F: Duty

[edenbound]

Fandom: Firefly
Pairing: Simon/Kaylee
Warnings: Angst
Rating: G
Summary: What must be done. For fic_on_demand.


"Got to sleep sometime, doc."

Simon looked up. His eyes were dark with fatigue, but he shook his head. "I need to keep watching over Kaylee."

Mal raised an eyebrow. "Anythin' likely to change in the next seven hours or so?"

"No, but -- "

"Good. I'll sit here and keep an eye out if you insist, but I need my medic fit an' ready for anythin'. Not so exhausted his eyes must be falling shut whenever nobody's looking. Dong ma?"

"Captain, she's my wife."

"And Zoe is Wash's wife. You ever noticed that gettin' him the right to sit around starin' at monitors?" Mal folded his arms across his chest and gave Simon his best no-nonsense, captainy look. "I know you're the doc, but I also know you're not doin' anythin' terribly important, and that someone else can sit and stare at monitors, and wake you if something goes wrong. And with your doctory skills, that ain't like to happen. I can understand not wanting to sleep, but right now it's your duty to get some sleep and be fit."

"Captain -- "

"This ain't a conversation, Simon," Mal said, but he put a hand on Simon's shoulder and squeezed. "I don't care if you have to drug yourself to do it, but go and get some sleep."

Reluctantly, Simon nodded. He opened his mouth to say something more -- some advice, maybe, about the myriad flashing lights and wires connected up to Kaylee. Maybe one last-ditch effort at protest. Mal cut him off.

"If anythin' starts beeping, you'll be the second to know. You have my word. Now go to bed."

Comments

[edenbound.livejournal.com]

You don't need to know specifics for the purpose of the drabble. Obviously she's ill or had some kind of accident.