Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me, just writing for fun.

A/N It would be best to first read First, Folks, and then this fic. This takes place before the crew lands on Kaylee’s home world. Next time there will be more. I know I’m a tease, but it’s coming along. Hope to post more soon, hope you like it and please comment!!!

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Simon waited for the laughter to die down a bit before getting up from the table and leaving the kitchen with all the composure he could collect. The cackling followed him down the hall. He quickly turned the corner to the staircase, trying to avoid Kaylee, who was animatedly talking to her mother on the bridge's vid screen.

When he hit the catwalk, Simon decided that he should probably hide out for a little while, until he felt more comfortable with the situation. Unfortunately he wasn’t paying attention and knocked into Inara.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

Inara took in his anxious face and asked,” Simon, what’s wrong?”

The concern in her voice stirred Simon out of his own thoughts.

“Oh, nothing.”

“Simon?”

Inara raised her eyebrow as she tilted her head to left, not moving so she could get the real story out of him.

“What did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“What didn’t you say?”

“Nothing,” Simon responded, " I didn't do or not do anything, I swear!"

"Then what is bothering you?"

"Well... we're, that is ... we will be heading for Aberdeen, for a job."

"Oh?" Inara knew that was Kaylee's home planet but she wanted to let Simon squirm a moment more.

"That's where Kaylee's from and we'll be-"

"Going for a visit to her family?"

Simon looked relieved that she said it and not him, "Yes."

Inara just smiled at him.

“It’s not that I don’t want to meet them. It’s just, it’s so soon, and we really don’t know if we’re still fugitives. I mean, our warrants are no longer on the cortex and they haven’t been-”

“Simon, slow down.”

Inara rested her hand on his shoulder while Simon took a br