Kaylee was crying. It wasn't very loud crying, or very many tears. But it was there. She cried for Tracey, for his parents. But she had cried for them, many times before this. It was more for herself that she cried. She cried about Simon. She knew that she loved him, nothing could be clearer to her. But that gorram doctor just wouldn't take a hint. Wouldn't even bother to look at her. No, that weren't right. Lor' knows, he had tried to, many times. Problem was, he just was to damn shy for his own good. Too proper. She sighed, and went back to working on Serenity. Her engine had been preety banged up, thanks to all the missles and bombs that those feds dropped near her. A familiar cough and three knocks sounded off behind her. She didn't turn around, but said, "come in." Simon entered softly, and stood next to Kaylee. "Hi." "Hey." She crouched next to the engine, pretending to fiddle with some part. In reality, she was wiping her eyes. "Listen, Kaylee, I just wanted to apoligive." "'bout what, doc?" Simon winced. She was never so formal with him, unless she was really, really annoyed at him. "Well, about before. You know...betsy." Despite herself, Kaylee laughed. "Yah, you really did mess up there." "Yeah, I did. Problem is, I didn't get to say what I wanted to. I would have earlier, but...y'know." Kaylee nodded sadly. Tracey. "So, Simon, what did you wanna say?" "Well...for one, you have the most beautiful eyes that I've ever seen." "Hmmm...an' what else?" "Well...that, well...you're the reason that I'm on the ship." He'd sort of blurted that out. Wanted to wait on that for later on. "I'm...wha'?" "Well, on Persephone, you were just sitting there, all nice and smiling, and you had that little parasol, too." "My sun umbrella?" "Yeah, that," he said. He was rushing along now, trying to get it all out before he messed up again. "And, you smiled at me, and it was like...it was like...well, I don't know. But it was wonderful. And, before I knew it, I was signed onto Serenity. And, god, Kaylee, you...when you looked at me, I thought that you must be the most nice and beautiful person in the 'verse. And you've done nothing to prove me wrong since then." There, that was it. "Wait...you think tha' I'm beautiful?" "I've been too forward with you...I'm sorry." He started to go out of the room. Kaylee couldn't allow that. He'd finally owned up to the fact of his emotions. If he left now, he'd be too shy to ever be like that again. "Simon, wait!" She reached out a hand and stopped him. "You weren't too forward with me. Hell, I've been waitin' for you to say someat like 'at since you first came onboard." "You...you have?" "Yeah. God, Simon...I love you!" Her eyes widened at her bluntness. "I love you too." It took a second for the words he'd spoken to register. Then, her eyes widened even more, if possible. "Ya...ya do?" "Yes, I do. And theres no one that I'd love to spend my life with than you." All pretenses of waiting were gone. With solemn movements, Simon moved in and kissed her. Kaylee kissed back, and all the passion and longing that they'd kept pent up for all these long months was unleashed. Soon, they had fallen to the floor, ready to be at rest, ready to cease being Simon and Kaylee, ready to become one entity, bound by love and longing and desire. Simon reached under Kaylees shirt, and she undid his. Simon found her bra, and started unfastening the single clip that held it fast. Out of the darkness behind, came a small cough. They both turned around and looked at the doorway, to find Shepard Book looking at them. Staring, actually. "You know, there is something to say about sex after marriage. For one, you dont go to Hell. And it isn't something you have to hide." He hadn't said much, but he got the meaning across. Namely, this little act wouldn't stay secret for long, if they indeed do it. Book walked away. Thouroughly chastised, they broke apart glumly, backs to the wall, still holding hands. After a few minutes of staring at a blank stretch of wall, Simon had a thought. "Say, Books a catholic, right?" "Yeah, I think that he is at that." "Hmmm...you Catholic?" "Nope. You" "Not anymore." Smiling, Kaylee moved back to him, kissing hungerly on the lips. Simon pushed her away. "No, not here. Too likely to be overheard." Kaylees smiled. "You're room, or mine?" "Shuttles better. Very private." "Oooh, I love it when you think all devious like." "I love it when you do anything." Kaylee giggled, and they went to the free shuttle. *** Most of them were in the kitchen when Book walked in. Mal had been thinking about everything that he knew about Tracey. Zoe and wash were conversing in low tones, Inara was staring at the table, and Jayne was fingering the hat his mother had given him. Mal turned to Book."Ah, Shepard. How goes Kaylee with all this?" "Shes fine. Simons comforting her about Tracey." "'As good. Girl needs comfortin' after all this." *** Actually, Simon was very comforting. Actually, comfortable was nearer the mark, as she lay on top of him. Her shirt and bra were off, and so was his shirt. She was busily working at taking off his pants. He was kissing her neck and collarbone, cupping her full breasts. She moaned when he softly pinched one of her taught nipples. He lifted up his head when she slipped his pants off of his legs, leaving him naked on the floor. "I've wanted you for so long." She softly stroked him, and he pulsed even harder. He started to work feverishly at taking her pants off. She could feel her wetness soaking her panties. After a moment, they were off, leaving her dressed only in her panties. He looked at the circular stain on them and smiled. His hands expertly unfastned them, and he threw them off to the side. He put his hands on her hips, and she put her hands on her shoulders, each seeking to guide the other. Kaylee could feel her orgasm building up inside herself. With ease, Simon found her core. She was ready, waiting. Wanting. For the first time, Simon slipped into Kaylee. They each kissed eachother frantically, and Simon suckled her. They climaxed at the same time, Kaylee feeling wave upon wave of pleasure as he spilled himself into her. They lay there, panting. Simon extracated himself from her, and just lay next to her, striving to articulate this feeling into words. After a moment, all he said was, "wow." Kaylee laughed. "'Wow'don't begin to describe it. You're good." "You are really good. Kaylee, that was marvelous. I shouldn't have waited." "That don't matter none at all. What does, though, is you, an' me, and there ain't nothin' gonna stop us now." "I agree." *** Mal came back from the engine room, looking worried. "Say, any ya'all seen Kaylee or the doc? They ain't in the engine room." "I'm sure there fine, Mal. Don't worry about them so much," said Inara "Preacher, you was one what last saw 'em. Any ideas?" Book smiled serenely. "I bet that Simon got Kaylee something to calm her down. They should be here soon. Don't worry." "Well, all right. But if they ain't back here soon, I'll search the ship. No tellin' if there are more feds about."

END