Chapter 7

"Alright yall all know what ya need to do," Mal said as the main hold opened to a bright afternoon at Persephone's eavesdown docks. "This is the last stop 'fore we commence with the daring do and save the 'verse as we know it, so plan ahead."

As the crew walked out Mal grabbed Simon's arm and halted his movement. He called his second in command and ordered, "Zoe, you keep an eye on the good doctor. Make sure he don't get hisself killed, beaten or kidnapped this time."

Before Simon could take offense or protest Mal pulled out a small bag of platinum and held it up to the young doctor's face. He whispered firmly, "I respect that you've done your best, but Kaylee disserves better," Mal handed Simon the small bag of platinum. "Ain't much but it's all we can spare. Now go make this right and get my mei mei a ring." It really was all Mal could spare. The materials and equipment would take most all of the 6k and Mal was not goin' to let the crew use the credit line and risked being traced electronically.

Scared or surprised, Mal wasn't sure which, Simon stammered "I… thank you. Thank you Mal. I'll pay you back as soon as I-"

"You do what you feel is best, but I'm doin' this for Kaylee, not for you," Mal said with a smirk,"Don't forget, if ya-"

"If I hurt her you'll kill me." Simon completed.

"No, no. Can't do that unless I can find another doctor willin' to work for peanuts." Mal corrected. "But I can break something. Tell me doctor, just how fond are you of your kneecaps?"

Zoe laughed and admonished, "Stop it Mal, you're scarin' the poor boy."

"Poor?" Mal laughed briefly before cutting himself off. Mal could only imagine how hard adjusting to this life still was for Simon. "I'm sorry that was low. I'm a mean old man. Now you hurry up an' get my girl somethin' special so's I don't have to figure out what to break."

"Oh 'Nara, everything's so shiney!" Kaylee exclaimed as she excitedly browsed through various ship parts and supplies. "Me n' Simon's gonna get hitched and now Captain's finally letin' me buy the good parts my baby disserves. If this is a dream, I don't ever wanna wake up!"

Inara laughed and said, "Almost seems to be too good to be true doesn't it?"

"Oh I've known we's meant to be together since we, um, 'consummated' our relationship," Kaylee said with an impish grin, "but I wasn't expectin' Simon to figure it out so soon. 'Specially considerin' how long it took us to become sweeties. I'm proud of 'im!"

"I'm surprised as well," Inara said, "and so very happy for you both!" A wistful look came to her eyes as she continued, " I'd never believed men were capable of such love and devotion before Simon risked everything to rescue his little sister and hide her on our ship. He gave up everything he had without a second thought, just to keep his little sister safe. You deserve a man who loves that truly and completely. And he deserves a woman like you, a beautiful, limitless source of hope and happiness to rebuild his life around." Inara wiped her eyes before a tear could form and said, "I must admit, I'm somewhat envious."

"Awe 'Nara, that's so sweet! I know you'll be jus' as happy as I am one day," Kaylee said with a smile. She continued with another impish grin, "I'll bet the Captain's capable of some pretty good lovin.'"

"Mal?" Inara asked incredulously as turned her head to hide the rising blush.

"He'll come around eventually, I know it. Simon did, and sooner than I thought!" Kaylee exclaimed. "You just gotta have faith in people."

"Pleasure doin' business with ya badger," Mal said with a smile. "It's nice to know you can still have faith in some people."

"I didn't think you 'ere one to 'ave faith in anything, Captain Reynolds," Badger remarked.

"No, just not everything. However, I do have faith in your ability to take this electronic currency in an untraceable manner. I have faith that a fine businessman like yourself will recognize the value of continued access to alliance credits over that of sellin' me and mine out to the law. I also have faith in my lil' psychic over here." Mal motions towards River. "She'll know if you mean to betray us before you do."

"Also, I can kill you with my brain," River stated matter-of-factly.

Badger fidgeted uneasily and assured them, "Won't 'ave any problems on this end. You're goods'll be on your ship within the 'our, hidden amongst two 'undred pounds of rice."

