A/N: This chapters are a bit longer than my typical, so I hope you enjoy the extra angst!

Thanks to all who have been reading and commenting - I'm thrilled to see so many new folks leaving feedback! Keep it up ... please!

And thanks again to Leiasky for all that she does.

***

Best Intentions, ch. 4

***

Kaylee awoke slowly the next morning, feeling the softness of the mattress beneath her naked body and wondering for the briefest of moments where exactly she was. Blinking her eyes open, she rolled onto her side and into Simon’s arms as he slept and realized she didn’t rightly care where, as long as she was with him.

A few hours later, she was again awake and this time she was alone. Sitting up slowly and wiping the sleep from her eyes, Kaylee turned her head towards the room’s wall of windows and watched the sunlight stream in through the floor to ceiling panes of glass, the warm patches of yellow light pooling onto the floor.

Listening, she heard the sounds of the shower and was about to join Simon when abruptly the water stopped running and a few minutes later he stepped back into the bedroom, rubbing a towel over his hair, another one wrapped around his waist. Grinning wickedly at the sight of his bare and still damp chest, Kaylee rose onto her knees and crawled to the edge of the bed, her bare body now completely visible and waited for Simon to remove the towel from his face so he could see her. When he did, she giggled slightly as his eyes widened and then narrowed, filling with desire.

Without a word, he walked towards her and kissed her good morning, his body still warm to the touch from the hot water that had washed it clean. The humid feeling warmed Kaylee as well, inside and out. As she deepened their kiss, Kaylee trailed one hand down his chest and tugged gently on the towel at his waist, smiling when it fell to the floor and she could feel Simon’s length pressing into her thigh.

But before they could have anymore fun, Simon broke the contact, pulling back and reaching for the towel. “Kaylee, it’s late,” he told her, standing again and reaching for her hand. “We need to get going for the day.”

Pouting, Kaylee made no move to change, and simply tugged on his hand gently. Sinking back into the mattress she fixed him with her most sultry look and glanced longingly to the empty bed. “Don’tcha wanna stay in this big, comfy bed all day?” Her eyes lighting devilishly, she added, “With me?”

Groaning as Simon again felt his body responding to her beauty and her wiles, he leaned down to press a chaste kiss to her lips and said, “Do I ever.” Backing away, Kaylee was again left to pout as he moved to change. “But that would be impolite. We are the Serra’s guests.”

With a sigh, Kaylee knew she had lost this battle, but deciding that she still had a good bit of the war in her favor, she rose and moved up behind him, wrapping her arms over his chest and pulling him back to her. Pressing a hot kiss to his neck, she murmured, “All right, you can make it up to me later.” With that, she kissed him again, and then pinched his backside as she moved to the bathroom to shower and change.

When she’d again emerged, Simon was gone and she figured he’d already gone downstairs. Double checking her appearance, she was again wearing one of Inara’s outfits, this one a pale pink dress with a matching shawl, Kaylee smoothed her hair and hesitantly made her way downstairs, finding the dining room from the night before without too much difficulty.

As she approached the room, she heard the sound of easy laughter and smiled a bit as she recognized Simon’s chuckle. He so rarely laughed, it was a sound that always brought a smile to Kaylee’s lips. Entering the room, Simon noticed her immediately and stood, moving to her side and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“Now, see?” he murmured into her ear, as he took her elbow and guided her into the seat next to his. “If you’d been wearing that this morning, I would have stayed in bed all day.”

Flashing him a supernova smile, Kaylee sat and then greeted the Serras. They were both regarding her with a bit more kinder expressions than the previous night and Kaylee hoped that maybe the evening before had just been a fluke, the reaction of two very proper people who had been surprised to meet not only her, but Mal. Maybe they weren’t so bad after all. “Mornin’,” she said brightly, as Simon again resumed his seat.

“Good morning,” Edward intoned, motioning to his side. A servant appeared immediately and with another flick of his hand, he sent the young woman to Kaylee’s side.

“Can I get you something, miss?” the girl asked, even curtsying slightly as she asked.

Her cheeks flushing at being waited on, Kaylee made a move to rise as she said, “Oh, I can get my own breakfast. Just point me towards the kitchen.”

