trans_9 | The Battle That Ended The Century

As a crew member on board Serenity, you learned to be stubborn pretty quick. Had to have something to occupy yourself with during the long trips between planets, after all, and what better way than to out-stubborn the rest of the crew?

Right, so he's sitting. Makes it easier to check the leg without having to worry about him trying to walk away. At the mention of germs, though, Kaylee attention refocuses on Jamie's face instead of his leg.

Alright, you couldn't always win the stubborn battle.

With a not-unchildlike huff, Kaylee settles down in the seat next to Jamie, injury toward him, but her hand still over it. "I told ya, Billy cleaned it up earlier, it ain't hardly worth fussin' over." Which isn't exactly true, given that the area around the wound is swollen and red, and the mechanic herself isn't exactly cool to the touch. That she could get away with saying it was the tank, just as she could pass clammy hands off as water from the rain before.

"If it'll make you feel better, you can take a look, alright?" With a roll of the eyes, Kaylee removes her hand and waits, directing a mild glare at Jamie's leg.

"Aye." It would make him feel better, even if he wouldn't say so out loud. Jamie studies the wound for a moment, looking to see if there's any red lines streaking outward from it. He might not know the words 'blood poisoning', but he has seen his fair share of musket and sword injuries before. He knows if those lines are there, it's begun to fester.

While he looks, his hands are busy untying the knotted fabric around his neck. It would have been easier if he had been wearing the little silver slide that he likes - but that generally leaves more of the neckerchief visible. Since most of the fabric's turned in on itself, it's relatively clean. Not completely clean, though, and Jamie frowns thoughtfully. If Billy's dressed it once, it shouldn't be too bad, especially since she's been rained on since losing the rag.

But...maybe it would be better if he could put something else between it and the wound. Lacking any sterile dressing, he decides to improvise. Taking his knife from it's sheath, he cuts - with some effort - a piece of the plantsuit from his leg. He knows it does something to help with wounds, but isn't sure exactly what. It might be more sterile than just the cloth, too.

His leg, under the plantsuit, is a mass of bruising. Some of it is a little older looking, but there's a lot that's relatively fresh. One very dark and nasty looking bruise is right on his shin, and that may have very well gone down to the bone. He glances over at Kaylee, and shrugs.

"Like I said, there are people who are worse off." He turns a little and offers out the piece of plantsuit. "Do ye think ye can hold that in place while I cut up the neckerchief?"

The skin around the wound is swollen, and definitely red, but it doesn't look too bad, at least from Kaylee's perspective. The bullet itself disappeared with the nightmare, so at least she hadn't had to worry over trying to dig it out. More than anything, one of the first things Kaylee needed to do once this was all over would be to get it cleaned out and stitched back up.

She's not thinking about that right now, though. No, she's frowning instead at Jamie pulling the neckerchief off. Unfortunately, there really isn't anything she can offer up instead. The rags from her bag have gone to other things--drying Billy's hands so he didn't keep electrocuting himself, cleaning things up, binding the wound the first time around.

Kaylee pouts, slumping back against the back of the seat, and for the first time really does look like she's about to cry, from frustration if nothing else. It's replaced fairly quickly, though, as Jamie cuts the piece of plant suit away from his leg.

"Niu shi, Jamie, that don't look like nothin' to me." She's half out of her seat as he hands her the patch, and she presses it up against her arm uncomfortably as she looks over the bruising on his leg.

Jamie's not worried over the loss of a neckerchief - he's got more than one to spare. He made sure of that once he realized he had money left over after his present-shopping spree back on the alternate Earth. Maybe someday he'll be able to replace that vest he was so fond of, as well.

The thought's a fleeting one, though, as he's busy slicing the cloth into strips he can knot together into a longer bandage. He glances up as Kaylee half-stands, wondering if he should point out that if she's going to insist on standing he's going to have to get up as well. And judging by the way she's reacting to his leg, he'd never hear the end of it.

"Well," he admits finally, "I may not be dancing for a wee bit after this. If Billy hadna..." He realizes about halfway through that sentence what he had started to say, and changes tack rather abruptly. "Would ye mind sitting back down? I'd rather not stand up if I didna have to, aye?"

It's times like this Kaylee really wishes she was a doctor, and not just a mechanic. Some of the things she'd seen Simon do for people were amazing, and if she had that knowledge she could have at least helped make Jamie's leg feel better.

