A/N: I am so glad that the Tams and their interaction with Simon and River was so well-received. I tried very hard with this story not to paint them as villians as it is often the easier route to take ... trust me, it was a struggle!

This chapter sees a bit more fluff, which I hope you all enjoy. Comment and tell me about it!

And to Leiasky - for the beta, the updates on Flan (which is a GO, thank Buddha) and everything else. You're just great!

***

Best Intentions, ch. 16

***

Inara could not sleep, which did not surprise her. With a warm mug of tea cradled in her hands, she stepped out onto the terrace that ran the length of her’s and Mal’s apartment and let the cool night breeze fan her face. With a contented sigh, she walked towards a lounge chair and pulled her robe about her a bit more snugly as she sank into the cushion and leaned her head back to look at the stars.

Mal was leaving tomorrow on a job and Inara had elected to stay behind. The decision had not gone over well. Mal of course assumed this was the beginning of the end; her first refusal to sail with him and he worried even more that if he left her behind, on this fancy planet where she obviously fit so soundly, he would lose her for good.

Her lips curled into a tight grin at the thought. Raising her tea to her lips, she took a tentative sip, the hot liquid just burning the tip of her tongue before it washed down her throat and to her belly. Inara knew, from years of training and experience, that men truly were dense, but Malcolm Reynolds had raised cluelessness to a whole other art form.

In Inara’s mind the fact that he panicked over losing her was both endearing and frustrating; endearing because it told her, without Mal having to actually say the words, how much he cared, how much she meant to him. Inara had never had someone love her that deeply, not even Jeremiah. But it frustrated her as well, because it also meant she had to spend countless hours of each day assuring him that she was not going to leave, not interested in finding someone else. She tried to be patient; Inara knew that trusting people was not in Mal’s blood, and she also knew he had suffered innumerable loss in his life, making his ability to get close stunted. But he’d let her in, just as she had him and she’d be damned if she walked away now.

Of course, she also couldn’t come clean about her real motives for staying behind. As soon as Mal and Serenity took off tomorrow, she’d be heading back to the Training House to file her petition for resignation. And Inara knew that would be the easiest part of a very convoluted process.

It was not easy for a companion to leave the Guild, especially before the age of retirement. It was highly discouraged and even accounted for in the contracts every companion signed with the Guild before he or she was given their license. Guild law stated unequivocally that by signing that piece paper and receiving that precious document, the individual’s personal life was forfeit. At the time Inara had registered she had willingly signed away her old life, looking for the safety and anonymity being a companion could bring, but now, she wanted to reclaim that woman, that life, and she wanted Mal to be a part of it.

Which is what made the entire situation worse – Mal. Inara knew the procedures, knew that once she filed that petition her life would again become forfeit, but this time it would fall under scrutiny as well. She would be followed at all hours of the day, her communication lines tapped, her friends and family questioned. That’s why this job that Mal was heading for was especially fortuitous; Inara didn’t want him anywhere around when the Guild started their questioning.

She knew that Mal would not understand, that he would demand they give her and them their privacy and tell them to go to hell with their rules and laws. But what Mal also didn’t understand was that if they found out about him, if they knew Inara was leaving because she was in love, she would be shunned, expelled from the Guild without a second thought. Her license, her permanent record would be marred beyond recognition and Inara would have nothing – no rights, no future, no stipend – well, she’d have nothing but Mal.

With a shiver, Inara thought about the other women she’d known who had been expelled from the Guild; women who had left for a man or a promise of a better life and only ended up discarded, used and thrown away. Those women, once at the height of their professions had ended up as common whores, working the seediest parts of Sihnon, Osiris, Ariel, and worse, because that had been the only option left to them. Just as it had been the only option left to Nandi.

Wiping away a stray tear, Inara took another sip of her tea and tried not to think of her friend. Inara did not honestly believe that if she were expelled from the Guild her life would be over, but she had been trained to follow their rules and procedures, to respect the Guild, and seeing as how she had broken their most cardinal law, she figured this last bit of protocol was the least she could do.

