This is part of a prompt table I am working on. You can find it http://www.geocities.com/maegovannen/Firefly/69FicChallenge.html>; Here.

All the stories from it are standalones unless otherwise noted.

This is a sequel to http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=13087 >‘Kiss’ and http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=13142 >‘Wet’. Please read them first before reading this one.

This is attempt at writing more Book into a story as he is not in any way a strength of mine. Plus, I thought it was fitting that he'd try to counsel some of the crew on matters of the heart.

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49.Heart

After the hilarious story surrounding the Captain and Inara’s dare, which Simon was grateful took any possible questioning off of what had or hadn’t happened with he and Kaylee the night before, Simon took River to the infirmary to continue with his testing.

Kaylee’d smiled at him encouragingly when he left, making him feel even more uncomfortable as he led his protesting sister out of the room.

Throughout the day, River tried to put him in a position where he’d need to talk to Kaylee, but he’d found all manner of ways to avoid it and he was all too happy when River had consented to lie down for a nap. She was getting better, her lucid periods and the way she’d handled Early a few weeks ago, proof that his treatments were working – somewhat.

His head in his hands, Simon didn’t hear the Shepherd approach until the man had joined him on the couch in the common room.

“Long day?”

Simon’s head snapped up and he grinned wryly. “No more difficult than yesterday, or the day before.”

“You look tired, son. Everything else all right?” Book maintained that innocent look on his face but it was very clear to Simon that the man was prying for info.

But Simon refused to play along. He’d already been berated incessantly by Jayne all morning with his not-so-thinly-disguised attempts at finding out what had happened after he and Kaylee had gone