Note:If I mess up any names, its cause I don't know 'em. Its Joss's 'verse, I just have fun with it. Enjoy!!!

Simon panted heavily into the dusty floor, wincing every time he breathed. His rib stump poked him in his chest with each breath. He feared that he might have internal breathing.

With a feeling that was usually reserved for when you break atmo at full burn, Simon was picked up by Kaylee's dad, who then slammed him into a barn wall. Simon felt more than heard the ominous cracking that meant that he had broken another rib. Kaylee's father held him by the throat with one hand, pulling back his right hand for another punch. "Damn you, if you've done a thing to my daughter, I'll kill you!"

Simon had both hands on the mans paw, alternately gasping for air and struggling to push the hand off his throat. Kaylee rushed over and started beating on his arm, which was hard to do, as her father was at least seven foot tall. The huge bear of a man looked down at his daughter.

"But, Kaylee, this is Simon Tam! The murderer of Lilac! The butcher of freighter crews. He and his gang have been killing the folk and stealing their valables! Look at Lilac, he even got in the vault of the security force!" He showed no signs of letting Simons neck go.

Kaylee said desperately, "no, that weren't him! That was Reavers! I should know, I was there, and he was with me. Not in that way," she said at his alarmed look at her. "An' the vault, that was Mal an' Zoe! Weren't no fiance o' mine 'at stole money from dead folks!"

Simon's gasp reminded him that he was still choking him. He let Simon slide from his grasp. He hung his hands at his sides, as if to make sure that they wouldn't stray towards Simons neck again. Kaylee moved toward Simon, who was in obvious pain. "You done broke some'a his ribs," she said angerly.

Her pa cast around, looking for any subject that would not go in the direction that this one was heading. "So whats this about him bein' yer fiancee?"

***

River w