TITLE: "THE HEART DOES NOT GRIEVE"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash. Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "WHAT THE EYE DOES NOT SEE".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Simon discovers why the Alliance were so generous

to his father. House Madrassa waits anxiously for their benighted

guest to regain consciousness and Badger plans to come up with a

way to turn his predicament to his advantage."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"THE HEART DOES NOT GRIEVE"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

They were all tired. Some mentally and some physically. The relief at the news that the first operation had gone so well caused a palpable loss of tension which had Serenity's crew grinning like idiots. Kaylee was so proud of Simon even though he tried to explain that he had expert help from Dr Foss and his father. The protestations slid off her without penetrating. Simon was her hero and that was that. He stared at her, once again marvelling at how easily Kaylee put a happy gloss on the 'verse.

"You're amazing, do you know that?"

Her grin became a blaze of light that nearly blinded him, such innocent joy behind it that he thought it powerful enough to rival several suns. "*Weishenme*? Just speakin' the truth is all."

He gently brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes, carefully hooking it around her ear. The act gave him a little time to sort through what he wanted to say, well aware that though they were lagging behind the others his mother was likely to drop back and interrupt at any moment. He didn't know that River had already anticipated his need for a quiet moment with Kaylee and was