simon_doctor | (no subject)

(no subject)

It's one of Simon's getting-home-early days. He's picked up a few things for dinner on the way home -- he will readily admit that he still isn't much of a cook, but he can handle baked chicken and green salad, and he can make a start on it before Kaylee gets in.

There's another clinic run coming up next month. He's been thinking of taking a few days of vacation sometime after that; maybe he'll bring that up tonight.

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"I don't want to work for somebody else. I know that much." She says this calmly. "And he didn't sound like he was interested in bringin' me on in any capacity. So with whatever I did -- I'd have to start from scratch. Again."

"Essentially."

The oven timer chimes; Simon reaches for a couple of potholders, and bends to take out the sizzling pan of chicken.

Kaylee moves, as though a spell's been shattered, and carries plates over to the table. "I could buy him out." Thoughtful. "Try to consolidate my empire."

...she's only kidding a little.

"Do you think he'd sell?" Simon rummages for a pair of tongs and a serving platter, sets them on the counter, and moves to the breadbox.

"I think anybody's got their price. 'Specially if he's worried about losing business."

The table by the window overlooks the back yard; the garden is a little overgrown. Kaylee sighs inwardly. Not enough time in the day.

"And I can pay whatever that price might be."

Baguettes: out of the breadbox and into the oven to warm for five minutes, while he transfers the chicken from pan to platter.

"Very likely," he says. "Does that idea sound more appealing than starting something new from scratch?"

She's silent for a moment.

Slowly: "I think it does. I like the idea of an empire. And I like the idea of havin' more time to see to the garden. But I don't... I want to stay in this, you know? I can't just be confined to the house. A balance'd be nice."

"If you do buy him out," he says, tipping the pan to pour the juices over the chicken, "that's likely to mean less leisure time, at least for a short while. There'd be a lot to organize. But after the transition ..."

"After the transition I can work a couple days a week in the shop, do the numbers myself, and maybe we'll finally have a tomato crop worth a good gorram."

A quick flicker of smile at that, as he brings the platter to the table. "Are there any drawbacks to that plan, then? Assuming he takes your counteroffer?"

Kaylee rests her hands on her hips. "Need someone I trust to run both shops. And if he's losin' business to me, there's got to be a reason for that. Might be pricing. Might not."

"How big is his shop, did he say? Is it just him, or more?"

There's a pitcher of cold green tea in the fridge; Simon goes to get it.

"Him and a couple of assistants." Forks are warranted with tonight's dinner; Kaylee goes to get them. "So I'm a little outnumbered. And he didn't say, but I checked with the city."

Meaning I hacked around until I found his tax records.

"So if he does sell, would you keep them on? If they care to stay on?"

Pitcher goes on the table; Simon goes to retrieve the salad bowl.

"If they're any good." Forks and knives go on the table, too. "I don't know. I mean -- I liked buildin' up the shop, I like the work I'm doin', but I don't get to spend enough time here and I don't get to spend enough time with people and I want a little better balance, you know? But it's got to happen right."

"Right," he agrees. "And -- there are bound to be other good mechanics in this city who'd be happy to work for you."

One more plate comes down out of the cabinet, and the rolls come out of the oven. (Carefully; they're quite warm.)

"Right." Kaylee pulls out the butter and puts it on the table. "So. If you were me. What would you do?"

He's quiet for a moment, reaching absently to pull out her chair.

"I'd probably need to think it over a little more." Just a touch rueful. "Do you have a time limit?"

Kaylee shakes her head. "He's the one who's hurtin' and I'm holdin' the cards." Calm, as she takes a seat (brushing her hand over his briefly). "If I don't hear from him again, then no reason to fuss. If he shows up tomorrow, I tell him where to stick it. If he gives me a couple days..."

Kaylee shrugs. "Then that's why I'm thinkin' about it."

He sits down, and dishes himself some salad.

"It occurs to me that even if he isn't interested in selling, you could achieve some of the things you're talking about just by expanding your own operation a little."

"Well, yeah."

An easy grin, as she reaches for a baguette. "You're sayin' I buy out somebody else to expand my empire?"

He tilts his head; maybe. "Or just ... find and hire a few more people. Although I don't know if you'd have room."

Kaylee laughs. "You don't seem to be pickin' up on my key motivation here, handsome."

A pause, as he cuts a bite of chicken, and a sidelong smile. "Would that be the expanding-your-empire motivation?"

"It would." Kaylee is serene. "Unless you don't think I ought to be queen of all I survey?"