(Untitled)

[simon_doctor]

He sits staring at the screen for something close to a minute, trying to persuade himself that it's real.

This is to confirm our receipt of your formal acceptance

Comments

[bad_in_latin]

Mal for one never thought it was a question, with the way they've all been talking about it.

(Kaylee and Mal still aren't right and he doesn't know what to do about it. It gives him heartburn.)

"Dong xi dong xi," Mal offers quietly, hoping to at least set an example.

[simon_doctor]

Simon looks at Mal, glances at Kaylee, looks back.

"Thank you," he says, no louder.

[river_meimei]

River tries to smile for him, a moment too late; it doesn't fit quite right, and it doesn't last long.

She doesn't look up, though. She's been watching the edge of her plate, a horizon-curve against the table, since Simon's first words.

[simon_doctor]

He sees it. Sees it very well, as they would have said once.

He's next to her, with Kaylee on his other side; it's not hard to reach across and touch her arm.

[swinging_cod]

"That's swell, doc," Jayne says, forking in his protein cheerfully.

He doesn't know why the rest of the crew are all sporting such droopy faces. People come, people go; that's the way of this business. And it ain't like they never got on without a doctor before.

[makesmeatease]

Inara takes her eyes off of River after a long moment. She smiles at Simon and Kaylee, her eyes flicking over to Mal's for half a second.

"Congratulations," She smiles a bit brighter as she reaches for Kaylee's hand, for Simon's. "It'll be good for you both."