simon_doctor | (no subject)

(no subject)

Jordie,

My job is sending me to Osiris for two weeks (dates attached). Would it be feasible for me to stay at your apartment? (I can, of course, make other arrangements if it isn't.)

Please let me know,

Simon

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Here's what I don't understand.

Did you seriously expect me to say anything other than 'if you don't stay with me I'm never speaking to you again'?

It's theoretically possible you might have had other commitments, isn't it?

Xiexie. I'll see you on the fifteenth.

I might. My spare room doesn't.

Let me know arrival times closer in, and we'll coordinate stuff.

I will.

Simon touches SEND, and sets down the datareader.

"I'm set to stay at Jordie's," he says over his shoulder to Kaylee.

She glances up from her book, and gives him a tiny smile. "Good."

Less chance he'll get in trouble that way.

With a faint sigh that's halfway to being a yawn, he stands up and moves over to sit on the couch next to her.

He gets eyed a little warily (but with something approaching fond amusement). "That mean you're packin' it in for the evening?"

"Maybe," he says, rubbing his forehead. "I could take care of those last two items in the morning."

She leans the book against her chest, and reaches out to lightly run her fingers through his hair. Wry: "You gonna be able to sleep if you do?"

Simon lifts his head, and makes a faintly rueful smile at her. "You know me entirely too well, xin gan."

"Gorram right." Cheerful.

He leans across and brushes a kiss over her temple. "And you're right. I'd better finish."

A slightly crooked smile, and she picks up her book again.

The last two things don't take very long, but he recognizes even before he starts that Kaylee's right; if he left them for the morning, he'd wind up getting out of bed in a few hours to finish them.

About twenty-five minutes later he sets down the datareader for the second and last time. "All right," he says aloud. "Done."

She glances up. "Was that so bad?"

"No," he admits readily, "and it wouldn't have been bad in the morning either, but now it won't be on my mind."

He reaches to rub her shoulder, lightly.

Down goes the book again. "And you can go to sleep feelin' all virtuous."

"Which is always nice," he agrees peacefully.

And slides a touch closer to put an arm around her.

"...that a hint for me to stop readin'?"

"Or I could be patient until you're finished," he offers.

"And if you weren't patient?" Kaylee raises her eyebrows. "What are you not patient for?"

His own eyebrows go up slightly. "Do I have to have something particular in mind?"

"Well, you're all sociable. Makes a girl wonder."

Beat.

"Maybe I'm just thinking that I'm going to miss you while I'm gone." Soft.

Kaylee's mouth tightens, and she looks away.

A little brusque: "We knew what we were gettin' into."