A/N: This chapter will see the return a few other baddies that seem to still want revenge, as well as some moments with Mimi!

Thanks to Leiasky for the beta.

***

A NEW BEGINNING, ch. 20: Specters of the Past

***

Stef grimaced violently and swore under her breath. Pulling the binoculars from her eyes, she sank down into her hiding place and let out a big sigh. So, not only was Mal a double-crossing, no-good, smuggler, he was now apparently a live-in babysitter to a bunch of snotty-nosed orphans.

Pulling her canteen out from her belt and taking a long swig of water, she tried to bury her disgust at having to wait, until Igor returned a few moments later, an equally annoyed expression all over his face. Scurrying in beside her, he looked at her and nodded once, “You were right. Those gorram kids are everywhere.”

Swearing again, Stef took another drink and tried not to pound her fist into the tree at her back. After having tracked Mal and his sorry band halfway across the known ‘verse, she had thought that once they found him on this backwater dustball, they’d have no problem taking him out. But as they’d waited and watched for the past week, they’d notice with increased dismay as he’d surrounded himself with all manner of children. And, apparently, a wife.

If that didn’t beat all get out, Malcolm Reynolds, married. Stef split out a wad of phlegm she’d been harboring and bit back another string of curses. She’d had it on pretty good authority that Mal had never and would never be married; but now this doxie he seemed to be so smitten with, had him wrapped around her little finger and it made Stef sick. It was always a shame, when a good, bad man like Mal went to being a bad, good man.

Igor watched her steadily while she worked through this range of emotions and then finally asked, “What’s the plan?”

Glancing to him, she said coldly, “We wait. I ain’t risking the wrath of a whole town if’n we manage to hit one of them kids in the crossfire.” It had never made any sense to Stef, but people always seemed a might touchy when little ones were involved in business dealings gone wrong. Besides, she had come to this private hell to kill Mal and survive, not get lynched by an angry mob in the process.

Nodding once, Igor asked, “Got any ideas how we’re gonna get ‘im alone?”

Grinning tightly, she looked back to her partner out of the corner of her eye, and told him coldly, “A family man, like Reynolds? Oh don’t worry, he’ll slip up.” Snorting derisively, she moved to rise and added, “Hell, he’ll practically kill himself.”

***

Simon had been in surgery for about six hours and the time was starting to wear on them all. Daniel and Rylee who had first been very patient, waiting quietly in the small room at the end of the ICU hall with their family, were soon bouncing off the walls, asking incessant questions, worrying about their father and generally annoying everyone.

Even as Kaylee tried to keep them under control, her own nerves, completely frayed despite Simon’s reassurances earlier in the day, made it impossible for her patience to last very long. Right before she would have snapped, River moved forward, her hand holding Jayne’s and touched Kaylee’s shoulder gently. “We’ll take them for a bit,” she told her sister, smiling warmly.

Kaylee reached up and squeezed her hand knowing how hard it must be for River to leave now, with Simon’s life in such a state of uncertainty. But she was so grateful. “Thank you,” Kaylee whispered, pressing a kiss to River’s cheek and reaching out to squeeze one of Jayne’s hands. “I really owe you,” she told him, and got the knowing smirk she had hoped for in return.

“All right you rugrats,” Jayne called, keeping his voice down. His tone and endearment got Rylee and Daniel’s attention, the latter pausing in mid-hop as he was about to catapult over a row of chairs, while the former paused in her effort to follow him.

Turning big eyes to their uncle, Jayne reached down and scooped up Rylee, tickling her in the process and getting a laugh. “Time to go.”

“Where?” Rylee asked quickly, the smile on her face moments before fading as worry entered her mind.

River moved to get Daniel and answered her, “Away. Your mom and grandmother need some peace and quiet.”

Bringing them back by Kaylee for goodbye kisses, Kaylee told them to be good and threw another appreciative glance to her family as she watched them exit the room. Once they’d gone, she slumped back in her chair, visibly relaxing.

Regan, who had been sitting next to her the entire time in silence, reached out a light hand and patted her knee gently. “You are wonderful with them, dear.”

Opening her eyes, Kaylee turned her head from where it rested on the back of the chair and regarded the woman. They had not really had time to talk, just her and Kaylee, since they’d met, and while Kaylee felt overwhelming anxiety at the thought of Simon lying unconscious on an operating table, she could not pass up this opportunity to finally speak with her mother-in-law.

Smiling to her, Kaylee lifted her head and shifted in her seat to face her. “I’m sure no better than you were with Simon an’ River.”

