A/N: Sorry for the delay in this. Got a job this week and things just went from crazy to crazier!

This chapter is a bit short, but I think still chock full of angst and tension. I hope you like. It hasn't been beta'd so any mistakes are mine and mine alone!

Thanks to all who have read and responded ... although I'm noticing a drop off in those comments ... I guess I could just keep updating every week, instead of every other day ... is that what you'd prefer?!?!?!?

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7

Link to prompt table

***

The Right To Love - Chapter 8 (Prompts 56-59)

***

056. Black

As soon as she caught sight of his black shoes on the rung of the ladder, she knew it was Simon. Brushing her hair back from her face and wishing she’d had the energy today to at least wash up, Kaylee waited, her lower lip between her teeth as he maneuvered his way down the ladder, a tray of something in his hands.

Placing his feet on solid ground, he looked towards her and smiled and in an instant Kaylee felt tears well in her eyes. He had the best smile. Blinking them away quickly, they held each others’ gazes for a moment and then Simon did something he had promised himself he wouldn’t. Placing the tray of food on the end of her bed, he moved towards her quickly and, without a word, kissed her.

If Kaylee was surprised by the suddenness of his movement, she made no sign of it, choosing instead to block out everything else, and focus only on the heat from Simon’s body that was washing over her, the gentleness of his kiss, the feel of his hands on her face. She leaned into him, feeling a sob rise in her throat, and it only made her kiss him harder, hoping to stop it from coming.

But with a mind of its own, the cry broke free and Kaylee had to pull back from him her hand over her mouth, her eyes shut against more tears. Berating himself for his overt actions, Simon tried to move away, worried he was pushing too hard, and was surprised when Kaylee reached for him. Her wide green eyes alighting to his face, Simon studied her as she worked to say something.

“Don’t go, Simon, please.” It was a plea more than a request and the pain he heard in her voice caused a surge of protectiveness and love to pulse through him. “I know I’ve been awful, but please don’t go. I need you.”

Knowing those were the most beautiful words he could ever hear, Simon moved towards her and opened his arms, allowing Kaylee to fold into him. She winced slightly as she moved into his embrace, her ribs and legs still bothering her, but in just a few moments she was comfortable. And for the first time in a long while, she felt safe.

A few more tears snaked down her cheeks, and Simon felt them wet against his shirt. Pressing a kiss into her hair, he whispered, “It’s okay to be scared, Kaylee. I’m here. Let me help you.”

She nodded once and Simon held her firmly, reassuring her throughout the night that he was with her.

057. White

In Simon’s dream, Kaylee was sheathed in white, the most beautiful dress he’d ever seen making her a vision. She had white flowers in her hair and she was walking down a path of white petals towards him. She was a bride, his bride and in his sleep, Simon smiled, his head resting against Kaylee’s soft hair as she lay against his chest.

Content to stay in the fantasy, Simon watched as Kaylee’s brilliant and shining form seemed to float towards him on a cloud, her smile lighting the sky and almost blinding him. Reaching out a hand to her, Simon drew her close and kissed her, reveling in the white glow that permeated her entire being.

***

In Kaylee’s dream the white light blocked out all recognition, made the men faceless again. It was a little better than the shadowy figures who had assaulted her before, but not much. This light, this white, overpowering glow was hot too and Kaylee felt sweat pour off her forehead, felt her skin burn under the intensity of it and she jerked sharply.

She jerked herself awake with a scream of pain, her hair plastered to her forehead as she awoke next to Simon. Sitting up despite the pain in her abdomen, Kaylee dropped her face into her hands, her whole body shaking. Concerned, Simon reached out a hand to her shoulder and at the simple touch, she again rolled into him, burying her face against his chest.

“They was back,” she said, her voice trembling. “They was back an’ they were gonna hurt me again.”

“No one’s going to hurt you, Kaylee,” Simon told her, his voice soft as his arms again encircled her. “I promise you, no one.” He held her tight, his helplessness threatening to choke him. He wanted to fix this, to make it better, but he had no idea how and he knew that was because there was nothing he could do.

