Timeline: Post-Serenity

From the prompt Firefly, Simon/Kaylee + Mal, "Hey there, Cap'n. Supposin' we was in the engine room, doin' stuff, and the doc kicked out the engine burners..."

Repair Costs

The day was going so well, but that was before Mal ran into Kaylee in the crew passage and noticed she was looking mighty guilty. Girl never did have a face for keeping secrets.

"Hey there, Cap'n. Supposin' we was in the engine room, doin' stuff, and the doc kicked out the engine burners..."

Mal let out a disbelieving laugh, cause while things didn't usually go smooth, it wasn't often they turned bumpy for a reason like that. "Then I'd suppose it's a good thing that ain't happened, or he'd find himself without a ride and this rock of a moon we're on would be blessed with a shiny new doctor. Not that we'd be able to get ourselves off this moon 'less my mechanic – who needs to learn what her bunk is for, dong ma? – 'less she found herself able to fix that problem with no parts, cause we ain't got the money to buy any, even if such could be found 'round here. So, it's a good thing that ain't happened, right?"

Kaylee, who'd been cringing down bit by bit as Mal's voice got louder and louder, spread her hands peaceably and summoned up a shadow of her old shiny grin. "Well now Cap'n, won't do being so hasty 'bout things..."

"Kaylee, I cannot be havin' this. My ship can't get damaged cause the two of you are too busy getting all smutty in places you oughtn't. You fix this, and you make sure it don't happen again, or there's gonna be one less person on this boat, you got that?"

"Two," she said, crossing her arms and giving him that cold hard stare, which was all the creepier coming from a girl who was usually so bouncy you'd think she had springs in her feet.

"True, I reckon River wouldn't stay on without the doc," he said, but Kaylee cut him off, shaking her head.

"No, I meant me. You throw Simon off the ship, I'm goin' with him."

Simon, never possessed of the best timing in the 'verse, chose the moment just as Mal shouted, "What?" to come up the passageway, and there was a mighty row developing into a fight that seemed likely to travel the whole ship when River slipped into the midst of the group, hands and face smeared with grease.

"Fixed it," she said calmly, after her presence had registered enough to silence the verbal combat. And the silence was a little less silent, they noticed, what with the hum of a working engine being in the background once more.

"Well, that's...good work, little one," Mal said. "Best keep an eye on your brother so this don't happen again." When the look she gave him clearly stated this wasn't the brightest thing he'd ever said, he corrected course. "Or not, him being your brother and all. I'll just, you know, go do some Captainy things now."

Once Mal headed off one way down the passage and Kaylee the other, not fully trusting her baby's engine to River's care, Simon turned to his sister. "River, how did you do that?"

"Serenity said you made her sick. Got the parts in town."

"Well. Thank you," he said, seeming unsure of the proper etiquette involved in thanking one's sister for correcting damage caused by an overabundance of passion.

"Don't make Mal angry. I don't like it," she said, handing him a wrench.

"Where did you get the money?" he called, as she walked off down the passageway after Mal.

"From under your bed."

Passion was definitely getting a bit too expensive for Simon's tastes.