A/N: Thanks to Leiasky and Kaynara for the beta. Please leave comments - I beg of you!

Hissing softly, Kaylee did her best not to squirm as her daddy patched up her knee.

“Easy there, baby girl,” he told her soothingly, doing his best not to aggravate the cut. “You did a right fine job gettin’ banged up.”

Glancing disparagingly over her shoulder at the regulator she’d been fiddling with, the twelve-year-old muttered petulantly, “Stupid part. I was just tryin’ to brace it so I could work on the innards.”

“Yeah, well, next time how’s about you ask for some help?” Jimmy Frye teased lightly, knowing the likelihood of his little girl admitting she needed aid were about as good as he doing the same. Stepping back, he packed away the first aid kit he always had on hand and told her, “All set. Why don’t you head home an’ help mama with supper?”

Flashing him a look that was one part sympathy and about ten parts angry, she told him sternly, “I ain’t one o’ them girls, daddy. I don’t like cookin’ or cleanin’ or any o’ that other go se. I wanna work on machines.”

“Language,” Jimmy scolded, turning from her to put the kit away so she wouldn’t see the smile of pride that lit his face. That was his good girl. Her brothers had never shown any type of interest in working in his shop, covered in grease and learning the ins and outs of what makes things tick. But not his lil’ Kaylee. She’d taken to this work like a duck to water and it swelled Jimmy’s heart with pride every time she completed a new repair.

Of course, she’d long ago surpassed him in the brains department – his girl wasn’t only gifted, she was powerful smart and gorram beautiful. That smile of hers could light up the darkest night and her big green eyes were always shining with happiness and joy. She was quite literally the apple of James Frye’s eye. He didn’t care if she ever learned to cook or clean, although he knew