simon_doctor | (no subject)

(no subject)

It's a fine evening in early spring in Logan City; the first really nice weather of the season, with the sun lingering above the horizon well after the office closes. Simon's carrying his winter coat over one arm as he steps into the house and sets down his briefcase. He doesn't call out; even at this hour, it's probably not a good idea to make too much noise until he's sure he wouldn't wake anybody.

He's got two guesses as to where he might find Kaylee, and because of the weather he's going to check the sunroom and/or backyard first.

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She curls up next to him, pulling up her feet, leaning heavily against him.

Quiet:

"Telling more people like who?"

She's pretty sure. But she wants to hear him say it.

He puts an arm around her, rests his cheek against her hair.

"The rest of my old friends," he says. "Friends of my parents ... I mean, I don't particularly want to tell them, but I know my father does."

Half a beat. "People at Milliways."

That was about what she was expecting.

Kaylee breathes out. "She's not ever going to Milliways. I'm not -- I can't budge on that."

"I know," he says swiftly. "I know. We agreed. That's not going to change."

"So what are you gonna say when they ask where she is?"

"That she's at home," he says, "and that she's much too little to bring there yet. Or to receive visitors outside the family."

Barely audible:

"I feel like we should do something about... about how secure we are here."

Steadily: "I wouldn't say no to that."

It isn't just humoring her, not in the slightest; the thought of anyone threatening their daughter is enough to make his blood run cold.

"Did you have any particular measures in mind, or just ... look at our setup and see where it needs attention?"

"I don't know how we protect against Milliways." Half a shrug. "But... if your parents' friends are gonna know, then it's kind of public knowledge. And I don't know that I like that."

He has a thought or two about protecting against Milliways; he has no idea if they would work, long-term.

"I don't know how long we could feasibly keep it from becoming public knowledge," he says slowly, "at least here. Though it depends who you don't want to know about it."

"Your daddy's got a security force," she points out. "I mean... as long as his profile's kind of high... you know?"

"... yeah." Quietly. "We could make a point of asking him not to say anything to the press. Though it's probably only a matter of time until they find out anyway."

"It's not the press I'm worried about."

Some part of him doesn't want to ask the next question.

"Then who?"

"Somebody thinks they can exert some kind of pressure on him, comes after us."

He breathes out, and nods. "It could happen."

It's not as though that couldn't happen anyway. But an infant in the house makes for greater vulnerability, in more than one sense of the word.

"So a better security system. I think we can afford a pretty good upgrade."

Kaylee closes her eyes for a moment in relief.

"Can you ask your daddy for recommendations about how to go about it? When you tell him it's okay to tell close friends?"

"Absolutely. The firm he uses is supposed to be one of the best, he knows what to look for."

He turns his hand palm upward on his knee, next to hers.

She links her fingers with his.

"Okay."

Quiet.

"I guess -- we can tell people."

Simon squeezes her hand.

"I'll send Dad a textwave later tonight," he says, "and ask him about security first."

She nods a little. "Good. Yeah."

He turns his head enough to kiss her temple.

"Love you, xin gan."

A very small smile. "Is that making it up to me?"

"No, that's just a general statement. Should I start listing the ways I could make it up to you?"

"...sure," she decides.