With a start, Inara jumped as she felt a warm hand settle onto her shoulder. Looking up quickly, she met Mal’s blue eyes, as he gazed at her. “Hey, you all righ’?” he asked quietly, moving forward to sit beside her. She nodded once hoping that the darkness could hide the tear stains on her cheeks, she looked to him with a big grin and told him, “Of course, just couldn’t sleep.”

Glancing into the mug she held, Mal noted it was tea, as he’d suspected. Taking it from her hands, he sniffed it and then leveled a disbelieving gaze to her. “Uh huh,” he said, placing the cup on the floor. “You drink vanilla when you can’t sleep. You only drink earl grey when somethin’s buggin’ you.” Fixing her with his best non-menacing look, he said, “What’s goin’ on?”

Unsettled at how well he knew her, Inara bristled a bit and rose, heading back inside and to bed. “I can’t believe you cracked my tea code,” she told him over her shoulder, forcing a smile to her features. “I thought for sure I was less transparent than that.”

With a sigh, Mal followed her, allowing her to get back to the bedroom before confronting her again. As she removed her silk robe and went to slide into bed, he took her hand and pulled her to him. Looking into her eyes, he held the gaze for a moment, seeking answers. Not finding them, he said quietly, “Is it ‘cause I’m goin’ tomorrow?” he asked, his hands moving up her arms to cup her cheeks. “This job should be pretty easy. You don’t got nothin’ to worry ‘bout.”

Glad that he had come up with another excuse and not a totally unfounded one, Inara said quietly, “I always worry when you’re out on a job, Mal. You know that.”

Grinning slightly, he told her, “Yeah, well I guess it would help ease your nerves if I didn’t keep comin’ back from so many riddled with bullet holes or bleeding.”

Swallowing thickly, Inara dropped her gaze, focusing her eyes on the base of his neck where it met his bare chest. Running her hands along his collarbone, she let her fingers ghost over his muscles, outlining a few of the scars she passed. “You do get injured a bit more than I’d like,” she whispered, her concern for his safety now warring with her concern over what the Guild would say.

“Yeah, well no more,” he told her firmly, leading her back to bed and lying down with her. As they wrapped themselves in each other, he told her quietly, “This may come as a bit of surprise to you, but I can be a bit reckless.”

Turning her most mocking gaze to him, she asked, “You? No.”

Kissing her, he whispered, “I know, it’s a shock to the system.” As she smiled at his tease and again lowered her head to his chest, Mal tightened his arms around her. “But not no more. I ain’t gonna be that foolish from now on, ‘Nara.”

“Why?” she asked quietly, having a feeling she knew, but wanting him to admit it.

“Well,” he said slowly, pulling back from her to gaze into her wide eyes. “’Cause o’ you.” He smiled at her, that foolish and goofy lopsided grin that made her melt and it worked again.

Bringing her mouth to his, Inara’s lips were just an inch away, as she whispered, “Thank you,” before pressing a kiss to his mouth. It turned passionate quickly, and as Mal rolled her onto her back and continued to kiss her, his hands moving over her soft skin and causing her body to respond, she continued to love him back, more than happy to forget about tomorrow as long as he was with her tonight.

***

“Do you really have to go, sweetheart?” Regan was shielding the bright morning sun from her eyes as she stood with her husband and daughter on the landing platform. Serenity loomed in front of them, the light shining off the beleagured ship and making it look better than it truly deserved. “Your father and I really wanted to spend more time with you.”

River smiled at them, her own emotions conflicted. She really did want to stay and get to reknow these people, but she also knew she needed to go on this job. Shrugging, she said lightly, “I’m the pilot.”

“That’s right, can’t go flyin’ without my lil’ albatross,” Mal said jovially, jogging over to great the family. Shaking Gabriel’s hand and nodding cordially to Regan, he said, “It was a pleasure to meet you folks, an’ I’m sorry I gotta be takin’ River away.” Looking to River, he kissed her head and asked, “You almost ready, lil’ one?”

