BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL

TAMSIBLING

Best Intentions, ch. 11
Monday, November 20, 2006

Post-BDM. Simon tells Kaylee the bad news. Inara makes a decision and then Simon makes a decision. R rating for a little bit of lovin'. Mal/Inara, Simon/Kaylee


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 2767    RATING: 9    SERIES: FIREFLY

A/N: Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter off ... very busy weekend spent away from a wireless connection (yes, it was tough, but I soldiered through!)

Here is the inevitable "Simon tells Kaylee about the miscarriage." I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Please, please, please keep those comments coming whether good or bad. They make me happy (and productive)!

And thanks to Leiasky once again ... I'm pretty sure you all know why by now!

***

Best Intentions, ch. 11

***

“That Doc Butler,” Kaylee said, as Simon rejoined her in the bedroom, sitting close. “He is hilarious, ain’t he?”

Smiling at her Simon said, “Yes, he’s a good man. And a great doctor.”

“He’s the one offered you a job, right?” Kaylee asked, noting the hesitant look that had fallen on Simon’s face.

Nodding once, Simon said, “Yes, he did. A fact he just reminded me of, actually.”

Smiling proudly, Kaylee leaned towards him and said, “Well, that’s ‘cause he saw how shiny I’m doin’ an’ he was impressed all over ‘gain.” Crossing the rest of the space between them, Kaylee kissed him, and Simon found himself pulling her close, his hand cradling the back of her head. He loved her so much; he knew that if he wasn’t experiencing it firsthand, he would never believe that one person could feel for another the way he felt for Kaylee.

Parting, Kaylee whispered, “Well, now who’s single-minded?”

“Sorry,” Simon murmured, his hand still on her cheek, their foreheads touching. “I’ve wanted to do that all day.”

“Don’t gotta be apologizin’, sweetie,” Kaylee said, her eyes sparkling with desire. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she moved into kiss him again as she murmured, “Not when you’re kissin’ me like that.”

Simon’s lips met hers again, but it wasn’t with the same ardor as their kiss only a moment before and Kaylee picked up on it. Pulling back from him with a quizzical expression, she ran a hand down his cheek and asked quietly, “Simon, what’s wrong?”

Smiling to her lightly, Simon took her hand in his and kissed her palm, only serving to worry her further. Whenever Simon did that, kissed her palm, he was going to give her bad news – she’d figured that out in the short time they’d been together. “Simon, you’re scarin’ me,” she told him honestly, noting the shocked expression that filled his eyes at her statement. “Did the doc say somethin’?”

“No, Kaylee, you’re fine, I swear,” Simon assured her. Taking her by the shoulders, he said quietly, “But there is something else that happened. Something else that happened to you because of the accident.”

Her eyes pooling with instant tears, Kaylee breathed, “What?”

Swallowing hard, Simon had no idea how to say this. He’d had over three weeks to think of a way to phrase it, how to cushion it so it wouldn’t sting as badly and he knew it didn’t matter if he rolled it in a strawberry and dipped it in cream – there was nothing he could do to make this any easier for Kaylee.

“Kaylee, when you got hit by that car, you fell to the pavement pretty hard,” Simon began slowly, edging closer to her and keeping his hands on her arms. “And that kind of fall, it can cause a lot of problems-“

“Simon, would you just tell me?” she interrupted, unable to stand his slow build-up.

Swallowing hard, Simon knew he was only making it worse. So he did as she asked. “Kaylee, at the time of the accident, you were five weeks pregnant and you lost the baby.”

Kaylee’s mouth fell open in shock, one of her hands flying to her stomach. “I, I … what?” she asked, her voice barely audible, as her breath came in short gasps. “A baby?” She turned her big green eyes to him and saw her concern and pain reflected there. “Our baby?”

He nodded once, uncertain what else he could say. Pulling her to him, Simon felt her stiffen in his hold and he hated it, but he kept his arms around her. He wanted her to know he was here, that she wasn’t alone; that he’d lost a child too.

