Mal had been arguing with Inara on the bridge just like every other night for the past 3 weeks. Inara was going on about how even when in the middle of nowhere, certain security measures needed to be taken. He stopped paying attention a long time ago. “Did you hear that?” Mal said. “Hear what?” “I thought I heard something from the engine room.” “Probably Kaylee’s attempt at singing.” “Let’s go check it out anyways.” * * * Simon awoke to the sound of a muffled giggle. He turned his head and noticed Mal standing in the doorway of the engine room and Inara was walking towards the hammock carrying a blanket. “You take care of her, she hasn’t slept in weeks. See you two in the morning.” Inara said. She started to head out the door. “If you hurt her I’ll throw you out the airlock!” Mal threatened as Inara grabbed his arm and hauled him out of the engine room.

“Don’t threaten him. At least he’s finally showing his feelings for her.”

“I ain’t saying it again, no gorram shipboard relationships!”

“Just because you are so unhappy being alone and can’t find a relationship of your own doesn’t mean you are allowed to ruin everyone else’s! Kaylee deserves this, she has waited so long for him to figure it out, leave them alone and get over yourself!”

Inara was almost surprised at how upfront she had been with Mal, but she was sick of him. If Simon could finally deal with his very noticeable feelings about Kaylee, than Mal sure as hell could say something to her.

“This is not about me! This is about Simon and Kaylee and the fact that Kaylee is to gorram good for that Core-bread fancified doctor!”

“You are so full of go se. It doesn’t matter if you think she is better than him, at least she’s happy, which is more than I can say for most of this damn ship!”

With that Inara stormed off to her shuttle.

“Huh.” Was all that Mal could say. * * * “Good morning cheerful travelers! We are going to land on Persephone in precisely around 3.5 hours approximately. And because the Captain hasn’t be gracious enough to let me in on his secret, I have no idea when we are leaving! Have a shiny day!”

That is what the entire crew of Serenity got woken up to. Kaylee woke up still in Simon’s arms. “Good morning.” Simon said. “Good grief, that’s the best I could come up with? Maybe River is right, I am an idiot!” Simon thought to himself.

“Simon! You’re needed up on the bridge. ‘pparently, Cap wants a word with ya. Probably has NOTHING to do that you just woke up in the engine room with our sweet little Kaylee.” Wash said over the intercom. As much as he didn’t want to get up, Simon was quite glad that he had an excuse to get out of the uncomfortable situation of his stupid comments. He didn’t want to put his foot in his mouth again. * * * ”What did you need Captain?” Simon said as he walked onto the bridge. “Care to threaten to throw me out the air lock again?”

“You were gonna throw him out the airlock and not let Jayne watch? Mal that’s just plain unfair!” Wash replied while waving around his dinosaurs to show the anger that Jayne would have.

“As you heard, we are landing on Persephone in a few hours. Persephone has more than a handful of Alliance feds, and plenty of folks who aren’t too keen on our crew. I think it best if you and River stay confined to the ship for the 5 hours we are planet side.”

“Alright, I needed to run some more tests on River anyways.” Simon left the bridge and almost ran into Kaylee who was starting to climb down into her bunk.

“Hey Simon, I have to get a new compression coil and some other parts for Serenity while on Persephone, wanna come with?”

“I would like to, but the Captain has decided that it is best if River and I do not leave the ship while on Persephone, and I regretfully agree with him, since it is the last place that I was seen.”

“Oh alright then” Kaylee gave him a huge smile.

“Do ya need any medical stuff while I’m out?”

“No, but thank you.” Just than, River started to walk by on her way to find Simon. “Hey sweetie. Do you want me to get ya anything while on Persephone?” River just looked at Kaylee and shook her head. “Ok you two. See ya in a little bit. I won’t be gone more than 3 hours once we’re on Persephone.” With that Kaylee ducked down into her bunk to clean up before going to get some much needed parts for her girl.

“Hi mei mei, how are you this morning?” Simon was concerned due to the odd look on his sister’s face.

“Go with Kaylee Simon”

“I can’t, Mal wants us to stay on the ship.” Simon replied.

“It doesn’t matter go with her.”

Simon just ignored River’s comments as another attempt of the people on Serenity trying to force a relationship on Kaylee and himself when he just wanted to take it slow. * * * Kaylee was wandering around the Eavesdown docks looking for parts that she could use to fix up her girl when she felt someone tap her shoulder.

“Hello Kaylee.”

Kaylee recognized the voice and turned around very slowly.

“You!” * * * Simon was sitting at the table in the kitchen having some tea when River walked in.

“Why aren’t you with Kaylee? I told you to go with her!”

“And I told you no, why does it matter?”

“She needs you! You have to find her before they do!”

“Before who does? Mei mei what are you talking about?” Simon started to get worried. He had promised Kaylee he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

“It’s too late. They found her.”