BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL

CBSTEVE

Matchmaker
Friday, December 14, 2007

An imaginary way Simon and Kaylee could have gotten together a bit sooner than the BDM with a little help from River. Repost of a fic long forgotten.


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 2901    RATING: 9    SERIES: FIREFLY

INT. SERENITY ENGINE ROOM Kaylee is sitting cross legged by the engine fixing a part as River sits by handing her tools.

KAYLEE

Splicer.

River hands her the tool.

RIVER

Simon likes you, you know.

Kaylee sits up and gives her a wide eyed look.

KAYLEE

What did you say?

RIVER

He likes you.

KAYLEE

Really? Like as in...sweeties?

RIVER

Sure. Why wouldn't he?

KAYLEE (bashful)

Cause...He’s a doctor...and I’m..just a mechanic.

RIVER

Ship’s engineer.

KAYLEE

That sounds nicer. So, tell me more.

RIVER

He’s crazy about you, actually. Said your name in his sleep.

KAYLEE

No!

RIVER

Yeah, and I’m always catching him sneaking looks at you.

KAYLEE

I caught him a few times. Once he turned red. He confounds me so much. Why doesn’t he do something about it if that’s the way he feels? I mean, I’ve given him enough signals. Haven’t I?

RIVER

Sure you have, it’s just...he hasn’t accepted this life yet.

KAYLEE

I figured it was something like that. He wants to go back to Osiris, a rich, successful doctor, and doesn't want me on his arm, just a hick girl from the border.

RIVER

No, Kaylee, no! He thinks the ‘verse of you. Its just, our life, was so different back home. What he hasn’t accepted is that we can’t go back. Ever.

KAYLEE

But you have?

RIVER

No choice. Alliance chasing me. Parents abandoning me. Serenity is all I have now.

KAYLEE

Oh, River. I never really thought if it that way.

RIVER

It’s okay. So, about Simon? You really sweet on him?

KAYLEE

You know it! (forlorn) What can I do?

RIVER

Leave it to me.

KAYLEE

What do you mean?

RIVER

I’ll set him straight.

KAYLEE (mischievously)

Are you playing matchmaker for your brother?

RIVER

No, for you.

KAYLEE

River, why are you so nice to me?

RIVER

You were the only one on Serenity who took us in from the first day. Well, Simon from the first day and me after. You never tried to sell us out or had a thought of abandoning us. Maybe Wash, too. He told me how broken up you were when we were captured by those hill folk on Jiangyin. The look on your face when the captain ordered him to take off, to leave us. KAYLEE

I just...couldn’t believe it.

RIVER

Not your fault.(beat) My childhood was very strange. Being the smartest person in class makes you a target of all kinds of meanness. I never had a friend except Simon. You’re the closest to a sister and a friend I’ve ever had.

KAYLEE

Give me a hug.

They hug, wipe away a tear.

RIVER

So let me do my thing.

She stands and exits as Kaylee gives a big smile and goes back to work.

INT. INFIRMARY

Simon is taking inventory as Mal stands nearby.

SIMON

We need more plasma and whole blood.

MAL

I’ll pass the word, ask for donors.

SIMON

Thanks. Hope we don’t need it but..

MAL

Better to be safe. Anything else?

SIMON

Morphine, adrenaline, surgical thread, a software update for the scanner, and rubber gloves.

MAL

Our coffers ain’t exactly overflowing but see what we can scrounge next stop. Software might have to wait.

River sticks her head in the door.

MAL

Howdy, little sister. RIVER

Howdy, Captain. Need to talk to Simon.

Mal steps out.

MAL

He’s all yours. Got captainy things to do.

He exits. Simon looks at River.

SIMON

Everything OK?

RIVER

No. There’s someone needs tending.

SIMON (serious)

What happened? Who?

RIVER

You.

SIMON

Me?

RIVER

You need to wake up.

SIMON

River, are you off your meds?

RIVER (eyes rolling)

No, big brother.

SIMON

What’s going on?

RIVER

Been talking to Kaylee.

SIMON (taken aback)

Oh.

RIVER

She really likes you.

SIMON

Excuse me?

RIVER

See? Still asleep. She’s crazy about you, actually.

SIMON

I figured that. She’s very...obvious.

RIVER

And she’s wondering why you haven’t done anything about it.

SIMON

I’m just...not sure.

RIVER

You’re such an idiot. You say her name in your sleep, find excuses to be around her, look at her when she’s not looking.

SIMON

In my sleep?

RIVER

More than once.

SIMON

River, I can’t..accept this life for us. Kaylee will never leave Serenity and I wouldn’t want her to choose. It’s better not to start something.

RIVER

Maybe you should let her decide that instead of making up her mind for her. Simon, there is no other home for me but Serenity. We can’t go back. Why can’t you accept that?

