Title: Serenity Comes to Those Who Wait Author: EvilGenius Summary: Simon babbles and gets some helpful advice. Pre-BDM, maybe after the infamous “cow in a jar” scene. Short one-shot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inara found him in the infirmary, slumped over a medical text and looking as though Mal had kicked his puppy. It was exactly the sort of thing Mal would do, she thought, if there were a puppy on board.

“It can’t be that bad, can it?”

At the sound of her voice, Simon jumped slightly. “Inara! I didn’t see you there.”

Simon rose from his stool, always the gentleman. Inara appreciated the gesture more than he would ever know. She smiled patiently at him, awaiting an answer to her question.

“It’s just…I’m not having the best of days.”

“Let me guess—you were speaking with Kaylee and it didn’t exactly go well?”

Simon collapsed slightly against the counter, relieved and a little mortified that someone else knew about the latest incident with Kaylee.

“I just babble like an idiot whenever I’m around her. I can hear myself saying the wrong thing, but I can’t seem to stop before it leaves my mouth.”

Inara smiled serenely at him. “Simon, do you like Kaylee?”

He looked somewhat taken aback by her question. “Of course I like Kaylee.”

“Let me re-phrase the question—do you have feelings for Kaylee?”

“I…” She thought his hesitation was sweet, for Inara already knew the answer to the question. “It’s so complicated. My life, now, here on the ship…and River…”

Inara interrupted him, “Simon, in many ways none of that matters. Your life has been irrevocably altered, but that doesn’t mean it has ended.”

“But…” he started to interject.

“No ‘buts,’ Simon. Once you admit that to yourself, I believe you’ll find yourself better able to speak with her; without putting your foot in your mouth, as it were.” She smiled warmly at him, hoping her advice would appease his anxious nature.

“I do seem to do that a lot, don’t I?” They shared a smile, both remembering previous interactions Simon had with Kaylee.

“Just talk with her as your friend and allow things to develop naturally. She only wants to spend time with you, Simon.”

Simon nodded seriously at Inara, already contemplating the idea that his life could continue in some normal manner, even in such an abnormal situation—and Kaylee was definitely the most normal part of his life at the moment.

“Thank you, Inara. You are very good at what you do.”

Her smile brightened, taking the compliment as it was intended. “You’re very welcome, Simon.” Turning to leave, she added mischeviously, “I believe Kaylee is working in the engine room right now.”

Yes, Simon thought, Inara is very good at what she does. He stepped out of the infirmary, certain for the first time that he could talk to Kaylee without babbling.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~