Ok I know its been like forever, but hear is chapter Ten.

I didn’t come up with these characters, just got ta play with em for some, for that credit the hats are off to the Joss man. Washie hun thanks for the betaing. Also thanks to Metallica for the title…you guys might suck now, but at least you had some good songs.

Disclaimers done on with the story:

For Whom the Bell Tolls.

Kaylee sat in the mess hall looking less than sociable. She was in one of the bigger chairs pitched forward nursing a black coffee, humming to herself. The last two days had not been easy, not by a long shot. There was still a silver lining though, Inara had needed somebody, and that was her. Kaylee had been there, holding her lovely Inara as she fell into fitful sleep, kissing her, holding Inara when she had needed it most. Kaylee couldn’t imagine what it was like…it seemed strange to have the whole world you devoted much of your life to all of a sudden turn on you…all because of a brown haired mechanic.

Kaylee slumped, knowing that she was the cause of her lover's misery, and here she was drinking coffee while the love of her life prepared for one of the most trying times of hers. Kaylee looked up as a somewhat disheveled Simon shambled into the mess carrying a bottle he quickly filled with water.

"Uh…hey." The expression on his face pained, possibly more due to his current state of being than actually talking to Kaylee.

"Hey yourself…" Kaylee shot with a smile from over her coffee. "Long night?"

"Uh…I guess…I’ll see you later." Simon tried to smile, the pain of his hangover and heart break evident. He turned and left, just as Book ventured in. Kaylee looked up and smiled.

"Mornin’." The old preacher smiled.

"Hey."

"Late night?" The man asked nodding to Kaylee’s coffee.

"Mmm…maybe. Sleepless more like."

"I don’t doubt." Book smiled in his knowing way, then busied himself making tea, knowing it wasn’t really his place to probe further.

Kaylee pondered for a moment then looked up at Book, openi