She smiled brightly at him, causing Mal to smile back and said, “Almost.”

Nodding once to her, Mal took his leave, anxious to get going so they could come back. Something had been off with Inara when he’d left that morning, but already running late as they had both stayed up far into the night, he’d had to rush out without really uncovering the cause of her distress. It had left him unsettled.

Striding up the ramp, he passed Jayne as the big brute secured some provisions they’d picked up and met Zoe in the middle of the bay, doing an inventory check on their cargo. “We almost ready, Zo?” he asked.

“Soon as we get ourselves a pilot, I’d say we’re good an’ ready,” she answered, glancing up from her notes to cock an eyebrow at him. Sweeping her eyes down his slightly disheveled form, she asked, “You all right, sir?”

Stepping past her and heading for the galley, he muttered, “Jus’ wanna get off this rock for a bit.”

Outside, River had hugged both her parents again, feeling the captain’s anxiety on the rise. Knowing she needed to go, she looked to them again, a few tears in her eyes and then focused on her father. “Don’t let Simon shut you out. He doesn’t want to, but he’s had to protect himself for so long, it’s become his first line of defense.” Gazing back to her mother, River thought about her brother’s pained expression that morning as they had said their goodbyes; the small twinge of fear that had blossomed in his heart that maybe this was the job she would not come back from. He was so used to being the responsible one, the parent, and her parents were so painfully unaccustomed to it. Holding her mother’s gaze, she added, “Just remember the boy you raised and then get to know the man he’s become.”

With another quick squeeze, River bounded away from them quickly, keeping her head bent low as she rushed to the safety of her cockpit and readied the ship for take-off. She was just getting ready to pull Serenity into the black when Mal entered. “You all right there, lil’ albatross?”

Not turning to face him as she didn’t want him to see the tears in her eyes, she answered quietly, “Right and shiny, captain,” waiting until she knew he was gone to let her shoulders shake with sobs.

***

“So, Kaylee, how have you been feeling?”

“Real good, doc,” she said brightly, studying the older man as he undid the blood pressure cuff and placed it back in his bag. “How’ve you been?”

Smiling kindly at her, Eli again marveled at this young woman. He had not often met a girl with as much love, optimism or joy as Kaylee and Eli found himself constantly amazed by it. And also wondering just how Simon had gotten to be so lucky.

“I’ve been very well,” he told her, raising a pen light to her eyes and testing her reactions. “Thank you for asking.”

She smiled to him again, but sat in silence as he finished checking her over. Eli had made it a habit to come to the apartment at least once every other day, and now, after she’d been out of the hospital for almost three weeks, he was back. Kaylee was glad; not only was he a kind old man, but she knew Simon looked forward to his visits, enjoyed having someone to talk to.

As he put the rest of his instruments away, Kaylee leaned back into her pillows. She was able to be up and about more frequently now as her dizziness and headaches faded, but she still found herself tiring quickly, as she had earlier today. Lacing her fingers in front of her, she turned her attention back to her visitor and asked, “So, what’s the word?”

“I’d say you’re going to live,” Eli told her, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Swatting playfully at him and chuckling lightly, she said, “Well, I done know that. But am I better yet?”

“I would have to say that you are almost one hundred percent better, Kaylee,” he told her truthfully. “You’ve made a remarkable recovery.”

Biting her lip nervously, Kaylee’s eyes darted to the open doorway. Simon had left them to give them privacy and as she brought her eyes back to Eli, he looked to her quizzically, wondering what exactly was on her mind. “Well, doc if’n that’s the case, there’s somethin’ I gotta ask ya. But you gotta answer true, dong ma?”

Smiling, Eli leaned forward as she beckoned him closer and whispered in his ear, “Am I healthy enough to be lovin’ again?”

Throwing his head back, Eli howled, his body shaking with his laughter. Looking back to her after several moments, he found himself wiping a happy tear from his eye before meeting her gaze. She was smiling, but he could also read her hesitation, quite worried that he would say no. “Yes, Kaylee. I think it’s quite safe for you and Simon to resume your normal – activities.”

