Fandom: Firefly Characters: Kaylee, River Prompt: Truth For: jade_plume Title: Fair Trade Rating: PG I guess Summary: Kaylee wants to know about Simon’s feelings Word Count: 479 Warning: My River is…well I suck at River, let’s just put it that way. So if she sounds off, well my apologies.

Author’s Note: Not Betaed, all mistakes are my own

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Kaylee stood in the doorway and watched Simon leave the lounge as Mal called him away. Now was her chance. Moving across the room to the couch, Kaylee took a seat next to River, pulling her keens up to her chest and looking over at the younger girl. “Hey Riv,” she smiled.

“Kaylee,” River smiled back.

Kaylee looked past the genius to make sure Simon was gone before she looked at River again. “So…..?”

“Won’t talk,” River said simply. Kaylee’s face fell and she let out a groan, burying her face into the couch cushion for a moment. “You’re frustrated,” River said, concern touching her voice.

“I guess I am. I was just hopin’ if there was anyone he would open up to, it’d be you,” Kaylee sighed, lifting her head back up. “Nothin’? Really?” River shook her head and Kaylee leaned back, pouting for a moment. Simon was to most confounding man she’d ever met.

“Well he wasn’t even curious who left him that apple?” she asked.

“He knew,” River shrugged.

“You didn’t!” Kaylee exclaimed, straightening.

“Not hard to figure out the truth. Didn’t need me to find out.”

“I’m goin’ just ‘bout crazy tryin’ t’figure that man out. Me and him are getting’ along like no one’s business one minute and the next he’s like this whole other person who’s gotta be so proper he don’t even wanna look at me like I’m a woman. Which I am. Ain’t like I’ve never been sexed by a man,” Kaylee sighed.

“Didn’t need t’ hear that,” Mal said, as he entered the lounge. He paused, shook his head, then continued on through the lounge and towards the passenger dorms.

“Ain’t like you haven’t seen it,” Kaylee shot back, blushing a little at the memory, but quickly moving her thoughts back to Simon. Mal covered his ears and left, Kaylee just turned her attention back to River. She shouldn’t ask her this, she knew she shouldn’t. It wasn’t any of her business knowing what was going on in Simon’s head, but it was just killing her not knowing.

“Do you know, River?” Kaylee asked, chewing on her lips nervously. River smiled.

“Not my secret to tell,” she said.

“What if I give you an apple?” Kaylee raised an eyebrow at her. River’s eyes lit up a little.

“The Barter system is a type of trade where goods or services are exchanged for a certain amount of other goods or services.” River paused. “Two apples.”

“I only have two left!” Kaylee cried out.

“I know,” River smiled.

“Two?” Kaylee asked dejectedly.

“Truth is expensive,” River said simply.

“I’ll say,” Kaylee grumbled. “Fine, two apples. Now tell me, does Simon like me?”

“Thinks you’re nice, but likes the captain better,” River smile. Kaylee’s eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open a little.

“You mean t’ say…?”

“I mean to say,” River nodded. “Apples please.”