INT. SERENITY ENGINE ROOM

Kaylee is sitting cross legged by the engine fixing a part as River sits by handing her tools.

KAYLEE

Splicer.

River hands her the tool.

RIVER

Simon likes you, you know.

Kaylee sits up and gives her a wide eyed look.

KAYLEE

What did you say?

RIVER

He likes you.

KAYLEE

Really? Like as in...sweeties?

RIVER

Sure. Why wouldn't he?

KAYLEE

(bashful)

Cause...He’s a doctor...and I’m..just a mechanic.

RIVER

Ship’s engineer.

KAYLEE

That sounds nicer. So, tell me more.

RIVER

He’s crazy about you, actually. Said your name in his sleep.

KAYLEE

No!

RIVER

Yeah, and I’m always catching him sneaking looks at you.

KAYLEE

I caught him a few times. Once he turned red. He confounds me so much. Why doesn’t he do something about it if that’s the way he feels? I mean, I’ve given him enough signals. Haven’t I?

RIVER

Sure you have, it’s just...he hasn’t accepted this life yet.

KAYLEE

I figured it was something like that. He wants to go back to Osiris, a rich, successful doctor, and doesn't want me on his arm, just a hick girl from the border.

RIVER

No, Kaylee, no! He thinks the ‘verse of you. Its just, our life, was so different back home. What he hasn’t accepted is that we can’t go back. Ever.

KAYLEE

But you have?

RIVER

No choice. Alliance chasing me. Parents abandoning me. Serenity is all I have now.

KAYLEE

Oh, River. I never really thought if it that way.

RIVER

It’s okay. So, about Simon? You really sweet on him?

KAYLEE

You know it! (forlorn) What can I do?

RIVER

Leave it to me.

KAYLEE

What do you mean?

RIVER

I’ll set him straight.

KAYLEE

(mischievously)

Are you playing matchmaker for your brother?

RIVER

No, for you.

KAYLEE

River, why are you so nice to me?

RIVER

You were the only one on Serenity who took us in from the first day. Well, Simon from the first day and me after. You never tried to sell us out or had a thought of