(no subject)

[simon_doctor]

Simon's gone over it in his head a dozen times, written it out and studied it as intently as though expecting to find a code hidden in it.

I'm going to I think I should stay down here till she wakes up.

He's almost sure that's what he wrote, at the time. And he's quite sure that's when Kaylee's mood changed. You didn't have to cross it out, she'd said, or similar; and he'd said, I know.

And that upset her, and he doesn't know why.



Which is the main reason he's hesitating outside the door to the engine room.

Comments

[gonna_live]

Kaylee shakes her head, and tilts her head back, looking at the engine casing.

And looks back at Simon.

Thoughtfully.

[simon_doctor]

He looks back at her.

With a look that says: ...what?

[gonna_live]

"Tryin' to decide whether or not I want to cut out early."

So very thoughtfully.

[simon_doctor]

"Hmm."

He studies the engine casing.

Innocently.

[gonna_live]

A sidelong look.

"You got an opinion?"

Beat.

"See? We're talkin'."

[simon_doctor]

"Well-ll..."

He draws out the word, just a little.

"If you're not doing anything that has to be finished tonight...."

[gonna_live]

"Could stand to be put off a day. Don't tell Mal I said so."

[simon_doctor]

"In that case, I'd have to say that yes, I do have an opinion. In favor."

He's grinning.

[gonna_live]

"Don't suppose you got any ideas how to fill this free evenin' we got in front of us," she says, smile in no way knowing.

[simon_doctor]

"We could play mah-jongg," he deadpans.

[gonna_live]

"Yeah, but then I'll lose," she says, sadly. "Never been any good at it."

[simon_doctor]

"Hmm."

He's leaning into her, just the smallest bit.

"We'll have to think of something else then."

[gonna_live]

"Mm." Cheerfully, as she lets her fingertips snake slowly down his back. "Suppose I ought to clean up, then, huh?"

[simon_doctor]

"Mm." His back arches a little against her fingers. "Possibly. Wait --"

He puts up a hand. "Hold still a moment."

[gonna_live]

Kaylee is nothing, after all, if not compliant.

[simon_doctor]

Her face is just a few inches from his.

Leaning forward takes care of those few inches.

[gonna_live]

Shows you what compliance gets you.

She edges in, letting things deepen. And after a suitable period of time, she says against his mouth, "Been workin' all day. You sure I don't need to -- ?"

[simon_doctor]

"...either way, ah, we should probably..."

His voice is just a little breathless.

"...somewhere more private."

[gonna_live]

"Mm." With a warm smile, and a palm resting on his cheek. "Suppose so."

She lets her other hand slide to find his. "Come on."



If inquiring minds happened to want to know, the answer is that there isn't a pause for the removal of engine grease.