Simon reached for her hand and squeezed gently. When she had brought her eyes to his face, she watched as he shook his head slightly and Kaylee swallowed hard as she again sat down. From the other side of the table, Liliana told her, “Nonsense, dear. We won’t have a guest of ours waiting on herself. Just tell Josie here what you’d like and I’m sure she can get it for you.”

Smiling bashfully at the young woman who was probably no older than Kaylee herself, the young mechanic looked to Simon’s plate and saw the eggs and toast there. “I’ll have some o’ that,” she said, pointing hurriedly. “And some orange juice, if’n you got it.”

“Of course, miss,” the young maid said, before turning and hurrying out of the room.

An awkward silence filled the room, the sound of silverware clinking against china the only other noise. Finally, it was Liliana who spoke. “Did you sleep all right, Kaylee?”

Smiling again, Kaylee looked to Simon a bit disappointed when he didn’t share her knowing grin; sleeping hadn’t exactly been the most important thing on their minds last night. Sexing each other in that huge, fluffy bed had. Looking back to Lili, Kaylee answered, “Yes, ma’am, I sure did. I ain’t never slept in a bed quite so fancy ‘fore.”

Smiling patiently at the girl, Liliana wondered if she’d be able to keep her own promise to herself. She had resolved last night, after supper, that if she and Edward were to have any chance of getting Inara’s life back on track, which of course meant her daughter would marry this very handsome and young doctor they’d just met, then Kaylee and Mal would have to be dealt with. Edward had already agreed to help her with Mal, so Liliana had dedicated herself to dealing with Kaylee. She only hoped she had the patience to entertain and subsequently humiliate this simple girl before she died from boredom and disgust.

Thankfully, Josie reentered at that moment, placing Kaylee’s food down in front of her. The young woman’s eyes lit with joy as she took in the plate and letting out a squeal that apparently Simon found adorable, she turned to him and grabbed his hand. “They got strawberries,” she breathed, picking up one of the red pieces of fruit and holding it between them in awe.

Leaning towards her, Simon pressed a kiss to her cheek and said, “I know. I asked her to bring you some.”

“Really?” Kaylee breathed and at Simon’s nod, she threw her arms around his neck, not caring about the looks Edward and Liliana were giving her for her untoward behavior. “You’re the best,” she murmured, before placing a kiss to his cheek.

Settling back into her seat, Kaylee set about to enjoy her favorite fruit and Simon watched her trying not to salivate – watching Kaylee eat a strawberry was quite … intoxicating, if he did say so himself.

Liliana hoped the disgust she felt was not evident on her features. Could the child really be that deprived as to be giddy as a five-year-old over strawberries? Oh, please. Swallowing her revulsion, Lili plastered another polite smile to her features and said, “I’m glad you like them, dear. I’ll see we have a fresh batch delivered every morning.”

As Kaylee was just finishing the berry, she licked the juice from her fingers and said, “Oh, I don’t wanna be no trouble.”

“It’s not a problem, Kaylee, believe me,” Lili reassured. “We just want our guests to be happy, to feel at home.”

Smiling wide, Kaylee’s eyes lit as she said, “Well, thank you, ma’am. That’s right kind of you.”

“Please, Kaylee, call me Lili. The way Inara talks about you, it seems the two of you are practically sisters.” It was time to put her plan into motion.

Nodding happily, Kaylee dug into her eggs and said, “Oh, yes, ma’ – Lili,” she added sheepishly, her cheeks coloring a bit. “Me an’ ‘Nara, we’re right close. She is the closest thing to a sis I ever had.” Glancing to Simon, she added with a smile, “Well, except for River.”

“River?” Edward questioned, noting the way Simon’s eyes lit with the hint of a smile at the mention of this new name.

Glancing down the table to their host, Simon elaborated, “My sister. She and Kaylee are good friends.”

“Oh, we’re more than friends, silly,” Kaylee interjected, reaching for her glass of juice. “We’re tighter than tight. Gotta be, travelin’ on a ship like Serenity. It ain’t like there’s a ton o’ room to be avoidin’ folk.”

Kaylee laughed lightly at her own joke, and Simon smiled, but it was obvious Lili and Edward did not find the humor and so Kaylee simply ate the rest of her meal in silence. Maybe last night hadn’t been a fluke.

“Simon,” Edward said finally, glancing to the young man who was still staring ridiculously at his girlfriend. “I wonder if you might be interested in taking a tour of Sihnon’s Memorial Hospital. They’ve just opened up a new surgery suite and I know the Chief of Staff personally. He’s invited me for a tour, as we donated a majority of the funds to get the place built.”

