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Tweak says, "Never put jam on a magnet."

Kaywinnit Lee Fry (i_fixthings) wrote in we_coexist,
@ 2008-08-08 23:45:00

Entry tags:

kaylee frye, malcolm reynolds, simon tam

Not So Shiny [Mal and Simon]
Kaylee felt pretty off balance. Not just because of the wounds she had covering her arms, large cuts that were still leaking blood from being pulled out of Serenity by the large vacuum of space, but because her heart felt a little heavy. Mal said Simon didn't remember anything after the beagles. But how could he forget? How could he not know? Kaylee felt it was kind of painful to forget about her an him like that. Mal had tried to explain it, like he wasn't their Simon. But then.. He didn't know about Wash being departed? Or Book? Kaylee felt certainly out of place. Normally she was so bright and cheerful but it felt drained right out of her like motor oil out of an engine too fast. Life wasn't there no more.

Felt lick getting kicked in the gut, it did.

Kaylee was leaning heavily on Mal now. Getting blood onto his nice brown coat. She kept apologizing for it. Wounds weren't lethal really, but Kaylee wasn't weak enough to walk on her own considerin'. Finally they made it to the hospital. She'd have preferred the medical bay of serenity. She never liked normal hospitals. Even with the promise of seeing Simon.. well this Simon. Simon that didn't remember everything that'd happened with Miranda, or the Reavers, or Mr. Universe. Kaylee wasn't keen on it at all. She turned her head to look at Mal. Mal looked determined, as he always did. All worried about her. She had to go in.

She took a deep breath as the doors were open. When they came to the main counter, Kaylee lifted her head and tried to stand up fully. But Mal kept her firmly half leaning on him. To that she smiled. "My name is Kaylee Frye, I wanted to see Dr Simon Tam."

"Frye. Frye. Right here. Your appointment is in a moment."
"My what? I didn't call or Nothin' of the sort."
"Right here. Kaywinnit Lee Frye, right?"

Kaylee winced at her full name, but nodded. "Mal how did they know I was comin' before we got here?" She asked, half expecting some mess of officers to come out, having known her name and tired her with Serenity. They knew she was here, here with Mal. What if it was the Alliance was here? Calm Kaylee. Calm. Kaylee looked around, expecting something.

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i_wearbrown
2008-08-09 09:56 am UTC (link)

While he had more experience with the strangeness of this city than Kaylee did, Mal still prickled a bit when the nurse announced there was an outstanding appointment made for his mechanic. He didn't like that there was this record of their existences somewhere in this city.

"Kaylee, breathe." He'd noted the way her figure had stiffened upon hearing her name. "Ain't mean nothing save for that this place knew you were coming. Folk say that the city itself provides. You ain't gonna go hungry, it'll find you a place to sleep, it'll.. well.. make sure there's a bed at the hospital if it's what you're fixin' to need."

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i_conform
2008-08-09 01:05 pm UTC (link)

Simon was staring at the door when the nurse stepped in. She was nice enough to let him keep staring for a little while longer; the doctor wasn't bad looking, and if the stare meant he was ....The nurse realized that Dr. Tam was probably not staring at her assets and coughed. Simon's attention shifted from the white of what he thought was the door to a not so happy nurse face.

"Yes?" He sought for something stable, something that he could control, something his. Which meant he might have sounded a little aloof, a little cold.

The nurse reminded Simon of an appointment he knew he hadn't had a few moments ago, and with a polite, yet chilly thanks, he pulled on his white coat and headed to the designated room. He took his time, of course, gathering his thoughts. This would be his first patient since...well, since death, and he wasn't sure he was in the mood for that. Or maybe it would be the best thing for him.

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i_fixthings
2008-08-09 01:15 pm UTC (link)

"Easier said then done, cap'n. Can't blame me for getting my knickers in a right twist people knowing my real name like that. I don't tell people about the Kaywinnit. Don't know what my parents were thinkin'." Kaylee took a deep breath, glancing around still.

She couldn't help but be on edge.

"I don't want to go hungry. Does it provide strawberries?" Kaylee looked up in interest. "And I want my bunk. Beside yours. Like always. Cause it's safest close to the captain. Or at least my hammock near the engine. I ain't set to be on my own or nothin' like that."

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i_wearbrown
2008-08-09 02:37 pm UTC (link)

Their bunks, the engine room, his ship... the one thing the City had yet to provide him with. "You won't go hungry and you ain't going to be on your own. You can stay with me an' Inara. It's her place, but she'll turn me out on my rear before she'd refuse giving you a place to stay."

When the nurse returned to collect Kaylee and lead her to the exam room, Mal followed right behind. And when the nurse stopped, touching her hand to his shoulder so as to pause the man and ask if he was related; Mal didn't skip a beat.