Her train of thought is interrupted by the Billy comment. Kaylee blinks, and looks back at Jamie, brow furrowed. "If Billy hadn't..." She won't push him to finish it, but she's curious. One of the Nightmare King's tricks, she hopes, and nothing more than that.

"Ah, sorry 'bout that," comes out as a half-laugh, and she sits back down, though her eyes are still pretty well focused on his leg.

Kaylee was liking this Nightmare King less and less...

Kaylee's not the only one wishing that they were a doctor at this moment. All Jamie can really do for Kaylee is try and tie the makeshift bandage into place firmly enough that it won't slip off. He's as gentle as he can be, all things considered, but there's bound to be some jarring even so. Hopefully he won't hurt her too much in the process.

He's silent for a moment while he works, then says quietly, "If Billy hadn't managed to help me out of my nightmare, it could have been worse." It's not exactly what he had started to say before, but it's also true, in its own fashion.

There's one final knot tied. "I hope that'll hold for ye, Kaylee. I'm no much of a doctor."

The winces can't be helped, though Kaylee does eventually turn to look at the control panels on her other side so they're less noticeable. Still, not as bad as it could have been, so she's grateful for that much.

"Glad he was there to help, then." It sounds enough like Billy, and there's enough truth behind Jamie's voice that she isn't going to doubt it.

As he finishes, she looks back at her arm, appeased as she can be. "Better'n I'd've been able to manage if I'd done it on my own," she smiles. "Thanks, Jamie. 'Fraid 'M not sure what we can do 'bout your leg, though, 'cept keep you off it." A hard thing to admit, considering how stubborn she's been up to this point. "Hopefully we'll meet up with some folks who know their stuff soon."

Jamie rests his hand on her shoulder for a moment longer, trying to give her some sense of comfort without actually causing pain in the process. He tries for a smile, but it's a little strained at first. "Och, I wish it didna have to be done at all."

He doesn't like the idea of his friends being hurt, and the fact he caused Billy pain - even if he wasn't in his right mind at the time - bothers him. At least with Kaylee, he feels like he did something positive, even if it was a small something. The smile turns more genuine, then fades as he looks down at the bruising. The plantsuit is starting to grow back from where he cut it, and he reaches down to flip the other piece back into place so it'll seal together faster.

"Aye, I suppose you're right about the leg." He hesitates for a moment, then admits, "I'm glad ye came along when ye did. I'm not sure how much longer I would've been able to keep moving on it." He glances up at the open hatch thoughtfully. "How much longer do ye think would be safe here?"

Edited 2010-03-12 08:43 (UTC)

It's comforting enough, a good reminder that everything will turn around for the better soon enough. They always did, even when it felt like you were about to crash and burn. Another valuable life lesson, that, even if some people did tend to look down on Kaylee for keeping on with the optimism. It certainly wasn't lost on Jamie.

With the realization that there's not to much to be done about his leg just yet setting in, Kaylee settles back with a small huff. It isn't until Jamie expresses his gratitude that her smile comes back. "Glad I found you, too. Gives me a good bit of company, if nothin' else."

As for time...Kaylee stares up at the hatch for a moment before getting to her feet. She stands directly under the open hatch, listening, and when she doesn't hear much in the way of noise she cautiously climbs up the short ladder and peers out. "Everythin' looks pretty quiet for now," she says back down to Jamie. No sounds that shouldn't be there, no moving shadows. Even so, she feels a whole lot better once her head is safe inside the tank again. Been around Jayne too long to know how good a person's aim can be. "We should be alright for a bit."

"Aye, I'm grand company," Jamie mutters to himself while Kaylee's up checking the hatch. He glowers at his leg for a moment, but is just too tired to work up a good bout of complaining - for now.

At least it seems like they'll get a chance to decompress a little - and that is a relief. He nods as she comes back, then carefully shifts his leg into a slightly better position, wincing a little as he does so.

Now that they're here, and safe, for the moment, what to talk about? He could ask her what happened with her nightmare, but then he'd have to talk about his, and that would lead back to Evil Billy. And he really isn't sure he wants to do that until he's had a chance to fix things with his friend.

Instead he asks, "What do ye want to do, once this is all over? Besides sleep, that is." Because he's pretty sure sleep is going to pretty much be the number one option for most - if not all - of the crew should they get through this.

