TITLE: "BABY BLUES" AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL FANDOM: "FIREFLY" PAIRING: Simon/Kaylee. RATING: PG-13. STATUS: Sequel to "THE RIGHT THING". ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where. FEEDBACK: Welcomed. EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "With Simon dead on his feet the Captain is determined to find out why." The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly' are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. No infringement of copyright is intended.

"BABY BLUES"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It was hard to look at Simon Tam without wanting to rub his eyes because every time he saw the man lately he looked ready to fall asleep standing up. The Captain had been amused at first but now he was beginning to get worried. The life they led it was important to have a doctor who could at least stay awake through surgery.

"*Shenme shi*, doc? You look like you ain't slept in weeks."

If Simon had been more compus mentis he would have made some excuse and dragged his weary ass out of the Captain's line of sight but that took energy. Energy he didn't have. When Simon didn't answer the Captain realised the man was swaying on his feet and likely to collapse any minute. Quickly he shoved a chair under him and eased the fall. Simon's eyes closed, a sigh of relief his last conscious act. Mal quickly felt for the doc's pulse and counted in his head then checked his forehead. No fever, that was good wasn't it? Reaching for the com he yelled for Zoe and Jayne.

His first mate's look of concern matched his own, little Hope running in her wake to see what all the commotion was about. She was nine years old now and quite the little lady. "What happened, sir?"

Before the Captain could answer Jayne poked the sleeping man and guffawed, his face creased in barely contained laughter. "Kaylee broke him!"

Zoe's eyes narrowed. Confused the Captain wasn't sure he was following. "What in the nine hells you talkin' about?"

Chuckling, the big man seemed mightily amused. "I been hearin' 'em every night for weeks. Hammerin' away like they was sexin' at gunpoint."

"Jayne!"

He glanced innocently at Zoe, not understanding the look on her face or her sharp tone. "*Shenme*?"

"Not in front of you-know-who."

Before Jayne could respond Hope gave her mama a puzzled look. "Who's you-know-who?"

The Captain smirked, patted the sleeping Simon gently on the shoulder in passing, then whispered in Zoe's ear before leaving the common room. "Takes after Wash. I'll leave you to explain."

He missed her dirty look, his step quickening as he made his way to the engine room. Funny or not, he needed a word or two with his insatiable mechanic.

* * * * *

It was late. Everyone had turned in for what passed as night in the Black. The Captain did his rounds, a little smile twisting his lips as he finished up in the commons room and poured himself a mug of tea. Taking it up to the bridge he settled into the pilot's seat and stared out at the black, remembering his conversation with Kaylee in the engine room and how embarrassed she had been.

"But Cap'n, it ain't fair!"

"Should know by now that the 'verse ain't fair, *mei mei*."

It was because of Hope. The little girl had brought out all of Kaylee's mothering instincts and instead of them fading as Hope grew older it just set that internal clock of her's ticking faster and faster.

"Kaylee, I know you want young uns of your own an' little Hope is enough to melt any heart but this ain't the way to go about it, *dong ma*?"

She had huffed at him. "Everybody knows there ain't no other way to DO it - Cap'n."

Resisting the urge to laugh, he just managed to maintain a straight face. "An' what about Simon? He wantin' children too? Right now? This very minute?"

That was when she had squirmed, twisting her hands together. "He'll come around, Cap'n."

Mal sighed. "Kaylee, you an' Simon been sweet on each other a while but havin' kids ain't somethin' you're entitled to just 'cause a wantin' 'em."

She frowned, confused. The Captain raised a hand.

"Let me finish. Bringin' a little one into the 'verse ain't somethin' to be taken lightly, Kaylee. Or were you thinkin' if you got pregnant Simon would have to marry you?"

Her confusion turned to horror then anger that he could think such a thing but the Captain continued before she could launch a tirade at him.

"Some would think that, Kaylee. Someone not me. All I'm sayin' is you should discuss what you want with Simon not wear him out havin' sex mornin', noon an' night without him havin' any clue as to what's behind it." "I love him." Said Kaylee in a small voice.

