Simon crawls into bed, groaning as his muscles spasm. It’s been too long of a day. Wash had been complaining of a migraine, then Kaylee had nearly bashed in her fingers on an engine part. Add in one of River’s spells? Not a recipe for a relaxing day.
Hand over his eyes, trying to block out the harsh light, he sighs. Simon’s starting to understand Mal’s reactions; things never go smooth out here. It’s all so interconnected, that if you tug on one thread, the whole thing unravels.
He snorts to himself. Definitely need a break, if I’m constructing such vague sentences, Simon thinks.
He’s getting to that weird state between awake and asleep, when Simon’s jolted awake by a rap on the screen to his room. He groans again as he stands up, and his legs wobble a bit as he crosses to the door.
The door lurches open, and Simon’s a bit stunned to see Kaylee there. Usually the only person who comes by at this hour is his sister. He blinks. He tries to figure out what to say, but fortunately, Kaylee beats him to it.
“Um, Simon?” Her voice quavers a bit on the question. “Did I wake ya?”
Still blinking, “Uh, no, Kaylee. Not quite, at any rate.” A yawn crosses his face, belying his reply. Kaylee snickers. “Tired, yes. Is something wrong with your hand?”
Kaylee has got her hand cradled across her chest, and Simon’s eyes follow hers down. Unfortunately, his eyes spend a moment too long on her breasts, nicely framed by the frilly tank top she’s wearing. Simon blinks again.
“It started hurtin’ again, Simon. You said to come see you for some more painkillers.” Simon looks up, and just looks into her luminous eyes. He shakes his head, trying to focus.
“Yes, I did.” He turns back into his room, scrabbling for his med-kit. “Ah,” he waves to the rumpled bed, “Just, ah, have a seat.”
When he looks up again, Kaylee has placed herself on the edge of his bed, slightly bouncing. He smiles at her.
“Y’all have got some nice cushy beds down here.” She grins back. Simon’s eyebrow lifts.
“Remind me to never move to the main bunks, then.” Oh, shit. He just said the wrong thing again, and Kaylee’s face is falling. Damn. “Uh, I mean, I’d just have to invite people to my bed here.”
That wasn’t quite right, either. Kaylee looks a bit shocked, now.
Her voice is somewhat icy as she asks, “Anyone in particular, Doctor Tam?” Simon feels like slapping his forehead. Stupid fatigue. Think faster, you fool.
Simon crosses to the bed, injector in his hand. He gently grabs hold of Kaylee’s arm, and press the needle to her arm, caressing the sting away. “Kaylee, there are only two people on this boat I would let into my bed.”
There’s a confused look on Kaylee’s face now. She can’t read his signals, but really, if Simon’s off balance, why shouldn’t she be? For a moment, at least.
Leaning in closer, still rubbing circles on her bicep. “Kaylee,” he whispers. “That’d be my sister and you.” He can’t help but smile as the silly grin crashes onto her face.
Gently tugging her closer, he leans her head onto his shoulder. “That arm feeling better?”
Kaylee laughs quietly. “Nah, not yet, Doctor Tam.” She looks into his face, “Think I might need some overnight observation?”
Simon falls back onto the bed, pulling her down with him. Chuckling, he replies, “I think you might. Think you would mind spending the night in the infirmary?”
She thwacks him with her good hand. “Nah, I thought I’d stay on the cushy bed.”
Their lips brush together lightly, and Kaylee drops her head to Simon’s shoulder again. “Plus, there’s a really comfy pillow here.”
Simon adjusts his arm a bit, then plants a kiss on the crown of her head. “Well, it would probably be a bad idea to move you then. Since you have a pillow and all.”
They’re comfortably quiet for a few moments, when Kaylee speaks up. “About what you said earlier.”
Simon has almost drifted off again. “Hmmm?”
“About River and all.” Simon’s still catching up. “It’s not all … weird … you know, between you two, is it?”
Now it’s Simon’s turn to be shocked. “What? Kaylee! She’s my sister!” He really can’t fathom where this question came from.
Kaylee pats his chest. “Just checkin’,” she smirks up at Simon. “You know, you really are way too easy.”
Simon groans one last time. “Go to sleep, Kaylee.”
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