"Excuse me, sir? Are you family?"

"No, I'm her captain." The woman didn't have a chance to protest, Mal went right on pass her with Kaylee into the sterile room.

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i_conform
2008-08-10 04:15 pm UTC (link)

While Mal and Kaylee might have wanted the freedom of a floating tin can, Simon was getting used to walking on the ground again. He was getting used to having an apartment, having food, and not running when jobs went bad. He liked the stability of the ER even if it got a little chaotic. He knew where he stood here. Well, usually.

He hadn't planned on seeing them, especially not her...here. River had said she'd gone back to Serenity, and now, well, she was back. He smiled a little, but then looked at the captain. His attention went quickly back to Kaylee who was bleeding.

"You know, I'd really like to meet one of you not bleeding or crazy or threatening me." Who know which was which.

He pulled on the gloves, pulled the proper medical paraphenalia for the job, and moved to start examining the mechanic. He didn't smile; he wasn't even sure how he felt about her being here. He even went so far as to give Mal a glare, as if the captain's selfishness to have a full crew might have brought an innocent Kaylee here. He doubted that the captain's need for control would have done that, but with the City providing...when it wanted. His death...

Simon's wandering mind probably wasn't the best thing for his bedside manner, nor for his handy work. He might have prodded a little too hard or poked where he shouldn't. Of course, he'd apologize every time Kaylee might have made an unhappy sound, but he wasn't completely invested in his doctoring.

"How'd this happen?" Another hint of a glare at Mal.

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i_fixthings
2008-08-10 05:44 pm UTC (link)

"You live with Inara?" The bubbles returned to her voice. She was so happy they finally worked it out and maybe now there wouldn't be that stifled sexual tension everyone knew was around them at all times. Course it wouldn't be Mal and Inara without arguments but that's just cause they fancied each other so much they couldn't stand bein' apart. Least, that's what Kaylee thought. "She have it all fancy?" The place, she meant. As Inara was a fancy inclined woman. Kaylee wished she could be that fancy. All at once she froze up when she heard Simon's voice. It was almost chiding. She didn't want to be bleeding either.

"I didn't ask to be bleedin' none." Kaylee said matter-of-factly. And she wasn't crazy, and she wasn't threatenin' him either. Who had he met and why would they be like that to him anyway?

His smile was welcome but.. Mal said it wasn't the same, he didn't remember Miranda. He didn't know nothing about them.

Maybe she should remind him?

Simon was awful skittish though.

Kaylee flinched when he grabbed her too tight and hurt the already painful wounds on her arms. "Ow! Hey! I ain't no fizzleswitch!" Obviously some kind of engine part, knowing Kaylee. "That hurts." he apologized though, And Kaylee found herself staring at him right pretty like. Simon always looked nice. She was quite taken. But that nagging voice. Mal tellin' her he wasn't the same. How could he forget?

"Pressure coils acting up again. Hit a panel, blew me straight out of Serenity it did. I didn't mean to get cut up so bad and I thought I was dead and here I am. Mal ain't got nothin' to do with what happened, don't be glarin' none at him. Isn't proper." Funny for her to be chiding him on proper things.. Kaylee put her hand on his shoulder a moment. "You don't know nothing about Miranda Simon? You don't remember what happened and when I got all poisoned?" Kaylee sounded downright upset over it.

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i_wearbrown
2008-08-11 04:52 pm UTC (link)

"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.

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i_conform
2008-08-11 05:26 pm UTC (link)

"Isn't proper to run on fumes and get his crew nearly killed on more than one occasion, but he never had a problem with that before." Simon didn't look up. He couldn't. The name didn't mean much other than it had happened after the beagles, and Simon knew nothing about that. His hands softened in how they treated his patient, but that was really all that changed.

"It's not as bad as it looks. You've lost blood, but we can take care of that. Stitches will be required." This was where he should have made some comment about scars being sexy or something, but he didn't. "I'll get someone in for sutures and put you on ivs. It's not as advanced here, but we should have you on your feet soon."

As he said the last bit, he stepped away and started pulling off the gloves. He finally looked at her, sad almost, and not at all understanding.

"I'm sorry, Kaylee, but I had nothing to do with Miranda. I am not that Simon. I wasn't even there when River saved the day. I wish I had been there, maybe. If I understand how serious it got, perhaps not. To see people die and hurt like that...I'm sorry." He turned as if to leave, but stopped at a phone, calling in what Ms. Frye would need. "We'll want to keep you for observation. I'll stop by to make sure you're looked after properly."

