A/N: So, this continues my series of Firefly stories, and this time River's talking to Kaylee. The rest of the crew will follow, I promise… eventually.

This is set sometime before "Jaynestown". No spoilers.

Rating: K+

Disclaimer: Joss is Boss, yeah? Not me. I don't own these characters, much as I would like to.

Different Kinds of Strength

"He likes you, you know."

River was sitting in the hammock that Kaylee kept in the engine room, lost in her own thoughts as Kaylee worked on the engine nearby. The young mechanic looked up, her face smeared with grease. "What?"

"He likes you."

"Who does, River?"

River giggled. "Simon, of course. Who else?"

Kaylee looked at her friend, wondering if this was a joke, or some new game of River's. "Nah… he never says anything. Why'd he like me, eh?"

"But he does. He hides it. Always been useless with girls, y'know. He never tells anyone what he's really feeling, and to some it looks like he doesn't have feelings. But he does. He likes you."

"Well, if he won't admit it, what good does me knowing about it do?"

"Could make the first move."

"What? No, River, I couldn't…."

"Yes you could. You think you're not strong, Kaylee, but y'are, really. I c'n see it, when I look at you."

Kaylee blushed. "No I'm not. Can't even use a gun, no good in a fight. Only thing I can do is fix machines."

"Strength isn't just shooting people. There's all kinds. Sometimes, it takes just as much courage to always be cheerful and always nice and always see the good side as it does to shoot a person. That's your kind of strength."

"Oh…. You really think so?"

"Of course. I know it."

"Simon really does like me?"

"Oh yes, definitely."

"Well… that's somethin', I s'pose. It'll do for now."

"He'll tell you one day. Got to be patient, is all."

"I can do that."

Kaylee finished up her work on the engine, then stood up and pushed loose strands of hair out of her face. "River?"

The younger girl looked up. "Yes?"

"I know Simon said that he's just trying to take care of you… but you look after him too, don't you?"

River smiled, a broad grin that lit up her face. "Yes, yes I do. It takes a lot of patience, he gets into trouble so much if I don't keep an eye on him."

A/N: You know, it is a lot more difficult than I thought to write good dialogue for River.

Anyway, hopefully my characterisation is okay, and I hope you enjoyed the story.

Reviews are much appreciated.