It was a kind statement, but not a true one, and Regan knew it. “Oh no, my dear, I’m afraid I was never quite that hands on with them.” With a sad smile, she turned back to face the blank wall across from them, her voice adopting a wistful quality that Kaylee instantly recognized; it was the same one Simon’s voice had whenever he thought on the past. “I was not the best mother, the most loving or caring. I could have done so many things so much better.”

The pain in her voice instantly made Kaylee’s heart go out to her. Gripping her hand tightly with her own, Kaylee waited until Regan’s tired eyes came back to her and said, “I’m sure they always knew you loved ‘em.”

Smiling again, Regan could see now, although she had suspected for the past few weeks, what exactly her son loved about this warm, energetic girl. She was a constant ray of sunshine, even in the worst of circumstances, and while she had no reason to want to befriend or comfort Regan, she did anyway, and that brought the older woman the smallest glimmer of hope.

Resting a hand against her cheek, Regan answered her quietly, “My dear, you are quite remarkable. I can see why my son loves you so much.”

Kaylee blushed at the compliment and pulled her gaze away, allowing it to wander to a far removed time. “I love him, too,” she told her quietly, almost to herself. With fresh tears forming, she continued, “I’ve loved Simon since the moment I met ‘im.”

Regan felt a new kind of anxiety spring in her heart and she knew what had caused it – guilt. Guilt at what she had done to this poor girl so many years ago in the name of love for her son. “Kaylee,” she intoned, her voice a bit stronger than before.

Blinking away her tears, Kaylee turned to face her, and then Regan continued, “I wanted to apologize to you.” When Kaylee’s brow furrowed, Regan smiled again at the innocence that filled her face and explained, “For taking Simon away. Especially while you were pregnant with Daniel. I can’t imagine the pain you suffered and I just wanted you to know how truly sorry I am.”

More tears filled her eyes at the horrible memories Regan’s words conjured and Kaylee pulled her hand away from her grasp, waving it in front of her face in a gesture of nonchalance. “Nah, don’t worry none ‘bout that,” she told her, fighting to keep her voice steady. Rising, Kaylee paced away from the woman, hugging her arms around herself and staring out the window at the back of the room. While Greenleaf was a lush and verdant planet it was also subject to quick and torrential rains, which is what Kaylee was confronted with as she gazed out at the darkened sky. “That was a long time ago,” she murmured, wishing she could dismiss the fear and anxiety that had just increased tenfold in her gut.

Rising quickly, Regan felt terrible for causing the child more grief. “Oh, I’m sorry, Kaylee, I didn’t mean to upset you so.” Pausing for a moment, Regan finally added, “I’m just so glad that you and Simon found your way back to one another. He deserves to be happy and loved and I know that’s what you bring to his life.”

“I do love him,” Kaylee told her intently, turning to again face the woman. Her eyes pleading with Regan to believe her words, Kaylee continued, “He is my whole world, Mrs. Tam and there ain’t nothin’ I wouldn’t do for him or our kids.”

With an understanding smile, Regan moved forward and placed her hands on Kaylee’s shoulders. “I know, dear,” she told her.

Kaylee held her gaze for a moment more and then did something that completely surprised Regan, she hugged her, tight. Wrapping her arms around the girl, Regan told her, “And you can call me Regan dear. You’re Mrs. Tam now.”

Smiling, Kaylee pulled back, her eyes dancing at the sound of her married name. “Yup, I have been for a while,” Kaylee confirmed, and then, wrapping her arm around Regan’s waist, walked the two of them towards another set of chairs that faced the window. Settling down, Kaylee bit her lip, uncertain as to whether or not she should ask her next question. But deciding, it couldn’t be helped, Kaylee turned to her mother-in-law and started hesitantly, “Regan, I gotta ask you a favor.”

When the older woman turned a bemused expression to her, Kaylee felt brave enough to continue. “See, it’s gonna be Danny’s birthday in a couple o’ days and … well …” Kaylee trailed off, not at all accustomed to asking for help.

Smiling wide, Regan placed her hand over Kaylee’s and said warmly, “You don’t need to say anymore.” With a new light twinkling in her gaze, she leaned her head towards Kaylee’s conspiratorially and asked, “What do you need?”

“Uhmm,” Kaylee stammered, feeling even worse for taking advantage. But she had started this, so she might as well finish it. Smiling shyly, she said quietly, “Everything?”

