Kaylee strode along the passageway to her bunk. It had been a nice birthday cake, chocolate frosting, yum. Everyone had behaved, there had been no arguments. O’ course Simon hadn’t kissed her, she was beginning to think he never would. Sliding down the ladder she stopped suddenly. On her bunk was a bundle – just wrapped up plain in brown paper. Birthday present? They didn’t go much for giving gifts on Serenity. Kaylee pounced on it and ripped the paper eagerly, “Oh pretty!” she exclaimed pulling a dress out. The material was softer ‘n’ Inara’s hair and golden like sunshine. Pulling off her overalls she slipped it over her head. It fitted so fine, touching every curve of her body closer than anything. Slinky, Beautiful, soft, someone sure knew what she liked? She danced round the room finally lying down and falling asleep in the beautiful dress. Next morning, she reluctantly took off the dress, carefully hanging it up before going off happily to the engine room. Silently he stood in the shadows as Kaylee passed all light and bright, content she’d liked her present.

A week later…. At first Jayne could only hear voices distantly. “Wouldn’t have been shot if he followed orders” that was clearly Mal snappin’ at everyone. “He stopped them getting’ to Serenity” inserted Wash trying to calm things down. “Wash’s got a point sir” added Zoë “With only Kaylee and River here things could have gone badly. Still dazed he opened his eyes. Simon was doin’ somethin’ to his innards and Kaylee was standin’ real quite like holding his hand and lookin’ worried. As usual his mouth worked before his brain “Ok Kaylee?” he asked “Ya goin’ to be fine” she reassured him. That warn’t what he meant but Jayne let it go. Better no-one caught on he thought. Shepherd Book heading for the kitchen was puzzled by the question, it sounded to him as if Jayne were asking if Kaylee was alright. Zoë’s words echoed in his brain as he walked, was it possible that the mercenary had been protecting one of the girls and not Serenity? But which one he wondered. Jayne seemed to treat Kaylee decently most times but it was River that he watched almost constantly. “Not River, Kaylee” said River from behind him “Jayne watches to make sure crazy girl don’t hurt Kaylee. Protect Kaylee, nothing should hurt Kaylee.” She rocked in place “Doesn’t like Simon, doesn’t like me we might hurt Kaylee – loves Kaylee, not River, Kaylee. Mal and Kaylee coming to the kitchen behind them had heard most of River’s comments. Mal just stood stunned absorbing the information. Kaylee touched River on the shoulder “Loves me?” she whispered. River nodded. “Sorry River” Kaylee said and rushed off down the corridor. “How munch of that was true child?” asked Book "All true" said River with her fey smile "Sad for me, might be happy for him"