Title: Exhaustion Rating: PG Synopsis: Simon is exhausted and Jayne takes advantage. Timeline: Takes place two months after Serenity, the movie. Notes: Next part of a series beginning with : And So It Begins, Kiss Me, Coming Together, Tell Me, What’s Proper?, Tears ,Peekaboo, Impatient, Waking Up is Hard to Do, The Talk, I See You, Exhaustion.

Disclaimer: This story is not meant to infringe on the copyright of any person or company related to the trademarked characters and situations depicted in the Serenity movie or Firefly series. I make no money from this. Only done for fun – and a desperate craving to have more stories told about this wonderful ‘verse Joss Whedon created.

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Inara swept into the common room on her way to search for Kaylee. She knew the young mechanic spent more time in Simon’s bunk than in her own, so that was always the first place she looked when wanting to find the girl. And – it was a shorter trip than walking all the way to the crew bunks only to find her not even there.

Hearing someone in the infirmary, she stopped in the doorway and smiled at Simon, who had his back to her. He was far more tousled than she could ever remember him being before Miranda and she had to stifle a very un-Companion-like chuckle. Kaylee was apparently quite adept at keeping the young doctor quite occupied.

Simon noticed Inara standing in the doorway and turned to her, concerned. “Inara, is something wrong?”

“Oh, no, nothing.” She smiled at him for a long moment, her eyes sweeping over his body as if she was appraising him.

Simon grinned. He knew why she’d stopped by. “I think Kaylee is in the engine room.”

“Oh, yes. Well, thank you. I was looking for her.”

Simon pushed a hand through his hair as he returned to his work. When he stifled a yawn, Inara felt the overwhelming need to pat the exhausted man on the shoulder.

“She look as tired as you?”

Simon groaned and rubbed his eyes. “No. It’s sickening.” He continued writing in a journal. “I’m used to working twenty hours a night in an ER, or longer. I should be used to this.”

Inara laughed at that and rested her hand on his arm. “Well, this is a different level of exhaustion.”

Simon grinned into his journal. “Yes, I suppose it is.”

Inara hesitated before leaving. “Simon?”

He looked up at her, a small spark burning behind his tired eyes reminding her that he truly didn’t mind being so tired – after the actions that had made him that way to begin with. “Yes?”

“I’m happy for the two of you.”

When Simon smiled, it reached his eyes and Inara couldn’t remember ever seeing him smile like that before. No one had really spoken to him about his relationship with Kaylee – and Jayne’s crude dinner-time jokes didn’t count. Most of the talk thus far had been done behind their backs.

Mal was annoyed about his rules being broken but he hadn’t yet threatened Simon’s life. River was happy if her brother was happy – albeit a bit too curious for everyone’s continued comfort. Jayne was just frustrated that the prissy doc was getting’ some when he wasn’t. Inara had to admit it made for some interesting conversations.

Simon’s response was genuine and heartfelt. “Thank you, Inara.”

Inara nodded and headed out of the infirmary in search of Kaylee. She didn’t get far as she ran into Jayne having a very one-sided conversation with Zoe in the dining room.

"Never woulda pegged the doc for bein' the type to keep lil Kaylee happily sexed." He took a bite of rice. “I ain’t seen her mope in weeks.”

Zoe didn’t even look up from her food. “I think we should stay out of their business, Jayne.”

“Not after what I saw –“

Zoe raised a hand. “I don’t want to know.”

Jayne scowled. “Still – who’da known, huh?”

Inara couldn’t resist involving herself in the conversation. “It’s always the quiet ones.”

“Yeah?” Jayne glanced up at the Companion. “Maybe I need to find myself a quiet girl.”

“With your charming personality, I’m sure you’ll have no problem.”

Jayne smiled for a moment before scowling. “Hey, did you just insult me?”

“I think you should leave Simon and Kaylee alone and let them find their own way–“

“They been findin’ a lot ‘o that the last few months.” Mal threw Inara an exasperated look as he walked in. “At the expense of our eardrums, I might add.”

“They’re happy. Leave them alone.” River floated in and took a bowl from the locker.

Jayne rolled his eyes. “So says the Crazy.”

River sat down beside Inara and wrinkled her nose at the food Jayne had prepared.

“Eat it or starve,” Jayne snapped, shoveling another bite into his mouth. His stared for a long moment at the youngest member of Serenity’s crew, “Feelin’ ok, Crazy? Gettin’ enough sleep?”

