A/N: I certainly hope you all like angst! Bwhahaha!

Thanks to Leiasky and Kaynara for the beta and encouragement. And a HUGE thank you to everyone for all the great comments on chapter 5 - keep 'em comin'!

Kaylee finger-combed her hair, humming lightly to herself as she regarded her freshly scrubbed face in the mirror. Leaning in towards the reflective surface, she studied her lips and her cheeks as she murmured giddily, “Mrs. Simon Tam. Doctor and Mrs. Simon Tam. Mrs. Kaylee Tam.”

Releasing another squeal, she sighed and whispered, “Shiny,” before cinching her robe around her waist and exiting the bathroom with a grand flourish. “You ready for some pre-marital-“ Her statement died on her lips as she realized Simon was no longer waiting for her. Disappointed, Kaylee pouted mightily as she wandered into the living room, calling, “Simon? What’s goin’ on?”

He didn’t answer her, which caused a bit of her disappointment to fade into concern. Quickening her pace, a bit afraid that he might have passed out on his way to get a drink or something, she stopped abruptly as she caught sight of him at the wave screen, his posture full of tension as he spoke in a hushed tone to someone she could not see.

Crossing her arms over her chest, she asked softly, “Simon?”

Turning sharply at the sound of her voice, Simon’s eyes held the anxiety she had feared. Looking back to the screen as Kaylee stepped fully into the room and hurried to his side, Simon quickly ended the connection and turned to face her.

“What?” she asked, stepping between his legs, her hands resting on his shoulders. “What is it? What s’matter?”

Placing his hands on her waist, Simon sighed heavily, silently cursing the power sake had over him. This would be so much easier to deal with if a headache wasn’t forming behind his eyes. “Kaylee,” he said patiently, forcing his eyes to hers and instantly regretting it. Those b