“I didn’t know,” she breathed, her eyes crying silent tears. “I didn’t know, Simon, I swear. I woulda been more careful, I wouldn’t a run.” She was rambling now, unable to form a thought, unable to feel anything.

Holding her tight, Simon told her, “I know that, Kaylee. It was just an accident, an awful accident.”

“But it was our baby,” she breathed again, pulling back from him with more force than he’d expected. Placing both her hands to her stomach, she said, “It’s gone. Dead.”

Nodding once, Simon watched her for her reaction, waiting for it to truly sink in. He could tell it hadn’t quite yet, that Kaylee was having a hard time processing this information. And he didn’t blame her. She’d just found out in the span of a few seconds that she’d been pregnant and that she’d miscarried; it was a lot to digest.

She was still crying, trails of silent tears falling down her face. Simon reached a hand to her cheek, trying to wipe some of them away, but she backed away from his touch. “Leave me alone, Simon,” she murmured, pulling back from him and getting under the covers, pulling them to her chin.

His heart breaking at the tone of her voice, he whispered, “Kaylee, please. Let me help.”

“Ain’t nothin’ you can do,” she told him sullenly, turning her face away from him. “I’m the one’s gotta live with it.”

“That’s not true, Kaylee. We both do.” Simon’s voice was firm, but it did not get her attention. Circling the bed, he knelt beside it, forcing himself into her line of sight. “It was my child, too.”

She stayed silent, stoic, but Simon watched her eyes well with more tears, saw her face scrunch up as she tried desperately to hold in her sobs. Reaching out a hand again, he placed it against her cheek, glad that she didn’t pull away. “Kaylee, please. I want to help.”

“You can’t,” she told him, her breath coming in hiccups as she sobbed. “I don’t even know what t’think,” she said quietly, sitting up more and making room for him beside her. “I mean, I didn’t even know ‘til a few minutes ago I was pregnant, an’ now, I ain’t. How can I be mournin’ somethin’ I never had time to love?”

Simon smiled sadly at her and cupped her face in his hands. “I don’t know. That’s a question I’ve been trying to answer too.”

Kaylee returned his sad smile and then sobbed, burying her face in her hands. Moving forward, Simon pulled her to him and she came willingly this time, balling her fists into his shirt and crying hard. “I’m so sorry, Simon,” she wailed, her body shaking. “I’m so sorry I lost our baby.”

“It’s not your fault, Kaylee,” he told her, running his hand through her hair and down her back. “It’s okay. I love you.”

She cried some more and Simon held her firmly, wishing he knew of a way to make it all right. Of course, he didn’t; like so many other things in his life, this was something he couldn’t fix, couldn’t cure. But damn if he didn’t want to try.

Sitting with her a few hours later, as he had not left her since he’d told her the news, Simon ran his fingers through her hair, his arm around her shoulders as she curled into his side. “Would you have wanted it?” she asked quietly, her voice still a little shaky.

“Shenme?” Simon asked, gazing down at her as she tilted her head to look at him.

“The baby,” she told him, her eyes still shiny with tears. “Would you have wanted it?”

Our baby?” he corrected. Kissing her forehead, he told her quietly, “Of course, I would. What kind of question is that?”

Shrugging lightly, Kaylee said quietly, “I dunno. I guess …” With a sigh, she let the statement die, but Simon wouldn’t be so easily deterred.

“Kaylee, what were you going to say?” he prompted, leaning back to look at her.

Sighing heavily, Kaylee said quietly, “Well, a baby woulda made you tied t’me. I guess I’da been worried you’d think I was tryin’ to trap you.”

Shaking his head, Simon told her quietly, “That thought never crossed my mind.” Kissing her again, he murmured against her skin, “I would have a hundred babies with you if that’s what you wanted.”