Simon’s eyes widened imperceptibly at the thought. It had been years since he’d set foot inside a real hospital, not since Ariel. Swallowing thickly, he asked, “Really? I’d be honored.” Glancing to Kaylee, he smiled at her, unable to hide his enthusiasm. She smiled back, but it was a weak look as Kaylee realized she had not been invited.

“Can I come?” she asked brazenly, knowing that it was probably the height of rudeness to invite oneself. But she didn’t relish the idea of being cooped up in this big house all day, and she didn’t know what Inara and the captain were planning.

“Oh, nonsense, dear, you don’t want to go with them.” Lili’s playful voice pulled Kaylee’s eyes across the table to her. “You and I have a lot to do.”

Puzzled, Kaylee asked cautiously, “We do?”

Nodding once, Lili said, “Well, of course. You do know what next Thursday is, don’t you?” When both Kaylee and Simon looked to her with blank stares, she said, “It’s Inara’s birthday, of course. And since she’s finally home for the first time in years, I thought we’d throw her a party. A gala event. How does that sound?”

If it was possible, the younger girl’s eyes got wider and bigger at the prospect. Clapping her hands together excitedly, Kaylee breathed, “Oh, that’s shiny, Lili. You mean a real ball, with gowns and dancin’ and fancy foods?”

Of course, what else would I mean? “Yes, dear, all of that.” Looking to the men and then back to Kaylee, Lili dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper and said, “So, you see, we have a lot of work to do. And shopping.”

“Shoppin’?” Kaylee’s face fell. She knew there was no way she could afford any of the pretty fits or finery she’d be apt to find on Sihnon, especially not in the stores that Lili was likely to patronize.

“Well, of course, dear, you can’t wear that to the ball,” Lili scoffed, her eyes roving over the out-of-style dress she was wearing.

Kaylee’s eyes fell to her lap and her hands smoothed over the fancy fabric. She could always wear her dress from the last ball she’d been to, but even then it had been considered out of style; Kaylee could only imagine the razzing she’d receive if she showed up in that confection.

Reaching over a hand, Simon squeezed one of hers gently and murmured, “Don’t worry, bao bei, we’ll figure it out.”

Lili knew exactly what had the girl so upset; it was all part of her plan. “Oh Kaylee, dear, is this about money?” At the girl’s horrified expression, Lili simply waved a hand. “Don’t you worry about that. I’m going to buy your gown, whatever you want.”

“Oh, Lili that’s real generous of ya, but I can’t accept somethin’ like that.” Kaylee’s expression had turned from horrified to ashamed as she felt the richer woman was taking pity on her.

Again dismissing her concern with a wave of her hand, Lili rose and rounded the table to Kaylee’s side. “Now that’s just nonsense and you know it. I won’t have a ball here in my home and have you hiding away in your room unable to attend because you don’t have the proper attire. And like you said,” she continued, taking the girl’s hand and pulling her to her feet. “You and Inara are like sisters, which means in theory, you’re my daughter too. And what kind of mother would I be if I didn’t buy you something beautiful?”

Her eyes tearing slightly at the woman’s words, Kaylee squeezed the hand she held and breathed, “Well, thank you, Lili. That means ‘lot to me.”

Smiling, Lili again suppressed the eye roll she felt as Kaylee hurried back to Simon and gave him a kiss, telling him to have a good day. Oh yes, Lili needed to get these two apart and fast.

***

Simon and Edward had ridden a fair distance in companionable silence, having shared some benign comments regarding the latest in hovercraft technology. Now, as they entered the outskirts of the city itself and the buildings started to stretch upwards and enfold them, Simon heard the older man shift, clearing his throat. Bracing himself, he turned his attention to his host.

“So, Simon, you must tell me something.” His voice was easy, friendly even and when he smiled the gesture reached his dark brown eyes – very much like Inara’s. Simon had already decided that the man was decent enough, certainly more decent than his own father, not that that was saying much. “How did a young man like yourself, an accomplished surgeon, end up on a ship like Serenity? Under the command of a captain like Malcolm Reynolds?” At the end of his last question, Simon could see the hint of disgust that colored the man’s features at Mal’s name and he had to hide his own small grin.

