simon_doctor | (no subject)

(no subject)

They came to an agreement early on: since Kaylee's much busier than Simon right now, even if he helps, and since Simon will be much busier after they've moved, it only makes sense for him to do the bulk of their packing now and for her to do the bulk of the unpacking later.

This means careful documenting and labeling, while he's putting things into boxes; it'll save a lot of trouble in the unpacking, since he might not be there to remember where he put what. In short: making lists.

He's a bit confused by the pair of unfamiliar books he's just come across, though.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

With his free hand, he strokes her head.

It doesn't seem quite the time to bring up what he came here to talk about.

"Tired of bein' tired."

His hand stops, then starts moving again.

No louder: "Is it worse?"

She nods a little.

"I want this ship done and I want to leave and I want to find somethin' else to do."

Simon moves his hand down to her shoulder, massaging gently.

"It won't be much longer."

Kaylee closes her eyes and doesn't reply.

"Should I let you get back to sleep?"

He's still stroking her shoulder.

"It don't matter."

His breathing hitches for a moment; not sharply, but there's a pause between inhale and exhale.

I wish you wouldn't say things like that.

He presses her hand lightly, and doesn't say anything.

She dozes off, after a moment, her hand slackening in his.

Simon leans one shoulder against the wall, letting his eyes half-close.

She's driving herself too hard, comes the thought; and immediately on its heels I can't tell her that.

A small unhappy sigh escapes him.

Kaylee stirs a little, turns her head up. "Mm?"

"Nothing," he murmurs, and smooths her hair with one hand.

"'M sorry I snapped."

"Méi guānxi."

His hand's gone still.

"I know you need something that's yours. And the last thing I'd ever want to do is take that away."

She sounds a little bewildered when she says, "I know that, and I don't know why I -- "

"Just tell me I got some crazy showin'?"

"It's not crazy," he says swiftly. "You're under a lot of stress, that's all. We both are."

"And I don't see you yellin' at me for no good reason, neither."

He's quiet.

"All I'm sayin' is let's just call this what it is. You oughtn't to make excuses for me."

Simon takes a long breath, lets it out slowly.

"Getting angry," he says, low. "For no good reason. Is that happening a lot?"

Her first thought -- which she has the wherewithal not to verbalize -- is where have you been the last two years?

But all she says is "Yeah."

"And ... not just with me."

That's tentative, and only half a question.

"Not just with you."

She lets out a long sigh. "I think -- it's gonna get better when we're gone. If only because I'm wantin' to pick back up with the talkin' to someone until it gets better."

He nods. "There's some psychiatric counseling available in Logan City. It wouldn't be hard to arrange."