Marcus gladly helped Kaylee with her list. Kaylee was amazed that Marcus knew everything on the list. Kaylee definitely enjoyed Marcus’s company. When they completed the errand, Simon told Marcus they had to leave and promised to keep in touch. Marcus insisted on visiting this Serenity that Kaylee was talking about. River just stood there the whole time trying to read Marcus. She couldn’t understand why she couldn’t read him. She could read every person’s mind. Marcus walked Kaylee back to Serenity. Mal, Zoe, and Wash were outside. “Hi Cap’n, this is Marcus.” ‘Hi Marcus, excuse me for a minute.” Mal pulled Kaylee aside. “Mei-mei, what are you doing?” “He’s a friend of Simon’s and wanted to see Serenity.” “I know you love to show off Serenity, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.” “I agree,” River said coming up to the two. “Cap’n?” “Yes Mei-mei?” “Please, it won’t take long I promise.” Mal couldn’t say no to Kaylee. Mal also knew Kaylee may be all sunshine, but you didn’t mess with her when she got mad. “Fine, twenty minutes.” Kaylee hugged Mal and back to where Marcus and Simon were standing. “Shall we?” Kaylee asked. “We shall,” Marcus said taking Kaylee’s arm. Mal approached Simon. “You look upset there Doc.” “Why would I be upset?” Mal smiled. “Gee, I don’t know.” Simon rolled his eyes at Mal. “Look, while you were talking to Kaylee, Marcus offered me a big sum of money so he could travel with us to the next planet.” “Is he trying to get away from someone?” “I didn’t ask.” When Simon told him the amount of money, Mal was on board for having another passenger. River came up to Simon who was staring at Marcus and Kaylee. “This isn’t good,” River said. “I know,” Simon says in return. He left River standing there to catch up to Kaylee and Marcus. River was going to keep her eye on Marcus. She was going to figure out how to read his mind. In the meantime she was going to have to keep Kaylee away from Marcus. She could tell he was up to something and had a feeling it would involve Kaylee. Serenity finally set off to see Badger. Everyone was eating dinner except Kaylee. There was still work to be done. She would just have to grab something later. As she was working, she dropped the wrench from her hand under the engine. It was place just right, she had to stretch to get it. “Hi.” Kaylee jumped out of her skin and swung her arm hitting the engine and cutting her wrist on something sharp. “Go-se!” “Oh wow, you’re bleeding.” Kaylee looked up at Marcus. “No problem, I can get something for it.” Marcus helped Kaylee up. “Sheh-sheh, Marcus.” The two went to where everyone was eating dinner. “Simon, can I borrow you for a second?” Simon rushed out of his chair when he saw her wrist. The two went straight towards the infirmary. “That is nasty,” Wash said as they walked by him. “I should go make sure she is okay,” Marcus said. River stopped him. “Nah, she will be fine. Simon is a great doctor.” It was clear that River wasn’t going to let Marcus leave so he sat himself back down at the table. He could sense River stare at him the rest of the evening.

Simon wrapped a bandage around Kaylee’s wrist. Kaylee got chills when Simon touched her skin. “Sheh-sheh, Simon” “Not a problem,” Simon said smiling at Kaylee. “Can I ask? How did this happen?” Kaylee told him about Marcus making her jump. “So really it was no big deal.” Simon gave Kaylee a concern look. “Still, he shouldn’t have done that.” “No harm done. It was just a scratch. Besides I have you to fix me up,” Kaylee said wishing she could that back when she opened her mouth. Simon laughed. “I’ll talk to Marcus and make sure that he doesn’t do that again.” Mal interrupted the two. “How’s your wrist mei-mei?” Kaylee replied, “Good now.” “Well take the rest of the night and rest.” “Cap’n I don’t have time. I ain’t going to be ready,” Kaylee exclaimed. “Mei-mei,” Mal replied crossing his arms and giving her a stern look. Simon chimed in. “Captain is right Kaylee.” Kaylee frowned. “I guess I can get up early in the morning.” “That’s my girl,” Mal replied patting her shoulder. Kaylee got up and Simon decided to walk her back to her bunk. Mal rolled his eyes at the two. He also didn’t like seeing the two together. Kaylee was making herself coffee the following morning when Marcus came in. “Good morning, Kaylee.” “Hi Marcus,” said Kaylee giving him one of her famous smiles. “I see I didn’t scare you this time.” “Nope,” Kaylee smiled at Marcus again. “So what are you doing up so early this morning?” “I couldn’t sleep,” Marcus took the coffee mug from Kaylee when she handed it to him, “Sheh-sheh.” “Hope you don’t mind that I made it really strong.” Marcus took a sip, “I like it strong.” “Good.” Simon and River came in as Marcus and Kaylee were laughing with each other. “What’s so funny?” River asked reaching for the coffee. “Marcus here was telling me some funny stories of your brother.” “Don’t believe him, none of them are true,” Simon said sitting next to Kaylee. “Nah, they are great stories.” Simon was afraid to know what Marcus was telling Kaylee. Kaylee stood up, “Well I’m gonna let you two catch up. It’s time to get back to work.” Simon watched Kaylee leave and then turn to Marcus. “Why are you here?” “I have business to attend to.” “Whatever it is, leave Kaylee out of it.” “I’m just making friends.” Before Simon could comment back, Jayne walked in. “Ooh coffee.” “Leave some for the rest of us,” Wash said coming behind Zoe. Marcus watched the crew. He could see River yet again watching him. Marcus thought to himself, “Try and read me all you want freak. Alliance trained me to block mind readers like you.”

“go-se!” crap “Sheh-sheh” thanks “mei-mei” little sister