Disclaimers: Everything belongs to Joss, except for one character of my creation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “She’s certainly glamorous,” Alex remarked, watching Inara ascend the stairs and head toward her shuttle. They were parked on Verbena while Mal and Zoë met Inara’s contact. Alex had stepped into the cargo bay in time to see Inara return from making the introduction, clad, as she nearly always was, in a flowing gown and shawl, bracelets jingling on her arms. Kaylee looked up from tinkering with the mule. She was dressed in overalls and covered with engine grease. The contrast was so stark that Alex laughed out loud. Kaylee grinned at her. “Yeah, ain’t she the most beautiful thing you ever saw?” she agreed wistfully. “Such a romantic life...” Alex sat down on a shipping crate, chewing on a stray piece of straw she found on the floor. She was suddenly very aware of her own tee shirt, cargo pants and worn boots, and how decidedly unfeminine she also must look in comparison. “I still don’t get what she’s doing here,” she commented. “A luxury liner maybe, but...” She stopped, afraid she might have offended Kaylee, but that didn’t seem to be the case. “I mean, you guys are wonderful, and your ship is great, but, really; she’s pretty fancy for this.” Kaylee shrugged. “I guess, but she sure helps us get in places we’d never be able to go otherwise,” Kaylee said. “Plus, she’s just a really great friend.” “Did I maybe detect a little...something...between her and Captain Reynolds?” Alex asked slyly. “You picked up on that, huh?” Kaylee shook her head and said, half to herself, “And they think nobody can see.” “Let me guess,” Alex ventured. “One more thing your captain thinks he’s hiding that he’s not.” Kaylee laughed. “Yeah, pretty much.” Alex stretched out on the crate. “You were right about the nightmares,” she said. “I ran into him last night when I couldn’t sleep. He looked like hell.” “Yeah? Did you talk at all?” “Mostly about me and about the war; nothing about what’s eatin’ him.” She rose up on her elbows and looked at Kaylee. “What about Inara?” she asked. “I mean, if they’re...why can’t Inara get him to talk?” Kaylee rolled her eyes and wiped her sweaty face, smearing more grease. “’Cause it ain’t like that between ‘em,” she answered. “They’re too busy pretendin’ they don’t like each other.” “What a shame,” Alex said, lying back again. “Life’s too short for that crap.” “Yeah, don’t I know it,” Kaylee said softly. She looked a little sad. “The doctor?” Alex asked. Kaylee dropped her eyes. “He’s pretty fine.” “Yeah,” Kaylee murmured. “He is.” She assessed her greasy attire and sighed. “Too fine, prob’ly.” She sounded regretful. Alex patted her hand. “He likes you.” Kaylee looked up at her, eyes round. “What makes you say that?” Alex shrugged. “I don’t know...I can just tell.” Kaylee didn’t ask how Alex could tell, but she looked pleased as she went back to work on the mule. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Go to Chapter 10. Back to Chapter 8.