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i_fixthings
2008-08-11 08:37 pm UTC (link)

Kaylee sat there, more than a little stunned by what he was saying. How easily he could dismiss all of that, even before the beagles they were close. Really close. Close to something at least. They'd almost. What about the mudders? And when that other boy was lookin' at her how angry he'd gotten. Kaylee sat there in silence, letting him do what he needed to do and just nodding now and then. While his apologizin' may have been sincere it was still cold. She'd never really wanted to see a cold Simon return, like that time he held her life at bay in order to get what he needed out of Mal. Course at the time Kaylee wasn't really that upset about it. Kind of tricky, their doctor was.

But now.

She just watched him go to the door, her eyes were a hint sad, but she kept it inside. Like how she tended to do. Kaylee wasn't much for expressing that emotion. She kind of kept it to herself. "Can't be down long, things to do.. after all."

Like find a hole and crawl into it.

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i_wearbrown
2008-08-13 07:39 pm UTC (link)

"'Scuse me a moment there, Kaylee. I'm fixin' to have a word with the doctor here, all private-like." From Mal's glare alone it was clear to see there was going to be more than one word, and a majority of them weren't going to be about Kaylee's injuries -- more like her treatment.

If Simon was planning on lingering in the doorway, Mal was changing his mind by heading towards the door, aiming to edge him right on out into the hallway like a bulldozer. He reached behind him to grasp the doorknob and pull it close. Simon needed to hear what he had to say, but Kaylee didn't.

Not giving him the time to scurry off to another patient, Mal acted as a barrier again and positioned himself in front of Simon and backed him up toward the wall. "I don't ruttin' care when you dropped out of time, doc... seein' as though it was a week after I let you on my ship, you knew she was pining for you. 'Cause everyone else on the boat did. Now, I don't like to make it my business to get involved in the causes of romantical tension 'round my ship, but like hell am I going to see you talk to her like that." Mal's gaze left Simon only momentarily to glance back at the door. "If there's any one reason you were on my ship as long as you were.. it's cause of that mechanic in there. When you and your sister ain't had a friend in the world or on my ship, she stuck her neck out for you. That's as respectable as it gets... stupid considerin' who she was risking it all for, but it's got a sense of admirablility. So if I were you, Doctor, I'd be thinking of a swift apology for the lil' lady in there."

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i_conform
2008-08-14 03:38 pm UTC (link)

Simon was expecting this little tete-a-tete, and that was the only reason he didn't squeal or make some other unbecoming sound. His jaw tightened as Mal became rather brutish, surly, and many other words that boiled down to asshole livin' beyond the Fringe who had nothing better to do with his life and rarely bothered with civilities.

"I have done nothing to her. I'm not on your ship anymore, Captain." The position sounded more like a curse than an honor. "I have authority here, and unless you plan on hauling me off grounds, even if you are planning it, I can have you banned from the premises unless necessary, say like mortal wound - on your person no one else. I can keep you away from her, which I won't. She needs you obviously." Simon stood taller than he used to, and it wasn't from core-like posturing. "I am not the man, or boy, or whatever ruttin' beast you thought I was. I am not the person she loves or think she loves. I will not be forced into acting the part by you either. Now, let me do my job."

One of the nurses had caught some of the confrontation, and while it might have been amusing to see a doctor manhandled at first, the nurse was getting the idea that something wasn't right. Simon caught her going for the phone, and he shook his head slightly. There really wasn't any need. Mal might be a hot head, but he cared for his crew, most of it anyway - Simon was sure he'd behave, for the most part.

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i_fixthings
2008-08-14 09:57 pm UTC (link)

Gorram. Kaylee couldn't ruddy move at all. Not unless she wanted to hurt herself anymore, and as it was she felt sick from the blood loss. There they went. Kaylee frowned as the door shut behind them. Gone to exchange words. Right.

Right.

Mal was either going to beat Simon, or Simon was going to do what Simon did, act pompous and piss Mal off or run away. Not that Simon was scared of Mal, more like avoiding confrontation like.

At least her Simon did.

Kaylee covered her face with her hands.

Her Simon was gone?

Where did that leave her?

Suddenly it felt down right hopeless.

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i_wearbrown
2008-08-28 08:30 pm UTC (link)

Mal wasn't stupid, neither was he keen about not having his two feet on the floor of his ship right now. That location would have done wonders for his amount of authority right now. While being in the hospital and having Kaylee to look after might keep him mindful of his actions, he still had one more mouthful of words for the delicate doctor.

"No, you ain't the boy.." And did he ever stress that word. "... I let on my ship. Now that your sister don't need you, a martyr-type like yourself must be desperate for someone to pat you on the head an' tell you how much 'good work' you do."

Mal moved forward a step towards Simon, a faux-check -- just to see him startle. Then Mal turned away to return to the door of Kaylee's exam room. "You don't have to be on my ship to be on my crew, but those are two specifics you don't have to worry yourself with." An angry fist wrapped around the doorknob, twisting it open to allow himself back into the room, shutting it quickly behind him.

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