Title: Where I Belong Rating: PG Synopsis: Kaylee and Simon's wedding. Timeline: Takes place 16 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,.Moving Day, Celebration, Surprise , Vacation, Reunion, Manipulation, Baby Talk, A First Time for Everything, The Way It Is, A Special Day, Girl Talk, The Gift, Breaking It In, Making Plans, Friends and Enemies, Where I Belong 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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This has gone through more drafts than I want to admit. It was amazingly hard for me to write, as I really don't do happy and sappy well. I really prefer to write angst. But, I'm tired of looking at it, and if I post it, I won't feel inclined to continue editing.

Yes, its in two parts. I'm not quite so nice as to give you a 26 page story to read all in one sitting.

Many thanks go out to TamSibling for content suggestions. If you like this story, blame her. If you don't - well, blame her too! :P

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“Mei mei, you look beautiful.” Inara smiled widely as Kaylee paced nervously around the spacious suite.

She wore a red robe with gold dragons embroidered along the cuff and hem, a wardrobe tradition dating back to Earth-That-Was that Inara felt should be observed. It dusted gently across the floor as Kaylee paced around the room.

“Where’s the Cap’n. Ain’t he supposed ta be here?” Kaylee twisted her hands nervously.

Inara smiled knowingly. “He’ll be here soon. He’s probably had to sedate Simon by now.”

Kaylee looked up sharply at the thought of their resident, cool-headed doctor being knocked out on the day of his own wedding. Then she dissolved into a fit of giggles as each mind picture of Simon having been drugged or having fainted swept through her mind.

“That’s better. A smile looks so much better on your face than that worried frown.”

Kaylee grinned sheepishly and opened her mouth to respond when River fluttered in, all happy and graceful.

Inara nodded to the young girl who had kept her secret and turned to Kaylee. “I need to step out for a bit, Kaylee. But River is going to keep you company until I return.”

River immediately engaged the nervous bride in a conversation so Inara could slip out of the suite. She quickly made her way over to where Simon was, himself, nervously pacing.

He glanced up when she knocked. Mal pulled open the door and greeted her with a warm smile, his eyes sweeping down her elegantly attired body. She was already dressed in her wedding attire, as were Simon and Mal. It was only Kaylee who would not be readied until the last minute.

Simon swallowed nervously, knowing why she was here. Mal had arrived not too long before, telling him that the guests he had arranged to be transported to the wedding were in their suite getting ready. Inara, he was certain, was here to fetch him for a little pre-ceremony visit.

“Ready?” Inara asked Simon.

“I’ve already done this. But – a cortex screen really isn’t the proper way to ask for one’s daughters hand in marriage.” Simon took a deep breath. “Yes, I’m ready.”

Mal grinned as Inara laced her hand around Simon’s arm and guided him to the door.

~*~

“Thank you for coming.” Simon extended his hand toward Efhrem Fry with a smile.

“We wouldn’t have missed our baby’s wedding for anything! Thank you for arranging for Captain Reynolds to come get us.” Mrs. Frye hugged Simon tightly.

Simon returned the warm embrace and smiled at the bubbly woman. He’d known the moment he’d met her all those months ago, from where Kaylee had gotten her never ending smile and constant cheery disposition. “It might have been my idea, but Inara and Mal made it happen.”

“Nonsense, boy.” Efhrem clasped Simon on the back of the shoulder. “That you showed such an interest in getting’ us here tells us how much you love our little Kaylee.”

Simon glanced at the floor for a moment before meeting the grinning father’s eyes. “Thank you, Sir.”

“Oh, enough with the Sir talk. I ain’t no big, wealthy dignitary. I’m just your pop.” He gave a short chuckle. “Well, will be in a few hours at least.”

Simon nodded, feeling his nervousness evaporate in the company of these warm, kind people. “About that. I – know, I asked you months ago but. Over a Cortex screen is so very impersonal and I wanted –“

Efhrem wrapped an arm around his wife and smiled at the nervous boy. “You got our permission to marry our little girl once already. Don’t need it again.”

“I know. I – “ Simon chuckled, the tension sliding out of him as Kaylee’s parents tried to hold back the laughter at his discomfort. “I’m being, as Kaylee is so fond of saying, too proper.”

Efhrem flattened his big hand on the back of Simon’s shoulder but it was his wife who spoke. “It’s okay, son. Our little Kaylee warned us long ago about the pretty Core boy she’d hooked.”

