Kaylee gave a delighted giggle as Simon uncovered the coup de etat of the dinner they had just shared. She didn't know how he had managed to get so much actual food out here in the black, as they usually ate just reconstituted protien for... well, everything. So, she was surprised when Simon had asked her to have dinner in his room. What was perhaps the most surprising was that he hadn't messed up yet. Maybe she was finally gettin' to him. Now, she sat with him around the small table, a now empty plate in front of her, and like wise with him. And now... strawberries. Six of the succulent fruits lay in the little box in front of her, and she had to restrain herself from taking it all. Afterall, strawberries were her only lust... 'sides Simon, but she ain't been able to sate that as of yet... but soon, she hoped. With a little luck. Or, if he didn't mess up again. Well, so far he hadn't, which was a good sign. And, as he split the strawberries 'twixt them, she found her mind wandering. Namely, to the way his muscles flexed under his rather tighter than normal shirt. Suited her fine. She absently stuck a strawberry in her mouth, biting down as she continued to watch the swai doctor move about. She bit down on the succulent fruit, and juice spilled from out of her mouth and dribbled down her chin. She swallowed the half in her mouth and put the rest down, then began casting about for a napkin or a towel. She was embarresed to no end by that. He must think her a terrible slob! And then, he was in front of her, a smile on his face and a handkercheif in his hand. He gently dabbed away the juice from where it was on her chin. She smiled. "Thanks." His smile widened. "No problem. Anything for you." "Anything?" She echoed, her eyebrow arching dubiously with skeptecism. He moved a little closer. "Anything at all." Now or never. This may be her only chance to... well. "Simon?" "Yes, Kaylkee?" They were so close now. "Kiss me." Such a small, simple statement. But his answer to it had the power to make her realize her dreams... or shatter them irreprably. He didn't speak. He just moved in closer still. He hesitated for a moment. Then, he leaned in, brushing his lips to hers. Then, he sallied forth, and met her head on, lips meeting, kissing passionately. Her lips opened to her questing tounge, and their tounges fenced inside her mouth. He slowly lowered her to the floor. The food was forgotten. Even the strawberries. Her hands worked feverishly at his shirt, and his arms crushed her to his chest. The shot broke the silence of the outside. Simon slumped in her arms, dead. She screamed. No one answered. Then, Jubal Early stepped into the room, in the same suit as last time. His gun was still smoking. He was smiling down at her. He was still smiling as he kicked Simon off of her, a bullet to the doctor's brain. "Hello, little girl. remember me?" Kaylee only wimpered in terror. "I came back to finish what I started. I threatened to blow the doctor's brains out if he crossed me, and I did. I also said I would violate a pretty young mechanic after that. Remember?" Kaylee was too afraid even to squeak. He looked contemptuously down at Simon's forlorn and broken body. "Too late, always too late. Always-" "-Too late, Kaylee, too late. Coulda shoulda woulda, but too late." River started skipping around the room, chanting that little mantraa, Jubal's red suit fitting her perfectly. Kaylee screamed. *** "Kaylee? KAYLEE!!!!!!" Simon shook her into wakefullness, a primal terror in her eyes. Someone was coming through the hatch, and she tensed. But it was only Mal. Her Cap'n. Simon's arms were still on her shoulders, and concern was etched onto his face. "Kaylee, whats wrong?" Tears welled in her eyes, and started to run down her face. She flung herself foreward, embraccing Simon, crying on his shoulder. He didn't say anything. He just held her close, giving her all the support he could give her.