“I dunno ‘bout a hundred,” she said, grinning a bit. Sighing, she said, “That baby though, our baby, woulda been real pretty, with your eyes.”

“And your smile,” Simon agreed.

Kaylee sighed again a few more tears falling out of her eyes and down her nose to wet Simon’s shirt. Hugging her tighter to him, Simon said quietly, “It’s okay to be sad, Kaylee.”

Nodding once, she pulled herself closer to him and murmured, “Good.”

***

“Inara, dear, are you sure this is what you want?” Sheydra’s face was full of concern, and Inara could only smile to her friend patiently.

“Yes, Sheydra, it is.” With a sigh, she set down her tea cup and rose, walking to the edge of the veranda they were sitting on. “I know it’s hard to comprehend, but I’m in love with Mal.” Turning back to face her friend, she watched as the other woman’s eyebrow arched. “Yes, my pirate,” she added, purely for her friend’s benefit.

“But Inara, think of what you’re sacrificing. This is a good life, a respectable one and you’ve excelled at it. You could still be a High Priestess.” Sheydra was reaching, but at the moment, she didn’t care. She would miss her friend if she retired. Of course, secretly, she was envious; not in a mean way, just in a lonely way. Sheydra had always hoped that a man like Inara’s pirate would find her as well. But apparently it was not meant to be.

“And I would never deny that I have enjoyed my time as a Companion,” Inara told her firmly, turning to lean against the railing. “But I would be doing a great disservice to myself, the Guild and my clients if I denied my feelings for Mal any longer.”

The two women, both so experienced in so many things, but still new to love, held each other’s gazes for a moment more. Finally, Sheydra averted her violet eyes, so the younger woman could not see the tears that had welled there. “Well, you know I wish you best of everything, mei mei,” she said quietly, taking another sip of tea.

“As I do for you, Sheydra,” Inara answered. Allowing another moment of silence to pass between them, she finally asked, “So, what do I have to do?”

“Well, there are appeals to make and petitions to sign, but I don’t see it being a problem for you,” Sheydra informed her, rising to stand at her side. “You won’t ever be able to come back though, Inara. So if this doesn’t work out with your pirate …” She left the statement unfinished, her eyes having drifted to the man Inara was ready to change her entire life for. He was wandering the grounds with a tall and beautiful dark-skinned woman whom Sheydra was certain would have made a great Companion.

Turning, Inara followed the other woman’s gaze and said quietly, “It’s going to work out.” She watched Mal and Zoe for a moment more and, as if sensing her eyes on him, Mal turned in their direction, offering her a small wave and one of his big, lopsided grins. Smiling back, Inara murmured, “Oh yes, it’s going to work.”

***

“You have to ask her."

Simon turned at the sound of his sister’s voice. He was reading on the terrace, Kaylee again having fallen asleep. As the spring was turning to summer, the nights were getting a bit warmer and Simon found the nighttime particularly peaceful.

Closing his book, he motioned for his sister to join him and she did, stepping towards him on bare feet, and sitting at the foot of his chair. Placing a hand to her cheek, he asked, “Ask who what, mei mei?”

Rolling her eyes in her perfect “you are such a boob” expression, River tossed the ring box to him and said, “Kaylee. Duh.”

Simon caught the box in mid-air gazing at it intently. “River, you shouldn’t be going through my things.”

Frowning at him, she crossed her arms over her chest and said, “Then you shouldn’t still have it. It should be on Kaylee’s finger by now.”

Sighing heavily, Simon told her, “It’s not as simple as that.” Pursing her lips at him, Simon knew she was waiting for an explanation. “You know about the baby,” he told her quietly, his eyes again focusing on the black box. “I don’t want to ask her at the wrong time or make her think I’m asking for all the wrong reasons.”

“Simon.” River’s plaintive voice drew his attention to her face and when he met her wide brown eyes, he could only smile. She looked so young at this moment; it reminded him of when they’d both been children, playing games. It had been a much simpler time.