Inara’s eyes swept over River, noticing that the girl did look a bit tired. “River are you –“

“Tired. That’s all.” She took a bite of the rice and made a face at Jayne. “Even Simon cooks better than this.”

“Yeah, well that good for nothin’ brother a yours ain’t been doin’ nothin’ but Kaylee for weeks.”

“That’s enough, Jayne.” Mal took a bite of the protein concoction and grumbled. “God, you do cook worse than Simon.”

Jayne dropped his chopsticks and glanced around the table. “Hey! What is this, pick on Jayne day?”

“Is it?” Simon said as he walked in, smile spreading across his face as he caught Jayne’s comment. “Mind if I join in?”

“Yes.” Jayne snapped and picked up his chopsticks.

A touch of sarcasm in his tone, Simon replied with an amused grin. “Oh, but Jayne, it’s so fun to have all the attention directed at oneself.” He took a bowl out of one of the lockers and approached the table.

“Yeah, bet you’re happy ‘bout that. All we done talked about since we took to the black again is how you can’t manage to pry yourself from between lil’ Kaylee’s legs for more than a few hours at a time.”

Silence descended and Simon glanced at Mal, half expecting the Captain to order Jayne away from the table for such a crude comment. When Mal didn’t respond, Simon forced himself to look at Jayne, a disgusted look on his face. “If you would be so kind as to get yourself injured more often, perhaps I would have a reason to be elsewhere.”

Zoe smiled into her bowl, silently praising Simon for the comeback.

River smiled proudly at her brother.

Inara nodded toward Simon, appreciating the fact that he’d just slung an insult back at Jayne, something he had, in the past, not even bothered to do.

Mal opened his mouth to comment but shut it again as Simon continued.

“And I would appreciate you keep a civil tongue in that deformed head of yours when Kaylee is around. She shouldn’t have to be subjected to your crude comments.”

Simon glanced down at the food and then at Inara, “Jayne’s cooking?”

At Inara’s nod, Simon returned the bowl to the locker. “I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.”

Simon passed Kaylee in the doorway to the dining area, her bubbly smile fading a bit as she noticed the expression on his face. “Hi sweetie, what’s wrong?”

Simon shook his head and shot a glare back toward the table, and Jayne in particular. “You may not want to eat in there today. Jayne is having a particularly crude day.” He bent, kissed her on the cheek, and continued on his way.

Kaylee, torn between going after him and wanting to know what Jayne had said, stood in her spot for a moment. Simon would tell her his side later, for now, she wanted to hear it from Jayne – and the rest of the crew.

“So what’d ya do now?” Her eyes were still bright, and her smile still wide. She didn’t tend to mind Jayne’s crude jokes. She was used to ‘em by now. “Nothin’. Pretty boy can’t take a joke.” Jayne took another mouthful of food and averted her eyes.

“Wasn’t a joke,” River said as she stood. The emotions rolling off her brother had caused her to suffer a sudden loss of appetite as well.

“You wanted to provoke him,” Inara said flatly.

“Well it’s true!” Jayne grumbled. “Why you all tiptoein’ around these two?”

Kaylee turned to Inara. “What did he say?”

“It doesn’t matter, mei mei.”

“Yes it does. Because Simon was upset about somethin’.” Kaylee couldn’t stop the tendril of fear that snaked down her spine that maybe it was something serious this time.

“Yeah, an we all gotta quake in our boots when the doc is all upset, huh?”

“He promised that you would always be safe. I never made such a promise. “ River turned the chopsticks over in her hands, looking at them, appraising them, before shifting her eyes to Jayne. “They’re dull. Blunt. They’ll hurt more when I plunge them into your neck. Sever an artery even Simon can’t repair.”

Zoe’s eyes shifted toward the girl but she remained unmoving.

Kaylee sighed. “Oh, River –“

Jayne launched himself to his feet, nearly knocking over his chair in the process. “Hey! Hey, weren’t that bad! No need to resort to threats.”

“Albatross, put them down. Now.” The tone in Mal’s voice left no room for argument.

River did as she was told and smiled at Mal. “Would never hurt him anyway. We’re family. We don’t hurt family. We love them.” She stared at Jayne for a long moment. “Unconditionally.” She turned to Kaylee. “Like you love my brother.”

Kaylee blushed and looked at her feet but River continued. “Doesn’t matter what Jayne said. Wanted to annoy Simon and he did.”