Laughing, Regan nodded, and then pulled her personal comm from one of her deep pockets. “Well, then, we’d better get started,” she told her daughter-in-law. Rising the device to her lips, Kaylee watched in awe as she began making arrangements, and felt her body relax just a bit. Glad she had not let her pride get in her way, she and Regan began planning, falling into a comfortable rthyhm that neither woman had been expecting.

***

River watched with a bemused smile as Rylee and Daniel made messes of their faces and the table with the ice cream sundaes she and Jayne had managed to bribe them with. As night was quickly approaching, the hospital’s cafeteria was nearly empty and so the two children had run to a booth across the room, staring out at the rain and playing with their cold treats, while River and Jayne sat at a table across from them.

And while River was watching them, Jayne was watching her. She could feel his intense gaze, the way his eyes roved a continuous pattern across her face, trying to read her reactions, trying to gauge her mood. Finally, when she felt his anxiety threaten to overwhelm him, River pulled her gaze from her niece and nephew, and reached across the table to cover one of his big hands with her own. “I’m fine,” she told him simply, meeting his concerned stare.

Frowning slightly, he shrugged and looked back to Daniel and Rylee. “I know,” he mumbled, not at all liking the fact that River had just read his mind. Jayne had been feeling more than a little useless these past few days, and he had hoped that maybe if he could just muster up the courage to ask his wife if she was all right, he would start to feel like maybe he was helping her. But of course, River had beaten him to it, and now, he felt even worse.

Smiling at his concern, River circled the table and took a seat in the chair next to him, shifting it close so their knees were touching. Her proximity got his attention, and he turned to face her, his expression unreadable. “I am, Jayne, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

Sighing heavily, Jayne lowered his gaze to the tabletop and muttered, “Yeah, well whether I gotta or not, I still do.”

Placing a light hand to his cheek, River waited until he had again met her gaze and then told him, “I know this has been miserable for you, and I’m sorry. But I’m really glad you’re here. I’m so glad you came, because the truth is, I wouldn’t be okay if I had to go through this alone.” Her eyes were shining with a few tears as the truthfulness of her words really hit home. She had been trying to deny her own fears over the past few weeks, focusing instead on her mother, Kaylee, Simon, Daniel and Rylee, that now, when she really thought about it, she realized how devastating all of this could have been for her if Jayne, her rock, had not been by her the entire time.

Shrugging a bit, Jayne pulled back from her and leaned against his chair. “I ain’t done nothin’,” he told her.

Grasping both his hands in hers, River met his blue eyes with a fierce look and admonished him, “That’s not true, Jayne Cobb and you know it.” Knowing he still wasn’t convinced, River rose and sat firmly in his lap. Placing her hands to the sides of his face, she lifted his head to meet her gaze and said, “You know I need you and this whole thing, with Simon and my mother-” She paused as she felt the intensity of the emotions she’d been trying to ignore start to creep in through the protective wall she had placed around her heart. Jayne noticed her distress and brought his hand up to her cheek, wiping away a single tear that had fallen with his thumb. Smiling weakly at him, she said, “This whole thing has just been … unbelievable.”

Feeling more tears coming that she knew she would not be able to fight, River buried her face into his neck and whispered, “I just love you so much, I’m sorry that these past few months have been so awful.”

Rubbing her back, Jayne let her cry for a moment, before he again pulled her back and gazed into her beautiful face. “Now you listen to me, baby girl,” he told her, leaning forward so their foreheads were touching. “You ain’t got nothin’ to be sorry for. I love you, and as long as you still love me than we got everythin’ in the ‘verse we could ever need.”

Her lip trembling still, River whispered, “But the baby …”

“Wasn’t meant to be,” Jayne reminded her, stifling his own sob at the memory.

Nodding once, River swallowed thickly and then kissed him, long and deep. Jayne ran his hands up her back, fisting them in her long, soft hair as she sobbed against his mouth, before breaking the contact. Wrapping her arms around his neck, River again held him tight, and murmured, “I’m scared, Jayne.”

“I know, baby girl,” he whispered back, holding her to him. “I know, but we just gotta be hopeful. It’s all gonna work out.”

River nodded even as they both heard a quiet voice ask them, “Aunt River, you okay?”

Turning, River saw Rylee’s big brown eyes regarding her with concern, and she reached down to kiss the girl’s cheek. “Yes, baby, I’m fine.” Squeezing her hands, she said, “Go finish your ice cream.”

Looking between River and Jayne, Rylee’s expression turned from skeptical to resigned, and with a barely audible sigh, she turned and headed back to the table. River watched her for a minute, until Jayne wrapped a strong arm around her waist, pulling her to him. “I miss Cadie,” she sighed, as she ran her hands over his arms.