At this, Simon blushed. Being called pretty was not something that Simon truly enjoyed, Jayne did it just to annoy him, but something about Mrs. Frye’s kind, inviting eyes and warm, friendly voice made him realize it wasn’t all that bad. And when Kaylee said it – Simon felt his cheeks flush at the memory.

“Aww, look, Efhrem, he blushes just as cute as Kaylee always said.” She pinched Simon’s cheek.

Simon knew he needed to leave so that they could see their daughter but he wanted to say one more thing first. He carefully took Mrs. Frye’s hand and squeezed it gently. With his gaze shifting between both parents, he said, “Thank you. Your support means everything to Kaylee and I.”

Kaylee’s mother embraced Simon tightly, lovingly. She knew all about his family. Kaylee had told her the last time they’d visited, and there wasn’t a letter Kaylee had written over the last year that hadn’t mentioned Simon and his relationship with his parents at least once.

Simon let his arms come down around the short, somewhat rotund, woman and sighed. “Thank you – for Kaylee.”

~*~

“Coming!” River looked up from the game board that was currently serving as a distraction for Kaylee.

Kaylee glanced at River and then toward the door. “’Nara?”

“Nope!” River skipped to the door just as it opened.

“My baby!” Kaylee’s mother exclaimed as she bounded toward her daughter, arms outstretched.

Kaylee’s eyes widened and she pushed herself out of the chair, nearly knocking over the game board. Mrs. Frye hugged and kissed her daughter, happy tears falling from her eyes.

“Momma? Daddy?” Kaylee’s voice was full of shock as she was lifted into her father’s big arms and hugged so tightly it looked as if the girl would be snapped in two.

Tears prickled River’s eyes as she watched Kaylee’s reunion with her parents. It would never again be that way for her and Simon. She wasn’t sure it had ever been that way to begin with.

River sighed sadly, but forced a smile to her lips as she slipped out of the suite. The Frye’s would be family soon. At least Simon would have parents again who loved and supported him without demanding anything in return.

~*~

Mal stepped beside Inara and dropped an arm at her waist. “You did good, Mal.” She coughed daintily to cover a happy sob as she looked out the window at the garden that had been prepared for the ceremony.

Mal bent down to press his lips to her cheek. “Could you say that again when we’re - alone?”

Inara smiled and slid her hand into his and squeezed gently. “You might, perhaps, be able to coax that admission out of me again.”

“Hmm, we’ve got a few hours before this shindig starts.” Mal leaned down and kissed her gently.

“You are clearly uninformed as to the job of a wedding coordinator.” Her eyes twinkled as she reached up and trailed her fingers down his cheek. “There is no rest until the bride has that ring around her finger.”

“Lil’ Kaylee’s had that ring around the wrong finger for months.” Mal grinned while he used one hand to pull her against him. “No shock though, the doc always did tend to do things ass backwards.”

River floating gracefully beside them drew the couple apart and Inara smoothed her dress and smiled at the young girl. But she ignored Inara for the moment and turned to Mal. “Simon’s going to have heart failure if someone doesn’t go keep him company.”

Inara chuckled and Mal outright laughed. “Just waitin’ until he was done with lil’ Kaylee’s parents.”

“He’s done.”

Mal squeezed Inara’s hand and went to see what he could do to calm his medic. He secretly enjoyed Simon’s nervousness, but he would go to his grave before admitting it – especially today.

Inara draped an arm around River’s shoulders. “Lets go sit and rest for a few minutes, hmm?”

River nodded and the two walked away, leaving the Captain staring after Inara as if she held his heart tied on a string.

~*~

“You all right, sweetie?” Inara asked as she and River sat beneath one of the large windows that overlooked the garden.

River’s lips trembled as she smiled. “Yes. Tired. Excited.”

Inara’s well-honed senses picked up on something the younger girl hadn’t said and she reached out to take River’s hands into her own. “Are you sure?”

River nodded somewhat uncertainly, trying to keep Inara from reading her too easily. She knew it was useless to try as the Companion was far too well trained in reading body language.

Inara tried again. “You know you can talk to me.”

When River answered, her voice was small, soft and her gaze turned to the garden outside. “I know.”

Inara squeezed her hands, understanding. “You’re not loosing him, you know.”

River turned to Inara with a small smile. “Knew you were going to say that.”

Inara grinned. “Then you know what else I’m going to say.”

“You believe what you’re going to say.”