As her fear ebbed, Kaylee allowed Simon to lay back with her, staying tight to his side, needing the reassurance that he was there. After a few minutes of silence, he said quietly, “You’ll be home by tomorrow.”

Kaylee nodded, still conflicted. She had told Simon that she didn’t really want to leave Serenity and that was the truth. But she also suspected that once they set down and she saw her parents and her home she’d feel a deep need to stay behind and she worried that if she did, she would lose him for good. It wasn’t as if she could ask him to stay with her … could she?

“Are you excited?” he asked, trying to get her to talk to him, to focus on something other than her nightmares.

She nodded again and said quietly, “I ain’t seen my mama and daddy in over a year.” Turning to face him, she asked, “What if they don’t recognize me?”

Smiling to her, Simon said, “Oh, something tells me they’d know that smile of yours anywhere.” Pressing a kiss into her hair, he paused for a moment, uncertain if his next statement would come out wrong. But remembering the white-clad vision of her from his dream spurred him on. “Do you think I could meet them?”

For the first time in a long time, Simon saw Kaylee the way she’d been before the attack. With a purely dumbfounded expression, she teased, “No, I’m gonna leave you on the ship an’ tell ‘im that the boy I’ve been ramblin’ on about for almost a year jus’ ain’t around.”

His lips turning up into a smile, he teased her back. “Rambling, huh? So they know about me then?”

Blushing, Kaylee said sheepishly, “Yeah, I mighta mentioned you once or twice.” As she watched Simon’s expression turn from amused to smug, she decided to tease him again. “I mighta mentioned you callin’ my ship luh suh an’ you bein’ a criminal mastermind, an’ the cow fetus an’ the sake-“

She was cut off mid-sentence as Simon leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss. It was gentle at first, just light enough to deter her from listing off any more of his most embarrassing moments, but it quickly turned passionate. Kaylee worked her hands up his neck and to his cheek, as Simon cupped the back of her head, pulling her tighter to him, their tongues meeting and increasing their need.

With difficulty, Simon pulled back from her, panting a bit, and murmured, “Sorry.”

Shaking her head, Kaylee shifted against him and told him, “Don’t be sorry, sweetie. I love you an’ you love me. I’ve been wantin’ you to do that for a while now.”

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he admitted, his voice still low. “I don’t want to make it worse.”

Reaching up to cradle his face in her hands, Kaylee met his blue eyes with her green ones and said, “Sweetie, you ain’t makin’ it worse, an’ you never have. I’m sorry if I ever made you think different.” Brushing a light kiss to his mouth, she said, “But I do still get scared sometimes, even though I don’t wanna be, an’ I’m jus’ hopin’ it don’t drive you away.”

“How many times do I have to tell you, bao bei?” he asked gently, his thumbs caressing her cheeks. “I’m not going anywhere. Dong ma?”

“My heart believes ya,” Kaylee admitted, nuzzling her cheek into his chest. “It’s my mind that’s havin’ a hard time.”

Simon smiled, knowing exactly how stubborn one’s mind could be. “Well, then I guess I’ll just keep repeating it until your mind learns.”

“It might take awhile,” she said, her face again lighting with the barest of grins. “My daddy done always tol’ me I gotta thick head.”

Smiling down at her, Simon said, “Oh, good, we’ll have something to talk about then.”

She laughed at that and Simon felt his heart soar, as the small sound echoed from her and into him. He smiled again as she settled back into sleep, his grin almost as big as when he’d envisioned her as his glowing bride.

058. Sunshine

Her mama had always called her Sunshine, sometimes Ray, but usually Sunshine and Kaylee couldn’t wait to hear the word fall from her mother’s lips again.

She wanted to run down the ramp and hug her mama and daddy both, but her legs were still weak and bruised and so she had to stand, Simon’s arms firmly around her waist as the ramp lowered slowly, the bright, hot sunlight flooding into the cargo bay making everyone blink and shield their eyes.

Kaylee saw her daddy first, his tall, 6-foot frame easily recognizable and she smiled big at him even as she felt a few tears of relief fall. As soon as the ramp had lowered, Simon began to help her down and when she was only a step away from both her parents she pulled out of his grip and threw her arms around them. Both of them held her tightly, their eyes welling with tears at seeing her. Mal had called them after Kaylee had requested to go home and filled them both in on all that happened to their baby. They had never been more relieved to see her in their lives.