Squealing slightly, Kaylee launched herself at him and hugged him fiercely. “Thanks, doc.”

Patting her back lightly, he said to her as she sat back. “However, Kaylee, you should know that since it’s been a while and because of the miscarriage, you should take things easy. There might be a bit of discomfort, so don’t be surprised.”

Her eyes pleading with him, she said, “Just don’t tell Simon, ‘kay?”

Frowning at her with a slightly bemused expression, Eli told her, “Well considering Simon’s a doctor, I’m thinking he probably already knows.” Studying her for a moment more he asked, “Why are you worried about him finding out?”

Frowning at him, Kaylee jerked a thumb towards the door, indicating where Simon was and asked, “You have met Simon, ain’t ya? He gets all worried he’s gonna break me or somethin’. Least now if’n I tell him you said it was okay … Well, he prolly won’t worry so much.”

“He only worries because he loves you, Kaylee,” Eli told her, his expression softening as she smiled wide at his assessment.

“Oh trust me, doc,” she said, her tone turning a bit mischievous. “I know.”

Chuckling lightly, he pulled back from her and rose. “Well, then, I guess I’d better get going.”

“Oh, wait,” she said, pulling on his hand. Looking to her, Kaylee grinned even wider and said, “Can you do me a favor first?”

Nodding hesitantly, Eli held a breath and waited for her to ask. “I wanna freshen up a bit. Can you keep Simon occupied for about a half an hour?”

Smiling broadly, Eli leaned down and placed a kiss into her hair, just as he always did with his own daughters. “Of course, Kaylee,” he said, moving towards the door. “I’ll get him to explain how exactly he got you to fall in love with him. Lucky S.O.B.”

Grinning even wider at him, Kaylee waited until the older man had left before she scrambled out of bed. Locking the door, she drew a bath and walked into the big and full closet that Inara and her mother had so nicely stocked for her. Her eyes dancing as she found what she wanted, she moved back to the bathroom, her excitement causing her body to hum and glow with unbridled anticipation.

***

Simon glanced up from his reading as Eli entered the living room. Closing his book, he placed it on the coffee table and rose to meet the older man. “How is she?” he asked, his voice tinged with just the slightest bit of anxiety.

“She’s fine, son,” Eli assured him, his eyes dancing with a bit of extra mirth at the young woman’s intentions. “She’s just fine.”

Releasing a breath, Simon asked, “Can I get you something?”

“A cup of coffe’d be great,” he said, moving to the small table at the back of the kitchen and watching in silence as Simon fixed the drink, making one for himself. As he set the steaming mug in front of him and then sat across from him, Eli said, “You know, son, I’ve been thinking.”

Curious, Simon asked, “About what?”

“About why exactly you haven’t taken me up on my job offer.” Eli took a sip of his coffee as Simon sputtered, trying to think of a response that wouldn’t offend the man. Deciding to bail him out, Eli told him, “All right, all right, take it easy. Maybe I’ve got a bit of an idea.”

Simon smiled to him and then said slowly, “It’s not just my decision.” Glancing over his shoulder, Simon sighed and added wistfully, “I could never ask Kaylee to leave Serenity.”

“And why is that?” Eli asked, sitting back in his chair. He felt he’d gotten to know Simon pretty well in the past few months. It was obvious to the older man that the boy was a great doctor, a caring and compassionate brother and a loving fiancé. But he was also just a little unhappy and Eli guessed that that unhappiness would only grow, no matter how hard Simon tried to dismiss it.

“Because it’s her home,” he said sullenly, his thumb running absentmindedly over the handle of his mug. “And it’s her job, it’s where her friends are. She considers Mal and Inara family.” Glancing back up to Eli, the older man felt a bit of sadness as he read the conflict there. “It wouldn’t be fair for me to make her choose.”

Eli studied him for another minute, each man sipping his coffee in silence. Finally, he lowered his mug back to the table, sat back in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest and said frankly, “That’s the biggest load of gou shi I’ve ever heard.”

