TITLE: "TYING THE KNOT" AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL FANDOM: "FIREFLY" PAIRING: Simon/Kaylee. RATING: PG-13. STATUS: Sequel to "BABY BLUES". ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where. FEEDBACK: Welcomed. EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Simon finally explains to Kaylee why he has never proposed to her." The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly' are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. No infringement of copyright is intended.

"TYING THE KNOT"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

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Kaylee had been surprised at the unexpected consequences of that little talk the Captain had with her. Realising she had been making decisions for Simon and that it wasn't fair had calmed down her fear that time was running out. So she had waited, let him get a few day's rest and had ignored the funny look on his face. Wasn't sure if it was confusion, gratitude, affection or a fair mix of all three. Then had come the discussion. Kaylee had waited until they were in her bunk, Simon's being too close to River's. Not that distance gave them the privacy she sometimes craved with having a Reader on board but the illusion helped.

"You sure 'bout this, Simon?"

He smiled and dropped a kiss on the end of her nose, fighting not to laugh when she frowned. How could he miss her mouth from this close? "*Qu, ai ren*. I haven't said anything before because I didn't think I had the right." Kaylee's eyebrows shot up along with a spark of indignation. "Simon Tam, how long we been together now? An' I ain't just talkin' about the sex but it's been YEARS. If you ain't got the right I don't know who has."

His gentle smile stilled her frustration and calmed her enough to listen. "*Bao bei*, I have loved you for so long, do you know that?" A little line of worry marred his features and Kaylee felt bad for making him even doubt that she did in fact know. "What I was meaning to say was that the Alliance have never stopped searching for River and that also means they haven't stopped searching for me." He held up a hand as her mouth opened to protest. "*Wo zhidao*, the wanted posters vanished years ago but do you really think that will stop them?"

"What're ya sayin'?"

"That I couldn't propose to you, give you my name and put you in danger because of it, Kaylee. I love you and I always will even if it has taken me some time to put it into words. I just, I don't want you to get drawn into any trouble with the Alliance because of me."

"Simon, I ain't goin' nowhere, *dong ma*?" She paused, her bottom lip trembling just a little as she tried to hide how emotional she was feeling. "You're sayin' we can't get married, *dui*?"

He shook his head, smiling at the surprised look on her face. "No, Kaylee, that isn't what I'm sayin', just that I can't give you my name."

Frowning, Kaylee was confused. "*Wo bu dong*."

Giving her a kiss Simon chuckled softly. "I spoke to the Captain and though he was surprised I think he was pleased."

Kaylee pulled back in his arms, the better to see his face. "What ya talkin' about?"

"Us." At her blank look, Simon drew her close again, his expression tender. It made her heart melt with love for him just to see that look in his eyes. "I can't give you my name, Kaylee," he said softly "but you can give me yours."

Confusion was her middle name. "You wanna be called Kaylee?"

The laughter that rang out from her bunk startled the Captain up on the bridge, bringing a smile to his face. Sipping his bitter coffee slowly he felt satisfaction coat his bones. River sat curled in the other chair and watched him. Neither spoke, a comforting silence blanketing them both as Serenity sailed through the Black. Back in Kaylee's bunk, Simon was trying manfully to explain but it seemed every time he opened his mouth he just got his feet caught up in it. Kaylee huffed impatiently at him.

"Simon Tam, if you don't spit it out right now you're sleepin' on the floor!"

He looked at her. Face flushed with high colour from frustration and more than a little impatience. Simon swallowed then just blurted it out, figuring that if his words by-passed his brain he couldn't muck this up by over thinking it. "If I take your name instead of you taking mine I'll be Mr Simon Tam Frye and you'll be Mrs Kaylee Tam Frye. That way the Alliance will see just another Mr and Mrs Frye."

"So you will be givin' me your name after all?"

"*Shenme*?"

Kaylee smiled at him. "You said I'll be Mrs Kaylee TAM Frye."

The dime dropped and Simon realised he had found the perfect solution after all. "Yes, Kaylee, which is my clumsy way of asking... will you marry me?"

Pleasure and joy blossomed on her face like twin suns. Dazzled, he could only stare at her in awestruck love. "Thought ya had to go on one knee an' such to propose?" She teased.

"Kaylee, you're sitting on my lap. Of course, I could just..."

He started to rise and slide her off him but Kaylee held him in a death grip. "Don't you dare change a single thing Simon Frye!" For a moment he stared at her in shock then realised what it meant. Simon laughed and showered kisses over her face, his breath puffing into her face as he laughingly spoke. "Is that a yes Mrs Tam Frye?" "Gorramit, Simon," she growled "after makin' me wait this long it better be!"

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CHINESE GLOSSARY: (Mandarin - Pinyin)

*qu* = yes (lit. go) *ai ren* = sweetheart *bao bei* = precious/treasure *wo zhidao* = I know *dong ma* = understand? *dui* = correct *wo bu dong* = I don't understand *shenme* = what