Standard disclaimers apply. Firefly, Serenity, and the original characters are not mine. This was written for fun, not profit. Two new characters are mine, but Joss can have them if he wants because they really want to come out and play.

Archiving: Just let me know where.

Rating: PG13 for language and an adult situation.

Pairings: Now that would be telling.

Moments after the end of Part 3

ENGINE ROOM

Kaylee is sitting astride her hammock, feet on the floor, hunched over, back to the bulkhead, fingering a small stuffed animal in her lap.

SIMON: (Quietly from the doorway) May I come in?

No reply

SIMON: (Softly) Please, Kaylee. We need to talk.

KAYLEE: I don't feel like talkin' to you right now.

Simon moves toward the hammock and looks down, reaching out for her shoulder, but stopping short.

SIMON: Okay, I need to talk. There are a couple of things I need to get off my chest, and, to be fair to both of us; I don't think they can wait any longer.

KAYLEE: (Almost in tears, but still snarky) Why don't you talk to Jenny? I'm sure she’d love to hear whatever you need to say.

Not waiting for permission, he swings his right leg over the hammock and sits down opposite her, their knees almost touching.

SIMON: (Sighing) That won’t work because I need to talk to you, Kaylee.

Kaylee looks up at him from under her hair, but says nothing.

SIMON: (Starting very quietly, but increasing in intensity) Kaylee, you know that when I... we first came aboard Serenity it was out of desperation to get somewhere, anywhere, to be safe. When the Captain offered to let us stay it was just supposed to be until we found some place better… for River. It wasn't supposed to be my life, and I've been on this ship for months.

Tears are now flowing freely down Kaylee's face, but she hasn't made a sound. Simon's eyes are damp too.

SIMON: For weeks, maybe months, there’s been something I haven't been able to admit, even to myself. Seeing Jenny again has made me realize I have to f