Simon almost spit his latest sip, his eyes widening at the other man’s admission. Wiping at his mouth with a napkin, he asked, “I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me,” Eli said, leaning forward and leveling a finger at him. “That’s a load of bull. You not asking Kaylee to choose has got nothing to do with her. It’s all about you.”

Frowning at him, Simon said, “I’m sorry, Eli, but that’s where you’re wrong. I think-“

“You haven’t asked her because you’re afraid she’ll say no.” The words stopped Simon cold and he again raised wide blue eyes to the other man’s face. How could he have known that?

Guessing he’d been right by Simon’s very telling reaction, Eli continued. “You’re afraid that Kaylee will choose Serenity and her ‘family’ over you and you know you can’t take that kind of rejection.” Resting his elbows on the table, Eli locked his gaze with Simon’s and challenged, “Admit it.”

Grinning wryly at him, Simon muttered, “Did they just throw the psych degree in with your MD for free?” Eli smiled tightly, but would not back down until Simon said the words. With a sigh, he finally said, “You’re right. I’m scared. I’m afraid that Kaylee will want to stay on Serenity.”

Clapping the man on the shoulder, Eli told him jovially, “Well, admitting it is the first step, son.” As Simon again relaxed thinking this inquisition was offer, Eli just nailed him again. “Of course, it’s also the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard, but maybe we won’t talk about that right now.”

Without another word, the older man drank his coffee, feeling Simon’s bewildered gaze locked on him. After his third sip, Simon finally asked, “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

Shrugging lightly, Eli rose, figuring he’d given Kaylee plenty of time and knowing that he’d gotten Simon to realize he should get over his ridiculous insecurities and just ask that woman to settle down with him. Placing his cup in the sink, he said, “I’m an old man, son. I’ve got to get my kicks somehow.”

Laughing at this remark, Simon followed the man as he headed for the door. Turning to face him before he stepped outside, Eli told him, “Look, I was kidding, a bit.” Glancing over the boy’s shoulder in the direction of where Kaylee would be, he said, “That woman would follow you to the ends of the ‘verse and not ever even ask you why. You owe it to her to be honest.”

Simon smiled his thanks and watched Eli walk away before closing the door. Leaning against it, Simon thought for several minutes on everything he’d just said, before he went back to his reading. Eli had a point, Simon knew that. And as the man had said, admitting it was the first step.

***

Kaylee heard the front door close and began to hurry. She didn’t know if Simon would come back to check on her right away, but she still had a few other things to do before he did. Pausing for a moment to listen and not hearing him approach, she let out a little sigh of relief. Finishing with her hair, having already dried it from her bath, Kaylee found the lotion she loved, something else Inara had selected just for her, and rubbed just enough of it into her skin to leave the scent behind.

Glancing around the room, she took in her efforts and felt she’d done a pretty good job in a short amount of time. She’d changed the sheets, putting on crisp striped ones before making the bed. The sky outside had turned a threatening shade of gray and Kaylee found herself wishing for a nice rain storm. There was nothing quite so soothing as falling to sleep with the sound of raindrops against the window; or making love while it thundered outside.

Moving towards the bed, Kaylee picked up the two pieces of lingerie she had selected before taking her bath. They were very different, one black and incredibly sexy while the other was yellow and a bit more sweet. She had left them on their hangers, having no intention of putting either of them on and with a little giggle of nervous energy, she moved towards the door and unlocked it, before stepping back in front of the room’s floor length mirror and calling, “Simon, sweetie? Can you come ‘ere? I need your help with somethin’.”

Looking back to her reflection as she heard him answer, “In a minute,” Kaylee frowned at her still healing leg. It didn’t really hurt anymore, but it still didn’t look quite as healthy as her other one. Deciding it didn’t matter, Kaylee allowed her eyes to travel up the mirror, resting for a moment on the lace undies she’d donned, the only thing she was wearing, before she focused on her face. The grin that was shining there surprised even her; it felt good to be happy.

