TITLE: "BETTER ANGELS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: No specific pairing.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "DEMONS"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Kaylee has her bubble burst. River repeats

her decision to remain on Serenity and the Captain and Simon

come to more than blows."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"BETTER ANGELS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The look on Kaylee's face was one Simon Tam would long remember, inwardly wincing at the pain and distress he had caused her in leaving. All that passion after Miranda had translated to Kaylee as love, pure and simple and utterly fallacious. Oh, Kaylee loved and not just with her heart but all her being. Heart, body, mind and soul. Simon had lusted, craved, wanted, needed and taken the opportunity presented him with the notion that they probably would not survive to regret it. But they had survived and that had brought problems of another kind and a commitment he could not make. It did not matter that his sister wanted him to do just that. Wanted to see her best friend happy but Simon knew better. He was Top Three Per Cent and her brother. No one in the 'verse outranked his right to judge what was and what was not in River's best interest. But Simon Tam was out of his depth when it came to Kaylee.

"Simon?"

He blinked at Serenity's mechanic, the tone in her voice hesitant and unsure. Simon realised what he was dressed in and how it must seem. A tiny smile relieved the stern mask of worry he could not hide. "Um, yes. I should perhaps explain these clothes..."

Kaylee shook her head and rushed to him, her arms wrapping round him before