Today was going to be a great day. Kaylee woke up with a huge smile on her face. It was all planned out. She would help Mal in the morning and than she would hurry back to Serenity for a picnic with Simon. Kaylee had talked to Mal last night before going to bed to see if it was okay. She wouldn’t let him sleep until she knew Mal was okay if she had the picnic with Simon. She could see the look on his face and was ready to argue. To Kaylee’s surprise Mal agreed and he said it was alright. They could only do it if the job was finished. Kaylee sat up in her bed and eyed two of the outfits she had planned. There was the pink dress Simon saw her in before and there was a pretty green one next to it. Inara gave it to her as a gift. She would just have to think about it.

Everyone was meeting for breakfast. When River walked past Kaylee, River whispered, “the green one.” Kaylee turned to River. “Really; you think so?” “Yes.” River gave Kaylee a pat on the shoulder. Simon looked at Kaylee confused after watching her with River. She blushed and said nothing. “Good morning crew.” Kaylee looked up to see Mal. “I’m ready Cap’n. I just need to grab my stuff from the engine room.” Simon watched Kaylee leave. Once she was a safe distance he turned to Mal. “Be careful with her.” Mal stopped drinking his coffee. Simon stood up. “I mean it Mal.”

Five hours later, Zoe, Kaylee, Jayne, and Mal came back to Serenity. All four of them were covered in mud along with minor battle wounds. Simon was ready for them. It was starting to become a habit whenever they did a job. For once couldn’t they come back unharmed? River was by Simon’s side ready to help. Kaylee had a minor cut so she didn’t need to make a trip to the infirmary. Simon was sad to see her leave the group. It didn’t matter anyways; he was looking forward to their picnic. Simon started to fix up Mal. Mal flinched as Simon tightened the bandage around his arm. “Do you mind?” “Sorry.” “So you and Kaylee are going for a picnic?” Simon rolled his eyes. “Yes.” “If you –” “Don’t worry about us.” Before Mal could say anything else, Simon finished him up and sent him on his way. Now he could get ready for the picnic. Simon didn’t know why he was nervous. He and Kaylee were friends after all.

Like Kaylee promised, she waited for Simon by the tree sitting close to Serenity. She made her share for the picnic. She couldn’t wait to see what he came up with. He said he would bring the desert. Kaylee was starting to wonder what time it was. She had been waiting at least a half hour. The only reason Kaylee could think why he was late was because he was stuck in the infirmary. Maybe it was River? Kaylee knew it was too good to be true. There was always something coming between her and Simon. Kaylee heard something. She could hear footsteps coming closer to the outside. Yes, here Simon comes. Kaylee got a huge smile on her face. The smile turned into a frown a second later. It was only Marcus coming out. Kaylee quickly removed her frown and smiled at Marcus. Marcus returned with a smile. “What are you doing out here?” Marcus eyed the basket sitting next to Kaylee. Kaylee told Marcus about the evening Simon and her had planned. Marcus lifted the basket. “You and I’ll go.” Kaylee hesitated. “Hmm I was going to see what was keeping Simon.” “I saw him with River. It looked like they were eating lunch.” “Oh,” Kaylee shrugged. “I guess you and I can go.” “Great.” Marcus and Kaylee were on their way.

Where was he? River couldn’t find Simon. Something was wrong. Marcus and Kaylee were missing. The problem was she could sense Simon onboard. Everyone assumed Kaylee and Simon were out enjoying their picnic. River finally found Simon. He was trying to get up from the floor. River ran over to Simon. “Are you okay?” Simon rubbed his forehead. “What the hell happened?” “I would ask you the same thing.” River helped Simon up and sat him down at the table. “All I remember was getting ready to meet Kaylee. Oh god, Kaylee; where is she?” River tried to figure out how to tell him. “I don’t know. I can’t sense her. She has to be far from Serenity.” Simon stood up too fast and had to catch himself with the table. “Well I’m sure she will be back. Kaylee would never go far from Serenity without telling anyone.” River knew he was telling himself that more than her. River and Simon practically ran into Mal and Wash as they came through the door. “Back so soon? I thought Kaylee would have kept you longer.” Wash gave Simon a wink. River told Mal and Wash everything. “Kaylee should have come looking for me.” Simon looked past Mal and Wash, hoping she would be close behind them. Mal crossed his arms. “I still want to know how you ended up on the floor.” “I think something hit me.” Wash looked towards where Simon had been on the floor. “Who would hit you?” “Hit who?” Everyone looked at Jayne as he walked in. “What?”

Kaylee let out a yawn. Did the day finish already? She couldn’t even recall falling asleep. In fact, she was not lying in her bed. It felt like grass. Kaylee opened her eyes. Where was she? The last thing she remembered was chatting with Marcus. “This ain’t right.” Kaylee said aloud, hoping someone would answer. “Marcus?” Kaylee had no clue where she was. She didn’t recognize the area at all. There were trees everywhere and it looked like a building was maybe fifty feet away. Marcus and Kaylee had been sitting near a creek with open field. In fact, they were close to Serenity. “Hello Kaylee.” Kaylee turned and saw Dobson. Kaylee panicked and turn to run. But it was no use. “You’re not going anywhere Kaylee,” Marcus said. The last thing Kaylee saw, was Marcus’s face.