With a slight sigh, Simon reminded him, “Mal really isn’t all that bad, Edward. And I’m sure Inara would agree with me.”

Sighing, Inara’s father turned to regard the thoroughfare they were speeding down, people standing to the sides flying past in flashes of color. “Yes, well Simon, Inara’s track record with men has not always been the best.” Turning back to regard the younger man, he told him frankly, “I am not surprised she’s so taken with your captain. Disappointed maybe, but not surprised.”

Simon thought about defending Mal’s honor and Inara’s, but closed his mouth. That was their own battle to fight, and based on the way Liliana and Edward had been treating Kaylee, he might need some of that strength for his own little defense later.

“But I’m not really interested in my daughter’s misguided life at the moment,” Edward continued, leaning back against the plush seat and regarding Simon evenly. “I’m curious as to how you, Simon Tam, famed trauma surgeon from one of Osiris’ most wealthy and well-respected families ended up on a transport ship.”

Raising his eyebrows at the man’s knowledge of him, Simon shifted uncomfortably, trying to hide the worry in his face. “It seems you’ve done your homework,” he remarked.

Edward nodded once and said, “I like to know my house guests, Simon.” Watching the other man for a moment more, he asked again, “So, tell me. How did you end up out there?”

Simon settled back into his seat, trying to ignore the unease he felt at the other’s man’s inquisition. But the truth was, there really was no danger anymore. The warrants for both he and his sister had been lifted a few weeks ago, and regardless of whether or not Edward was fishing for information, there wasn’t much he could uncover or Simon could reveal that would be all that damaging anymore.

Trying to determine the best way to answer the man’s question, Simon finally sighed and smiled slightly. “Let’s just say that a few years ago, the Core became a very dangerous place for my sister and I. At the time, being on the move was our only option.”

Edward nodded once, the boy’s vague explanation fitting with the information he had been able to find. “And now?” he questioned, being sure to note every move, every twitch Simon made as they would provide him with greater insight into how to keep the young man grounded.

Turning a wry smile to him, he said, “You tell me.”

Chuckling lightly, Edward clapped him on the shoulder and said, “Good point, son. Good point.” With a sigh, he removed the hand and said, “So, now that you can come back to the Core, why haven’t you?”

Simon’s face fell immediately, thoughts of Kaylee filling his mind and heart. He smiled sadly at their conversation from just the night before. It was killing him, that was true; he wanted to go home, not because he missed home, but because he missed being able to help people, truly help them. And he knew if he went and Kaylee went with him, he’d be able to give her everything she’d ever dreamed of and more. Simon knew that wasn’t important to his girlfriend, but it was important to him; it was just another way for him to show his affection and he wanted that; but more importantly, he wanted Kaylee.

Edward watched the younger man struggle to put his excuse into words. He had not been blind to the looks and closeness between the young doctor and the mechanic the previous night at dinner, or even that morning at breakfast. It had been a long time since Edward had been in love, but he still remembered the signs, the behavior – and Kaylee and Simon were exhibiting them in spades. Deciding to give the boy a break, he prompted, “Ah, Miss Frye.”

Smiling sheepishly, Simon let his eyes glance out the window. Sihnon was a beautiful planet, and he wished fleetingly that Kaylee were with him now; she would be so enamored of how grand and rich everything was. Or would she just feel more out of place?

Clearing his throat, Simon said cryptically, “It’s a bit complicated.”

Raising an eyebrow, Edward knew he had his opening. “Oh, I don’t know about that, son. Complicated would be reattaching a girl’s leg.” At Simon’s shocked expression, Edward simply smiled and remarked, “Homework.” As the young man chuckled, his host continued. “I would think your relationship with Miss Frye and your decision to go back to practicing medicine in a real hospital should be fairly uncomplicated.”

Simon sighed, but did not respond. There was no way the man would understand. Simon’s own father would never have been able to comprehend it either. He was in love, and whether or not that was foolish, that’s how he felt, and part of that love meant sacrificing things for the other person. If Simon asked Kaylee to go with him, she’d say yes and be miserable. He couldn’t do that to her.

“Kaylee would hate the Core,” he finally admitted, his eyes back to studying his hands in his lap. “She’s very happy on Serenity. It’s her home.”

“That may be true, son,” Edward admitted. “But what about you?”