“And you don’t?” Inara was suddenly concerned. After all of these months of planning, River felt she was losing her brother. “Sweetie, you’re not loosing him. You’re gaining a sister.”

River shook her head. “Doesn’t have to put a ring on her finger to make Kaylee my sister. Love her like one already.”

Inara’s heart broke for the girl who for so long had been the sole focus of her brother’s attention. She knew River didn’t dislike Kaylee. The girls had behaved more like sisters for far longer than Simon and Kaylee had been together. She seemed to be lost now, drifting, uncertain. Inara figured it was because Simon was about to take vows that would bind him forever to another woman.

A few tears snaked their way down River’s cheeks. “I know. I shouldn’t feel this way. Everyone is so happy. And I am happy for them. I am. I just – can’t keep it all in today. It’s all overwhelming. Everyone’s emotions all a jumble. Simon is nervous. Kaylee is nervous. But happy too. Can’t wait.” She didn’t know how she could say more without revealing too much of her vision of the future. In letting Inara believe that she was upset over losing her brother to Kaylee, her fear about their painful future could be forgotten, if only for a little while.

Inara felt for the girl who could feel everyone’s thoughts and emotions as easily as breathing. “I’m sorry, River. It must be hard to sort through all of those feelings.”

River nodded. “It’s getting harder to tell what are mine now. They’re getting lost in the mix.” She pulled her hands out of Inara’s and turned away. “I don’t want to ruin the wedding.”

“Oh, honey.” Inara wrapped her arms around River’s bony shoulders and hugged her tight. “You won’t ruin anything.”

River suddenly giggled, causing Inara wonder at the change of emotion pouring through the girl. “Jayne’s not happy.”

A stifled laugh bubbled from Inara’s lips. “When is that man ever truly happy?”

“When he’s whoring.”

Inara laughed louder, realizing where River was headed with this new topic. “And he’s in a House full of them and can’t touch a one.”

The smile that spread across River’s face reached her eyes.

~*~

“Jayne, I’m going to break me some fingers if you tug at that one more time.” Zoe glared at the mercenary as he pulled at the silk cravat around his neck.

“Don’t see whys I have to dress so frilly. I ain’t in the weddin.”

“For the same reason I’m in this gorram slinky dress, Jayne.” Her annoyance with the big man was palpable.

Jayne rubbed his chin. “Could ya e-labor-rate on what that reason might be again?”

~*~

“If you don’t stop fidgeting, I’m gonna break your legs.” Mal threatened as he watched Simon pace nervously around the suite. Mal had to admit he enjoyed seeing Simon so nervous. Not that he needed any further proof that the doctor loved lil’ Kaylee but it was good to see the younger man clench and unclench his fists in nervous fits.

“How is Kaylee?” Simon ignored the Captain and kept his pacing.

A grin tugged at the older man’s lips. “She was a radiant ball of nervous sunshine when I saw her earlier.”

The two men suddenly laughed at the very accurate description of their Kaylee and Mal was relieved to see some of the nervous tension slide out of Simon’s shoulders.

“Can you go check again?”

Mal raised an amused eyebrow. “Trying to get rid of me?”

“Yes.”

Mal laughed. “Well, you’re nothing if not honest.”

~*~

Mal knocked gingerly on the door to Kaylee’s suite and grinned when it cracked just a bit and Mr. Frye’s eyes peered out.

When he realized who waited on the other side, the door swung open and the older man pulled Mal inside. “Ah, Captain! Come in! We were just talking about you.”

Mal grinned. “All bad, I hope.”

“Of course not!” Kaylee bounced over to him and kissed his cheek. “I love my Captain.”

Mal frowned. “Don’t let your almost husband to be hear you say that.”

In a sudden display of emotion which unnerved Mal, Mrs. Frye’s eyes filled with tears. Women would always confound him. Cryin’ over somethin’ so happy.

“My baby gettin’ hitched!”

Kaylee shook her head as her own eyes filled. “Oh momma. Don’t. You’ll make me cry all over again.”

Mal quirked an eyebrow as Mr. Frye drew him away from the teary women. “They been like this since we got here.”

“Well, it’s to be expected, I suppose. Never been to many weddings my own self but know how weepy women get over sentimental things like this.” He’d even been unnerved to catch Inara with unshed tears in her eyes.

“Ahh, wedding’s are fun. Get out my shotgun. Wait outside for the groom. Make him all nervous. All, so fun an entertainin’!”

Mal laughed. “Simon don’t need any help in that regard. Was about to break his legs to keep from pacing a hole in the floor.”