Hearing footsteps, she raised one piece of lingerie in front of her, the yellow one first and cocked her head to the side as if contemplating. “Kaylee, bao bei, what is-“

Simon stopped mid-step, his mouth hanging open as he took in her beautiful and glowing form just a few feet in front of him. Turning to him with a mock pout, Kaylee said, “I can’t decide which one.” Her voice held the hint of a whine, lighting Simon’s suddenly burning groin on fire. As she moved the yellow one away and revealed her bare chest to him before covering it again with the black nightgown, she asked demurely, “Which one do you think I should wear?”

Having recovered from his momentary shock, Simon strode forward quickly and wrapped a strong arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him. She gasped a bit at the forcefulness of the movement and the feeling of his hardening length pressing into her thigh. Her arms, the nightgowns still in her hands, fell to her sides as he dropped his lips to her neck and began to nibble at the skin there. “How about neither?” he asked, his voice muffled as he spoke against her.

Shivering with delight, Kaylee quickly released the clothes and wrapped her arms around him, fisting her hands into his hair. Bringing her mouth to his ear, she whispered hotly, “That’s what I was hopin’ you would say,” before she ran her tongue along his earlobe and then began to bite at it ever so slightly.

It was Simon’s turn to shudder with delight and he did, pulling her tightly to him in the procees. He inhaled the scent of her skin and her hair. The room smelled of Kaylee after a shower, the steamy air heady with soap and sweet shampoo. Flattening his hand to the small of her back, Simon moved his mouth from her shoulder up her neck and to her mouth, kissing her passionately, his tongue plundering her mouth with need and desire. It had been a while, a long while since they had been together, and while Simon was still a bit concerned for her health, seeing her like this, glowing and naked, made him burn for her.

As he continued to kiss her, his hands running up her back and cradling her face, Kaylee moved her hands down to his waistband, pulling at his shirt. Once she had it untucked, Kaylee worked expertly at his buttons, pulling them free, and running her hands over his bare abdomen, her fingers dancing across his firm muscles. Inhaling a bit as she hit a ticklish spot, Simon’s desire-filled eyes met her fiendish ones and he murmured, “Don’t.”

“Don’t what, honey?” she teased, again running her fingers down his sides and getting him to shudder a bit.

“You asked for it,” he growled, his voice husky with desire as he pinned her arms to her sides and kissed her fiercely, their mouths crushing against each other. Kaylee gave herself over to him, as she always did, already feeling her body lighting with desire, feeling herself melting from within. She wanted him so badly; it had been far too long.

Loosening his grip on her just a bit, Simon allowed her to finish removing his shirt. She pushed the open material off his shoulders and brushed a line of kisses against the top of his chest. She smiled as she watched his flesh pebble with goosebumps at her touch and gazing back up to him, she smiled even wider as she dragged her tongue up his neck before stopping at his lips and placing a light kiss to his mouth, teasing him mercilessly. It was a tease that Simon could not take. Moving his hands from where they had settled at her waist, Simon ran one up over her stomach and cradled her breast in his palm, rubbing his thumb over her already pert nipple and grinning as she gasped a bit at his mininstrations. Her hands, which had been roaming his back, now fell to his waist, tugging at his belted pants. She worked the buckle and teased his hard length through his underwear, before slipping her hand inside and taking hold of him, pulling slowly.

Gasping against her mouth, as he had again been kissing her heatedly, Simon murmured, “Oh, God, Kay.”

Smiling, she said, “Been a bit too long, ain’t it?”

He nodded, but didn’t speak, and Kaylee felt him stiffen even further. Leaning in to place a slow, soft kiss to his lips, he stopped her with a hand to her shoulder. Having a hard time concentrating as she still held him in her teasing grasp, he met her eyes and asked, “You sure you’re okay?”

Smiling at his concern, Kaylee told him, “Doc gave me a clean bill o’ health. I already checked.”

Trying to not think about how exactly Kaylee had gotten Eli to tell her she was well enough to have sex, he simply let her continue stroking him as his hands ran down her back, cupping her backside and pushing her into him.

