"Y'know..." Kaylee whispered to Simon, drawing aimless patterns on his damp skin with one finger, "Exactly one year ago today, I wouldn'ta guessed that a proper, refined fella from the Core...would moan so loud."

"Hey." Simon said with mock indignation. "Well, I never would have imagined that a genius mechanic would squeak like that."

Kaylee grabbed her pillow and hit him gently with it, more of a tap, really. "Maybe you oughta grease me up better." She teased, winking and giggling.

Simon grabbed the pillow from her and slipped it under her back as he pinned her to the bed. "I didn't hear you complaining. But give me a few minutes, and I'm sure I can-"

"Oh, I got no complaints." Kaylee interrupted. She ran one hand through his hair and kissed him softly. "It seem funny to you, that we're back on Persephone, one year to the day after we picked you up here?"

"Actually, I don't think it's a coincidence." Simon admitted. "The captain knows how much this day means to us."

"Think you may be right about that." Kaylee agreed. "He's more of a softie than he lets on."

"Kaylee? Doc? I swear, you two don't get your lazy hides up to the dining area, I will drag you myself, and I don't care if you are bare as babes in there."

"I'm kind of in the middle of something, Captain." Simon replied evenly, as he and Kaylee exchanged annoyed looks. Maybe not as much of a 'softie' after all.

"Means he's in the middle of someone." Another voice snickered outside the door.

"Jayne!" Mal, Simon, and Kaylee all yelled at the same time, in similar annoyed tones.

"Pretending I didn't hear that, I need everyone upstairs to go over the plan for the day." Mal continued.

Kaylee frowned, then smiled as she got an idea. Pushing Simon off of her, she guided him onto his back and straddled him, pressing a finger to his lips to keep him quiet.

Then she opened her mouth.

________________________

"Simon! Oh, God! Oh, oh yes, right there!"

Hearing Kaylee's cries, Mal and Jayne looked at each other. Mal took a s