She wrung her hands distractedly, not meeting the Companions eyes. She wasn't really hiding anything...just not telling all of the truth. Okay, so in some circles, that was considered lying. So what? Wasn't like she was in that circle or anything!!!

Inara tried, and failed, to hold Kaylees gaze. In the end, she decided to simply talk to her without the benefit of eye contact. "Mei-mei, whats wrong? You seem...put out."

Kaylee finally looked at her best friend. "Oh, its nothin', 'Nara! I'm just shiny!!!" She plastered on a lackluster smile for Inaras benefit. The Companion didn't buy it for a minute.

"C'mon, Kaylee. I know theres something really wrong here. And, if you wont tell me, then I can't help you." She continued to look sternly at her. She din't like to be stern with her, but sometimes you needed to be a mite harsh.

After another minute of fidgeting, Kaylee finally gave voice to her fears. "Oh, alrigh', 'Nara. Its Simon. He...he...he ain't touched me at all for the two weeks he been up. I know that he shoulda been restin', but...well...he ain't what he used ta be. Hes...changed. And not just by his scars. The way he is...oh, I dunno. Maybe I'm just bein' selfish. But...he, I...oh, I feel all confused!!!"

Inara smiled thankfully. Yes, there was a rift between Simon and Kaylee, and no mistake. But those wounds could heal clean. Not like the scars Simon now sported on his body...

"Well, yes, you have a right to feel scared. But, Kaylee, give him time . He'll come around. He did it before, he can do it again."

"Last time, he took eight months!"

Inara smiled mischeviously. "Yes, but that was before you had sex with him."

The girl laughed in disbelief. About time, too! A dour Kaylee was no match for a happy Kaylee. "'Nara, your horrible!"

The older woman laughed. "Yes, I am."

Kaylee lapsed into a fit of giggles. After about five minutes, she sat back and wiped away tears of joy from her eyes. An