Just as Simon was about to ponder that loaded question the car pulled to a stop and the driver announced, “We’re here, sir.”

“Excellent,” Edward said jovially, stepping out of the car as Simon did the same. Once he was back out in the open air, Simon took a deep breath, not realizing until this moment how trapped he’d felt talking with the other man.

Shaking the thought away, Simon rounded the vehicle and watched as Edward greeted a tall man in a lab coat with a firm handshake. “Robert, it’s great to see you.”

“And you too, Ed,” the other man answered. His voice was a deep rumble and he towered over his friend, easily surpassing his height by a foot or so.

Simon moved towards the two as Edward motioned him forward and made the introductions. “Doctor Simon Tam I’d like you to meet Doctor Robert Chang, Chief of Staff of Sihnon Memorial Hospital.”

Shaking the man’s offered hand, Simon smiled to him and said cordially, “It’s an honor to meet you Doctor Chang.” Gesturing to the hospital, behind them, he added, “And I appreciate you giving us this tour. I’m eager to see your new surgery suites.”

Nodding in appreciation, Doctor Chang ushered them inside. “Ah, so you’re a doctor, Simon?”

At the younger man’s nod, Robert gave Edward a knowing look. “I wondered why you took me up on an offer for a tour.” Glancing back to Simon, he confided, “Edward would rather watch paint dry than discuss diagnostic equipment.”

As the other man pretended to be offended, they stepped through the hospital’s main doors and everything else faded into the background for Simon. It was uncanny the type of effect a building could have on a person. It was truly like coming home; each sight, sound, smell as familiar to Simon as any from his childhood, from his parents’ home; some more so. Pausing for just a moment, Simon closed his eyes and breathed deep, savoring the sensation.

When he again opened his bright blue eyes, his hosts were looking to him. His face flushing, he hurried towards them and said, “I apologize, gentlemen. Please, let’s continue.”

***

“And so, we’re able to use the latest techniques. The laser extractor is one of our coup d’etats.” Robert was finishing his explanation of the last suite of rooms, pointing to the piece of equipment he was describing. “We’ve had success removing tumors that are no more than the size of a single cell with it.”

His eyes widening, Simon turned to the man and breathed, “That’s incredible.”

Smiling widely, Robert answered, “I know.”

Simon returned the man’s grin, knowing it anywhere; it was the “kid in the candy store” look that every doctor got when he knew he had the best toys. It was one Simon had flashed often enough.

Pushing through the swinging doors and back into the hallway, Simon was about to ask another question when they were greeted by another doctor. “Ah, Robert, I see you’re on your PR kick again.”

“Eli,” Robert answered the man jovially, the two of them sharing a friendly grin. “I was hoping we’d run into you.” Turning to his guests, he said, “I believe you already know Edward Serra, he’s the one who pretty much funded this new wing.”

Eli extended his hand to Edward and nodded his thanks and then turned to Simon as Robert said, “And this is Doctor Simon Tam, a trauma surgeon from Osiris.”

Smiling tightly, Simon shook the new doctor’s hand and amended, “By way of the Rim. I haven’t practiced on Osiris in a few years.”

Eli looked him up and down appraisingly and said, “Well, it’s still nice to meet a fellow surgeon. I’m Eli Butler, Chief of Surgery.”

Simon swallowed hard, knowing that in the past, meeting the Chief at a hospital like this one was tantamount to meeting the Pope on Earth-that-was. Immediately wanting to make a good impression, although he had no idea what he hoped to gain, Simon said, “I was just admiring the laser extractor.”

“Ah, yes,” Eli smiled wickedly, and Simon had to hide his own grin; the man looked like he’d just knocked over a candy store. “That is one of my favorites. Although personally I’m quite taken with our new neural imager. Neurosurgery is my specialty.”

Simon’s eyes widened at this information. His mind spinning with thoughts of what the sophisticated equipment could do for his sister, Simon asked, “Tell me about it.”

As the older doctor launched into a detailed description of the machine, they continued their tour, Robert and Edward falling into step behind them. Simon and Eli were fast friends, the older man admiring the younger doctor’s curiosity and intelligence; based on his questions alone, Eli knew him to be a sharp young man and a damn fine doctor.

“We’ve got a team of researchers beginning to use some of the scans for research projects,” Eli was saying, as they stopped outside of a windowed room and took in the sight before them. “It appears that they’re working on the occipital lobe at the moment.”

