He wasn’t sly. He knew that. He’d never had any inclination towards menfolk, least of all any on board this ship. The thought of a man touching him, caressing him, made him feel … well, nauseous probably wasn’t too strong a word. But he wasn’t a prude. No matter that Freya had made him feel that way, ribbing on him for being embarrassed, he didn’t want to stop anyone if they were that way disposed. It was just when it came to himself that he was … There were times when he wished he swore, properly, like Mal or Jayne did, without thinking, just letting the feelings out so that they didn’t get in the way of anything, but he couldn’t. When he did curse, it was only after having thought about it carefully, choosing the right words, being aware of who might be around to hear. It wasn't the same.

And then Freya asking him who would be on top … That was a mental image he was determined to get out of his brain, only he had the horrible feeling that it would come up again, probably in the middle of the night, or when he least expected it, like when he was operating on Jayne, or stitching another knife wound on Mal. And of course that had to be the man he almost ran into as he left the dining area.

He sighed. There were times he really wished he’d gone with the other barker, taken the other ship that day on Persephone, instead of letting himself be swayed by a pair of brown eyes and pretty painted toes, and everything in between. Still, if he’d done that, he wouldn’t be with the girl who had become the woman who had become the mother of his child.

He walked slowly down the stairs into the cargo bay, away from the knowing looks and gentle humour above. His heart seemed to skip as he saw Kaylee down below him, unpacking some parts she’d bought just that day.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Hi,” she called, her face breaking into such a smile that he had to return it. She held up a piece of … something. “Isn’t that the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?”

He stepped down to the bay floor and crossed to her. “Absolutely,” he agreed. “What is it?”

“A new photocarb.”

“Right.” He nodded, looking as if he knew exactly what she was talking about.

She laughed. “It makes the engine run smooth. Without one we blow up.”

“Did I ask for it in captain dummy talk?” Simon complained.

“You looked like you did.”

He put his arm around her. “So now I know.”

“No, the point is, it’s new,” she insisted. “Not reconditioned, not used. New.”

“And that’s good?”

“Simon, the man didn’t know what he had!” She waved it in his face. “Sold it to me for the price of a luh suh second.”

“Good.” He nodded again.

“Hey, you do it to me all the time. Talk about things I don’t understand,” Kaylee said, putting the part back in its box.

“I'm sorry.”

She looked up at him. “Why? I know you know more’n me. I ain't had no fancy schooling, nor even know how to put a cast on a broken finger.”

“But you know how to stop the engine blowing up,” he pointed out.

She grinned. “There is that.”

He pulled her closer and touched her lips with his own. “Where’s Bethany?” he asked.

“With River. Why?”

“Am I man enough for you?”

She stared at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Do I … do I take you in a manly fashion?”

“As opposed to what?”

“You do seem to like to tell me what to do,” he said, blushing just a little. “In bed.”

“Do I?” She seemed genuinely surprised. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“Not all the time,” he said quickly. “But sometimes … I mean, you initiate it. Us. Sex.”

“Simon Tam, are you saying you don’t want me to?” She looked into his blue eyes and shook her head.

“No, no!” He sighed. “I should never have started this.”

“What’s happened?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“Was it that boy?”

Simon started guiltily. “What boy?”

“The one who propositioned you.” She smiled.

“How did you –“

“The Cap’n might have mentioned it.”

“He saw?” Simon yelped, letting go of her and pacing the bay floor. “Great. That means everyone’s going to know before dinner.”

“I asked him not to say anything,” Kaylee assured him.

“You think he’ll hold to that?” Simon asked hopefully, stopping to look at her.

“Mostly.”

“Most – Who’s he likely to tell?”

“Freya.”

Simon looked relieved. “That’s okay then.”

“Why?” Suspicion crossed her pretty features. “Why, Simon?”

“Well, I … I happened to mention it to her myself.”

Kaylee nodded slowly. “So you told her and not me.”

“It wasn’t like that!” Simon asserted. “It’s just she … we were … I …”

Kaylee took pity on him. “It’s okay,” she said, moving closer to him and putting her arms back around his waist. “I know you talk to her. And I ain't jealous. Not no more. I got proof I don’t need to be back on the bridge.”

“On the bridge?” Simon repeated.

“River’s showing Bethany how to fly Serenity. Oh, and I think Hank’s helping out.”

“So there’s no-one around our room?”

“Nope.” She looked at him, the sudden shrewd and calculating look in his eyes. “Why?”

“Just thinking.”

“’Bout what?”

“Whether I should become more dominant. More alpha.”

“More what?”

“If this were a pride of lions, Mal would be the alpha male. In charge. Taking whatever female ….” He stopped. “Maybe that isn’t such a good analogy. But he’s the boss.”

“He’s the captain,” Kaylee agreed, wondering exactly where this was going.

“I was just wondering if I shouldn’t be more like him.”

“Like the Cap’n?”

“Mmn.”

“What did Freya say to you?” she asked indignantly. “Was she impugning your manhood or something?”

“No. And I love it when you use words like that,” he said, smiling, kissing the tip of her nose.

“Then what?”

“Kaylee,” he said slowly, looking into her face. “I want you to go to our room, strip off your clothes, and lie on the bed.”

“What?”

“I told you. Go to our room, strip –“

“I heard.” She pursed her lips. “Is this you being masterful?” she asked.

“I’m seeing what it feels like.”

“To be the alpha male?”

“Yes.”

She smiled suddenly. “I think I like it.” She let go of him, putting her hands on her hips. “So, are you going to tell me what to do?”

“Yes.”

“Ooh, that sounds … seriously good.” She licked her lips. “How long to I have to wait for you?”

“I’ll decide that.”

“What if I fall asleep?”

“I’ll wake you up.” His voice sounded deeper, huskier.

She licked her lips again, lust in her eyes. “Don’t be too long,” she said, fairly skipping towards their room.

“I’ll be as long as it takes.”

She glanced at him over her shoulder before going through to the common area. “I think I’m going to like this new you,” she said, shaking her bottom at him as she disappeared.

He grinned. He knew he wasn't going to be able to wait too long, not with the raging blood rushing round his body already. He looked down at the photocarb. “She gets to be the boss all day in that engine room,” he said conversationally. “I think it’s my turn.”