Post-Attack with Mal.

[bad_in_latin]

"But I'll be here when you're done..."

The first conscious thought that occurs to Captain Reynolds is that he is very cold, and that this condition might be due to the fact he has no shirt on and is lying facedown on an examination table.

Gorramitwelosti'mattheAcademy

Mal quickly attempts getting up - too quickly - and immediately falls back down

Comments

[flybywash]

"Hey, cap'n."

Wash's voice is quiet, but steady. It sounds like he's smiling.

"Welcome back to the land of the living."

[bad_in_latin]

"Hrumph." Mal manages to - very very slowly this time - sit up to see his pilot.

"Thanks."

[flybywash]

Definitely no mistaking the smile this time. Wash stays where he is, though, leaning against the doorframe of the infirmary as he watches Mal.

"You doing okay? Aside from the, uh." He gestures. "Giant piece of metal that Simon recently had to vacate from your back."

[bad_in_latin]

"Right side still feels weird," Mal admits. "I 'magine that's more from whatever the Doc had to do to me than anything else. Won't be using my right hand steady for a bit, I think."

Mal will not admit at the moment that this is more from nerves.

"Had a weird dream while I was out. Several, actually."

[ff_ambassador]

*Coming from the kitchen, Inara pauses at the door to the infirmary, still remembering her absolute belief that Mal would not be awakening again. When she sees his head turn, she moves to his side, kneeling down beside him, to be able to meet his gaze without him having to move. She reaches up and gently strokes his cheek.*

Nĭ hăo, băobèi.

[bad_in_latin]

"Xiexie ni, Inara." Mal coughs painfully and attempts to make his voice sound a little more like normal.

"Been keepin' yourself busy?"

[ff_ambassador]

You idiot. *She takes his hand.*

I thought you were supposed to be able to keep yourself out of trouble. I was just recently very busy removing a large chunk of metal from your back. It was quite tiresome.

*Her light tone is belied by the concern in her eyes.*

[bad_in_latin]

"Well, I take back everything I ever said 'bout not wantin' you to get involved. Turns out you're handy." Mal offers a smile to attempt to calm Inara's nerves about everything, but the effort is probably not as successful as he would hope.

"I ain't goin' nowhere, Inara."

[swinging_cod]

*There's a Jayne on an adjacent table, trimming his nails with his Rilly Big Knife.*

[bad_in_latin]

Another small groan and Mal sits up to look at Jayne.

"Having fun yet?"

[swinging_cod]

*He snorts.*

Yeah, this whole weekend's been a whirligig of joy.

[bad_in_latin]

"That it has."

Mal rubs his temple briefly, maybe as an attempt to stall coming up with something to say to Jayne.

"Don't know too much 'bout what happened to folk after we split up when we hit the Academy."

[gonna_live]

"Hey, captain."

A gentle hand ruffles his hair.

Kaylee might sound a little choked up.

[bad_in_latin]

"Hey there, mei mei - what's the news?"

Mal might not be doing so well with the vocal inflection either.

[gonna_live]

"River's back. All of ours -- we're -- we're okay."

Long pause. Tear or two.

"'Cept you gettin' yourself laid up like this. But...but you're gonna be okay."

[bad_in_latin]

Mal sits up very carefully and pulls Kaylee over to him, giving her a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"Ain't gonna be laid up for too long. Your Doc did real well."
Her Doc. Way its supposed to be.

Mal rubs his eyes before he thinks Kaylee will notice anything.

[righthandwoman]

It takes Zoe longer than she'd like to find a moment when she can slip into the infirmary. But it's a hectic few days to be acting captain of the ship.

But when she finally can, she heads there, a wooden box in one hand.

There's a slight smile on her face as she steps in.

[bad_in_latin]

Mal attempts a smile for Zoe, eyeing the box she carries.

"A present? My birthday ain't for a couple weeks yet."

[righthandwoman]

"Well, you can open this one a little early."

Zoe takes a seat on a stool beside the infirmary bed, then opens the box and holds it out to him.

Inside is the key to the safe in his room, the one he gave her before the battle.

[bad_in_latin]

Mal lifts the lid off the box, and pulls the key up by the leather strap, trying very hard not to let his eyes water and failing.

"Just what I always wanted."

At that second, that slice of life, for Mal, his vision of the world goes blurry and all he can see is his first mate - his best friend - sitting with him in the ship that makes him whole.

He simply gives up on making the tears stop falling. He doesn't sob or make a sound. Just lets them run over. Because Zoe understands.