(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

[gonna_live]

"If every one of us got what we deserved the 'verse would be a pretty gorram sorry place."

Her eyes are on the plant; her voice is sure.

[gabriel_tam]

One side of his mouth twists up in a wry smile, the side that's not torn by claws.

"You're probably right."

[gonna_live]

She takes in the room, what's before her: a hospital room (a pleasant one, but it's still a hospital room), with her father-in-law, with awful injuries, with no timeline on when he'll get to go home. Stuck in this room, with people making sure nobody can get in (and probably, conversely, that he can't get out), in pain, and lonely, and bored.

Kaylee looks directly at him.

"I'm hopin' you're not thinkin' you deserve this. You don't. Nobody does."

They've had their differences. She's still not sure where she stands with him half the time. But that doesn't mean he deserves it.

[gabriel_tam]

Gabriel Tam knows perfectly well who attacked him-- and knows as well that Raguel visits Milliways.

As he imagines Mary Lennox storming up to confront Raguel, he feels himself grow lightheaded as he pales, as the blood drains from his face.

"I'm afraid Galadan's right, Mary," he makes himself say, and his voice sounds distant to his own ears. "You'll have to be patient."

[gabriel_tam]

"I'm sure some would argue with you," he manages, very dryly. Still, there's a hint of humor there, if only that.

Until recently, he himself would have been one of them.

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary opens her mouth, and then shuts it again.

She's not particularly observant, but her eyes are fixed firmly enough on Gabriel to note the lack of color in his face.

"- you do not look well. Worse than you did before."

[wolflord_andain]

"He may be tired, Mary."

Galadan's gaze slides sideways, studying Gabriel.

"And if that is the case, perhaps it's time we go."

[gonna_live]

She's silent for a long moment.

And then, very quiet, and very clear:

"You got attacked while you was doin' your job and not doin' any harm to anyone. Whoever it was -- they went after you, when all you did was be where you was supposed to be. Anybody tries tellin' me you deserved what happened is gettin' a wrench to the face."

Because they don't know, she doesn't say; there's a fair amount of authority in her voice that might give it away anyhow.

[gabriel_tam]

"Perhaps a little," he manages, trying for a wry smile. "But I'm very glad you came, and I hope you'll come back."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary hangs forward a little, still.

It's fairly clear that she doesn't want to leave. But he does look worse (though she doesn't see why he couldn't sleep with her there; she does know how to be quiet, when it's necessary, though she may not demonstrate it often), and it's not her world, or even Milliways . . .

She shoots Galadan a plaintive, 'do we have to?' sort of look, even as she takes a step backwards.

[gabriel_tam]

Gabriel stares at her in surprise for several seconds, and then chokes out a half-laugh.

"Xiexie-- that's good to hear."

He's smiling, now.

[wolflord_andain]

"Mary."

Galadan's voice is quiet.

"I'll bring you back here as soon as may be."

It may be one day, it may be two--but no more than that.

Surely.

[gabriel_tam]

He squeezes her hand once more before he lets go.

"And I'll see you then."

Said with certainty.

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

It takes another long few moments before Mary finally transfers her hand from Gabriel's to Galadan's.

And once she does, she holds on almost painfully tight, as if to make up for it.

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan does not flinch at all, merely keeps a firm grip on Mary as, with a slight nod to Gabriel, he heads for the door.

Wolflord and girl both blur briefly into shadows before they vanish.

It is almost as if they had never been there at all.

[gabriel_tam]

He starts to say no, that he's fine, but the roughness he can feel with every breath makes him decide against it.

"Water might be good. Please."

[gonna_live]

She isn't -- not immediately, anyhow, and she's a little flushed when she finally does smile.

And -- as before -- it's small and a little awkward.

[gabriel_tam]

"It truly is," he says, studying her carefully.

Injured, ill, and desperately weary... and yet, some habits are impossible to break.

[regan_tam]

"Of course."

Regan squeezes his hand gently, and sets it on the blankets before she rises. There's a pitcher in the corner, and an ice bucket, and several clean glasses.

Her smile fades when her back is turned. There's news she never wanted to hear, news she still keeps hoping is another nightmare, and at some point she has to tell it to him.

But not right this minute. Water; she can do that.

[gabriel_tam]

He settles carefully back against the pillows, and tries not to resent just how weak he still is, or how much effort it takes to move.

He hates this.

[regan_tam]

He never was a good patient. Even when he only had the flu, Gabriel was always restless, impatient to be well and out of bed.

If she thinks of it that way, it's more bearable.

One glass, two ice cubes, water poured three quarters of the way up: it's easy to be methodical. To be controlled. Regan settles on the edge of the bed this time when she returns, carefully avoiding his IV tube and the oxygen line.

Only a few days, but already she's grown practiced at judging when the bed needs to be raised or lowered, when he needs another pillow, how to sit to avoid jarring tubes or machines. She would hate it if she let herself think about it, so she doesn't.

[gabriel_tam]

He takes the glass carefully, and sips, just as carefully, then hands it back.

"Xiexie."

Gabriel smiles up at her, one side of his mouth quirking wryly.

"I'm sorry, Regan. This can't be at all easy for you."

[regan_tam]

"It's hardly your fault."

Regan sets the glass on the table, carefully, and smiles back with the same fond wryness.

"You just concentrate on getting well, ài rén."

[un_fallen]

A few days into Gabriel's stay when the security staff are less inclined to confiscate all cards from well-wishers on principle, a battered envelope addressed to the senator arrives. It says only:

Tam-Tam,

Looks like I owe you one.

-R

As though to drive home the point (assuming there is a point), the envelope also contains one wooden tile bearing the letter R.

[gonna_live]

"...somethin' happened to me once," she says finally. "A long time ago. Nothin' you ought to worry about, just -- it's a little serious to me. Is all."