"You're shiny company," Kaylee assures him. She's shared a boat with Jayne for how long? Those little mutters get easier and easier to catch when you've got to listen to a mercenary mumble under his breath about the captain every day.

If there's one thing to be said about the tank, it's that it isn't exactly uncomfortable. There's enough room to stretch out some, especially given that it's just the two of them sharing the space, and that makes all the difference between hiding cramped and cranky and hiding with somewhat less irritable tank-mates.

An answer to Jamie's question takes some thinking. There are plenty of options to that list, some of which Kaylee would like to experiment with sooner rather than later, but mixed company and all. Response isn't delayed so much by thinking up an answer as it is editing that answer to fit the particular situation a bit better.

"'Sides sleep? S'pose there's a lot I wanna do. Get everybody together for another shindig, for one. Think we deserve that much after all this. Got any special plans, yourself?"

There's a 'Hrmph' from Jamie, his face suggesting for a moment that he isn't entirely convinced of that, but the expression clears soon enough.

"I was thinking of doing that wee little bit of Scotland...I mentioned that to ye on the bitty computer, aye?" He's been thinking about it, and 'wee bitty computer' seems a bit redundant for the Omnicoms. It's not that small. So maybe 'bitty computer' works better. He's trying it out to see how it sounds, even though 'Omnicom' is just as easy to say. Jamie does like his own names for things.

"But I had wanted to dance, and, well..." He gestures at his leg. "I don't know if I'm going to or not, I guess."

It doesn't matter if Jamie's convinced of it or not. Kaylee is, and that's plenty enough for evidence that it's the complete truth.

"It could wait til you're healed some, and 'M plenty sure the wait'll make it all that better when we finally get to it. 'Less you wanna do more'n one installment of it." She wouldn't mind that so much, either. The more she can learn about people, the better. If there's more than one Wee Little Bit of Scotland she might get to know that much more about Jamie.

"We can find somethin' else in the meantime, though. 'Wee Little Bit of Whatever We're Feelin' Like This Week.'" Her imitation of Jamie's accent is terrible, and she ends up just giggling at herself. Yep, sticking to Space Drawl.

"Your accent's a wee bit muddled, lass," Jamie says, trying to sound serious - and failing. The amusement in his voice is pretty obvious. "But ye have a point. It can wait, aye?"

Speaking of parties, he's curious about something. "Did ye have something in mind for what type of setting ye want for your shindig?" As turn about is fair play, the last couple of words are done in an approximation of Kaylee's 'Space Drawl'. He's had some practice with imitating accents, and while it's not as dead on as when he does the Doctor, it's not bad. However, it still needs work, so he doesn't maintain it long.

There's a bit of a grin on his face as he adds, "That is, unless it's a secret and ye canna tell me."

"Aye!" And there she goes again. If there is one good thing to be said about the situation, it is that at least they can both keep a decent sense of humor about them. Makes it better for everybody.

She only laughs harder at his attempt at her accent. "Pretty good, that one. Might have to teach ya some Chinese next, see if you can't manage that." It would make for good, quality (or not) entertainment, that's for sure.

There's a pause as she thinks the question over, before she shakes her head. "Don't got any set theme in mind, no. Somethin' enough to lighten up everybody's moods a bit. Good, lighthearted fun. We've been lackin' in it a lot lately. If you've got any ideas, though, I'd be happy to hear 'em out..."

It probably would be rather funnier to Kaylee than it would to him. Jamie has an idea he'd get awfully frustrated with that awfully fast. "Aye, well, maybe," he says. "We can talk about that later."

Whether or not he actually brings up the idea of learning Chinese ever again is debatable. Locations for the shindig are much more palatable, and he turns his attention towards that instead.

"Well, ye could..." He breaks off suddenly and goes quite quiet, motioning for Kaylee do so as well. He picks up his stick and uses it to push himself up so he can hobble over and listen at the hatch.

Kaylee's a decent teacher for it, and patient enough, so it might even be a possible idea, but she'd only really teach him a couple basics. Hello, thank you, all that good stuff. She won't push if it never comes up again, though.

She's all ears, in any case, for his ideas on party themes, and has already stopped her giggling by the moment he starts speaking. It isn't too hard, then, for her to fall completely silent and look at Jamie with mild--alright, so maybe it's a little more than mild--worry.

