Also posted on DA for the writing prompt it was written for. Sorry for the lame ending.
Kaylee had never seen something so beautiful in her life. The rolling green hills that seemed to go on infinitely, though she knew that eventually they would stop and give way to the most luscious blue water. The golden sun that wasn't as harsh as some of the other planets she got to explore that didn't make her sweat as heavy and feel like she was trapped underneath a woolen blanket. Long grass up past her ankles that brushed the exposed skin like a thousand little soft fingers trying to make her stay here forever. She loved it here so much, and it broke her heart that just as soon as she arrived she would have to bid this land goodbye and exchange it's natural beauty for the interior of the Firefly.
Not that her ship wasn't absolutely stunning, but it was the kind of ship only a mother like Kaylee could love.
With Inara not too far behind, Kaylee took her chance to stretch her legs, to kick off those clunky, ill-fitted shoes and run barefooted in the soft grass, arms above her head as she ran. She felt free, like one of those birds that she had only ever seen in pictures that now flew above her head, faster than she could fathom an animal could fly.
"Slow down." Inara chuckled, trying to steady her breath as she lightly jogged behind Kaylee, wanting to catch up with the girl just in case something bad did happen.
"I'm sorry, Inara, it's just so…." Kaylee's childlike voice paused briefly, her eyes looking around her and her mouth moving like she had the right word on the tip of her tongue.
"Beautiful?"
"Beautiful." Kaylee turned to Inara and smiled, her face filled with such genuine joy that Inara couldn't help but smile back. Sometimes the older woman wondered what life would be like if she could experience it through Kaylee's innocence, even though the girl wasn't near as innocent as Inara thought she should be.
"When do we have to be back to the ship?" Kaylee asked after a few moments of standing still, her feet sinking into the soft earth and releasing the most euphoric scent. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, letting her breath go with a heavy sigh.
"Nightfall. Just like every other time, Kaylee." Inara reminded her. Kaylee sighed again, this time a more disappointed sound.
"I just wish I could stay here forever, you know?"
Inara knew the feeling, because she wanted to stay here longer too. It was gorgeous, a well-deserved break for the crew. She wanted Kaylee to have great memories of here, and knew that she wouldn't make near enough of them to pacify her need for the outdoors if she just stood here in the grass, looking around.
"Why don't we go over there?" Inara suggested, pointing her finger to where the hill they were standing on crested, where the gentle sound of rustling leaves. Kaylee ran towards it, stopping at the top of the hill while Inara was still far behind.
Kaylee stood there, not moving, but instead watching the scene in front of her that Inara wasn't privy to see yet. She knew that she would never be as stunned by it as Kaylee was, but still adored seeing such joy on her companion's face.
"Shiny!"