Efhrem’s smile suddenly vanished. “He’s a good boy?” He’d met Simon before. Had a few good, heart to heart conversations with him. But Efhrem just needed to hear it one more time before he gave over his daughter’s hand. He needed to be reassured by another man to whom he’d handed over his precious girl.

Mal nodded slowly. “He is. Much as we didn’t get along when he first boarded Serenity. He’s made Kaylee very happy. He’d never hurt her.”

“Good. ‘S’all I needed to know.”

A crooked smile twitched at the corner of Mal’s mouth. “Now, Jayne. Wouldn’t trust him with any of my crew.”

Efhrem laughed heartily at the image of the rough-looking man and Mal joined him, leaving the ladies wondering nervously what the two men were talking about.

~*~

“You’re beautiful, mei mei.” Simon embraced his sister tenderly.

“Sit down, you boob. You’re too tense.” She deposited the game on a nearby table and began setting it up.

“When you get married –“

River looked up with an amused smile.

“A long time in the future,” Simon added for her benefit, and his own. “You will feel just the same way.”

River shook her head. “Never getting married.”

Simon took a seat and tilted her chin up so she would look him in the eyes. “Someday.”

River didn’t have the heart to deny his words. She would never marry. She already knew that. She would never have children either. The Academy had assured that. But she would love and spoil Simon’s just to annoy him and watch his head slowly implode. Yes, she would enjoy that. And his children would keep her happy through the good times and the bad.

“Like Kaylee’s parents.” She pointedly changed the subject and Simon simply shook his head.

“Yes, they’re wonderful people.”

“Not like ours.”

Simon sighed. He knew she could read his mind. There was no point in lying to her. “No, mei mei. Not like ours. But they tried –”

“Wish they could have come today.” It was a question disguised as a statement.

Simon shook his head. “For many reasons. No.”

“Would have made Kaylee feel inferior. Would have caused sadness on this day of joy. Better that they didn’t come.” As much as River loved her parents and wanted to see them, she knew it was not something would have ever happened.

Simon was glad she understood. “I know.”

River was right, of course. While his mother might have come around to understanding everything her son saw in Kaylee, why he loved her so much, his father, clearly, never would. The man was far too set in his very narrow-minded ways.

They didn’t need any tension or stress from their parents today. The bride and groom were nervous enough. Any additional strain, Simon knew, would have caused more harm than good.

Not to mention, the chances of his parents actually being able to leave Osiris without being followed by the Feds was slim to nil. Even if he could be assured there would be no danger, Simon would never risk it. He wouldn’t risk the lives of those he loved simply to ask his parents attend his wedding.

No, it was better that they just stay away. But a sliver hope that they loved him enough to be happy for him, remained in Simon’s heart, and he wished they would want to be there to share his special day.

As they started their game, Mal returned and simply watched with amusement as River let her brother win.

~*~

“You’re beautiful mei mei.” Inara settled the headdress atop Kaylee’s head and stepped back to admire the design. She’d known by speaking with both Simon and Kaylee, that they wanted a somewhat traditional wedding. So, compromising between both dominant cultures, they’d decided the clothing and decor would resemble a traditional Chinese wedding, and the ceremony itself would be much less traditional.

Inara had commissioned the wedding dress personally and seeing the look on Kaylee’s face now made it worth every credit she had spent. And the phoenix style headdress looked astonishingly perfect perched atop Kaylee’s head. All that was left now was to drape the veil in front of her face, but that could wait until just before they walked out the door.

“Oh, ‘Nara,” Kaylee twirled around and peered into the mirror. Her eyes swept down the dragon-patterned red silk dress and trembling hands smoothed over the slick fabric. The dress was cut low enough to reveal some skin, but patterned after many traditional oriental wedding gowns. “I ain’t ever had nothin’ so fancy before.”

“It’s your wedding day, mei mei, you deserve the best.” Inara reached up to steady the headdress, carefully keeping the red veil from covering Kaylee’s face until it was time to leave.

When Kaylee’s mother stepped in for one last look at her daughter before the ceremony, Inara instantly knew where the younger girl had gotten her boundless energy and smile. Mrs. Frye hugged and kissed her baby and with tear-filled eyes, gave her care over to Inara with a heart-felt thank you. She kissed her husband, gave his arm a loving squeeze and hurried out of the room.

“My little girl, all dolled up.”

Inara thought she could see tears in the man’s eyes.

