After Serenity was on a set course and in the black, Mal and River left the bridge one heading to the passenger dorms and the other the common room. But before Mal left to far he turned back to see River waiting for him to say something.

“I just wanted to tell you that I’m proud of what you did back there.”

River smiled slightly. “I couldn’t watch my family die.”

“I know that Simon is the only family that you have, and don’t want to see him hurt. Just know that you are a valued member of this crew lit’Abasstor. I don’t want to see you hurt.” Mal then turned and walked away in the opposite direction. But River didn’t move.

“You’re wrong you know.” Mal stopped and looked back again. River continued, “Simon isn’t the only family I have left.” You, Inara, Zoë, Jayne, and Kaylee are my family too. And Serenity…” She placed one hand on the ships wall. “Serenity is my home now. I’m going to protect my family and home.”

She then smiled at him while he gave her a small smirk in understanding.

“Get to bed little one. It was a long day for everyone.”

She nodded. “Okay daddy.”

She then turned a left Mal standing there watching her. He let out a laugh at the title that she gave him as a member of her family. He then went to turn the lights of in the common room. When the lights were dimmed he noticed that the lights in the engine room were still on.

Slowly, so not to startle Kaylee, he headed into the dirty room. Glancing around he didn’t see her at first and was about to dim the lights when he heard a banging sound come from under the engine. Moving future into the room to get a better look he noticed that there was a pair of work boots hanging out from under the engine. Crouching down to look under the big machine, he watched the grease stricken face of a mechanic tinkering with wires.

Kaylee glanced out of the corner of her eye to see who was watching her. At first she thought that Simon had come in to talk to her more about what they had discussed before the funeral. So when she heard the footsteps approach her she didn’t acknowledge them. Then she took note of the red shirt that the person was wearing.

‘Simon doesn’t own a red shirt.’ She thought to herself.

Tilting her head to get a better look at the person she finally noticed that it wasn’t Simon at all but her Captain.

“Hey Cap'n.” Kaylee said quietly.

“Kaylee, what are you still doing up?”

“Couldn’t fall to sleep yet. Too much to do to my baby.”

Mal walked around the engine until he was standing right in front of her feet. Bending down her grabbed her ankles lightly and pulled her out from under the big machine.

“Look lil’ Kaylee, ever since you joined this crew I came to think of you as my little sister. And to see you sad breaks my heart so much that I can’t help but do anything in my power to put that smile back on that face where it belongs. I know it’s going to be strange not having Wash or Book around anymore but they wouldn’t want you to lose your brightness. You’re the one thing on this boat that people look forward to each day to help them go through another day.”

“Thanks Cap'n but it’s not just that.” She looked down at her dirty hands.

Mal sat down next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Then what is it mei mei?”

“It’s Simon.”

“Gorram I told that boy if he hurt you I would kick his ass out of the airlock.” Mal stood up and was about to stomp his way to Simon’s bunk but was stopped by her hand.

“You don’t even know what I was about to say.”

“Doesn’t matter. If he can make you stop smiling like that he needs a good ass whopping.”

“Cap'n please sit back down and let me talk to you. I need to get this out. Besides he didn’t do anything. It was me.”

Mal sat back down. “Oh.”

“When we were fighting the Reavers, Simon had told me that he regretted not being with me. In more then just a friend way…But when it was over I figured that he had only said it because he thought that we we’re about to die. And when we didn’t die, I was scared that he would tell me that it was all a big mistake and break what was left of my heart.”

“Did he tell you it was a mistake when he saw you earlier?”

“I didn’t let him. I gave him an out. I wouldn’t be able to stand it if he turned away from me again.”

Mal looked as though he didn’t know if he wanted to help and get on Simons side or go with his non shipboard romance side and tell her it was better that they not start anything. After Zoë and Wash started dating and then marring he didn’t want any more romance on his boat. Even though the marriage worked he was scared that some other romance on his boat would crumble and he would lose members of his crew. But he knew by the way that the doctor was talking that he was in love with Kaylee and that he would not hurt her. Looking at Kaylee’s hurt face and the tears that threatened to spill over he knew what he had to do.

“Lil’ Kaylee, you know that I don’t like ship board romances but since that doctor came aboard this boat I noticed that he has taken a real liken to you. And since I’m a gambling man I will bet that he even loves you.”

Mal stood up and grabbed her hand.

“I want you young lady to go to that infirmary and get that doctor to clean and fix up that cut on your head and I also want you to let that man tell you what he wanted to say earlier without stopping him.” Looking straight into her eyes he finished. “Dong ma?”

Kaylee looked down for a moment deciding if she was going to lie to her captain or tell him the truth. Looking back at him she nodded her head.

“Yes Cap'n”

Kissing her forehead he headed out of the engine room. “Goodnight lil’ Kaylee.”

“Goodnight Cap'n.”

TBC