“Simon, focus,” she told him, using a sharper tone to get his mind back to the here and now. As he brought his eyes back to focus on her, she told him quietly, “You should do more and think less.” Placing her hand over the one that held the ring, she said, “This can never be at the wrong time or for the wrong reasons. The only motivation is love. That’s never wrong.”

Pressing a kiss to his cheek, River rose and floated off the terrace, no doubt heading into bed. He and Kaylee had invited her to stay with them for as long as she wanted. She had been sharing an apartment with Zoe a few floors below, but Simon knew she wanted to be close to Kaylee and he also knew that his challenging sister was not the first mate’s responsibility.

“Not challenging. Eccentric,” her voice called to him, and frowning with amusement, Simon said softly, “Brat.”

“Boob.”

Chuckling lightly, Simon sat back in his chair and stared at the black box in his hand, wondering if perhaps his bratty sister had a point.

***

Simon wandered into their room a few minutes later surprised to see Kaylee awake and staring at the ceiling. Ditching the ring box in his dresser, he called to her softly, “You all right?”

Turning to face him, he could tell from the dim light in the room that she’d been crying. She had cried every day, on and off, since he’d told her about the baby, and he wasn’t sure what else he could do. He’d left her alone, he’d let her talk, he’d held her, he’d even let her punch him a bit, but nothing seemed to relieve the sadness she felt and it was eating at him.

Going to her, Simon slid onto the bed, and she rolled into his side easily, her arms wrapping around him, her face buried against his chest. “You okay?” he asked her, his head buried in her hair.

“Better now,” she answered, her voice muffled. With a sigh, she pulled back and looked to him. “Simon?”

Looking down at her with a smile, he kissed her and said, “Yes?”

“I really wanna take a bath.”

Smiling to her even wider, he kissed her again and then headed for the bathroom. “One bath, coming right up.”

Kaylee smiled as he bounded out of the room and when he came to collect her a few minutes later, she could only smile wider at the light in his eyes. He was trying so hard to be everything to her. With a sigh, she realized he already was.

As he helped her stand, his arm around her waist, they walked slowly towards the bathroom. He could have carried her, but Eli had encouraged her to start using that leg as much as possible, to get up and move, and so every opportunity she had now to do that, she took.

Entering the bathroom, she smiled wide at him, noting that the tub was practically overflowing with bubbles and Simon had lit candles all over the bathroom, making the overhead lights unnecessary. Kissing him, she told him softly, “I just said I wanted a bath. You didn’t have to do all this.”

“Well, I happen to think this is the only way you should take a bath,” he told her, helping her sit on the edge of the tub. She let him undress her, shivering slightly as the cool air hit her bare skin. His touch was gentle and loving and Kaylee sighed a bit, her eyes closing as he ran his hands down her arms. She was tired, too tired and too hurt for them to do much of anything, but it felt nice to be close to him; to be cared for.

“All right,” he said softly, his mouth by her ear as he kissed her cheek. Wrapping an arm around her waist and one under her legs, he asked, “You ready?”

Kaylee nodded, and Simon slid her into the warm and bubble-filled bath water easily, making sure she was comfortably settled, her head resting against a towel he’d folded and placed at one end of the tub. Simon watched her for a moment, noting how her face fell slack the minute she was encased in the warm water. Kneeling beside her, he gently moved a piece of hair off her face tucking it behind her ear.

“You okay?” he asked quietly, not wanting to disrupt her peaceful mood.

“Shiny,” she murmured, opening her eyes slowly to gaze at him. “Thank you.”

He smiled to her and then leaned over to place a gentle kiss to her lips. “Just call me when you’re ready to get out.”

Grabbing his hand, he turned to look at her and noted the way her eyes lit mischievously. “Where do ya think you’re goin’?”

“Ah, to read,” Simon asked, wondering if it was a trick question.