“Cant ya just leave Simon alone, Jayne?” The hope in Kaylee’s eyes made Jayne gulp uncomfortably.

“He’s an easy mark, lil’ Kaylee. Ya said so yerself.”

“And Jayne’s jealous,” River added.

“Of your prissy brother?!” Jayne glowered at her and resumed his seat. “Not bloody likely.”

“That he has Kaylee and you have no one.” River said, her blunt honesty striking everyone in the room in their own way.

“Don’t want no one, Crazy,” Jayne said into his bowl.

“Do too.”

“I got my girls and the occasional whore when we’s someplace civilized. ‘S all I need.”

“Guns don’t make you feel the way Kaylee makes Simon feel.”

Kaylee bit her lip and River smiled at her, remembering that the younger girl had seen them having sex in the engine room and in their bunk and probably other places she hasn’t yet discovered. Fortunately, she didn’t seem overly traumatized by the experience. Simon, on the other hand –

A dreamy look passed across Jayne’s face as if he were remembering a special woman. “But them whores do.”

Kaylee frowned at him and shoved her hands onto her hips. “Comparin’ me to a whore, now?” Perhaps Simon had a reason to be upset this time.

Jayne spluttered and shook his head. “Hell no, lil Kaylee. Know ya got more class than that.”

Inara shot Mal a look that spoke volumes.

“Well, you know, I think this conversation has come to an end. Lets all get back to work, hmm?” Mal stood and dropped his bowl in the sink for washing later.

“I need to speak with Kaylee,” Inara stood.

River moved to Kaylee’s side. “Me too.”

“Oh?” She looked onto the table and found a lot of food left. “Someone weren’t hungry today.”

“Simon didn’t eat.” River said with a frown.

“Oh,” Kaylee said with a sigh. “Well, I’ll bring him something later then. What you two need?”

“Shall we go to my shuttle?”

Kaylee’s eyes brightened. “Ohh! Girl talk!”

“Can I come?” River asked as Inara led the way out of the dining area.

“Of course, sweetie, you’re a girl ain’t ya?”

“Well, you two are always talking about sex and – well, everyone thinks I’m too young.”

“That’s your overprotective brother talking,” Inara winked at River as they entered the shuttle.

“An we already had a talk about sex. Nothin’ wrong with more of ‘em.” Kaylee’s eyes twinkled.

River beamed at Kaylee. “He’s just mad I saw you two.”

Inara settled onto the bed with a raised eyebrow. “Did you now?”

“Yeah, she saw us in the engine room a couple weeks ago and – a few other times.” Kaylee shot a sheepish smile at Inara.

Much to Inara’s surprise, Kaylee didn’t seem to mind too terribly that she’d been caught in the act. Which meant – “And Simon didn’t take it well?”

River giggled as she sat on the corner of the bed. “Very poorly.”

“Not well at all,” Kaylee pouted at River. “Now he’s all skittish, won’t do it anywhere but in our bunks.”

River crossed her arms. “Not true.”

Kaylee tilted her head, remembering their last public encounter with great fondness. “Well, there was –“

River turned to Inara and said firmly, “Never sit in the infirmary chair again.”

Inara gasped. “Simon? In his pristine infirmary? No! Say it isn’t so!”

Kaylee dissolved into a fit of giggles after she’d finished gaping at the younger girl. “Oh, don’t tell Simon you know. He prolly won’t touch me ever again.”

“Brother needs to loosen up.”

Kaylee smiled dreamily. “He’s gettin’ there.”

“You’re good for him, you know.” River smiled at Kaylee, a genuine, little sister smile. “You give him more than he ever thought he’d have after rescuing me.”

“Aw, thanks River. He’s pretty good for me too, y’know.”

“Good together.” River nodded. “Always wanted a sister.”

“Well ya got a brother instead.” Kaylee’s eyes danced as she thanked whatever God had arranged it so she got a brother. “An’ he loves ya.”

“He’s a boob.” River said, shooting Inara a secretive look that Kaylee didn’t catch.

Inara understood the look perfectly but chose not to acknowledge it. She had her very own boob to deal with. Stupid men.

Kaylee grinned, memories flying through her mind. “Not so much anymore.”

River stared at Kaylee, trying to convey in that one look that Kaylee could live the rest of her life with Simon and never know him as well as River did. But then again, Kaylee couldn’t read the dirty thoughts constantly thrumming though his head either.

END