Gasping again at the feel of him against her, Kaylee’s mouth fell next to his ear and she murmured, “Make love to me, Simon.”

Needing no other encouragement, Simon easily picked her up, Kaylee’s legs wrapping around his waist, while her arms wound around his neck. Her lips and tongue played over his shoulder and neck, and she expertly found each of his pulse points, causing a shiver to race down his spine.

As he sat with her on the bed, she in his lap, Simon pulled back from her a bit, and took just a moment to stare at her. She held his gaze for only a second and then squirmed against him, getting his mind back on more pressing matters. “Don’t keep a lady waitin’,” she murmured, her hand again rubbing him through his unders.

Grinning wickedly at her, Simon said, “I would never dream of it, bao bei.” Leaning towards her, he kissed her again, slowly, his tongue alternating between gentle caresses of her mouth and intense exploration. Kaylee met each of his touches with her own, and pulling herself flat against him, gently pushed him onto his back, so she was now straddling him, her knees on either side of his hips.

Gazing up at her, he ran his hands up her stomach and to her breasts and said, “Hmm, I like this view.”

Grinning at him, Kaylee bent over and rested her chest against his, one of her breasts falling close enough to invite him to bring it into his mouth; which he did, causing Kaylee’s eyes to flutter closed. Wanting to make her feel as good as possible, Simon ran one of his hands down to her hip and then across the front of her panties, finally rubbing two fingers against her, causing another gasp to escape her mouth. “Ai ya, Simon,” she panted next to his ear, only increasing his desire for her. He loved the breathless way she said his name when they were in the throes of passion.

Kaylee’s body burned for him and as he continued to rub against her overly sensitive bundle of nerves, Kaylee felt that fire burn so bright she thought it might scald her. Pulling back from him slightly, she pushed the lace panties down her legs, and then wrapped her fingers in the edge of his last remaining piece of clothing. He arched his hips just slightly to allow her the ability to pull them down and off, and then she was back on top of him, her wet heat ghosting over his straining length.

Slowly, Kaylee lowered her mouth to again cover his while simultaneously joining them, Simon having shifted his position just a bit to make it almost seamless. Kaylee gasped a bit as she felt him enter her, her body again adjusting to him after such a long absence. Pulling back from his mouth, she dropped her head to his shoulder as she felt a twinge of pain, probably an aftereffect of the miscarriage as the doc had warned her. Simon wrapped his arms around her, cradling the back of her head with his hand as he whispered, “Kaylee? Are you all right?”

Taking a deep breath, Kaylee knew the discomfort would subside. She looked back to him again smiling wide and said, “Jus’ shiny.”

Simon pushed her slightly damp hair back from her face and cradled her cheeks in his hands. He was still buried deep within her, but he wanted to go slow, hoping to ease the pain Kaylee was no doubt feeling. Lowering her mouth to his, he kissed her gently, his lips touching hers just barely before he deepened the kiss, pulling her lower lip into his mouth and teasing it with his tongue. Kaylee met his kiss with a tender one of her own, and then she shifted ever so slightly against him, making it impossible for him not to thrust. And judging by the now supernova smile on her face, that had been the intent.

Moving his hands from her face to her hips, they moved as one, finding their rhythm. Regardless of their time apart; their bodies knew each other, knew what the other needed, what kind of touch, what intensity of response to bring the most pleasure. It was one of the first things they had learned in their relationship and it now made for some incredible lovemaking.

As Simon felt Kaylee’s entire body shudder and begin to tighten around him, he held her close, gently whispering in her ear, encouraging her to let go. With a cry of his name and a rush of emotion, she did, bringing her mouth back to his as he followed soon after, filling her with intense warmth and satisfaction.

Collapsing on top of him, Kaylee rubbed her cheek against his chest, feeling a bit achy, but also deliciously sated with Simon still inside her. Looking up to him, she gave him a lingering kiss before again dropping her head to his chest. Feeling amazingly warm and safe and whole in his arms, but still not up to her full strength, Kaylee found she was soon drifting off, a bright smile on her face.