Pouting, Kaylee said, “Well, if’n you do that, who’s gonna wash my back?”

“Oh, yes, your back,” Simon said, feigning seriousness. “We can’t have a dirty back.”

Shaking her head, her eyes wide, Kaylee told him innocently, “No, sir.”

Simon smiled at her and held her gaze. Knowing that Kaylee was still not fully healed and wanting to avoid as much temptation as possible, he told her, “All right, I’ll stay. But I’m not getting in there with you.” As she pouted again, he told her, “How much self-restraint do you think I have?”

With a wide grin, she leaned against the side of tub, her head on her arms and asked sweetly, “What if I promised to be good?” As he gave her a skeptical look, she said, “I promise.”

Wondering who exactly he thought he was kidding, Simon pulled off his shoes and took his clothes off. “Something tells me I will regret this,” he muttered, noting the way Kaylee’s eyes never left his body as he disrobed in front of her. “Okay, sit forward,” he said quietly, sliding into the tub behind her.

She leaned back easily into his chest once he was situated and Simon heard her sigh contentedly as her head rested on his shoulder. “See, this is much better,” she said lazily, already feeling good and relaxed in the warm water.

Simon was apt to agree, it felt good to hold her, it always did. Pulling the sponge from the edge of the tub, he dipped it into the water in front of her, and then wrung it out. “Sit up a bit, bao bei,” he whispered in her ear. She obliged him, her hands holding onto the edge the porcelain basin as he rubbed the sponge across her shoulders and down her back, under the surface of the water, scrubbing gently. He brought the sponge back above the water and ran it along her neck, and behind her ears, moving down her upper arms at a slow pace. She moaned occasionally, causing Simon’s whole body to shiver. He wanted her badly, but with more self-control than he thought he possessed, he kept bathing her steadily, trying to focus on anything else. Of course, her naked form right in front of him was making that a tad challenging.

As she leaned back against him again, Kaylee grinned wickedly, even as her eyes remained closed. “A little excited there, sweetie?”

Looking to her with an incredulous expression, he asked her, “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Hmm, maybe,” she answered sleepily, her voice dropping an octave or two, which she also knew always drove him crazy.

“You are cruel,” he whispered hotly against her neck, kissing her skin there and causing her to shiver.

Pulling his lips away with great difficulty, he again tried to focus on anything else besides his growing desire. “Do you want me to wash your hair?”

Nodding once, Kaylee sat up again and pulled at the pins, dropping them over the edge of the tub. The patch of hair they’d shaved for her surgeries had started to grow back, and while Kaylee was still self-conscious about it, she was glad that now, with a little help from Inara, it was almost impossible to tell anything was missing at all.

As Kaylee had scooted forward, Simon could now tilt her head back and get her hair wet. She allowed him to dictate her actions, trusting him completely and Simon found that even more arousing. Pushing the thought away, he gently straightened her back up and then reached for the shampoo, depositing a good amount into his hand. Lathering it up, he began to gently work it into her hair, massaging her scalp. As Kaylee moaned again at the unbelievable feeling of his hands in her hair, she murmured, “Wo de ma, Simon, where’d you learn how to wash hair?”

Smiling at her and chuckling a bit, Simon told her, “It’s not so much washing hair as massaging. It’s part of training at MedAcad.”

Turning slightly, she looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “What other trainin’ you keepin’ hidden from me?”

Leaning forward he could not resist pressing a kiss to her mouth. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” he whispered, grinning wide and causing Kaylee to shiver again.

“Would I ever,” she muttered back, wishing to all the gods in the ‘verse that she was well enough for a full night of sexin’ with her unbelievably swai boyfriend.

As she again turned forward, Simon finished and dipped her head back in the water, running his hands through it until he was certain the soap was out, paying special attention to her still healing incision. “All right, turn around,” he whispered.

Kaylee grinned big and shifted in the tub so she was facing him. Looking at him, she brought her hands to rest on his chest and said quietly, “Now this is more like it.”

