(no subject)

[simon_doctor]

It's midmorning in Logan City on Praxed -- early afternoon, ship's time -- when Serenity touches down at the spacedocks. There's supplies to take on, and cargo to unload ... and two members of the crew to go ashore.

Simon and Kaylee are standing by the gangplank, next to the float pallet bearing their luggage. They've put in a call for a rental skimmer; it should be here sometime in the next twenty minutes.

This isn't goodbye forever. But it's still goodbye.

Comments

[makesmeatease]

Inara comes to stand next to Simon, her hand going to his shoulder, and a soft smile on her face.

"This isn't forever," She says, with conviction. "I'll still miss you both though."

[simon_doctor]

Simon turns, and manages a smile in response to hers.

"We'll miss you too." And it's the truth.

[makesmeatease]

"Call, when you're settled. When you need to talk, anything." Inara glances back at the ship. "We've got shuttles for a reason."

[simon_doctor]

His smile is small and painful, but no less sincere for that.

"And you know where to find us."

[makesmeatease]

"Always." Inara nods, dropping her hand. She hesitates for a moment before opening her arms to hug him. "You'll do fine, Doctor."

[simon_doctor]

It's unexpected, but far from unwelcome.

He steps into the offered hug; his return hug is careful and close to formal, but sincere.

[makesmeatease]

She holds him for a moment before patting his back and stepping back. "Good luck, Simon. You'll be...amazing, I know it."

[gonna_live]

When Kaylee woke up this morning, when Kaylee put the last of her things in her bag, when Kaylee went through the motions of eating breakfast and doing the last walkthrough of the engine room and everything and everywhere else, it was with one thought beating in her head like a drum: I will not cry.

"Well. 'S why there're waves." With a small, awkward smile. "It'll be all right."

[makesmeatease]

"Exactly." Inara smiles, just a little bit tinged with sadness. Mostly she's happy for Kaylee. The sadness comes from her own selfishness to not lose the girl.

"Wave me anytime, any hour. I demand updates about your life out here."

[gonna_live]

Because she's so good about keeping up with people. She used to be.

Maybe she will be again.

"I'm thinkin' about puttin' together a newsletter." Half-teasing.

[makesmeatease]

"Well, I'd be an avid subscriber." Inara assures, delighted that Kaylee's teasing at all.

[gonna_live]

"Then I reckon I'll get right on it." Beat. "Soon as I'm through movin' all that." With a nod to the pallet; Kaylee looks resigned. "So maybe in six months."

[makesmeatease]

"I don't envy you that." Inara sighs. "Good luck."

A beat. "In everything. I know you can do it."

[gonna_live]

Kaylee glances away. I'm not going to cry.

I'm not.

"Xiexie," she says finally, soft. "And... you too."

[makesmeatease]

Inara places a quick hand on Kaylee's shoulder. "No, thank you. I'm so glad you're in my life."

It's true. It's going to be hard to know she's not coming back for a while this time. But they'll both live. It'll be okay.

She pulls her into a hug.