A.N.: I'm 99% sure the next chapter will be in the romance section, so just watch for that ^^ As for this part, hope you enjoy! Comments are always appreciated! =D

Kaylee stood outside the door to Inara's shuttle and knocked, playing with her fingers absent mindedly. A moment later Inara appeared and opened the door for her, the Companion draped in silky red robes and looking beautiful as always. "Hey 'Nara." said Kaylee affectionately, smiling at her. Inara returned the smile and stepped back to let Kaylee into the room, closing the door behind her. "Hello Kaylee," Inara replied warmly as Kaylee slipped by her. Kaylee's eyes wandered around the room, drinking in the lavish decor. Even though she'd been in Inara's shuttle a million times, the rich drapery, exquisite furniture and expensive everything never ceased to amaze the mechanic. Kaylee watched her graceful friend cross from the doorway to the couch and sit down, fiddling with a kettle on her small table. "Would you like some tea?" Kaylee nodded and Inara pulled out Kaylee's favourite berry herbal tea and put some of the leaves in a cup as Kaylee sat herself down beside Inara. "I love your shuttle." Kaylee sighed as she leaned back against the soft throw cushions, her eyes still wandering the walls. Inara smiled as she added just-boiled water to Kaylee's cup and her own, knowing how much Kaylee admired her lifestyle. They both knew she wasn't suited to it, but it didn't stop Kaylee from being in awe and sometimes jealous of Inara. "So, what are you planning for this break of ours?" asked Inara conversationally, daintily sipping her tea so she wouldn't burn her lips or tongue. As usual, Kaylee took a sip too fast and burned her tongue. Inara quickly poured her a glass of water from an ornate glass pitcher and Kaylee drank thankfully. She smiled sheepishly as she put down the glass and returned to the conversation at hand. "Well... " she relished in a slight pause, in which Inara looked at her curiously. "Simon asked me to spend some time with him." She watched Inara's expression quickly change from curiosity to looking pleased. "Well, its about time." she said, smiling at the excitement that was very apparent in Kaylee's eyes. Kaylee bit her bottom lip slightly to keep in a small squeal of anticipation, and knew that Inara knew she was close to bursting with combined nervousness and excitement. "Where is he taking you?" "He wouldn't tell me..." Kaylee told her, feeling slightly disgruntled. She really wanted to know where they were going; the suspense was killing her. But she supposed that was the very reason Simon was keeping it a secret; so she could spend the hours between now and then wondering. "When?" Inara asked, taking another sip of her tea. "Tomorrow?" "In two hours!" exclaimed Kaylee excitedly, nearly slopping her tea. Inara raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really!" Inara had to work hard to keep from laughing at the ecstatic look on Kaylee's face. "Well... Suppose I help you get ready?" she offered warmly, knowing Kaylee would jump at the chance. Sure enough, Kaylee's eyes were twinkling with awe. "That would be so shiny.." she said in an almost covetous tone. Inara laughed softly, set down her cup and crossed over to the small closet, hidden by a large panel of cloth. She gently pushed the cloth aside and thumbed through the clothing in the dresser, pausing at a dark green shen-i, a tunic and skirt with gold embroidery and small silken flowers. She pulled it out and looked at it, and then turned to Kaylee, who looked at it in disbelief. Inara smiled softly and held it out to her. "I think this will fit you." Inara told her, smiling at the amazed look in Kaylee's face. "Me? In that? Oh, Inara..." Kaylee got up from where she was sitting and went over to Inara, and gingerly touched the silk of the outfit. "Its so beautiful... do you think... he'll..." she trailed off, looking at Inara hopefully, and feeling heartened when she nodded. "He'll go crazy for you. Well, he already is crazy for you... but maybe after seeing you wearing this, he'll be able to untie the knots from his tongue." she told her with a soft laugh, as Kaylee still stared at the garment. "Come on, let's get you ready." Kaylee went to have a shower while Inara prepared Kaylee's outfit, finding a matching sash for the shen-i and golden chain with the Chinese symbol for Serenity emblazoned in gold on a small black disc hanging from it. Kaylee came back 10 minutes later, her hair wet and eyes shining. Inara helped her put the shen-i on and admired it. It fit her perfectly, hugging all the right places closely while hanging loose in others. Kaylee was amazed at the feeling of the silk on her skin; it was so soft and cool, unlike the warm overalls she normally wore. It was a lot looser in some places than she was used to and likewise it was tighter in many places, specifically across the chest and her hips, mostly her whole torso. Inara found her some black sandals with gold trim and she slipped her feet into them, wiggling her toes. Inara sat her down on the bed and then knelt behind her, gently combing the tangles out of her hair as it dried. "So..." Kaylee began as Inara took care of Kaylee's hair, constantly sending shivers down her spine. "How'd you do it?" "How'd I do what?" Inara asked, resting her hand on the back of Kaylee's head as she fought to get a tangle out. "Convince the Cap'n to give us the time off." Kaylee said, with no doubt that it was Inara. A tiny smile crooked Inara's lips and she continued fixing Kaylee's hair. "What makes you think it was me?" she asked in a slightly playful tone, knowing that Kaylee knew full well. " 'Cause of the way he looked at you earlier. 'Cause he's never given us this much time of b'fore." Kaylee explained calmly. Inara laughed softly. "I suppose it was because I told him that if he didn't give his crew some time off that there would be a mutiny. As well as telling him in no uncertain terms that he was becoming--" she paused here, searching for the right word. "Something of a tyrant. I think it didn't sit too well with him." she commented lightly, smiling as Kaylee laughed. "No, can't imagine it would... but there's more, ain't there?" asked Kaylee, unable to stop from being curious. Inara shook her head with a smile. Kaylee usually knew when Inara was hiding something. "Yes, I suppose there is." she said with a small laugh. "And no, I'm not going to tell you." She added, as Kaylee opened her mouth. Kaylee frowned for a moment and then shrugged, dropping the subject as Inara continued with her hair. Once her hair was down and brushed perfectly, Inara reached around in front of her and fastened the necklace behind her neck. Kaylee shivered as the cold metallic disc of the pendant settled on her warm skin and she looked up at Inara as the woman moved to stand in front of her. "Kaylee, you look amazing." Inara told her, looking at her approvingly. The dark green set off her eyes, and the gold blended well with her hair. Inara had to admit with a hint of pride that the Serenity necklace was a very nice finishing touch, considering how much love Kaylee had for her ship. Inara held out her hand to pull Kaylee into a standing position, and Kaylee took it, let her pull her up. She finally walked over to the mirror and looked into it, staring at herself in shock. She saw a very pretty young woman, adorned in rich, silken clothing, and wearing a gold necklace. "Wow..." she breathed, hardly daring to believe it was even her. Inara stood beside her and looked in the mirror with her, smiling at their reflections. "You're going to have an amazing time." Inara told her confidently, squeezing Kaylee's hand.