***

When she awoke again, Kaylee heard the low sound of thunder and the soft fall of rain outside. She smiled a bit, her eyes still closed as she also felt the gentle touch of Simon’s hand as he ran it through her hair and down her back, his other hand resting on the arm she had thrown across his chest as she slept. Enveloped in the warmth of his arms and the blankets he’d placed them under, Kaylee would have gladly stayed in this moment forever.

With a small sigh, she lifted her head from his chest to regard him, knowing he was awake. As she caught his gaze, she watched him pull his blue eyes from a far away place and time. Resting a hand against his cheek, she murmured, “I’m still a bit tired I guess.”

He smiled to her and then kissed her before saying, “That’s okay. It was kind of tiring, but in a good way.”

“A very good way.” Her grin even broader, she rested her head back against his shoulder and closed her eyes to the sound of the rain. As a particularly violent clap of thunder sounded directly above them, she jumped involuntarily, causing Simon’s arms to tighten around her protectively. “It’s just a storm,” he told her, his lips whispering into her hair.

She nodded once but did not speak, waiting for him to tell her what had him bothered. It didn’t take a genius to read the thoughtfulness of his expression or the worried look in his eyes. As the minutes passed, however, and it became obvious he wasn’t about to say anything, Kaylee pushed the issue.

Her finger drawing light circles along his chest, she asked quietly, “Whatcha thinkin’ ‘bout?”

Simon looked down to the top of her head, unable to read her expression, but not needing too. He should have known Kaylee would figure out something was up; she always did. With a sigh, he admitted, “Something Eli said.”

Looking back to him, Kaylee propped her chin up on her hand and held his gaze. “Was it ‘bout the job?”

“Inadvertently, I guess,” Simon admitted, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek. As she leaned into his palm, he whispered, “I want to stay.”

Her eyes opened wide at this statement and Kaylee leaned up a bit straighter. “Shenme?”

Swallowing hard, Simon hoped that Eli knew what he was talking about. “Kaylee, I love you, you know that right?”

Smiling at him, Kaylee told him, “Well, o’ course I do.” Holding up her left hand where his engagement ring still shined, so added, “And if’n I forget I got this nice shiny reminder.”

Simon smiled at her and pulled the hand towards his mouth, kissing it gently before continuining. “I know that I said I wouldn’t make you choose, but-“

“You wanna stay on Sihnon.” It was a statement, not a question and the blank look that had just crossed Kaylee’s face made Simon’s heart thud sharply in his chest.

“Yes, Kaylee, I do. I want us to try and build a life here. At least for a while,” he added hurriedly. “Maybe it’ll work and we’ll be deliriously happy. And maybe it won’t and we’ll call Mal up and tell him to swing by and get us.” Kaylee grinned slightly at the thought and Simon felt his spirits lift. “But I honestly don’t care what we do, as long as we do it together.”

Kaylee’s eyes searched Simon’s face intently and she found that his were doing the same to her. Cradling his face in her hands, she said quietly, “I’m always up for an adventure, ‘specially with you.”

Holding his breath, Simon’s eyes lit as he breathed, “You mean, you’ll do it?”

Nodding once, Kaylee said, “Of course I will. I know how much you want it. I owe it to you to give it a go.”

Pulling her to him, Simon kissed her fiercely and Kaylee sighed against him. She was still nervous about the whole idea, nervous that everyone she’d meet on Sihnon would be like Amber and Basil, but Kaylee still believed, despite meeting them, that nice, rich folks could exist. She knew Simon and River, after all, and Inara and Eli. It would work out. She owed it to Simon try and build a life with him here. And she knew that if it didn’t work, she’d go back to Serenity with him.

When they parted, Kaylee snuggled back into him, still feeling a bit tired. Another clap of thunder startled her and Simon pulled her tight. “You are amazing, bao bei,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Smiling still, Kaylee again drifted off, hoping the next time she awoke, she’d be rested enough to convince Simon just how amazing she was all over again.

***