Sorry for the delay in finishing this little tale, I just had kid #2 and have been a little too busy (not to mention too tired to write)

As before, I have no prose abilities, so this is written a bit like a screenplay.

Black Beanie -- Thanks for the formatting suggestions, let’s see if this one is easier to read..

Miss Kitten -- Thanks for loaning me the S/K-Canton pairing

-------------------------------------------------------

Still at Mme Huan’s. Simon and Kaylee are goofing around on the piano. She’s playing some blues chords and he’s filling in the rest of the notes around her. The rest of the crew is gathered by the fire. Wash and Zoe are at the window overlooking the garden. River is perched near Jayne, positioning his fingers on the guitar to show him different notes..

Jayne: (Picking away at the guitar) Horney yet?

Women: (In unison) NO!

Kaylee bolts from the piano and runs outside.

Mal: I haven’t seen lil’ Kaylee move that fast since she saw the buffet at ‘Nara’s party.

Inara: But you were there.

Mal: (puzzled) Yeah

Inara: So it clearly wasn’t MY party.

Simon: (Confused and embarrassed, joins the rest by the fire)

Inara: I’m not sure I want to know, but in the world did you say?

Simon: (Baffled) I told her that she made me happy and I’d like to return the favor. I tried to give her some earrings but… I don’t know.

River (Leans over to Jayne and whispers in his ear)

Jayne (Looks at River oddly) Doc? You forget crazy’s meds this morning? Going on about how she’s a bug.

River: (Shakes head and rolls eyes)

Simon (Distracted, shrugs it off) I’ll check her levels in the morning, there’s nothing I can do about it tonight.

Inara: Let’s see the earrings.

Simon hands them to Inara, who’s clearly taken aback.

Simon: They’re nice, right? I’m not really one for jewelry, but they’ve been in my family for years and I’d always liked them.

Inara: They’re stunning. I’ve never seen natural emeralds half this size. Are you sure yo