“Is this your definition of good?” he asked, as he felt her hands run down his chest and below the water.

“You tell me,” she said quietly, leaning forward and kissing him as her hand closed around his already throbbing arousal.

Involuntarily, Simon’s head dropped back. “Kaylee,” he panted as she stroked him, alternating between gentle and urgent touches.

“Yes?” she asked him sweetly, her eyes twinkling.

“That’s … not … fair,” he told her, knowing, as she did, that in his current state, it wouldn’t take much to bring him to his release.

Leaning forward, Kaylee pressed her breasts against him and kissed him deep, her tongue plunging into his mouth as her ministrations increased. “Oh come on, sweetie. I’m just thankin’ ya for my bath.”

Simon brought his head up to meet her eyes and grabbed the back of her neck fiercely, crushing his mouth to hers with need and passion. In seconds he groaned loud and long against her mouth and Kaylee smiled wickedly, knowing that it was her name he was crying out as his release thundered out over her stroking hand and into the warm water.

Catching his breath, Simon looked to her and held her face in his hands. “Sorry I can’t do the same for you,” he told her honestly, kissing her again.

Shrugging, she said, “That’s okay. I figure now you gotta dry me off, and that’s another form o’ torture.” Leaning forward she kissed him again, and said, “Besides, I’m figurin’ they’re be all sorts o’ ways you can pay me back.”

Smiling at her and chuckling lightly, Simon stood slowly, stepped out first, finding a towel and wiping himself dry, before wrapping it around his waist. Then pulling out another towel for Kaylee, he helped her stand, picking her up to set her on solid ground before her ran the towel over her wet skin and hair. She shuddered a bit, as his hands passed over her breasts and Simon smiled at her. “Now who’s being tortured?” he asked smugly.

She grinned at him wickedly, but didn’t answer him. Making sure she was supported on the edge of the tub, Simon left quickly and came back with a plush robe that Inara had bought for Kaylee. Wrapping it around her and cinching it at her waist, he watched as she snuggled into it. He could see her eyelids drooping and knew she was tired.

Picking her up, she wrapped her arms around his neck and nestled into him easily. Pressing a kiss to his neck, she whispered, “I love you, Simon.”

Kissing her back, Simon laid her gently in bed before grabbing his own sweatpants and getting in beside her. As he again held her tight against him, he murmured back, “Kaylee, you have no idea how much I love you.”

***

The next morning, Simon awoke before Kaylee and while he didn’t want to leave her, he forced himself out of bed and over to the comm unit in the living room.

Punching up Inara and Mal’s, he wasn’t surprised to find the Companion awake. “Good morning Simon,” she greeted him easily. “Is everything okay?”

Smiling wide, Simon told her, “It’s great, actually.” Leaning towards the screen, he dropped his voice a bit and told her, “But I need your help.”

***

Kaylee and Simon had just finished her afternoon round of physical therapy exercises, which if anyone ever asked her were not fun, when he helped her back into bed. “Get some sleep,” he said, kissing her forehead. “I’m going to go out for a bit, but River’s here and Inara’s supposed to stop by later.”

Kaylee nodded once and looked to him curiously. “Everything okay?”

Smiling to her, he said, “Perfect, just like you,” before he kissed her again and left. Unable to keep her eyes open to ruminate on what exactly had him in such a great mood, the next time Kaylee awoke she could hear voices outside.

Blinking her eyes open, she was about to call to whoever it was when River pushed open the door, Inara behind her. “See? I told you she was awake,” River said with exasperation as she bounced over to Kaylee’s bed and sat beside her, placing a kiss to her cheek.

“Hi mei mei,” Kaylee said quietly, greeting her friend with a smile. Noting the case in Inara’s hand, Kaylee asked, “What’s in there?”