Pressing kisses to her cheeks, Mrs. Frye held her baby tightly and Kaylee sank into her mother’s soft embrace. “Oh baby, you are a sight for sore eyes. I done missed you all these months.”

“I know, mama,” Kaylee whimpered back, her voice tight with tears.

“You okay, baby girl?” her father asked, placing a light hand to her cheek and getting her attention.

Looking to him, she said, “Better now, daddy.”

He smiled at her, a big grin that rivaled her own and supporting her still shaky form, Mister and Mrs. Frye walked with their daughter back to their home. The crew watched the three of them go, knowing that now was not the time for introductions or intrusions. The family needed some private time and everyone was more than willing to give it to them; although it made Simon a bit uncomfortable.

He was worried, although he hadn’t confided to Kaylee, that she would stay behind and not ask him to stay with her. He’d thought about simply volunteering to stay, but he didn’t want to be too presumptuous and he didn’t even know if he could. He still had River to look after and … with a sigh, he realized it didn’t matter. If Kaylee asked him to jump off a cliff he’d do it, no questions asked. If she asked him to stay, he probably would. If she didn’t, then he’d know he wasn’t enough for her.

“Think less, Simon.” River’s scolding tone drew his attention from the Frye’s fading forms and he turned to look at her.

“Think less and do more,” River ordered before stalking back into the ship.

Smiling at her, Simon wished it were that simple.

***

“Malcolm Reynolds, you best get down here!”

Mal heard the booming voice in his cargo bay and winced. He’d been expecting this confrontation, but that didn’t make it any easier. Looking to Inara who had laid at his side, as he’d rested in the shuttle, he said quietly, “Somethin’ tells me not to keep the man waiting.”

Rising with him, Inara aided him down the stairs, as his body was still healing. Pausing at the last landing, Mal met Hank Frye’s burning gaze and took a deep breath before descending the last few stairs. Placing a kiss to Inara’s hand, he left her at the base of the stairwell and stood tall in front of the angry father.

“It sure is good to see ya,” Mal said lightly, meaning it. Kaylee’s folks had always been kind to Mal and his crew whenever they’d swung by. He really hoped his idiocy hadn’t just jeopardized that for them all.

“Don’t be all polite with me,” the other man said, shoving a finger into his face. “How could you let that happen to my lil’ girl?”

Dropping his gaze to the cargo bay floor, Mal let out a huge sigh. “You got every right to be mad at me, Hank. I don’t blame ya a bit.” Opening his arms to his sides, he invited the man, “C’mon, hit me.”

“Mal,” Inara hissed from his side, not at all certain that egging the larger, angrier and uninjured man into a fight was such a good idea.

“The man’s gotta right to beat on me, ‘Nara,” Mal told her, his eyes never leaving the other’s face. “I done endangered his lil’ girl. That makes me all manner of deservin’.”

“I ain’t gonna argue with that, Malcolm,” Hank bit out, taking a step closer to him. “So, I want ya to tell me true,” he ordered, his hard eyes studying Mal’s for any hint of a lie. “Did you mean to endanger my baby?”

Shaking his head firmly, Mal told him, “Hank, you know I love Kaylee like she was a sister. I didn’t never want her to suffer like that.” Glancing up to the catwalks, he saw that the rest of his crew had assembled at the commotion. “None of us did, an’ there ain’t a person on this boat who wouldn’ta gladly takin’ lil’ Kaylee’s place in a heartbeat.” Watching the man closely for a moment, Mal risked clapping a hand to his shoulder as he said, “I am awful sorry, Hank. If there’s anythin’ you and Ellen want me to do, name it. It’s done.”

“I knew I wasn’t wrong ‘bout you, Mal,” Hank said quietly, his eyes again friendly. “I know you’d never have allowed my lil’ Ray to be hurt on purpose.” Looking around to the rest of the crew, Hank raised his voice. “There is one thing y’all can do for me an’ Ellen.” As they waited expectantly, Hank’s face broke into a grin. “You can all come back to the house an’ eat some food an’ take a rest. You look like you’ve been through hell.”

