A/N: We're only halfway through folks ... what did you expect happy endings and puppies?

Thanks to Leiasky and Kaynara for the beta. Enjoy!

“Kaylee?” Dasya greeted her warmly with a hug and the friendly smile she remembered.

Stepping away from him and reaching for Simon’s hand, she told the monk, “It’s real good to see you.” Glancing to her fiancé, she added, “This is Simon.”

Extending a hand, which Dasya shook firmly, Simon watched the other man’s eyes light with recognition. “Ah yes, your beloved,” he commented, his gaze flickering to Kaylee and giving her an indulgent smile which she returned. “I was hoping we would meet one day.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Simon told him, still slightly confused as to why out of all of the Buddhist temples in the city, Kaylee had demanded they go to this one – and how exactly she knew this monk so intimately.

“You look radiant,” the older man told her, again focusing his eyes on Kaylee and her beautifully sheathed form. Simon could agree with the man there. She and Inara had picked out an absolutely gorgeous dress of red silk. With a high mandarin collar, it fell in a straight line down to the tops of Kaylee’s feet, glancing over every curve she owned. Her arms were bare, but the slight warmth of the day assured she would not be cold.

“Yes, she does,” Simon murmured, almost absentmindedly, before pulling Kaylee to his side and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

Smiling to him, Kaylee kissed him back and then said, “Actually, we came to ask ya for a favor.” She explained, a bit hastily, the true intent behind their visit and why they were so dressed up for the middle of the day. Dasya listened closely, greeting Eli and Evelyn as they arrived a few minutes later, a bag of necessities tucked under Evelyn’s arm.

“And you’re sure about this?” the monk asked, his gaze shifting from Kaylee to Simon and back again. “Despite the current situation w