Burying his face in her neck, he murmured, “I know, darlin’. So do I.”

***

Inara was in the middle of preparing lunch for her family, when Marie entered the kitchen, a bright smile on her face. Turning at her entrance, Inara saw her grin and had to return the infectious expression. “Is there something going on I should know about?” she teased the older woman.

With an even bigger smile, if that were possible, Marie turned to her and said, “There’s a wave for ya.”

Her eyes widening, Inara rushed towards the living room where she saw Mal already sitting in front of the blinking screen. As she joined him, he rose to give her his seat. Noticing that he too was smiling, just like Marie, Inara felt her heart soar for the first time in weeks.

Looking to him, she whispered expectantly, “Kaylee?”

Nodding towards the screen, he pressed a kiss to her hair and said, “Why don’tcha take a look and see?”

Biting her lip in anticipation, Inara flipped the switch and was immediately greeted by her best friend’s shining face. Feeling tears of relief forming, Inara sat up straighter and said, “Oh, Kaylee. It’s so good to see you? Is everyone all right? How’s Simon?”

Kaylee started to blink back her own tears as she saw the concern and love on Inara’s face. Nodding enthusiastically, she said, “Oh yeah, ‘Nara, everythin’s fine. Simon just got out of his second surgery couple o’ hours ago and the docs said he should be right as rain in no time.”

Leaning back against her husband, Inara grasped the hand he had rested on her shoulder and squeezed it tightly. “Oh mei mei, that’s wonderful.”

Filled with such relief, Inara instantly felt tired, the adrenaline that had been coursing through her receding now as she realized her friends would be okay. Noting her sudden weariness, Mal picked up the conversation. “How’re the kids?”

Kaylee rolled her eyes a bit and actually giggled, bringing wider smiles to her friends’ faces. “Bored, but whatda ya expect?” Leaning forward a bit, Kaylee dropped her voice to a whisper and teased, “No matter what Simon says, hospitals just ain’t that fun.”

They all laughed at the joke, the shared sound making them grateful for so many things. Collecting herself, Kaylee asked, “Everybody all right there? We kinda left in a hurry,” she finished sheepishly, frowning as she considered the amount of damage they had left behind.

Before Mal could even form a response, Inara let her eyes drift back to the screen, a sudden thought occurring to her. “Cadie misses River,” she told her friend quietly, noting the sympathetic expression that filled Kaylee’s eyes. “Will you tell her that? Cadie’s been having a pretty rough time. It might help if River gives her a call.”

Kaylee nodded once, a small smile lighting her face as she thought about what this news would do to her sister. She knew River was missing Cadie as well, although she had definitely been preoccupied enough with Simon’s injuries to force that pain to the back of her mind.

“I will,” Kaylee answered, looking back to her friends. “You tell that lil’ one to hang in there and we’ll be back just as soon as we can.”

Returning her smile, Mal told her, “Don’t you worry, mei mei. We’ll keep an eye on her. You just focus on Simon and his recovery and those little ones o’ yours.”

Kaylee smiled her thanks to him, the expression doing more to lift Mal’s spirits than anything else. Continuing to inquire after his crew, Mal asked, “How’s Simon and River’s ma? She behavin’?”

Grinning, Kaylee answered proudly, “Yup. Everybody’s been on their best behavior.”

Cocking an eyebrow in her direction, Mal asked, “Even Jayne?”

Chuckling just a bit, Kaylee nodded and affirmed, “Even Jayne.”

Whistling slightly through his teeth, Mal allowed a grin to light his features. “So, you mean all we gotta to do to get Jayne to act all civilized is bring River’s ma around?” Looking to Inara whose eyes were laughing right along with his, he looked back to Kaylee and asked, “You think she’s lookin’ for a job? ‘Cause I’m thinkin’ I might have place for her on Serenity.”

All three of them laughed outright at this thought, the idea of a woman of the stature and class of Regan Tam taking even one step on their beloved ship, causing them to giggle until their sides hurt. Glancing off to the side of the screen, when Kaylee turned back to regard them, her eyes were dancing with newfound joy. “Look, I gotta get goin’. Simon’s ‘sposed to be up soon and I wanna be there.”

“Of course, mei mei,” Inara told her. “Please give our love to Simon and the children.”

“I will,” Kaylee assured her, sharing one more brilliant smile and then ending the call.

Inara sighed as soon as the screen went black. Turning to face Mal, he lifted her up and into a tight embrace. Wrapping her arms around him, she allowed herself to relax for the first time since Simon had been shot.

