e_delmar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Ain't nothin' but a normal room. Pretty one, too, if'n you don't think too hard on what's goin' on in there. Ennis' sleeping more now, at least -- the drugs help with that -- but he's still awake a lot (and damn grumpy about it, too. But he ain't no less grumpy about the sleep, neither).

But he's there, and at least that's something.

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Inara snorts lightly. "Yes. And a sheep doesn't have wool."

She moves over on the bed to get a better angle on his shoulder. "Have you had a lot of visitors lately?"

"More'n enough."

He says it, but it's more pleased than snippy.

"People can't help it, Ennis. They like you, and I think you like them, even though you might try to deny it."

She finds the knot that's developed just under his shoulder blade and goes to work on it.

He opens his mouth to protest, but then her hands move, and instead he gasps in a breath, pulling his face in tight.

She lightens up her touch, but doesn't stop.

"I'm sorry, Ennis, but if I work this out, you will be in less pain."

He shakes his head, eyes almost a little panicked.

She sees the look and stops, removing her hands and leaning down to look at him more closely.

"Ennis, what's wrong? I know it hurts, but..."

He shakes his head more, turning aside slowly.

"Ennis. Ennis, please tell me what's wrong."

When he doesn't turn back around, she gets up and moves to the other side to face him.

"Ain't you."

The words are low, almost can't hear 'em.

"Okay."

She waits a moment.

"What is it, Ennis. Please."

"Pain's part of it."

And it don't make sense, maybe, outside of his head, but it's all he's got breath for at the moment.

She waits, reaching out to gently rub his back, like she would a baby, not realizing that she's holding her breath.

"Bone pain."

Is all he says, and maybe he's been spending too much time with River.

Inara's not a doctor, but she knows that can't be good.

She nods, and keeps rubbing, hoping he'll say more.

He looks up at her, blinking through the pain

(drugs)

and gives her half a smile.

"You know."

It's not a question, really.

She looks at him. Nods.

It's a moment before she can speak.
"How long?"

A shrug, again, and that hiss of breath as he winces.

"Ain't too long, now."

She sighs and reaches down to take his hand, squeezing it tightly. She really can't speak now.

Ennis squeezes back. It ain't too hard, what he can do now, but it's somethin', and he hopes it helps.

"I'm so sorry, Ennis."

She knows it's stupid and pointless, but she has to say it.

He looks at her, a little surprised, and shakes his head.

"Have...has what I've been doing helped?"

"Yeah," is all he says, but the real answer's more'n you know.

There's a pause, and Ennis swallows around a dry throat.

"Can't help everything."

She nods, understanding.

"Who all knows?"