Zoe and Simon walked for thrity minutes before they came upon the nearest jewelry broker. The walk should have only taken twenty minutes, but Zoe slowed they're pacing as the doctor began noticeably limping. She asked, not for the first time, "Doctor, are you sure you're alright?" and received, not for the first time, and unconvincing "Shiney."

"Well" Zoe announced "Here we are doctor." Zoe entered first, her eyes quickly scanning the room and taking note of all people, potential cover, and exits. She wasn't expecting any trouble, but she was a soldier and this constant stage of alertness had become a part of who she was. She leaned in close to Simon and whispered, "The broker will most like to take you for an easy mark and try to overcharge you, but he's afraid of me, so let him think I'm the lucky lady."

"What?"

"You want to get her somethin' nice don't ya? Just think of it as practice for our job," Zoe smirked and then added "Secret agent Tam."

"Right…" Simon started looking over a wide assortment of fancy engagement rings. Zoe's heart ached when he let out a defeated sigh before moving on to another part of the shop where simpler and less expensive rings were displayed.

Zoe gave Simon's shoulder a comforting squeeze and said, "Kaylee wouldn't have liked those gaudy things anyway."

"Mal's right, Kaylee disserves better-"

"I believe Kaylee's already made her choice."

"Can I help you with somethin'?" The jewelry broker asked as he moved to stand in front of Simon and Zoe from the other side of the counter.

"Uh, um yes," Simon stammered, "I was just looking for a gift for my lovely girlfriend."

Zoe smiled in approval of Simon's performance as she played the part of the adoring girlfriend.

"Well now, what did you have in mind," the broker asked with a smile.

"A ring. A very special ring," Simon began. Zoe thought about speaking up to support their charade but decided she would see how the good doctor did on his own.

Simon continued, "She likes sunflowers and strawberries and has a smile as like a sunrise." Simon's eyes were clouded with memories and he didn't notice when the broker stared skeptically at Zoe before cowering away from her steely gaze. Caught up in his recollections, Simon remained oblivious to the whole incident. That was sweet but careless. Gonna have to talk to the boy about this.

Ten minutes later they left the store, Simon beaming as he held a ring that was undeniably Kaylee. It was a simple stainless steel ring with a sunflower surrounding an orange jewel in the center. "Well Zoe" Simon asked, "How'd I do?"

"You want the good news first or the bad news?"

Simon winced, "Good news I guess."

"I think Kaylee will be very pleased."

"And the bad?" Simon asked hesitantly.

"Pay attention to the man you are tryin' to deceive. That was clever of you, gettin' by without quite lyin' and it was sure sweet how you got lost recounting memories of your beloved. You get lost like that on a job and you can wind up very dead, dong mah?"

"I understand," Simon answered sheepishly as he walking back the way they came. It didn't take long for him to begin favoring one leg again.

Zoe sighed and grabbed Simon's arm, dragging it across her shoulders and taking some of the weight off of his injured leg. Zoe said sweetly, "You should have told us you were still injured Simon, we could have taken the mule."

"I didn't want the captain to think-" Simon interrupted himself and confessed, "I also didn't know it was this bad."

Zoe's heart fluttered as Simon settled against her. Zoe had no romantic interest in the young doctor, but her concern for him opened a hole in her emotional armor and it had been a very long time since she had been this close to a man, physically speaking. She held him steady, perhaps a little tighter than was necessary, and found herself loving and resenting Simon as she secretly took comfort their partial embrace.

Zoe stated firmly, but not unsympathetically, "You have a responsibility to report your patient's condition accurately to the Captain, even when that patient is yourself. He has a responsibility to the crew and needs to know what each member is capable of. Hidin' your injuries could place the rest of the crew in danger. I won't tolerate that and neither will the Captain."

"I... I'm sorry," Simon apologized.

"Don't apologize," Said Zoe, "It's a sign of weakness."

Zoe and Simon froze at the metallic clack of a gun being cocked a short distance behind them. Zoe silently cursed herself, how did I allow myself to become so distracted?

"Dr. Simon Tam you are hereby bound by law…"