“See,” Mal whispered into her hair as he held her tightly. “I told ya it’d all work out.”

Not even able to form a scathing retort, Inara just sighed again and held her husband tighter.

***

From their ship, a few miles from where Mal and his crew were staying, Igor and Stef had managed to hack their way into the cortex screens, looking for any clue as to when they might finally be able to lure the hundan out of hiding. It had been four days since they both had decided to wait to make their move, and now Stef was getting impatient.

But, with a satisfied grin, Stef swiveled away from their ad hoc screen and began to pace, a nice, neat plan forming. Igor regarded her for a minute and then finally, cocking his head back to the now empty screen, asked, “So, we going after the lady?”

Smiling wickedly, Stef whirled on him and nodded once. “Yup. If there’s one thing Mal can’t resist it’s a damsel in distress.” Crossing her arms over her chest, her plan began to solidify and she added, “Especially when it’s his damsel.”

***

There was a lot of noise; that was what Simon registered first. Not necessarily bad or jarring noise, just a low din, tinged with excitement and hushed tones. And he wondered why it was all concentrated in his hospital room.

He had been in and out of consciousness for a few days now, his second surgery behind him and he felt that this time, as his mind and body again came back to the real world, that he would finally be awake and alert for a decent amount of time. And he was glad; he had only been able to speak a few words of comfort to Kaylee since he’d come out of the OR and through his drug-induced fog, he could remember the fear and concern that had consumed her face every time he’d awoken and subsequently fallen asleep again.

Hoping he would be greeted with her beautiful face when he opened his eyes, Simon fought to raise his lids. He was not in quite as much pain as he had been the last time he’d awoken and that brought him a bit of hope. He still had no feeling in his lower body, but he knew it was too soon to start panicking; plus, he needed to speak with Doctor Michaels about his prognosis.

Blinking open his eyes, the room was bright, and while he was used to the muted blues and grays that normally greeted him, as he brought the details around him into focus, he noticed the inclusion of reds and yellows and greens. His eyes took the scene in and forced his brain to make sense of it, even as he finally registered that the noise he was hearing was the sweet sound of Kaylee, River and his mother talking animatedly amongst themselves.

And completely ignoring him. Trying to work his tongue around to speak, he finally managed a shaky, “Hey,” which whirled Kaylee around in an instant. Dropping the brightly colored streamer she was holding, she was by his side quickly, her face full of excitement. Kissing him, she grabbed his hand and leaned down over his face directly in his line of sight.

“Hi sweetie,” she murmured, her hand falling into his hair and running through it soothingly. “How ya feeling?”

He smiled weakly at her and managed, “Okay,” before again shifting his gaze to look around the room. He now saw that the new colors were from balloons and streamers that his mother and sister were still working diligently to hang as Kaylee sat with her husband.

Furrowing his brow, he brought his eyes back to Kaylee and asked, “All this for me?”

She giggled a bit and Simon closed his eyes against the beauty of the sound. Kissing him again, she waited until he had again blinked open his baby blues and told him, “No, silly. It’s Danny’s birthday today. He’s gonna be so excited you can celebrate with ‘im.”

Simon’s sluggish mind registered her words and the realization was followed by a slow build-up of guilt. When Simon and Kaylee had been reunited, so many years ago, his remorse at not being there for the birth of his son caused him to take Daniel’s birthday each year very seriously. He always tried to do something special for his son, and he felt terrible that this year Daniel would have to settle for a party in a hospital room, with his father barely aware of his surroundings.

Blinking back tears, Simon reached out for Kaylee’s hand, and she took it, still running her fingers along his brow, her gentle, fluttering touch bringing him immense comfort. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I’ll have to tell him I’m sorry.”

Kaylee could hear the hurt in Simon’s voice and her eyes immediately filled with tears. Leaning closer to him, she whispered against his cheek, “No you don’t, sweetie. I know how you always try and do somethin’ special for ‘im, but he’s just gonna be glad you’re awake.” Her breath was warm against his face, and Simon wished his muscles would cooperate enough to let him reach out his other hand and touch her cheek. Kissing him before she again straightened, she said, “Besides, we’re all together. That’s the most important thing.”

Simon smiled at her, still amazed by her optimism and brightness in this dark time. Looking over her shoulder as River struggled with a particularly large and brightly colored banner, he said tiredly, “Hey, go easy on that would you? Decorating has never been a strength of yours.”

