V. Love My Captain: Mal Reynolds

Now that she's back at the infirmary door, against her better judgement, Kaylee ain't sure exactly why. She opens the doors and peers into the darkness.

"He ain't even in here," she says under her breath, makin' to turn around. No sense in disturbin' the captain--

"Ain't what?" The voice is hoarse and nearly shocks the skin right off of Kaylee when she steps foot into the med-bay.

Her eyes fall on the bed in the middle of the room, and the injured man lying in it. Her lips tug upwards involuntarily at the expression of sheer frustration lurkin' round the edges of his face.

"Ain't ever gonna get used to bein' in that position, are you, Cap'n?" Kaylee says, fighting a smile.

"Ain't in no standin' to talk positions at all, not with my young, impressionable mechanic," Mal automatically retorts, his eyes gleaming for a second with old humor. Then his expression dims again, and Kaylee's smile softens. So he's not Simon--but maybe it's better that it's Mal she's found instead. She's got a powerful urge to take her Cap'n's advice in this matter, 'specially since he's in no condition to yell at her 'bout shipboard romances right now.

Kaylee may be sweet, but she's got some devious to her, too.

"How ya holdin' up, old man?" she asks gently, coming over and placing her hand on Mal's chest. His heart beats strong and steady, and even though it's a small comfort, it's comfort enough to keep the tears well enough at bay to speak. Kaylee can't help the warm rush of relief that comes at seein' the captain alive and mostly well. His arm's broken and his ribs are fractured, and he's got some sort of strange redness still lurkin' around his facial planes, but he's healin'. And that's what is important, she reckons. There ain't no instant fix out here in space, but he's gettin' there, slowly but surely.

"Old? I may be old, but I still got my good looks, don't I? Please say I do, pretty Kaylee, I'm all aflutter in expectation." His smile is sharp and forced, and Kayl