SIMON

I want to. I want to put it behind us, find a safe haven.

RIVER

Serenity is a haven. Maybe not so safe, but a haven. Go to Kaylee. Tell her. It’s the only way you’ll have a happy life.

SIMON

Maybe your right. I’m such a fool. (beat) Where is she now?

RIVER

Where else?

INT. ENGINE ROOM

Kaylee’s just standing up wiping grease off her hands as Simon enters. She’s startled and blushes, tries to straighten her hair, gets grease on her nose.

KAYLEE

Oh, Simon, you..surprised me. He takes out a handkerchief, moves closer, hesitates a second, then wipes the grease from her nose, tenderly. She smiles.

SIMON

There you are.

They are very close. Neither moves away. Her eyes go down as he swallows a gulp. She looks at him.

KAYLEE

Hi.

SIMON

Hi. Been talking to my sister?

KAYLEE

Oh. Yes, I have. You, too?

SIMON

Yes. She’s very..intuitive.

KAYLEE

Knows me better than myself.

SIMON

Me, too.(beat) Kaylee, I want to say something.

KAYLEE

Then just say it. (beat, with longing) Please.

SIMON (quiet)

I’m...crazy about you.

KAYLEE

Oh, God....

He touches her face and kisses her gently, then arms around each other, Kaylee trying not to get grease on his shirt, then going for it, big hug, long deep kiss, getting smudges of grease on Simon’s back and shoulders.

SIMON (whisper)

Oh, Kaylee, how long I’ve wanted to do that.

KAYLEE Simon, ssssh. Kiss me.

Another long kiss, more passionate.

KAYLEE (sultry)

I want you. All of you. Now.

SIMON

Yes.

KAYLEE (beaming, softly)

Come on.

She grabs him by the hand, quickly leads him from the engine room.

INT. AFT HALL - CONTINUOUS

Jayne is heading up from below.

JAYNE

Hey, Doc, my knee’s bothering me again.

KAYLEE

Later, Jayne.

Simon just shrugs as she drags him past a surprised Jayne into the dining area. Jayne sees the grease marks.

JAYNE

What the...?

INT. DINING AREA - CONTINUOUS

Zoe, Mal and Inara here fixing the table for dinner. Book and Wash sit in the small lounge playing chess. Kaylee ignores them as she drags Simon by the hand.

MAL

Doc, got some volunteers for the blood....

KAYLEE

He’s busy.

Mal looks at Simon, who gives a slight shrug, half a smile. Inara looks at Zoe with a big grin. Zoe beams.

ZOE

Guess we’ll talk about that later.

SIMON

Later.

INARA

Dinner’s almost ready, you two.

KAYLEE

Ain’t hungry.

SIMON

Save something. (beat) Please.

Then exit toward fore hall as Jayne enters.

JAYNE

Did I just see what I think I saw?

BOOK

I believe you did.

WASH

Checkmate!

Looks at Book who is still looking to where Simon and Kaylee walked by.

WASH

What? I miss something?

Book’s not even looking at the chess board.

BOOK

That’s only check, not checkmate.

Wash scratches his head, looks closely at the board.

MAL

Doc’s gonna need a big meal after, I reckon.

ZOE

About time. Those two been dancing round each other for months.

She looks at Inara and then to Mal, who she catches looking at Inara. He quickly looks away as Inara turns her head.

INT. FRONT HALL - CONTINUOUS

Kaylee and Simon approach her bunk, she opens the door and down she goes.

KAYLEE

Give me a second..kind of a mess.

SIMON

Okay.

He looks back toward the dining area. Everyone is at the door looking at him, smiling, grinning.

SIMON

What?

MAL

Come on. Give them some privacy, will you?

KAYLEE (O.S.)

Come on down.

Simon looks at the others with a bashful grin.

SIMON

See you...I’m...going...later.

INT. DINING AREA - LATER

Everyone eating except Simon and Kaylee.

RIVER

I just moved things in the direction they both wanted to go.

WASH

When did you start moonlighting as a matchmaker?

RIVER

I want them to be happy.

ZOE

Glad you did, for both their sakes.

BOOK

Your brother isn’t exactly the romantic type, is he?

RIVER

Oh, he’s had girlfriends before.

JAYNE

All this time I thought he was sly.

Shocked looks. River throws a piece of bread at him.

RIVER

Ape brain!

JAYNE

Hey! I ain’t the only one thought that way, am I?

INARA

I knew he favored women folk the minute I met him.

MAL

How’d you know that?

INARA

The way he looked at me. The way he looks at Kaylee.

JAYNE

What did you think about me the first time you saw me?

MAL

This conversation is getting kind of horrific.