"*Wo zhidao* an' I'm fair sure he loves you too."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Then what's the problem, Cap'n? Ain't like I'm doin' anythin' wrong an' Simon ain't complainin'."

"He ain't got strength for complainin', little Kaylee, that's the point." Her eyebrows went up at that. "If you really aim to bring a little one into this 'verse you make sure it's what Simon wants too. An' no, you don't get to decide for him. This is too important to be selfish, *dong ma*?"

"You think I'm bein' selfish, Cap'n?"

The Captain hadn't known her voice could get that small or cram so much hurt in it. Steeling himself to be truthsome he nodded. "I do. You need to let Simon sleep, an' I mean until he wakes up naturally not 'til you get bored waitin' on him. Just... give him some space. A day or two if you can manage it, then talk to him. Tell him what you want and why but make sure he knows he's part o' that equation 'cause you may be thinkin' this is your body an' your decision but that baby won't get made without him playin' his part. An' that means he gets to be included in the decision. That sound fair to you?"

Kaylee nodded, her cheeks flushed, head down. Mal put his hand under her chin and lifted her face so that he could look her in the eye. "You know that you're special to me, *dong ma*?"

Her surprise made him smile, eyes softening and crinkling at the corners.

"You'll always be my little Kaylee, *mei mei*, no matter how many children come into the 'verse. Little Hope is Zoe's miracle an' that makes her ours too. You're gonna be a wonderful mama, just don't rush so fast to get there that you break somethin' precious you already got."

"You mean Simon?"

He chuckled, dropped a feather-light kiss on her forehead and smiled back at her. "I surely do. You love him like you say then you'll do right by him. Has to be a joint decision if you want Simon bringing the children up with you, bein' a father an' a husband an' such."

"But he ain't proposed, Cap'n!" Kaylee wailed. "What am I gonna do? Girl can't wait forever."

The Captain's eyes were twinkling. "Then don't you think you should be workin' on that first? Before bringin' little ones into the 'verse?"

Kaylee coloured then nodded but at least there were no tears. And she wasn't even shooting her Captain angry looks, in fact she looked thoughtful and that was worrisome. A man never knew what was going to fly outta that mouth until the words hit him. "Always knew you were a good man, Cap'n."

"No, I ain't." He said gruffly. "I'm a mean old man."

His mechanic laughed then she kissed his cheek, pausing to whisper in his ear. "I love my Cap'n!"

The Captain sighed, his memories filling his mind as he stared out into the Black. Hoping Kaylee had taken his words to heart and would talk to Simon. Minutes passed and that calm and happy state that only came to him when he was quietly contemplating nothing seemed to shimmer just a mite, as if someone was standing on the edge of his senses. Without turning his head he spoke. "Can't sleep?"

Zoe stepped on to the bridge, not surprised that Mal had known she was there. "That was a good thing you did."

He turned his head. "Huh? What thing? I got a thing now?"

"What you said to Kaylee. It needed sayin', sir."

"Yeah, well, I just hope it means those two'll talk."

"An' if they both decide they want to start havin' babies?"

The Captain took a moment to answer. Not discounting it out of hand because images of little Hope coming into the 'verse and all the joy she had brought with her made his heart swell with something so close to happiness it was almost painful. "Well, then, long as they both decide then I ain't opposed to it." At Zoe's incredulous look he hurried on. "What? I let you have Hope, didn't I?"

Zoe was openly amused now. Stepping up to him she patted his shoulder lightly, much as one would to a small child that needed calming. "Don't think you had anythin' to do with it, sir."

Then she was gone and the Captain found himself staring at the spot she had been standing. "Huh, everyone's a gorram comedian on this boat."

Turning back to face the Black a smile of content settled on his lips. He hoped Simon would make the most of the chance to catch up on his sleep now because he had a feeling he wouldn't be getting much for a long time to come.

* * * * *

CHINESE GLOSSARY: (Mandarin - Pinyin)

*shenme shi* = what's the matter? *shenme* = what *mei mei* = little sister *dong ma* = understand? *wo zhidao* = I know