Not about to argue with the man on that count, Mal smiled to him once and then looked up to his crew, motioning them to the ramp. “Well, let’s go now. We know we don’t wanna be missin’ out on Ellen’s cookin’.”

Jayne was the first one out into the bright afternoon sun, Zoe and River following him, while Simon walked with Inara and Mal brought up the rear with Hank. Lowering his voice again, Hank told him, “Now, Malcolm, you gotta do one other thing for me.” Turning a curious gaze to him, he said, “You gotta fill me in on this Simon character.” 059. Puppet

Ellen Frye had never seen a man more lovesick. Even her Hank, when they’d been courting, had not been as moon-eyed as the young and handsome doctor seemed to be for her little Ray.

The boy was all manner of polite, eating with the rest of his crew, trying not to look up at every little sound hoping it might be Kaylee. Ellen had, of course, insisted that the girl get some rest, in her own big comfortable bed, and Kaylee had been unable to argue. So Ellen had helped her up the stairs, and listened as she filled her in on her relationship with Simon before sleep finally took her.

And so now, Ellen watched with slight amusement as Simon became less and less animated, his arms and legs not knowing what to do without Kaylee to guide him. Knowing that the boy was smart and knowing that his misery was only mounting, she wondered how long it would take him to ask after her. She wasn’t at all surprised when he found her in the kitchen after supper with his sister, who had offered to help with the dishes.

“Ah, Mrs. Frye?”

His voice was hesitant, but as Ellen turned to regard him, she saw that his stature, his demeanor was anything but. Smiling to him slightly and sizing him up, she waited for him to continue. “I wonder if you might tell me where Kaylee is. I want to be sure she’s all right.”

“Well, of course, she’s all right, boy. She’s at home, ain’t she?” As soon as Ellen teased, she watched the boy’s face fall and she felt a twinge of guilt. Oh, if her Kaylee had it bad, then this boy had it worse. Taking a step towards him, she said, “She was lookin’ a mite tired when y’all arrived, so I wanted her to get some rest.” Motioning to a tray of food by the door, she said, “I was gonna take her some supper.” Looking back to Simon as his blue eyes again lit with hope, she offered, “Why don’t you take it up instead? Second door on the right.”

Simon nodded and smiled his thanks to her as he moved from the room, picking up the tray on his way. With a spring in his step that could only be attributed to lovesickness, he left and Ellen turned back to her dishes. Noticing that her helper’s movements had stilled she looked up to see River giving her an exasperated look. “He’s got it bad,” she confided.

Chuckling, Ellen told her, “I can see that, darlin’.”

***

Simon found his step slowing as he ascended the stairs to Kaylee’s room. He was worried that she would have already realized she didn’t need him anymore. That now that she was surrounded by her mother and father, his presence would become unnecessary and the thought chilled him.

Shaking it away, he moved to the door Ellen had indicated and knocked lightly. Not getting a response, he figured she was still asleep and so he pushed the door open, entering the darkened room and allowing his eyes to adjust as he shut it behind him. Looking over to the bed, his heart caught in his throat as he saw that it was empty.

His eyes searching for Kaylee, he found her in a far corner, the darkest one available, and noted that she was shaking. Placing the tray down, Simon moved to her side quickly, her fear and pain dictating his response. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, glad when she didn’t fight him and even more glad when he felt her relax against him. “Simon,” she breathed.

That small exhalation of breath told him everything he needed to know and so again, he reacted without thought, Kaylee’s needs guiding his movements. She was still trembling as he rose with her, and so he gently laid her back into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. As she finally brought her eyes to focus on him, Simon brushed some hair from her face, and asked softly, “Bad dream?”

She nodded fearfully, but did not speak and so Simon didn’t either. Staring at her for a moment, he felt her fingers curl around his hand and pull it tight to her chest. Rolling onto her side, she clutched his hand over her heart as she again drifted off to sleep. And with no desire to be anywhere else, Simon just watched her.

***

You're going to make me beg for comments, aren't you? *sigh* Okay ...

Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please ...

Oh, and Happy Easter!

Chapter 9