Throwing him an annoyed, little sister look, River finally tacked the banner to the wall and then came to stand behind Kaylee, whose face conveyed her confusion at the comment. Crossing her arms over her chest, River looked between her brother, who was actually smirking at her, and her sister and then finally addressed Simon. “How was I supposed to know that Halloween decorations would not be appropriate for Christmas?” When Simon’s only response was to chuckle, she gave him her best “you-are-such-a-boob” look, sticking her tongue out at him, as she said, “I was only two.”

“Yes, dear, that’s right. And the jack-o-lantern with the santa hat was the hit of the neighborhood,” her mother added, moving up to Simon’s other side. Looking to her son, she squeezed his hand as River let her gaze move between the two of them.

“Oh, I see how it is,” she told them both, her eyes lighting as she continued to enjoy their easy banter. “You two are going to gang up on me, aren’t you?” As Regan and Simon shared another amused gaze, River huffed, “Well, fine. Maybe I’ll just tell Kaylee about your first girlfriend.” Simon’s eyes widened, even as River rethought the threat and amended, “No, maybe I’ll tell Jayne.”

His grin immediately disappearing, Simon gave his sister a look with no real malice and said seriously, “That’s not even funny.”

At that all four of the adults burst out laughing and it was to this merriment that Daniel, Rylee and Jayne returned. As the big mercenary pushed open the door and Daniel stepped into the room, he did not even acknowledge the “Happy Birthday” banner or the pile of presents his grandmother had collected. Instead, he shot over to his father’s side, struggling to get up on the bed, until Regan leaned down and picked him up to place him next to Simon.

Throwing his arms around his father’s neck, Daniel let out a huge sigh of relief and said, “You’re awake.”

Simon hugged him back, suppressing the grimace he felt as he moved his arms, the still healing muscles in his back shifting as well, and shared a knowing look with Kaylee over his son’s shoulder. Rylee had made it around the edge of the bed and stood in front of Kaylee now with her arms outstretched. Reaching down, she hefted the girl up and into her arms, pressing a kiss to her forehead, before sitting with her on the edge of Simon’s bed.

“I am, buddy,” Simon affirmed. Kissing his cheek, he said to him, “And just in time.” When Daniel pulled back to give him a confused gaze, Simon smiled and said, “Look.”

Turning, Daniel’s mouth dropped open and his eyes widened, as he finally took in the brightly colored decorations and the gifts. Turning back to his father and then his mother, he smiled widely and breathed, “You ‘membered.”

Both of his parents felt tears forming as they considered the fact that their son thought they could forget his birthday. Clutching Simon’s hand in her own, Kaylee told him, “Of course we did, baby. We ain’t gonna forget your birthday.”

From where Rylee sat, playing with the ends of her mother’s hair, she stuck her tongue out at her brother with a knowing look and said, “See? I told ya.”

Grinning sheepishly, Daniel murmured, “Yeah, you did.” Glancing around again, his eyes alighted on the stack of presents, more than he had ever seen, and he looked back excitedly to his father. “All those for me?”

Regan answered this question, moving forward and telling him, “Most of them, although there are a few for your sister.”

At the knowledge that there were presents, most likely toys, for her in the room, Rylee scrambled down off her mother’s lap, almost beating her brother to the pile. River and Jayne followed the two knowing that in their excitement, they had both probably forgotten they wouldn’t be able to tell their gifts apart.

Kaylee shifted to watch them, her eyes brimming with tears of joy at their obvious delight. Simon squeezed her hand and she looked to him, noting the varied emotions in his eyes and face. Regan watched her grandchildren as well, so glad that she had been able to make this day special for them both.

Clearing her throat, Kaylee finally looked to Regan whose eyes were still locked on the squealing children across the room, now buried up to their waists in discarded wrapping paper. “Thank you,” she said, getting the other woman’s attention.

Waving away her gratitude, Regan told her, “They’re just things, dear. The most important gift is that you’re all together. You were right about that before.”

Simon smiled at his mother as well and added, “That’s true, mother, but they’ll remember this day and they’ll remember those presents. Things we never could have afforded to buy them. We appreciate all you did to make this a special day for them both.”

Smiling sadly, Regan told them, “I wish there was more I could do. I’m not trying to buy their affection, you know,” she added hurriedly, hoping that her son and daughter-in-law were not hurt by her ability or her desire to buy their children treasures. “I just …” She trailed off again and returned her gaze to them, smiling. “At this point, I’m afraid it’s the only grandmother-ly thing I can do.”

