BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL

TAMSIBLING

Pursued - Epilogue
Thursday, June 1, 2006

Last Part. Sequel to my "Forward Motion" series. References events from my "Family Dynamics" series as well. Post-BDM. -- Everyone is back on board and the Alliance has stopped looking for the Tams, but there seems to be one unanswered question still lingering ...


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 2939    RATING: 9    SERIES: FIREFLY

A/N: This is short, but it's supposed to be, it's an epilogue. This concludes my "Pursued" series, but there is another *big* one on the way.

Thanks again to Leiasky for being a constant source of giggles and fun and for making my writing sound so flippin' cool!

ENJOY!

***

Simon nervously rolled the end of his shirt between his thumb and forefinger, unable to hold still. He and River had been standing just a few feet away from the engine room for the past ten minutes and even though he had attempted to enter the room several times, his feet had yet to move him in that direction.

Working his mouth, he tried to get rid of the dryness there and thought fleetingly of going to get a glass of water and coming back. Reading his urge to flee, River rolled her eyes at him, and getting behind him, started to physically push him down the hall. “Boob,” she muttered, as she propelled him forward.

“Brat,” he answered in kind, turning to face her, forcing her to stop her ministrations. He met her eyes and she could see genuine fear there and her heart went out to him. Poor Simon, talking to girls just wasn’t his strong suit.

“You’re sure this is going to work,” he asked her for the hundredth time, again playing with the ends of his shirt.

Giving him an exasperated look, she crossed her arms over her chest and asked him, “Which one of us is psychic?”

Simon looked back to her and had to smile. “Good point,” he said. Turning to face the door to the engine room, he could hear Kaylee inside, tinkering with something and humming to herself. She always hummed to herself and he loved it.

“Would you just go in there already,” River asked, giving him one more good-natured shove in the direction of the door.

Simon took the hand she had placed on his arm and pulled her into a tight embrace. Pressing a light kiss to her cheek, he whispered, “Thank you, mei mei.”

Pulling back from him with happy tears in her eyes, she placed a hand over his heart and said, “Just say what’s in here. You’ll be fine.”

Simon smiled at her once more before she turned and walked away. “Love you,” he called after her.

“Love you,” her delicate voice floated back to him and then he was alone.

Turning to face the opening to the engine room, Simon willed his hands to stay at his sides, and took a deep breath. After his fifth one, he finally felt his heart slow to a normal rate and felt calm enough to enter the room.

Kaylee was around the side of the engine, her back to him as she leaned forward and tightened some bolt or some such – it was all still a mystery to him.

Clearing his throat got her attention and when she turned to look at him, his breath caught in his chest. Even with grease stains smudging her cheeks and the barest sheen of sweat along her skin, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

“Oh, hey you,” she said, turning back to finish her work. After another minute, she had finished and walked around the engine, dropping her tool onto her work bench, picking up a rag to wipe her face and hands. “I thought I heard you out there.” Looking back to him, she must have finally noticed his pale expression, because her eyes turned concerned. “Everything okay?”

Simon nodded once, not certain he could actually form words at the moment. Moving around to meet her, Simon slid a hand into his pocket, his fingers closing over the engagement ring that had been sent in the box from his mother. It had been hers and while there hadn’t been any note to tell them, River had insisted that he give to Kaylee. And he was determined to do just that.

Concerned by his silence, Kaylee stepped forward and took his other hand, squeezing it gently. “Sweetie, you sure you’re okay,” she asked again, her eyes searching his face for answers. “You seem kinda pale.”

Simon finally let a wide grin overwhelm his features, as he realized, sheepishly, his inability to talk to girls was about to ruin his proposal. Taking a deep breath, Simon pulled the ring out of his pocket, keeping his fist firmly around it so it would remain out of sight. “No, bao bei,” he told her, taking a step closer to her. “I’m fine.”

“Actually,” he said, looking into her eyes as he dropped to one knee. “There’s something I’ve got to ask you.”

***

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COMMENTS

Thursday, June 1, 2006 6:06 PM

LEIASKY


>This is short, but it's supposed to be, it's an epilogue. This concludes my "Pursued" series, but there is another *big* one on the way.

Oh. My. God. Is THAT the understatement of the year. What is the last page count - 350 pages of the new one? Folks, you'll love it.

Now, this is just the PERFECT ending for this story. I loved it. All of it. A nice emotional rollercoaster ride that eventually worked out in the best way possible.

Of course, we all know Kaylee say's yes - but DAMN what a place to end it!

laugh

Thursday, June 1, 2006 6:12 PM

LEIGHKOHL


OMG!!! I love it!!!! River reassuring her boob of a brother, precious! YAY!!!! I sure as hell hope she said yes, but that one is pretty much a no brainer! AWWWW! Great ending to such a wonderful story, thanks for sharing it!

Thursday, June 1, 2006 7:09 PM

WANMEI


That was totally amazing! Yay for Simon finally finding the courage! I love the dynamic you have here between the characters.

Keep up the great work!

Thursday, June 1, 2006 11:49 PM

AMDOBELL


I loved it and thought River was brilliant with her "which one of us is psychic" quip and her love and support. And poor Simon all tongue tied and in love but determined to propose and win his heart's desire. Great job! Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me

Friday, June 2, 2006 1:05 AM

TAYEATRA


That might be the best use of an epilogue I've ever seen.

Looking forward to your next 'epic'!

Oh... and ManicGiraffe... you are a 'very' bad man.

Friday, June 2, 2006 6:01 AM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER


Great stuff here, TamSibling! Cannot wait till the 350 epic you have develope arives:D

Really loved the River/Simon dichotomy here, with Simon close to needing sedation cuz he's hyperventilating and River just feeling so much love and frustration for Simon's lack of self-confidence. Can really see the sibling love here, and vibe of Sean and Summer playing this scene out.

BlueEyedBrigadier

P.S. Honestly, I think someone should do a fic where Kaylee shoots Simon down...cuz she has issues of her own about being Mrs. Simon Tam. No one really takes a good long look at how Kaylee must feel about being with a refined gentleman like Simon. Now I am not advocating a break-up or permanent refusal here....just realistic hesitation about seeming to be not "right" for Simon culturally;)

Friday, June 2, 2006 6:12 AM

TAMSIBLING


Thanks everyone for these great comments!

Leiasky and Leighkohl both feel I was horribly mean to end the epilogue there, but in my fantasy world Kaylee says yes immediately!

BEB - Interesting theory you posit - I agree, I think Kaylee would have a few reservations, but I think she's shown (especially in the Jaynestown ep) that she knows how different things are in the black and that includes whether or not she's "refined" enough to be with Simon.

Plus, I think all S/K shippers can agree that Simon is waaaaay too uptight for his own good and could use a good woman like Kaylee!

As for the 350 page epic ... I'm not exactly sure when it'll be ready to post, but I warn you now, as the page count attest, if you don't like long, involved stories, steer clear! Secretly, though, I hope you all read and LOVE IT!

Thanks again!

Friday, June 2, 2006 10:32 AM

LEIASKY


>Secretly, though, I hope you all read and LOVE IT!

One itty bitty comment about that...

Make sure you have tissues. . . :)

Friday, June 9, 2006 8:42 AM

RIVERISMYGODDESS


Nice, fluffly epilogue, and Simon's awkwardness is perect. You are so very good at getting the voices of all of these characters just right.


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