Simon felt his jaw drop open, but he couldn’t help it. Taking a hesitant step towards the glass, he watched the room beyond in awe. Lining the walls and running in rows up the middle were at least twenty diagnostic stations, each one staffed by two nurses and a physician, maybe two. They had ascended to one of the hospital’s upper levels and Simon knew this was their dedicated research facility – a dedicated research facility – the idea seemed so foreign to him in his life now, he had a hard time grasping that just a few short years ago, he could have been on the other side of this transparent partition.

As he continued to watch, he remembered his manners and turned to Eli. “Have you done any research on the amygdala?”

Cocking an eyebrow at him, Eli asked, “Why? Got a problem with yours?”

All of them chuckled at this statement and Simon just shook his head. “No, it’s just an interest of mine, a passion I guess you could say. I find its function and its malfunction fascinating.”

Nodding once, the chief said, “Very true, it is quite intriguing. But no, we haven’t yet begun to research it fully. Only a passing understanding when conducting our preliminary research.” Turning slightly to face the younger doctor whose eyes had again drifted to the room beyond, he added, “But you could.”

Blinking rapidly, Simon looked to him, confused. “I could what?”

“Conduct some research on your passionate amygdala,” Eli elaborated, noting the way the boy’s cheeks flushed at the offer. “We always need dedicated doctors and trauma surgeons … well, hell, I shouldn’t let you walk out of this hospital without offering you a job.”

Simon smiled at his kind words, feeling a bit faint. This man had just offered him a job, studying the brain, and working in one of the premier hospitals in the Core. But with a resigned sadness, Simon knew he couldn’t accept, no matter how tempting they made the offer. Smiling at him, he said, “I appreciate your very kind offer, but I can’t take it. My life isn’t on Sihnon.”

“But it could be,” Edward reminded him quietly, his eyes conveying a knowing look based on their conversation of just a few hours before.

Shaking his head again, Simon said, “No, I’m sorry. Thank you, but my answer is no.”

Clapping him on the shoulder, Eli turned them towards Robert and Edward and said, “Well, we might as well take the man to lunch.” Looking to his boss, he said, “We’ll need the extra time to convince him we’re serious.”

The older men chuckled at his remark, while Simon could only wince. Suddenly, this very enjoyable morning had turned into a torturous afternoon.

***

Kaylee followed Lili, having to walk quickly to keep up with the older woman who bustled with a determined energy. They had already stopped by the floral shop, where Inara’s mother had ordered dozens of white roses to be delivered the morning of the event. Kaylee had questioned her choice, knowing for a fact that lilacs were Inara’s favorite, but with a shake of the head and condescending smile, Lili had said, “Oh, young Kaylee. We can’t have lilacs at a ball.”

This comment had clamped Kaylee’s mouth shut and she had gone with the woman in silence to the caterer’s, where again Lili ordered foods she knew that Inara would tolerate, but not love. Even the cake, a raspberry and vanilla concoction was not Inara’s favorite, and Kaylee had to wonder just how well Inara’s mother could know her. It seemed wrong to the younger girl to throw a party for someone and not even attempt to please them.

But then they’d entered the dress shop and all of Kaylee’s other concerns had just faded away. She’d been in a few boutiques in her young and Rim-based life, but never one quite as grand as this. Her eyes watered slightly at the sight of so much shiny, and with a hesitant hand she reached out to run her fingers over the closest silk dress, a red and black gown with a huge skirt. “Oh, look at the pretties,” she breathed, not noticing Lili’s eye roll or her annoyance as the sales girl greeted them.

Pulling off her gloves and removing her hat, Lili gestured to a few racks of dresses and asked, “Has everything been set out as I asked?”

“Yes, Mrs. Serra. The rest of your party is waiting in the back,” the young woman answered, taking the hat and gloves and then reaching for Kaylee’s shawl. Giving it to her, Kaylee’s cheeks blushed at the idea of others. Turning to Lili she asked hesitantly, “Party?”

Smiling tightly, Lili brushed past her and motioned for her to follow. “Of course, dear, you’re not the only one who needs something to wear.”

Swallowing thickly, Kaylee closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. She could do this, she’d never had a hard time getting along with folks before, everyone always said she was really friendly and polite. Surely she could manage a morning with these fine ladies.

