Title: Betwixed the Nethers

Rating: NC-17

Synopsis: Simon gets an eyeful while looking for some company.

Timeframe: After ‘Objects in Space’. This story completely discounts the movie.

Notes: FrellingBlonde, Wanmei, Yanlei and I decided to take a common theme (voyeurism and/or toys) and write a story around it. I wrote 2. This is my first version. This was not a contest, so please do not consider it such.

Disclaimer: This story is not meant to infringe on the copyright of any person or company related to the trademarked characters and situations depicted in the Serenity movie or Firefly series. I make no money from this. OnIy done for fun - and a desperate craving to have more stories told about this wonderful ‘verse Joss Whedon created.

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The ship was empty, well, mostly. A job had called away every member of the crew, leaving a sleeping River, Simon and Kaylee to remain with the ship. Even Shepherd Book had asked to go with them. The job would be an easy one, no chance for foul play.

He needed a break from the infirmary and with River sleeping he decided that he would go in search of some company. Kaylee was always a source of good cheer, even when he was feeling down. He’d come to truly love her energetic smile, her bright eyes and her outlook on life. And one of these days he was going to be able to tell her that he loved her. One of these days when River didn’t take up all his time and energy. When she was better.

He’d checked the engine room, and all her usual haunts but she was nowhere to be found. Having one last place to look, he walked toward the crew bunks with a smile usually reserved for the beautiful mechanic.

He could hear the music echoing down the hallway as he approached her bunk. He called down but received no answer. Thinking that, since the hatch was open it would be all right for him to enter, he gripped the rungs of the ladder and climbed down.

He never considered himself a voyeur. Never really liked watching; always preferred to do t