As Jamie limps forward, Kaylee slides around him to get back to the front of the tank, though she pauses between the driver's seat and the hatch to watch and listen. It's all well that Jamie's down here listening, but if he tries to climb that ladder...well, she doesn't know what she'd do. She's honestly too scared, at this point, to want to stick her head out of the tank to look, but she also doesn't want Jamie hurting himself more.

Cross it when you get to it. For now, wait.

He doesn't try to climb the ladder - he just listens. In the silence, a low hum of a plane can be heard, and the occasional explosion as it drops its payload on targets below. After a few tense moments, the sound fades as the plane takes off in another direction.

Jamie lets out a breath in relief. "I thought that flying beastie might be heading this way." He's very glad to be wrong.

However, the incident has caused him to focus more on their surroundings and the fact that safe is really only a temporary situation, right now. He bites his lip and looks over at Kaylee. "I think we may need to move soon. How much longer do ye think we'll be able to use the tank?"

Kaylee's been in this situation before, ducking around mountains and under ice bergs to get away from the enemy, only to find them trying to bomb you out. She's not sure if it's better to stay put or go, but if they are trying to flush them out...

"Give it a bit, maybe more'n that." They'll be watching and waiting, and suddenly Kaylee's not so sure the tank is the best thing to be keeping around at this point.

She shakes her head. How frustrating. "Dunno how much she's got left--gauge is busted. I could check it from outside, though." If it's worth keeping it, they can. If not, she doesn't know what they're going to do.

Jamie frowns. "I don't know if I like the idea of ye going out there by yourself," he says, eying the ladder. If they're trying to flush them out, there's a possibility that they may also be sending in group troops as well. It's really not safe for her by herself. Question is, can he convince her to let him go, too?

"I'm coming with ye," he says - and yes, there is that hint of that stubbornness in his voice again. Round two of 'Who Can Out-Stubborn The Other' coming up!

Oh, this again. An eyebrow raises, and Kaylee's face hardens some. Of course it wouldn't be as easy as that. Her eyes go down to his leg, then back to his face.

She shakes her head. "Might not like it," she replies, hands on the ladder to head out, "but there ain't a way 'M lettin' you up 'n down this ladder with that leg. If we're leavin' for sure, then yes, but if it's just back 'n forth, you're stayin' put." She's halfway up before he can say any different.

"Look, Kaylee..." But she's already halfway up the ladder. His eyes narrow just a little. Okay, we're going to play it that way. Jamie folds his arms against his chest. "Fine. Ye go, then. I'll stay here." He does not look pleased about this at all.

He hobbles over to the nearest seat. If his leg was better, he'd plunk himself down into it. As it is, he seems to be carefully moving his leg so he can sit without pain. And, for some reason, this seems to be taking him an awful long time. Longer than before.

Unsure of whether or not she's glad he didn't stop her, Kaylee continues up the ladder and out of the tank, ears and eyes open for anything. The outside of the tank isn't so slippery now, and there's only minor stumbling as she gains her footing and makes her way to check the tank.

She's all but positive there has to be someone nearby, and she's as quick as she can in checking before ducking back toward the hatch and trying not to scramble down the ladder. Instead, she calls down to Jamie, "'Bout half full."

Jamie had been keeping an eye on Kaylee as she made her way up the ladder, and continues his "attempt" to sit down until he's sure she's all the way outside.

Once he's certain of that, however, he quickly stands back up and makes his way over to the ladder, fully intending on sneaking his way outside and making sure she's safe. The Doctor has problems keeping Jamie from doing things like this - there's no way Jamie's going to let Kaylee keep him from following.

He's actually managed to make it partway up the ladder itself when Kaylee's face appears in the hatch and Jamie is well and truly caught. Oh well, he thinks, when she starts yelling, at least she doesn't know his middle name. He doesn't think she does, at any rate.

She should have known better, really. Men and their gorram sense of honor. It was nice, really, most times. Kaylee's not exactly a fighter, and there's been more than one occasion where she would have gotten herself into plenty of trouble if somebody else hadn't been there to help.

It doesn't stop her from glaring at Jamie some. "You're s'posed to be sittin'," she says simply. No yelling. Even when she's mad at Mal or Simon, she doesn't yell.

If she did have anything to add, though, it's broken off by shifting rubble not too far off. Kaylee freezes, a panicked look toward the noise, before she slides around to the opposite side of the tank from where it came from. "Might not wanna bother with the tank," she whispers, though she's not sure Jamie can hear her.

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