Following quickly on Lili’s heels, Kaylee rounded the corner and stopped short at the sight. Sitting before her were a half a dozen women, three sets of mothers and daughters if likenesses and age were any indication. They all looked up at her hurried entrance and then just as quickly went back to their conversations. Lili was already across the room, rifling through a rack of gowns, each one prettier than the last.

Not knowing what to do, Kaylee stood there for a moment, and finally one of the other girls, the one closest to her, stood and asked haughtily, “Can I help you?”

“Uh, I, I’m Kaylee,” she stammered, her mouth feeling suddenly dry. Sticking out her hand, she felt her face fall as the other girl only looked at it with disdain. Her own hand fingering the large, jeweled necklace lying against her porcelain skin, she asked, “And?”

“Now, Basil, don’t be rude,” the older woman at her side said, rising from her puffed cushion.

Placing a hand to Kaylee’s arm, she spoke to her slowly and loudly as if Kaylee was damaged in the brainpan. “Are you lost, honey?”

“Marisol, I told you I was bringing a friend of Inara’s,” Lili’s sharp voice cut through the room and Kaylee breathed a slight sigh of relief, blinking back the tears of discomfort she’d felt. “Ladies, this is Kaywinnet Lee Frye.”

All six of them again turned to her and Kaylee felt worse than she had only a few seconds before. With a small wave, she murmured, “Hi.”

Marisol, looking a bit ruffled, straightened and said, “Oh, well, I regret the confusion, Kaywinnet,” before she sat with a huff back on her perch, Basil sinking to the floor on a cushion beside her.

“Oh, you can call me Kaylee,” the young girl said, wishing with all her might that she could melt into the floor. Trying to smile one of her big grins, Basil raised a hand to her mouth as she gasped, drawing the attention of the younger girl sitting beside her.

“Oh, dear,” Basil murmured, poking her friend sharply and pointing to Kaylee’s mouth. “Amber, did you see those teeth?”

Pressing her own hand over her lips, Kaylee mumbled, “What ‘bout my teeth?”

With a shudder of disgust, Amber exchanged a look with Basil and then said calmly, “They’re crooked.”

“Well, I done know that,” Kaylee said, dropping her hand and again smiling. “My pa always said, straight teeth’s the mark of a liar,” she added proudly, her smile fading a bit as she realized in horror that Basil and Amber both had perfectly straight, white teeth. Guessing that everyone else in the room did as well, Kaylee backed up a bit, and almost tripped over another of the women seated there.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Kaylee apologized, turning to be greeted by two fiery blue eyes and a scowl from an older woman.

“And you should be,” she bit out, smoothing her dress. “Who are you again?”

“I’m a friend of ‘Nara’s,” Kaylee answered, again offering her hand for a shake. “Kaylee.”

Sneering at the offered hand, the woman said, “Charmed, I’m sure.” Glancing to the other side of the room, the woman called, “Lili, what are you doing? Can we begin this fashion show already?”

Smiling tightly to her sister, Lili moved back across the room and took her arm. As the other woman approached, Kaylee watched in awe as the mean woman’s face actually broke into a grin. “Well of course Angela, I just had to be sure we had the best gowns selected. I can’t have my nieces arriving at Inara’s party in rags,” she finished, casting a meaningful glance to Kaylee’s dress before again looking about the room.

“Ladies,” Lili said, calling everyone’s attention. Feeling all eyes focusing in her direction again, Kaylee sank to the side of the room and listened, her heart thudding sharply against her rib cage. “Thank you all for meeting me on such short notice. As you know Inara has come back home for a time and I want her to have a spectacular party.” Glancing around, she looked for Kaylee and pulled the girl to her feet with annoyance. “And as Kaylee, Inara’s friend, doesn’t quite have anything appropriate to wear, I thought it would be a fun day for all of us to go shopping together. Now, have fun.”

At this dismissal, the younger girls rose and all moved towards the back of the room where the dressing rooms were, chatting excitedly among themselves. Kaylee stood awkwardly at Lili’s side, uncertain what to do until the older woman shoved her in the direction of her nieces. “Well, hurry along child, you don’t want to miss out.”

Kaylee smiled sheepishly at her, and then turned, shaking her hair back and taking another deep breath. She could do this.

