will come in through Milliways and exit out the cargo bay to go have some fun. But some might need to take detours. And of course, some people live here.

Some people work here, too -- especially if they're working on repairs.

Comments

[gonna_live]

"No, just..."



She makes herself take in a breath, and let it out.

"...don't be long?"

[simon_doctor]

Simon nods. "All right," he repeats.

It isn't long at all; a minute and a half, perhaps. Enough time to carefully note his place, save his notes, and mark out the next section.

If he's still awake once Kaylee falls asleep, he decides as he stands up, maybe he'll go study in the lounge.

[gonna_live]

She sits with her back against the wall, her legs crossed, watching.

"You could've been longer." Rueful.

[simon_doctor]

"I think you need sleep more than I need to study, right now."

He stretches his neck, to one side and then the other.

"And possibly so do I."

[gonna_live]

"...don't suppose I could get you to get me somethin' mild." Still rueful. "On your way out."

[simon_doctor]

He gives her a somewhat startled, unsure look.

"I can do that, but ... 'something mild' in the sense of a cup of tea, or in the sense of a painkiller or soother?"

[gonna_live]

"Painkiller. If I don't -- tomorrow mornin' is gonna be awful."

It's accompanied by a tiny smile that's more than a little apologetic.

[simon_doctor]

Simon nods. "All right, then. A mild painkiller, and ... would you like a backrub, maybe?"

[gonna_live]

Kaylee tilts her head. "From you?"

No more apology to her smile.

"Think so."

[simon_doctor]

He returns the smile, with warmth, and picks up his medkit from its usual spot right beside the door before sitting down on the edge of the bed again.

"All right," he murmurs as he opens the case and glances over its contents.

[gonna_live]

Kaylee waits, patiently --

Or not. She scoots forward, away from the wall, just a little.

[simon_doctor]

He comes out with a vial of capsules, opens the lid, shakes one out into his hand, and offers it to her.

"I could get you a glass of water, if you need," he offers.

[gonna_live]

Kaylee shakes her head, takes it, and dry-swallows. A little muffled: "Thanks."

[simon_doctor]

Simon closes the vial, returns it to the medkit, closes the medkit and puts it down at the foot of the bed.

Softly: "Come over here?"

[gonna_live]

She moves closer, slowly, pushing her hair back with one hand.

[simon_doctor]

He sits sideways, one leg folded under him, and his hands come up to settle lightly on her shoulders.

His thumbs begin to move in slow circles on the back of her neck, pressing gently.

[gonna_live]

"Mm." Happily.




"What'd you get up to today?" After a moment. (A long one.)

[simon_doctor]

"A good few hours of studying," he says, his fingers kneading the stiff muscles of her shoulders, "and I went down to the beach with Hawkeye Pierce -- he needed a vacation rather badly, I think."

[gonna_live]

"Yeah? -- ow. -- I like him. A lot."

[simon_doctor]

"So do I. Sorry."

Simon shifts the pressure slightly.

"He's a good man, and a good doctor. And he's had to deal with some ... impossible stresses, back where he's from."

[gonna_live]

"Mm."

If Hawkeye told her -- well. She can't remember right now.

"You had a good time?"

[simon_doctor]

"I did. It was ... nice."

His hands are moving further down her back now.

[gonna_live]

She leans forward a little. "You should do it again, maybe. While we're still here."

[simon_doctor]

"Maybe. We'll see."

He sounds thoughtful.

"There's a lot to do here."

[gonna_live]

"Yeah." Soft. And wistful.