(no subject)

[gabriel_tam]

The room is fairly nice, all things considered. There are several chairs, a porta-cot set up discreetly against one wall for visitors that for one reason or another are reluctant to leave, and it's clear that whoever designed this particular private room in the first place intended to make it seem as warm and welcoming as possible.

Of course, given that it's a hospital, there's really only so much that can be done.

Currently, the hospital bed is tilted upwards at an angle, with the evident intention of making the patient comfortable. It seems to be working, at least a little, because Gabriel Tam is asleep.

Comments

[gabriel_tam]

"I suppose so."

There's something wearily resigned about that, and Gabriel glances toward the door.

"They do seem to stay on the move."

[gonna_live]

"...and you wish they didn't?"

[gabriel_tam]

"No, it's not that --"

A little too quickly, and he visibly takes a moment to regain his verbal balance before finishing,

"--I just don't like being... stuck... in places like this."

[gonna_live]

It's a moment before she replies; she reaches out, straightens one of the paper umbrellas in the soil.

When she does reply, it's quiet. "You think maybe -- is there somethin' anybody can do to make you feel less stuck?"

[gabriel_tam]

"You've already done it-- you're still doing it," Gabriel tells her, with a small smile.

He nods at the plants and the book, without looking away from her.

"Xiexie."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"Not as often as I do," Mary says, and then, "How long is 'too long'?"

It's got the same plaintive quality as an 'are we there yet?'

[gonna_live]

Kaylee immediately looks awkward. "It's nothin', really, just -- more on a longer-term basis, I meant."

[regan_tam]

Regan nods, though her smile is a little crooked.

"Some. I did."

"How are you feeling?"

[gabriel_tam]

"Hopefully I won't be here long enough for that to become an issue," he says dryly.

[gabriel_tam]

"Not too bad," he tries.

It's clearly an overstatement, but he makes an effort at it anyway.

[wolflord_andain]

"That depends largely on who is doing the waiting."

Galadn's voice is neutral.

[gonna_live]

"Hopefully," she agrees, and falls silent.

[gabriel_tam]

"I'll find out soon."

He squeezes Mary's hand, gently.

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"You must tell me," Mary announces, eyes swinging from Galadan to Gabriel relatively indiscriminately - the injunction applies to both of them - "when you do."



And then, finally, a question she hasn't yet thought to ask.

"Who did it?"

[regan_tam]

Regan's half-smile says that she appreciates the effort, and that she knows it's a lie.

"Can I get you anything? Water?" Carefully, around the bandages, she brushes his hair back from his face.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan says nothing.

Though his look at Gabriel, one eyebrow raised, indicates that he may be very interested in the Senator's answer, himself.

[gabriel_tam]

"Someone," Gabriel says steadily, "who believed that it would be better for a lot of people if I were dead."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary's continued expectant look implies that she's waiting for a somewhat more specific answer than that.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan's tiny smile may, for a moment, be directed at Mary.

Her dogged persistence is impressive.

And the Wolflord, too, is waiting for more elaboration on Gabriel's part.

[gabriel_tam]

That's unfortunate, as it seems Gabriel has no intention of explaining further.

Not yet, at least. Not until he himself comes to certain terms with what's happened.

"It's still being investigated, I believe."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

"You did not see the person who did it?" Mary asks, rather incredulously.

Of course it would have been an assassin, and not the person who sent them; still, it's a start.

[wolflord_andain]

"He did, Mary. And so did I. But sorting out endless strings of aliases is a difficult and time-consuming process."

Beat.

"Be patient."

[gabriel_tam]

The silence lasts for several seconds, broken only by the soft hiss of oxygen from the plastic cabling that runs discreetly from the wall to the cannula Gabriel's wearing.

When he speaks again, his voice sounds louder simply due to having broken the hush.

"I'm very glad you weren't there, Kaylee."

[gonna_live]

Under any other circumstances --

It'd be hard not to take that as an insult, wouldn't it? And a little surprise shows on her face, but it's clear enough what he means by it, and she can't say she disagrees at all.

"Me too." Quiet, and a little rueful. "And I wondered what you'd think when I wasn't there, but -- hindsight's good, and all."

[gabriel_tam]

"We were very lucky."

A beat.

"I was lucky. More than I deserve to be, I think."