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[e_delmar]

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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[e_delmar]

He ain't sleeping (though that place between awake and drugged out of your fuckin' mind is a strange place close enough to it for Ennis sometimes) and he turns (his head, at least) over to the door and tries for a smile, though it probably lands somewhere short.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She slips inside, giving him a warm smile. She moves over to the bed and takes his hand.

"Hey, sweetie. I hope I didn't wake you up."

[e_delmar]

He lets her, and it's stopped bein' embarrassing after all this, with her coming and helping him and he shrugs a little and says nawp, couldn't sleep like it's the most normal thing in the world.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"Good. I wouldn't want to take you away from your dreams," she teases him, though her eyes are still serious.

She settles herself on the edge of the bed, still holding his hand.

"How are you feeling today? Any places that are particularly painful?"

[e_delmar]

Ennis grumbles a little and maybe it sounds like shoulder and maybe it sounds like nothin' and maybe it sounds like both.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

Inara's been working with him enough that she knows exactly what he means. With a pat on his back and a small shove, she gets him to roll over so she can start gently rubbing his shoulder.

"You know, if you weren't so stubborn, we could get to the point much faster," she remarks as she moves his shirt.

[e_delmar]

"Ain't stubborn."


Somehow, these words come out much clearer than the earlier ones, even as his eyes close and he relaxes under her hands.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

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?"

[e_delmar]

"More'n enough."

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

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"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.

[e_delmar]

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

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

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."

[e_delmar]

He shakes his head, eyes almost a little panicked.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

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..."

[e_delmar]

He shakes his head more, turning aside slowly.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"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.

[e_delmar]

"Ain't you."

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

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

"Okay."

She waits a moment.

"What is it, Ennis. Please."

[e_delmar]

"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.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

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

[e_delmar]

"Bone pain."

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

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

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

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

[e_delmar]

He looks up at her, blinking through the pain

(drugs)


and gives her half a smile.


"You know."

It's not a question, really.

[ff-ambassador.livejournal.com]

She looks at him. Nods.


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

[e_delmar]

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


"Ain't too long, now."