“Simon, are ya in here?” came Kaylee’s voice from the corridor outside River’s bunk. Simon sat at the edge of River’s bed seemingly lost in a day dream. She crossed the room and gently shook his shoulder. “Are ya all right? You wasn’t at dinner and I was starting to . . . ”

“Oh, Kaylee I um . . . I was just . . . Is something wrong? He asked a bit startled.

“No everything is just shiny. I mean no one’s bleedin’ to death or nothin’. She laughed nervously. “I just wanted to bring the two of ya a bit of our feast before it got all gone.” She said handing him warm plates of whatever protein concoction Book had whipped up.

A small smile crept to the edges of Simon’s mouth. “Thank you, that was very thoughtful. It’s just River’s not... It’s been a very challenging day.” He said not wanting to put his burden on her shoulders as well. She’s not a burden, she’s your sister he thought guiltily.

“She’ ain’t no burden Simon.” Kaylee stated as if reading the thoughts from his pained expression. “ And you ain’t no burden either. You’re doing the best ya can for her. I can’t begin to imagine all the worries ya got belted up inside that head a yours, but you are forgettin’ one real important detail.”

“That’s the problem Kaylee. I seem to be missing every important detail. I can’t cure her. I can’t even make her nightmares go away.” He said miserably. “This is the first time in nearly a week that she has slept soundly for more than 2 or 3 hours at a time.” He sighed, leaning over to tuck the blankets more firmly around River as she curled up into her dreams.

“Simon, that’s my point.” she said sitting down beside him. “You’re always gonna have worries about River. What you’re forgettin’ is you don’t have ta worry alone. You know your both part of the crew now and more than that your part of our family. River has lot’s a people lookin’ out for her. And I don’t have to remind you she’s done a pretty good job a lookin’ out for all of us too.”

“Family, huh? I hardly think everyone see’s River as just a sweet, more than slightly crazy little sister.”

“Sure they do Simon. River is the crazy little sister and you’re the uptight over protective older brother.” She said trying to suppress her laughter.

“Uptight? You think I am uptight? Well I have never been so insulted in all of my life.” Simon laughed in mock disbelief.

“Its so nice to see that handsome smile again.” Kaylee said shifting so she could lay her hand on his.

“Would an uptight person do this?” He asked curling his fingers around hers and slowly moving within a breaths distance from her lips.

“Actions have consequences and the dark wont’ keep” came a whispered voice startling Simon and Kaylee apart nearly landing both of them in a heap on the floor. “I’m not asleep” River said disentangling herself from the warmth of her blanket.

“River oh, I... We didn’t know that... We were just ... “ Simon stammered.

“Fornicating” River stated with disgust.

“Well not just yet.” Kaylee said blushing. “Sorry we didn’t mean to wake ya.” She apologized as River hoisted herself from the bed and turned towards the door.

“So I guess that completes the highly embarrassing portion of my day.” Simon said still seated on the floor. “Kaylee, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to... well I did mean to I just got a little ahead of myself. I didn’t think.”

“Ain’t nothing for you to be sorry ‘bout Simon.” she said standing up gracefully. “I won’t be apologizing for that kiss anytime soon. You could do with a little less thinkin’ sometimes. Matter of fact I think River had a grand idea.”

“You mean you want to be with me?” he asked a bit incredulously.

“‘Course I do Simon. Fornication or not, I want to be with you. Who knows maybe we can even unwind ya a bit. Unless you’d rather just sit there on the rug contemplatin' all them uptight thoughts you seem so fond of holding on to.

"Well, if you think your up to the challenge of getting me unwound..., but first your going to have to help me up." he said grabbing for her hand.

"Oh all right. I suppose it's the least I can do being that you.... ahhhhhh Simon!" She screamed as he pulled her down onto his lap.

"Oops. Guess we will just have to start the unwindin' from here." he said brushing his lips against hers to recreate their interrupted almost kiss.