***

Three dresses later, Kaylee knew she couldn’t do this. None of the gowns that Lili had selected for her were close to fitting, nor did they do anything to complement her figure. Kaylee had seen the other girls, how thin they were, and while Kaylee had never considered herself fat, she did like to eat, and it showed in the fleshiness of her hips, in the fullness of her breasts. These other girls were sticks and while Kaylee had never once wished for a figure like that, it appeared Lili thought she had one.

A sharp rap on the door to her changing room startled Kaylee a bit. Grabbing the dress she’d worn for the day and covering herself, Kaylee called, “Yes?”

“Kaylee?” It was a hesitant voice and one she barely recognized. Guessing that it was one of Inara’s cousins, Kaylee went to the door and opened it a crack. “Yes?”

“Aren’t you going to show us something?” It was Amber, her body outfitted in a gorgeous gold and brown dress that exposed her perfectly tan shoulders and framed her face. “We’d love to see what you’ve been trying on.”

Gulping Kaylee felt her cheeks turn bright red as she glanced over her shoulder at the dresses she’d already strewn on the floor. Looking back to the young woman, Kaylee glanced around her and saw that she appeared to be alone. Lowering her voice, she confided, “Well, I would, but none of these dresses seem to be fittin’.”

Smiling at her, Amber said, “Oh, well why didn’t you say so? I’ll go get some that are a bit bigger.”

Kaylee smiled her thanks to the girl and then shut the door leaning against it. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all. After a few minutes had passed, Kaylee heard another knock and opened the door to see Amber standing there again. Handing her the dress, she smiled and said, “See if this will work.”

Kaylee nodded once and smiled to her again as she shut the door. Taking the dress, which was pretty, not as pretty as some of the others, but not ugly either, Kaylee thought it looked a bit strange. Holding it in front of her figure, she regarded herself in the mirror and felt more tears well in her eyes. This dress, unlike the others, was huge, obviously made to fit a woman more than three times Kaylee’s size.

“How does that work, Kaylee?” Amber’s taunting voice could be heard through the door, and Kaylee shot an angry and hurt look at the girl, even though she couldn’t see her.

“It’s fine,” Kaylee managed to choke out. At her words, she heard the sounds of raucous laughter.

Walking across the room to a soft chair, Kaylee sank onto it, her head in her hands and tried to collect herself. She had never known people to be quite so mean and she didn’t like the fact that she knew some now.

As the giggling died down, Kaylee leaned back in the chair, her head falling against the wall with a slight thud. Closing her eyes, she was trying to bring her emotions under control, when she heard the muffled sound of voices from the room next store. Hearing her name, she pressed her ear to the thin wall and listened.

“How could Aunt Lili even bring a girl like that to a store like this?”

“Doesn’t she know we’ll never be able to show our faces here again?”

“And did you see her nails? There was dirt underneath them. Don’t they have showers in space?”

“And her hair. Ugh, when do you think the last time was she had it trimmed?”

“Oh no, ladies, I think it’s the dress. Can you believe she’s actually wearing that rag in public?”

“Well, that might be what she wears to Inara’s party since she can’t fit into any of these dresses.”

More laughter, more hateful words and Kaylee felt more tears come. She didn’t know how long she cried in silence, feeling worse and worse by the minute. Who had she been kidding? She couldn’t do this, she couldn’t fit into this rich world with balls and special forks and fancy gowns. She wasn’t rich or special or fancy, she was just Kaylee, a girl from one of the poorest border moons who’d gotten a job on a transport ship ‘cause she knew how to fix engines. Just a girl, while these others were women, high class, respectable women, with fine hair and fine clothes and fine manners.

The kind of fine women Simon had once been attracted to, until he’d been forced to take passage on Serenity and she’d been his only option. Stifling a sob, Kaylee remembered his hurtful words of that day, so many months ago. He had apologized of course and she had forgiven him, foolishly believing that they could work, that he really did love her. But Kaylee knew now, the minute he saw all these fancy girls and then saw her, trying to fit in, he’d see. Simon was many things, but he wasn’t stupid and he’d see that she was the round peg that did not fit into this square world.

Sighing heavily, she tried to collect herself as she moved to get dressed. With a new level of sadness weighing heavily in her chest, she remembered something her mother had always said, “A fish may love a bird, but where will they live?”

Kaylee had the distinct feeling she was the fish and Simon was the bird.

***

TBC