Kaylee stood on the catwalk outside shuttle one and watched the hover skim out of the cargo bay into the bright sunshine of Boros. She glanced down … Simon was staring after them. She sighed. Still worrying about the Cap taking his sister on jobs, even though she’d proved herself more’n capable, even since Miranda.

Miranda. Lost two of my best friends. I miss ‘em so much. Wash more’n the Preacher, I admit, but … it still hurts. When does it stop hurting?

“Kaylee?” Inara stepped elegantly to her side. “Have they gone?”

“Just now.”

“He’s still not happy.”

“What?” Kaylee realised her friend was looking down. “Oh, Simon. No. He argued with the Cap again, but it don’t make no difference. Don’t know why he tries.”

“Because he’s Simon. And he worries about his sister.”

“Yeah, I know.” She tried not to sound resentful.

“Ah.”

Kaylee turned on her. “Ah … what?”

“Nothing. Just a simple exhalation of breath.”

“I ain’t jealous.”

“No, of course not.” Inara’s voice was soothing, placatory.

“’Nara, we’ve only been together a few months, and … I just …”

“Get anxious.”

“No. Well, yeah, but the trouble is he’s getting anxious enough for the both of us.”

“River’s getting better. Since Miranda, she’s … improving.”

“Little bit.”

“A lot. And Simon will get to realise that.”

Kaylee sighed. Ain't like he’s not in my bed at night. Or odd times during the day, come to that. It’s just …

“I miss my happy Kaylee,” Inara said, hugging her friend.

“She ain't gone,” Kaylee insisted, wrapping her arms around the other woman, breathing in the Freesia scent she was wearing. “Just maybe a bit lost.”

“I think we all are, honey.”

Kaylee let go, and wiped her nose on her sleeve. “So, how’d your talk with the Cap go?”

Inara smiled. “He fell asleep.”

Kaylee’s jaw would have fallen to her knees if it could. “You mean you …”

“No.” Inara sighed. “He just fell asleep. On my couch. Fully dressed.”

“Oh.” Kaylee shook her head. “You know, that man’s his own worst enemy.”

“Really? I thought that was Niska. Or possibly the Alliance. Or even –“

Kaylee grinned. “Yeah, well, he does have the skill at making people less than friends, don’t he?”

“I think that’s probably putting it mildly.” Inara smiled. “But I think … just maybe …”

“You’re gonna talk some more?”

“I hope so.”

“And not argue?”

“We don’t always argue.”

“No, guess not. But then I s’pose you have to sleep sometime. Although not together.”

Inara laughed, and it warmed the mechanic through. “We have been known to go a whole day without actually sniping at each other.”

“A whole day. That long.”

“I'm trying, Kaylee,” Inara admitted, her face suddenly much more serious. “There are things I know we need to get out into the open, to really talk to each other, but … I'm scared.”

“You think he’s gonna throw you off the boat?”

“I think he’s as scared as I am, but … no. It wouldn’t go that far. But I can’t …”

“Don’t even think about leaving. Or else me and Simon’ll come and drag you back.”

“Oh, I'm not leaving, Kaylee. Not this time.” She stood straight, her posture even more upright than usual. “And he’s going to have to listen.”

Kaylee grinned. “Good.” She lowered her voice. “You gonna be selling tickets?”

“If I do, you’ll be the first to know.” Inara smiled and put her hand on Kaylee’s shoulder before heading back towards her shuttle.

Kaylee watched her walk away, wishing yet again she had that poise, how she made being elegant so effortless. She looked down at her coveralls. Ain't me. Kinda wonder what Simon sees in me sometimes. I mean, he’s so swai, so … Her mind skittered to the night before, when he undressed her, laying her down on the bed. Don’t seem to matter when we’re naked. When there ain’t nothing between us, not even air. Then I’m what he wants. She sighed. Just don’t really know why.

She sighed again, then saw Simon look up at her, as if he’d heard her this time.

“Are you all right?” he asked, his strong features making her go weak at the knees again.

“Shiny,” she called. “They won’t be long.”

“No, I know.” He smiled, and she felt her insides melt.

“Though might be long enough,” she suggested.

“Kaywinnet Lee Frye, are you –“

“No, not really.” She giggled. “I kinda got work to do. But if you want to come and give me a hand …”

He took one more glance out of the cargo bay doors, then grinned back up at her. “I’m not much good at machinery,” he admitted.

“But you got such good hands. I can teach you.” She started towards her engine room, hearing him follow her. Not that you need to learn much from me, she thought, her sunny disposition returning. Not with hands like that …