((Author's Note: Weee Feedback boosts want to write. Additionally got word my copy of Into Darkness is shipping. Excellent.))
She was everything he never knew he wanted in a girl. That was what Scotty knew without a doubt about this girl he'd met. She was wonderful. A mechanical wiz, a genius, sweet, not afraid to get her hands dirty, and it didn't hurt she was stunningly gorgeous. Even though the captain had reminded him she was only on board in order to help her crew rob them, Scotty was thinking more about the fact that she was still on board. And they would continue to be on board. They'd just beamed the smaller smuggler's craft into their Cargo Hold for a long trip, and she was giggling her delightful little chime.
"I've never operating a beam operation before. How'd it go?"
Kaylee turned from the controls with a huge smile across her face. Scotty couldn't help but beam back and laugh.
"Ya did beautifully lass, simply beautiful! Ya sure you've never done this before?" He teased. Kaylee rolled her eyes and gave him a shove.
"Only because you were guiding me every step of the way!" The girl in the olive green overalls replied.
He wasn't sure what he liked better. The tears and grease stains, the teddy bear patch, the shine to her hair even when it was messy, but he suspected it was her delightful smile. They'd debated engines for a good long while earlier, while their Captains negotiated for her 'safe return'. He'd heard the final verdict and in truth the knowledge that Khan who'd tried to kill them all not that long ago was awake should have worried him more then it did. Kaylee had that effect.
"So this girl you mentioned. River." He pulled up a tablet to glance at the Serenity's layout. "You said she can handle Khan?"
"Without a doubt." Kaylee giggled a bit. "Where we're from, further out in space? There's these things called Reavers. Absolutely brutal. But River? She was able to handle a bunch all on her own. Like, nearly a thousand, at least. And she started out unarmed. She can handle whatever she gets herself into."
"Uh huh." Scotty had caught almost none of it after she giggled. "Hey, Kayelee. Since we're going ta be traveling together for a while..." The map the Serenity had provided to find Miranda didn't have the information they needed to warp drive, so it would be a few months at least. "Ah was wondering..."
"Oh! Simon!"
Scotty jerked his head up and looked as the crew of the Serenity emerged. A man in a funny looking hat. A very pregnant black woman. A man in a long brown jacket in the lead. And the last to emerge was a young man very well dressed in black pants and a silk vest over a white shirt with the sleeves folded up. Much to fancy for Scotty's liking. It didn't help that he turned and tossed his arms open to catch the girl of Scotty's dream as she pounced upon him.
"Kaylee! You're safe!" Simon exclaimed, a hand moving to his lover's cheek. "Unharmed?"
"Stop being such a worrywart, Simon." Kaylee rolled her eyes. "Yes, unharmed, you goof." She added, giving him a peck.
Scotty's heart sunk into his stomach as he watched them follow the others down a corridor. A hand fell on his shoulder and he turned to see McCoy patting him on the back.
"There are other fish in the sea, Scotty." He stated wryly, though sympathy was in his eyes.
"Maybe." Scotty sighed. "But how can aye settle for fish when aye've met a mermaid?"
"Well her boyfriend didn't seem that interesting." Kirk emerged from the side, eyeing the smuggler's ship with great suspicion.
"Jim, shouldn't you be on the bridge to greet them?"
"Yeah, just wary. That girl River nor Khan have emerged."
"Is that a bad thing that the psychopathic superhuman has decided not to come on the Enterprise?" Bones raised a brow.
"Only because I don't know-"
"Woah Nelly."
Scotty's eyes widened as the next crew member emerged. While he had eyes for Kaylee, the dark haired beauty could not be missed. He practically heard McCoy and the Captain's jaws drop as she emerged in a silk red outfit that revealed her midriff. And the woman was coming straight toward them.
"Captain Kirk." The woman turned her attention to him and McCoy's jaw set-almost a 'why is he always the one'. "My name is Inara Serra. As no one else on the ship seems to have remembered their manners I'd like to apologize for the trouble and thank you for your assistance."
"I. Ah. No problem Ma'am. Lovely to have you on board." Kirk stammered. "Will you need help finding your quarters?"
"I'll be joining the crew on the bridge." Inara commented coyly. "Which is where you should be if I'm not mistaken."
"Wanted to escort the lovely lady." Kirk's lie was a total bluff but he'd come up with it on the spot.
Inara laughed and looked between them, shaking her head.
"Very well. Escort me." She held out her arm, contemplating the look on Mal's face already...