“I hadn’t realised,” Inara said, fixing the tremblant in her hair, turning her head to make sure it caught the light. “It’s been several years since I went to the ball, not since the fight with Atherton, and this will be the first time I’ve been able to go as just me.” She smiled at Kaylee’s reflection.

“Wish I could go again,” the young mechanic said wistfully. “I had a good time, ‘til the punching.”

Inara laughed. “Just as long as it doesn’t end up that way, I’ll be happy.”

“Won’t they be surprised?” Kaylee sighed. “At you goin’ alone, I mean.”

“I can’t take you, mei-mei ,” Inara said. “The only reason I’m going at all is because, as Sheydra pointed out, I have a standing invitation.”

“The only reason?”

Inara laughed again. “No, not really. It will probably be the last time I’ll be able to, so I … I’d like to enjoy it.”

“S’pose so,” Kaylee said longingly.

“I’ll try and bring you back some strawberries,” Inara promised, rewarded by a wide grin on the mechanic’s face.

“Almost makes up for it,” Kaylee said, hugging herself. Then her personal light seemed to fade a little. “Did … did you and Simon have a good time?” she asked.

Inara turned, surprised. “Kaylee, you’re not jealous, are you?”

“No, no,” Kaylee insisted quickly. “Course not.” She sighed. “Only you … you ain’t said why you wanted him with you.”

“And he hasn’t told you?” Inara sat down next to the young woman.

“No.”

“Did you ask?”

“Well, no,” Kaylee admitted. “I didn’t –“ She stopped herself.

“You didn’t want to know the answer?” Inara supplied.

“Oh, I know it ain't nothing like that,” Kaylee said hurriedly. “Not you and Simon. I mean, I had notions of him and Freya once, but that was just … you know, being pregnant and all.”

“Are you sure you’re not pregnant again now?”

Kaylee shook her head. “No. At least, not as of this morning.” She sighed. “It just ain’t happening yet.”

“Give it time.”

“That’s what Simon says.” Kaylee bit her lip. “So what was he going with