simon_doctor | (no subject)

(no subject)

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.

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"Doc."

They've had the conversations they needed. River, keeping the infirmary there and going and how to hide the medical tape from Jayne.

He wants to say 'you'll be fine'.

It comes out as "Keep your hands clean, huh?", when it should probably be more of a 'Don't forget'. Don't forget what you learned out here.

Just...don't forget.

It's the most needless advice anyone's ever given him, and partly because of that, Simon can tell there's something else underneath it.

Which is why there's no irritation, or deliberate patience, in his tone when he says "I always do."

And just like that, it snaps back to Mal's smirk of a smile.

"Lily-white and all."

Somewhere behind him, Jayne snorts.

Simon's mouth twitches briefly into a smile, almost -- almost -- a laugh, and then sobers again.

Deadpan: "I hate to leave you with no one but Jayne to make fun of."

"He usually provides enough material for two people, so I think I'll be fine."

Not really a continuation of the topic, but Mal's voice stays light: "River'll help in that I think."

The tiniest pause before Simon nods in agreement. "It's one of her talents."

"Among many."

There's not much of a point delaying things, is there?

Mal extends his right hand, quickly like someone might snap it off.

"Doc."

And there's no need to say anything about taking care of River; that's long since been said.

Simon reaches out and takes his hand, shakes it firmly. "Captain."

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