"I'd been thoughtful enough to rent her use of my shuttle and she's returned the favor relatin' to use of her couch." There was no missing the sparkle in Kaylee's eye when it could even be hinted that he and Inara were something more than.. well.. whatever they were. It wasn't his aim to disappoint, but he wasn't one to let such rumors spread. "'Course she's all fancified it up..." Not that he had much to elaborate on, but the conversation came to a halt with Simon's tone.
The first and last exchange between the doctor and the Captain had been a cold one, at best. Simon didn't seem all that thrilled to see Mal and Mal wasn't all that happy with his ship medic taking a full time position at some strange hospital. But he was here for Kaylee and so long as Simon was useful, he'd do his best to remain pleasant like.
He'd give the doc and his flame-turned-patient some space, taking a step back away as Simon moved in to examine her. His conversation with Simon existed only in the language of glares. For each one the doctor had, Mal countered with a stony expression of his own.
That was until Kaylee mentioned Miranda. He'd, albeit crudely, explained to Simon just what his relationship with Kaylee had been before Mal was dumped in this god forsaken place. For his little mechanic to get all heartbroken again over Simon Tam, if he were to handle this situation in any fashion that would get her going all sad-like.. Mal's jaw tightened. It was time to see just what a Core upbringing gave you in the ways of getting out of a situation like this.