Kaylee stretched her hand across Simon and squeezed one of Regan’s. Smiling at her, she said, “Don’t worry. My mama spoils ‘em somethin’ fierce too.” Looking again to where Daniel was now playing with quite an expensive toy, she turned back and said, “’Course, ain’t with nothin’ so fancy, but she stills spoil ‘em.”

Regan smiled at her kind words, and then looked again to her son. She found that his eyes had drifted to where his son and daughter now played contentedly with two of their many new toys. Resting a light hand against his shoulder, Regan asked him, “Simon, dear? Are you all right?”

Simon drew his gaze back to his mother and smiled wanly at her, even as River made it over to the bed, standing at Regan’s side and smiling at her brother. “It was a long time ago,” she told him, obviously knowing the cause of Simon’s current melancholy.

Nodding once, he sighed and said, “Yes, it was.”

“It was a good day though,” River told him, reaching out and taking his hand.

He nodded again, even as Regan and Kaylee exchanged confused expressions. Turning to her daughter, Regan asked, “What day?”

Looking again to Simon, she waited until he had nodded his consent before addressing their mother, “My last birthday, before I went to the Academy.” Her voice was quiet and soft, and she turned her head to take in Rylee and Daniel playing together – not an easy feat for two small siblings.

Returning her gaze back to Simon’s, she blinked back a few tears as she saw his love for her reflected in his eyes. “I was so excited when you waved and said you would be coming home,” River started. Glancing to Kaylee as she sat next to her mother, River explained, “Simon had just started his residency at the hospital and he was working so many hours, we rarely saw each other.” Simon smiled sadly as River again looked to him and continued. “But then my birthday dinner came and went, and my parents sang to me and cut my cake and no Simon,” she said quietly, shrugging slightly.

“Oh, I was miserable,” she confessed, looking to her mother, who nodded quickly. Reaching up and pushing some of River’s hair off of her face, Regan agreed, “Yes, you were. Inconsolable, I believe is the term.”

Kaylee glanced to Simon as this new information came to light and saw a renewed sadness in his eyes. Squeezing his hand gently to let him know she was there, she got a light squeeze from him in return, but he kept his eyes locked on his sister.

“So, what happened?” Kaylee asked gently when River fell silent.

Smiling big, River looked up and blinked back the tears she had let form. “You tell,” she ordered, nodding to Simon.

Clearing his throat, Simon continued, “Well, I got home really late, I’d been called into surgery. I knew River would be asleep, but I felt awful about missing her celebration and I knew she wouldn’t have found my gift to her.” Simon smiled knowingly, having always enjoyed the fact that just once, he had outsmarted his sister. Rolling her eyes at him, she let him continue. “So I went and woke her up and took her up to the roof of the house.”

“Which was not an easy climb, in the middle of the night, by the way,” River chimed in, smiling now. “And there was my gift from Simon, a telescope I had been desperate for for months.” River’s eyes glossed over a bit as she recounted the memory.

“You loved the stars,” Simon added, watching as she smiled again.

“That’s because they dance,” she told him. “We stayed up so late, stargazing and talking and laughing.” With a sigh, River finished, “It was the best birthday I ever had.”

Simon reached out his hand and River took it gladly, squeezing it. Regan looked between her two children and then finally let her eyes settle on River. “I never knew that,” she told her.

River pulled her eyes from Simon’s and shrugged in her mother’s direction. “You never asked.”

Regan digested this statement, as Kaylee stared at first her husband and then his sister. All those weeks ago when she had ordered Simon to put her and their children first, she had known what an incredibly hard request that would be for him. He had always put River first, her needs far outweighing those of anyone or anything else. But she had believed at the time it was a necessary step, a decision he had to finally make and so she had said hurtful things, demanding his loyalty and undying devotion, thinking that was the only way she could ever be certain of his love for her and their children.

But now, Kaylee understood that despite her reservations regarding his divided loyalties, her husband was even more loving, had an even bigger heart than she could have ever guessed.

Because he loved her and the kids enough to risk his life for them and he loved his sister enough to do the same. Simon’s devotion was not mutually exclusive and Kaylee was just beginning to understand that. With fresh tears welling in her eyes, Kaylee knew she would not be able to keep them in, her foolishness at her behavior again plaguing her. Rising quickly, she backed away from the bed and said hurriedly, “Excuse me,” before walking hastily from the room, ignoring Simon’s calls to her and her children’s confused queries.

Once outside, Kaylee sank into a chair a little ways down the hall, again feeling ashamed at her behavior. How could she have ever questioned Simon’s devotion? How could she have ever questioned his love for her? And how could she ever have accused River of trying to manipulate him?

