You guys have been waiting awhile so I figured it was better to give you a little now, than a lot even later. Thanks for all your great reviews!

Chapter 4, Part I-

Simon watched through hard eyes from the far end of the table as Jayne related the story of Kaylee’s little act of sabotage. It was the first time Simon and Jayne had been at dinner together since they struck their bargain and the doctor found himself wondering if it had been like this at every meal he had missed. Jayne was sitting next to Kaylee, one of his hands resting on the back of her chair as he told everyone about the little adventure they had shared. She laughed and interrupted him and he waved away her arguments with an easy gesture. Everyone at the table was laughing- except Simon.

He had thought this would be easy- it wasn’t like Kaylee had been subtle in her admiration for him. But somehow whenever he tried to get close to her something would go wrong. And now here was Jayne, who seemed closer to her every time he turned around. Reaching out with one hand, Simon snatched up a piece of bread irritably and found himself looking into his sister’s watching eyes. He pushed the frown aside to smile at her.

“Do you want half, mei-mei?” He asked holding up the bread. There was a burst of laughter from the other end of the table and Simon couldn’t hide his brief scowl.

“What do you want?” She asked, her head tilted to the side. With one steady finger, she reached across the table slowly to touch him over his heart. “Gotta know the value of what you ask for.”

“You don’t have to give me anything for the bread- I’ll share.” He said, frowning at his sister gently though he squeezed her hand before she pulled it back. Did she really think she would have to bargain with him over a piece of bread?

There was a moment of silence.

“Okay.” She agreed, everything normal all of a sudden.

He handed her half, still examining her expression but she just smiled vaguely as she took it. Tearing off a bite, she used it to wipe up so