INARA

Let’s see. A carnal, lustful man with nothing on his mind but his own pleasure. About right?

JAYNE

Yup, that’s me.

WASH

What about me?

INARA

A man who was scared to look at me least his wife box his ears.

WASH

Yeah, that’s about right.

ZOE

I wouldn’t box 'em. Just pull em off.

JAYNE

What about Mal, here?

The beginnings of laughter die as Mal stands.

MAL

Enough fortune telling for one night. Jobs to do before bed, let's do them.

He stands and walks toward the bridge, Inara watching him. JAYNE

He always spoils the fun.

INT. KAYLEE’S BUNK

Their clothes are throw haphazardly around the room, abandoned in haste. Simon and Kaylee lie on her narrow bed under covers. Snuggling close, breathless, just finished making love.

KAYLEE

You were wonderful.

SIMON

So were you. It was...fantastic. Been..

KAYLEE

So long?

SIMON

Yeah.

KAYLEE

Simon, I ain’t a one night stand.

SIMON

I don’t want you to be.

KAYLEE

Good. Cause my heart needs a man to lie with me and stand by me.

SIMON

I think I’ve finally found my home.

He looks around at the room, then to Kaylee, smiles.

KAYLEE

You don’t want to go back to Osiris?

SIMON

Not if you don’t want to.

KAYLEE

What about your career, your life at the hospital?

SIMON

River’s right. Serenity is home. Being here, seeing the state of the border planets, the people, I figure I’d do more good out here than I’d ever do back on Osiris. People here appreciate a doctor.

KAYLEE

I wouldn't want you to sacrifice anything on account of me.

SIMON

Being with you is not a sacrifice. It’s a joy. Just wish I could take you on a proper date.

KAYLEE (smiles, kisses him)

That’d be nice. Next time in port. If we don’t have to run away fast.

SIMON

That happens a lot. (beat) I’m hungry.

KAYLEE

Me, too.

Her hand slides under the covers, Simon gives a start.

SIMON

Slow down a bit.

KAYLEE

I thought you were young and healthy.

SIMON

Young, yes...Healthy, I don’t...Oh, guess I am.

He turns to her and gives a big kiss and hug.

INT. FORE HALL - LATER

Kaylee’s bunk opens and she and Simon climb out. They stop for a long kiss, then head to the dining area. INT. DINING AREA - CONTINUOUS

It’s empty, quiet. They tiptoe to the table, uncover two plates with food on them and sit. They start to eat, ravenous, giggling, trying to be quiet. Mal enters from Aft Hall.

MAL

Hey, up late aren’t you?

SIMON

Hi, Mal.

KAYLEE

Capt’n. Hungry?

MAL

No, little Kaylee, just doing a walk about, make sure were a tight ship.

KAYLEE

I’ll run a diagnostics if you like.

He moves to get a cup and some water.

MAL

No need. We’ll be in Beaumonde in two days. Do it then.

He sits and drinks.

MAL

I ain’t interrupting, am I?

SIMON

Just having dinner.

MAL

Good. Keep your strength up.

Simon and Kaylee give each other a look, then laugh as Mal realizes he spoke out of turn.

MAL

Sorry, my mouth speaks before my brain thinks sometimes.

SIMON

Its OK, Mal. Small ship. No secrets here.

KAYLEE

Not after the way I dragged you through the whole ship.

MAL

Well, now that’s out in the open, I’ll say this just once since I got the two of you together. I’m against shipboard romances as a rule.

KAYLEE

What? What about Zoe and Wash?

MAL

Now, Kaylee, let me speak my piece before you get all flustered here. As a rule I said. But you know me and rules. They tend to get broken. So, that said, wish you all kinds of happiness.

KAYLEE

Thanks, Capt’n. That’s real sweet.

SIMON

Thank you, Mal.

MAL (to Simon)

Oh, and by the way, you break her heart, I’ll toss you out the air lock. Dong ma?

He stands off their shocked looks.

MAL Night.

And he exits towards his bunk.

SIMON

Is he your brother?

KAYLEE

Not by blood. Don’t mind him. You won’t break my heart.(beat) Will you?

SIMON

Not in million years or all the money in the verse.

KAYLEE

Good. He wouldn’t really throw you out the air lock.(beat) Maybe.

SIMON

That’s a comfort.

COMMENTS

Friday, December 14, 2007 11:31 AM

SHAMROCK


Awwww cute! I love reading Simon stories. They make me feel all fuzzy and stuff. Haha. I like this. Goodbye tension, hello love.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011 9:56 AM

SHINYZOEKAYLEE


Eeeeeeeeee!!! I *LOVE* this!!!!! :D much better than them getting together in the BDM... SHINY!!XD


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