gabriel_tam | (no subject)

It had been a relief to leave the hospital at last. Gabriel had argued bitterly with the doctors about the chair they'd insisted upon, and compromised far enough to allow himself to be wheeled as far as the door. There-- in full view of the media's uncompromising eye, the reporters watched even more carefully in turn by a grimly determined security team -- he'd pushed himself to his feet and walked the few steps to the vehicle, waving once to the cameras before settling into his seat behind the now-tinted, bulletproof windows.

No one but Regan had seen just how much strain it had put on him.

Still, it's good to be home, even if things in New Mayfair aren't exactly the same. Gabriel's study is upstairs, as are his and Regan's room and the guest chambers.

It had taken them all less than a day to realize how much of a problem this would be. As a result, Gabriel Tam has been settled temporarily in the downstairs den, which has been hastily converted into a combination sleeping room and makeshift office, appropriately fitted for a recovering patient.

He hates it. He hates all of this, but there are times when a man simply has to make do with what he's got, and this would seem to be one of them.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Just like everything, nowadays.

"I am sorry. That all this happened."

Just in case he doesn't hear it directly from anyone else.

"Look at it this way, though -- if anyone didn't think you were serious 'bout keepin' this new business on the right track, keepin' on after somethin' like this should kill that notion pretty quick."

"Xièxie nĭ, Captain."

There's a quiet sort of sincerity to his tone, and he nods to Mal.

"I expect you're right about that. In any case, I certainly have no intention of giving up now."

"Good."

Beat, and it's an uncommon stutterstep in his voice when he adds, "Magine...a lot o' folk might well be disappointed, if they saw someone else backin' out on them."

He hears it, and it takes Gabriel a moment to come up with the right words.

"It would be hard, I'd think, to trust a second time."

"Hard enough the first time 'round, really."

He nods.

"I placed my trust in those who didn't deserve it, Captain, and in doing so I walked away when I shouldn't have."

A beat of silence, and when he speaks again his words carry the weight of diamond-hard determination that backed his campaign and his work thus far.

"I will never again fail those who depend on me by turning away from what I've promised to do."

A wry half-smile, and he adds lightly,

"It's even in the oath of office."

"Seems a common enough error, Senator."

There are always such a tempest of events swirling around Mal and folk close to him; nothing's ever calm. Smooth.

For a stunned second, Mal wonders if Kaylee followed in Gabriel's example, and he doesn't elaborate on his earlier statement.

"...Mal's fine."

There's a flicker of startled surprise, but then Gabriel smiles again, and there's real warmth in it.

"Mal, then. And I'll hope you'll make it Gabriel, in turn."

"...Maybe."

When he feels like it.