Feeling completely awful, Kaylee let her head fall into her hands as more tears came. She didn’t know how long she sat there, but as she cried quietly, she did not hear the approach of River’s footfalls, so she jumped slightly at her light touch against her shoulder.

Turning watery eyes up to River’s smiling face, Kaylee wiped her cheeks quickly and said, “I’m sorry.” The meaning was two-fold and River knew it.

Kneeling in front of her, River wiped some of her tears away too and said, “That’s okay. He just can’t come after you himself, so he sent me.”

Kaylee smiled, guessing that Simon was probably pretty agitated at her sudden departure. Moving to rise, she said, “We should get back then.”

“In a minute,” River told her, keeping her hands on her knees and gazing intently into her green eyes. Kaylee held her look, knowing that her sister was probably reading her mind, and although Kaylee’s cheeks flamed red at what she would discover there, she knew she was powerless to hide it.

Smiling at her again, River placed a hand to her cheek, and said, “Not your fault.”

Inhaling sharply, Kaylee whispered, “Yes, it is River. I know Simon don’t think so, but he’s on a lot of medication right now.” River nodded once, knowing that was the truth and waited while Kaylee continued. “And once he comes ‘round an’ really thinks ‘bout all that happened, he’s gonna realize it was me who got us into this mess.”

Sighing, River tried to think of the best way to convince Kaylee she was being idiotic. Finally, she looked to her with bright eyes, and said simply, “You’re being a boob.”

Slightly taken aback at the accusation, Kaylee blinked quickly and asked, “What?”

River chose her next words carefully and finally addressed her friend and sister. “What happened to Simon was an act of revenge. The whys and hows don’t matter anymore. Keller would have tracked us all down eventually.” Pausing, River tried to think of the best way to explain this next part knowing that Kaylee needed to comprehend her bond with her brother, but also needed to know it could never overwhelm his bond with his wife.

Taking her hands, River said, “And you were right, about me and Simon. He’s held on too long and I’ve let him.” Kaylee blinked rapidly as more tears came. “And I’m sorry that our inability to see beyond our past has hurt you so much. I never wanted that and I know Simon didn’t.” Nodding, Kaylee swallowed past the lump in her throat, still feeling terrible.

“Kaylee, the truth is, there was a time when Simon and I were so close you couldn’t tell us apart. You saw some of that when we first boarded Serenity. It’s a bond we’ve never been able to explain, but it’s always been there. Maybe it’s because I’m a reader or maybe it’s because Simon has cared for me from the minute I was born.” River let her voice trail off, shrugging as she realized she would probably never know what had caused them to be so inseparable.

Locking her brown eyes onto Kaylee’s green ones, River told her sternly, “And that bond with Simon, it’s never going to go away.” Sighing heavily, Kaylee nodded resignedly and let her gaze fall to her lap. So, that was it then.

River peered into her face and told her just as firmly, “But that bond, it pales in comparison to the one you have with my brother.”

Kaylee’s eyes snapped up, wide and questioning as River’s words sunk in. “No, River,” Kaylee breathed, not willing to believe it. “That’s not possible. I haven’t known Simon or loved Simon half as long as you have.”

“But you have,” River told her, wondering if Kaylee would be able to accept her next statement. Knowing how big her heart was, she guessed so. “You’ve always loved him, it just took you a while to find him.”

Kaylee started to cry the tears she’d been forming hearing the truth to River’s words. Throwing her arms around the girl’s neck, she sobbed against her and River held her back, rubbing circles along her back, trying to calm her. “I’m so sorry, River,” Kaylee hiccupped, her breaths coming in shaky gasps, between sobs. “Please forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” River told her. “I’m always going to love you like a sister.”

Kaylee cried a bit more and then finally pulled back, her eyes red and puffy. “And I love you,” she told her, trying to bring her raging emotions under control.

River smiled warmly at her and said, “I know.” It was her maddeningly easy tone, the one she affected normally to Simon when he told her something she had puzzled out hours before him.

Returning the smile, they sat with each other in silence for a moment, until Jayne poked his head out from around the door. “Hey, you two best get back in here or Simon’s comin’ after ya.” Sharing knowing smiles, both girls rose and headed back to the room.

Kaylee entered first and as River passed her husband she pressed a light kiss to his cheek. Smiling at her, Jayne’s eyes lit excitedly as he asked, “Ain’t there ‘sposed to be cake?”

***

Just a bit more fluff to get us to some more angst! Please, leave a comment!