Title: Time
Summary: In the back of her head, she always wondered... Kaylee's POV
Pairings: Slight Kaylee/Wash friendship, but overall just Kaylee in her 'verse
Author's Note: Extremely OC for the upbeat Kaylee we all know and love, but sometimes dark Kaylee could be good.
Spoilers: Contains quotes from "Heart of Gold" from the show and bits from the movie.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I make no profit from this. Just borrowing the characters and having fun with them.
1/1
"Wash, tell me I'm pretty."
"Were I unwed, I would take you in a manly fashion."
"Cause I'm pretty?"
"'Cause you're pretty."
That moment had been playing in her mind for days. It had been the last really decent and private moment between her and Wash.
Wash laughed, as his favorite mechanic cheerfully skipped into the bridge. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she was all dressed to go exploring Serenity's parts.
"Okay! I'm all set. Now, what was the problem?" Kaylee asked, as she rolled onto her back and disappeared underneath the panel.
"Some of the main gears have been locking, lately. I think we missed a wire last time we were down there."
"Is it the three switches again?" Kaylee asked, as she unhooked one of the wires and tried to re-direct it into another slot.
"See, I thought it could be since they're used the most, but the problem occurs whether they're on or off."
Before Kaylee could saying anything else, a laughing Mal and Zoe walked in. Wash's face lit up, as his wife sat against the controls in front of him.
"You getting my wife into trouble again?" Wash asked, fake accusingly.
Mal's face discorted into defense and he was quick to explain,"Hey, now, I didn't go looking for a fight!"
"And yet somehow, you still find one." Zoe replied, sternly. She had a small smile on her face, though.
Kaylee laughed, as Zoe continued to lecture him herself. These were the days she enjoyed. When she could work, talk to Wash, and still get to listen to Zoe and Cap'n's stories.
Every once in awhile, she would catch herself wondering if Zoe really understood would she had. In the back of her head, she didn't think so. At least not until his funeral. Zoe hadn't shed one tear, but that was how she knew. Zoe was the soldier and she had learned to pile up her anger and pain until she could let it go on someone else. Kaylee could remember the damage she had done to the reavers. A part of her had almsot felt bad about it. That was until she was hit herself.
They almost died so many times in those few days that Kaylee could swear, at times, it felt like it was starting all over again. That was a fear that hung among them all. Mal had evenually told them all what the Operative had said.
"Your wave about Miranda has weakened their regime, but they are not gone... And they are not forgiving."
They all knew it was only a matter of time until they came after River, again. Whether they sent out a bounty hunter, an Operative, or came after them on their own.
They'd be back.
And as long as they had to wait, she would have the mind-numbing fear of who they would lose this time around.
THE END
This is the shortest fic I've ever written. Hopefully, my next one will be longer. I was thinking of adding some other POVs to this. I'd really like to know what you guys think - Should I leave it a one shot or add some of the other crews thoughts, too?