Inara smiled and sat on Kaylee’s other side, clearing off her nightstand so she could set up her wares. “A portable beauty salon, basically,” she told her friend, watching as Kaylee’s eyes lit up as she exposed all the makeups, perfumes and accoutrements inside. Running her hand over them, Kaylee breathed, “This is real shiny, ‘Nara.”

As River shared a smile with the older woman and then moved towards the room’s huge walk-in closet, Kaylee got even more confused. Looking between River, who was now rifling through a closet full of clothes that were not Kaylee’s and Inara, who was carefully selecting makeup and pulling out hair styling equipment, Kaylee asked, “What’s goin’ on?”

Smiling to her, Inara’s eyes twinkled as she told her, “Someone has a big night planned for you, and we’re here to help you get ready.”

“A big night?” Kaylee asked, wondering what they could … In an instant she knew and her eyes went wide. “Simon?”

“My brother does occasionally get some things right,” River said matter-of-factly, walking out of the closest with three of the prettiest silk dresses Kaylee had ever seen. “Pick one,” she said, laying them out on the bed next to Kaylee.

Looking at each of them, one red, one green and one black and gold, Kaylee glanced back up to the girl and said, “I can’t wear them. They ain’t even mine.”

“Oh yes they are, mei mei,” Inara told her firmly. Taking her hand she sat forward and said, “One of the conditions for my parents was buying you a wardrobe full of the prettiest dresses on Sihnon. And I gave the seamtress your measurements myself, so they should all fit perfectly.” As Kaylee’s eyes shone with unspent tears, Inara encouraged her again, “So? Pick one.”

“Oh, I ain’t never seen anythin’ so beautiful ‘fore,” Kaylee breathed, one hand covering her mouth as her other hand ran over the smooth fabric. Each one was gorgeous for a different reason, but Kaylee finally settled on the green dress, knowing it would set off her eyes and her complexion. Plus it was the least adorned of all of them and Kaylee hoped that meant it would show off her curves perfectly. Curves that Simon had always said he liked to see.

River nodded in approval of her choice taking the other two dresses away and hanging the green one on the front of the closet door so it wouldn’t get wrinkled. “All right, mei mei,” Inara said, her tone growing serious as she glanced to the clock. “We have two hours to make you look absolutely stunning.”

Smiling sheepishly, Kaylee asked her quietly, “You think you can do it?”

Sharing her smile, Inara realized the statement had not come out the way she’d intended. And as usual, River came in for the save. Sitting beside Kaylee, she took the girl’s hand and said quietly, “You could wear a paper bag, no makeup and not brush your hair and my brother would think you were the most beautiful creature in the ‘verse.”

A little worried, Kaylee frowned and turned back to Inara. “That ain’t what we’re gonna do though, is it?”

As all three of them laughed, Inara told her quickly, “No, I think River’s point is that we’re simply going to enhance what Simon has already deemed perfect.”

Smiling even wider, Kaylee said excitedly, “Then what are we waitin’ for?”

***

A/N 2: Just some more fluff before we build back up to the angst. I hope you liked it!

COMMENTS

Monday, November 20, 2006 8:12 PM

NIDDYBEAR


I thought that was bloody brilliant.
5 Happy acorns.
Can't wait for it to go on, I love hearing all the lovy details.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 3:25 AM

AMDOBELL


Ah, so lovely to see Simon finally getting everything right with Kaylee. Can't wait to see him propose! Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 3:45 AM

RIVERISMYGODDESS


Good to see another chapter, and the miscarriage news went as I expected it too.

I liked the River/Simon interaction, and Sheydra's assesment of Zoe making a good Companion was neat too.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 3:33 PM

LAOSHI


Fluff away. We could all use a break from the angst from time to time.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 7:47 PM

ECAMBER


Yay! I was getting worried there... hoping you weren't going to just leave us hanging! I admire how you handled Kaylee with this. It would be easy for her to fall apart, but your dialogue makes a good point: how do you mourn someone/something you never got to love? To be sure it's a difficult subject and trying to imagine someone in her position would make this a heartwrenching experience. But you didn't make her fall apart or go nuerotic so I'm impressed!

