“You could stay Jayne” Inara suggested when he told her that he was leaving

“Nope” he answered “Reckon if I go Kaylee might go back t’ being her ownself.”

Anyone with eyes could see that it was tearing him up to leave Serenity and more particularly Kaylee. She surprised herself by offering him a hug and was equally amazed when he accepted and returned it gently.

Six months ago if anyone had told her that she’d be hugging Jayne, was actually friendly with him Inara would have laughed.

The big tough crude mercenary was the last person she would have chosen as a friend.

But their finding out about Miranda and the subsequent battle changed many things. Chief among the changes were the crew dynamics.

Zoë was in mourning for Wash, just going through the motions of life, not really living it. Mal and she were working towards a more stable friendship. She couldn’t call it more yet. River had calmed down considerably and while not always articulate was becoming more and more understandable. She was also proving to be an accomplished pilot and becoming a member of the crew. The girl’s developing friendship with Jayne was worrying but could be dealt with if necessary. Kaylee and Simon after all the delays were finally together and happy.

The last situation which Inara had been watching with interest and delight for Kaylee, changed almost overnight from happiness to despair. Simon and Kaylee were having real difficulties. The atmosphere was so tense between them it was like sitting with a pair of unexploded grenades. But when she had broached the subject and tried to help, both avoided talking about it, turning the conversation to other concerns.

The main concern for both of them, Inara too she admitted, was the continuing friendship between Jayne and River. The two had been so often at each others’ throats that the relationship seemed strange at best. Simon of course had never liked Jayne and still saw his sister as a little damaged girl. Kaylee appeared, if Inara didn’t know better, to be jealous of th