*****

Simon sighed as he lay on his bed with the door open, staring up at the ceiling. He wished that time would pass quicker so he could get this anxiety over with, get rid of this terrible feeling of dread that he was going to screw things up somehow. He checked and rechecked his bag many times; he still had the blanket, the strawberries, the thermos of hot chocolate. He wanted this to be perfect for her. After a long time he got up and got changed. He put on black pants, a white shirt, not tucked in, as she seemed to like it, a black vest, and he draped a black jacket over a chair, waiting for the last minute to pick it up. From there he lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling again. "You shouldn't be so nervous." a small, matter-of-fact voice drifted into the room, and Simon looked to see River standing in the doorway, watching him. "I'm not." he answered, sitting up and trying to look confident in that answer. River rolled her eyes and strolled into the room, barefoot as usual. "You shouldn't lie, either," she calmly scolded him, not looking upset in the slightest. He sighed and looked at her as she looked quietly at him, wondering what exactly she wanted. "I want you to have a good time." she said, as though answering his thoughts. "I'm sure I will, I mean, I'll be with Kaylee... I just.." Simon stopped, not really wanting to talk with his kid sister about this kind of thing. "You're afraid to say the wrong thing." River filled in gently. Simon nodded, and River put a hand on his knee, a reassuring weight. "She'll like you anyway, even if you mess up. She always does." Simon gave her a "that-didn’t-help" look, which made her smile. "Are you going to be alright on your own?" Simon asked, changing the subject. River knew he was just trying to avoid talking about it and let him for now. "Yes. Always things to see." she commented, looking around his room, even though there was really nothing to see that Simon could think of. "The Shepherd is going to be the whole time, if you need anything, just--" "--ask him, I know." she interrupted, seeming bored with his brotherly chatter. His eyes widened at her next comment. "The berries are rotting." "What?!" exclaimed Simon, diving into the bag and pulling out the box that contained the strawberries he was going to give to Kaylee. He lifted the lid, half expecting to see shriveled, blackened rinds, but saw the strawberries still perfectly ripe and plump. His pounding heart slowed to normal and he looked at his sister, who was giggling. "Got him." she said airily, spinning in place. "He always believes her." Simon shook his head and put the box back into his bag. "You're a brat, you know that?" he said affectionately, poking her in the stomach. She nodded and turned to leave. In the doorway she suddenly stopped. "Is something wrong, meimei?" asked Simon, watching her pose go from relaxed to stiffened in a few seconds flat. She turned on the spot and looked at him, seeming almost nervous. "Be careful, Simon." she said. And then she turned and simply left, leaving Simon staring after her, wondering what on earth that was about. He sighed as he lay back down, now adding River's warning to his list of worries for that evening.