“It’s still me under all this papa.” Kaylee’s smile radiated brighter then even the brightest sun.

“That fancy doctor better treat you right.”

Inara winced when Kaylee frowned, sensing that this had already been previously discussed topic.

“You’ve met him, papa. You liked him.”

“Bit too proper for my tastes,” Mr. Frye shrugged, “but, he does seem devoted to my little girl.” The crew had visited months ago, before Simon had asked Kaylee to marry him. But jobs and circumstances had kept the family apart until now.

Kaylee grinned mischievously at Inara. “He ain’t so proper anymore. You’ll see.” She smiled brightly and a dreamy look passed across her face at the thought of all the times she’d stripped away another layer of that sometimes infuriating propriety from her mighty fine doctor.

“It’s almost time,” Inara said with a smile as an attendant appeared in the doorway.

~*~

“Remember what I said about the pacing?” Mal glared at Simon.

“You break my legs Kaylee will make sure Serenity never runs again,” Simon shot back with a smug smile.

Mal grumbled, knowing Simon spoke the truth. “Ti wo de pi gu. I must be out of my mind letting my mechanic and my medic get hitched.”

Simon actually laughed at that and Mal felt some of the tension and nervousness that had permeated the room for the last few hours leave in a rush.

He fought back the urge to tie Simon’s hands behind his back when the younger man pushed his hand through his hair, but Mal figured it was better than him pacing a hole in the oriental carpet.

When Simon finally sat down and opened his data pad - presumably to study the wedding vows he had written - Mal had to admit the doctor looked quite handsome in the pretty wedding fits. Inara had ordered them specially made and they matched Kaylee’s dress perfectly. Of course, Simon didn’t know that. He hadn’t been allowed to see the dress.

The black silk coat was delicately embroidered at the collar and cuffs with intertwined stylized dragons and clasped down the front with elegant frog clasps. Beneath the coat was a robe of similar red and embroidered with black dragons down the front and hem. It was a simple outfit, but a traditional one that honored the culture from which Simon had come.

Even his own outfit had been specially made. He recalled the fun Inara had while he was being measured. “Mal stop fidgeting.”

“That woman’s got pins pointed at very sensitive places!”

“Jian Liu is the best tailor on Paquin. She is not going to stick you.”

Mal frowned at her amused smile. But Inara had been right. It was becoming an infuriating habit. But at least he would be well rewarded for the torture of having to submit himself for a measurement, and subsequent fittings. And Inara hadn’t disappointed.

Mal’s pleasant reverie ended when an attendant arrived to escort the two men to the ceremony. Mal grinned when Simon snapped the data tabled closed and stood slowly, nervously clenching his fists.

This would be a lovely wedding, provided the groom could make it through the ceremony without passing out.

~*~

River and Mrs. Frye stood from their place at the front of the audience as Simon and Mal walked toward them. Simon stopped and embraced his sister tightly.

River smiled happily and hugged her brother tight. “You look very handsome,” she said as she kissed Simon’s cheek.

Simon tightened his arms around her and placed a tender kiss on her cheek before following Mal to their designated place.

Soft, oriental music began in the background and everyone turned toward the back of the flower lined walkway to see Kaylee’s one attendant, Inara Serra, smiling as her gaze shifted across the small audience before settling on the two men standing at the end of her journey.

Mal watched with his heart in his throat as Inara glided toward them. Her grace and elegance were unmatched in his eyes and her beauty outshone every woman he had ever met - or ever would meet.

Though, he imagined Simon, at this moment, would disagree with him. Because as Inara reached them and took a step to the side, there stood Kaylee, arm in arm with her father, looking more like a beautiful little angel than his little energetic, grease-covered mechanic.

He heard Simon’s sharp intake of breath at the sight of her and knew, if he really ever had any doubt in the first place, that this marriage was right. For so many reasons it was right, and as the guests stood and turned to watch Kaylee walk toward them, he could see Simon’s mouth fall in astonishment and hear the barely audible “Wo de tian a” slip from his lips.

Kaylee’s face was shrouded beneath the sheer red veil, but there was no doubt there were tears of joy sliding down her face. They shimmered against her cheeks as she got closer, her hand wrapped firmly around her father’s bent arm.

Simon stepped forward and bowed formally to Kaylee and the smile that spread across his face when her father placed her hand in his was bright enough to rival even Kaylee’s on her best day.

TBC

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Chinese Translations:

Wo de tian a - dear God in heaven Ti wo de pi gu - kick me in the bottom