And the fluff is delightful! I love the scene of S/K in the bath. Really excellent!

BTW, I'm not sure how many chapters you've got on this one, but I wonder if we should be expecting more angst or if you're getting ready to wrap this one up.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 10:38 PM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER


Oh...you hit the "Kaylee learns of her miscarraige" scene on the head, TamSibling! Especially with Kaylee's confusion and difficulty in mourning for someone she never knew, not even in passing. Probably even worse for her since it was her son or daughter:(

Still...loved this chapter, especially the River/Simon and Silee scenes. The Inara/Sheydra scene was a humdinger too;)

Gotta say though...all of Serenity's other female crew would have made excellent Companions, for one reason or another. Though Kaylee probably would have been the poorest student, since she would have had a tough time with some of the training dealing with defence or emotional restraint. Just not in her to be pleasantly cold to people...or kick their asses without serious reason:D

BEB

Wednesday, November 22, 2006 4:27 AM

TAMSIBLING


ECAmber - This story has 19 chapters total, so there will be more angst. I don't know if it'll be as angsty as the earlier chapters, but we're definitely not out of the woods yet.

So glad you all liked the scene in the bathtub ... it was such fun to write!

Look for another update tonight.

Saturday, November 25, 2006 3:25 AM

BLACKBEANIE


Awesome.
I laughed, I cried (not in that order)
Keep it up.

Monday, November 27, 2006 5:36 AM

LEIASKY


I loved Kaylee's reaction to Simon telling her about the lost baby. Seemed very true to her character.

And River's conversation with Simon was nicely done too.

The bath was all manner of hot without being graphic at all. And I really love Kaylee's playfullness and wanting to torture him.


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OTHER FANFICS BY AUTHOR

Make a Wish (5/5)
Kaylee and Simon decide to keep the pregnancy a secret from the rest of the crew. An unexpected turn of events leaves them lost. Simon/Kaylee, River, Mal, Inara. PG-13

Make a Wish (4/5)
River keeps playing tricks on Jayne, while Kaylee finds out a secret that she has to share with Simon. PG-13. Simon/Kaylee

Make a Wish (3/5)
River goes to Inara for help, while Kaylee finally gets Simon to open up. NC-17 for some lovin'. Simon/Kaylee with appearances by River and Inara.

Make a Wish (2/5)
River's wish causes repercussions throughout the crew. Kaylee wants more details about Simon's first time, while Mal has a friendly tip for Jayne. R for suggestive language. Simon/Kaylee and crew.

Make a Wish - Chapter 1
Post-Miranda. River is turning 18 and she makes a wish that unsettles her brother. Simon/Kaylee, with the rest of the crew. PG-13 to R for suggestive language.

Homesick: Epilogue
Simon and his parents reach an understanding while Mal and Inara find themselves on the same page ... finally. Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara.

Homesick: Chapter 10
Mal's a bit surprised by the welcome her receives. Gabriel and Regan see the light, but Chen is anxious to keep them all in the dark. Simon/Kaylee, hints of Mal/Inara.

Homesick: Chapter 9
River decides to tell her parents the truth - all of it - and they're not happy. Kaylee is still reeling from her visit with Simon. And another Big Damn Hero joins the mix. Kaylee/Simon, hints of Mal/Inara.

Homesick: Chapter 8
River goes for help and finds Kaylee. Chen grows worried that the Tams will not press charges against their son and takes matters into his own hands. Kaylee manages to see Simon and it doesn't go so well. Kaylee/Simon, hints of Mal/Inara.

Homesick: Chapter 7
Kaylee and Inara get closer to Simon and River, while River makes a call to Mal. Simon despairs in prison and Kaylee pines after him. Simon/Kaylee, hints of Mal/Inara.