Thank you all so much! I really hope you enjoy this chapter. Don't worry! I'm not going anywhere, and neither is the fic!

No More Tear

It was unacceptable, unbelievable, disastrous. Simon could make the list longer, but right now, he needed to concentrate on packing. The thought of that pig with his sister, made his stomach curl. He could not accept the fact, River didn't need him anymore. River was in love. With Jayne. He growled, stuffing his medical gear into the bag. She didn't know what she was getting into. Jayne would shatter her. Leave her broken. He sagged his shoulders, a feeling a pain in his stomach. That same pain he felt when he walked in on them only a few hours ago. Shoving the bag closed, Simon forced himself to calm down. He would be away from all this soon. Out of everyone's life, away from these wrenching problems. Free. But. Without her. He gave up his life for her. Put his dreams away to keep her safe. His own sister. And, Kaylee would be gone forever, and he hadn't even told her how he felt. He ran a hand through his hair, weaving around the chair and to the door. Taking one last look, and sliding them closed. He turned only to come face to face with River. He nearly dropped his bag, falling back against the glass. She looked at him blankly, titling her head slightly. "River," he breathed, looking at her eyes, which were still red from her sobbing. "Mei mei, are you su-"

"Yes." River quickly put in. For a moment, Simon forget she could read his mind. He sighed, slipping the bag over his shoulder, and brushed past her, walking to the stairs. "Why cant you be happy" she said, turning around. Simon stopped in his tracks, glancing over his shoulder. That question was new. He pressed his lips together, thinking it over, though he never said anything, because she already knew. "Say it."

"He's no good." Simon blurted out, walking up the stairs. Rivers eyes watered, her stomach twisting into one knot, she cradled both arms against each other.

"You don't know him," she whispered, walking through the doorway into the cargo bay. Simon paused, glancing to watch her walk away.

"Your sure this aint no runaround Jayne?" Mal said, hands on hi s hip, looking the gunman in the eyes. Mal was like a human lie detector. Jayne knew it too. He nodded, and couldn't help but furrow his brow at the interrogation. Kaylee sighed from her spot at the table, tracing her finger around the rim of her cup. "You love her?" Jayne nodded again. He hadn't spoken for over an hour now, to chocked by his own feelings. Mal nodded, giving a deep sigh and taking a seat. "Good. I don't wasn't you break that little girls heart," he said, leaning back in the chair. Jayne took a step back, giving his weight to a wall.

"I cant believe he's leaving," Kaylee whispered to herself. Both Jayne and Mal took to her direction.

"Doctors a good man. He knows what he's gotta do," Mal said. Jayne smirked. Good man. Aint that a gorram lie. Mal looked up, giving a searing glare. Jayne shifted, crossing his arms. No one knew why exactly why Simon felt so strong on leaving. He said he couldn't be around while Jayne broke his sisters heart. That made sense, but Simon loved River more than anything, and it was hard to grasp the thought of him off the ship, without little River tagging along.

"I never even. I just cant," she sighed, propping her hand against her chin and leaning in on it. Mal patted her shoulder, giving a light squeeze. On the matter of love, Mal thought he had no say on it, when it fact he probably knew heaps of affection and all that lovely stuff. Kaylee stood up, striding to another room, which most assumed was on the way to her bunk. Mal sighed, rubbing his neck.

"Little Kaylees gonna be real upset on him leaving," Mal said, glancing up to the blank Jayne. "Gorramit Jayne, you haven't said a word in over an hour. I'm beginning the girl cut off your tongue." Jayne sighed, shrugging.

"Just thinkin," he finally said, blinking. "I was wondering, why she'd let her brother leave like that. For me," he said, looking down at his grungy boots. Mal sighed, kicking his feet up on the table.

"Well, its my estimation, that when people are in love, they do things like that," he said, shrugging on the matter. Oh, he knew it good and well. Jayne nodded, still trying to understand this new found emotion called love. "You do lover her? Don't ya?"

"Well ya, I mean, I think so."

"There aint no thinking Jayne. You do, or ya don't."

"I do gorramit."

"See," Mal said, standing up and looking at Jayne with a quirked brow. He slid out of the room, gesturing a slight nod to River who had just come in. River didn't even acknowledge he was there, just floated into the room, and stood there. Jayne looked up, seeing her lithe figure. She breathed crookedly, looking down at her bare feet.

Jayne swallowed, and thought he schooldays something. "I'm fine," she said firmly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She interlaced her fingers, looking up at him, a soft smile on her lips. "You love me," she said, as if he had just said it. Jayne smiled flatly, realizing just how deep and chasm like this love thing was. "We love each other," she added, approaching him. Jayne uncrossed his arms, embracing her tiny figure under heavy arms.

"Ya," he said simply, her head laying against his chest. "We do," he whispered, barely audible. River clutched is shirt, taking in his musky scent. Gun oil, and a melding pot of various flavors. She looked up, and he gently wiped a tear from her eye with his thumb. Exhaling he flicked a lock of hair from her face. She reached up, kissing his jaw line lightly. His heart nearly explode at her scent, at her soft skin. If it would be like this every time, Jayne would be the happiest man on earth. She ran a hand up his arm to his shoulder, and did the same with the other.

"What name shall you give her?" River said, tilting her head with expectancy. Jayne gave a quizzical look. "What will you call her?" she said, pointing to herself. Jayne realized she meant what he would call her.

"Erm, I don't know," he said gruffly, considering this. He couldn't call her psycho, or little girl now. She sighed, letting her head fall on him.

"Albatross," she said with a smile. Jayne hugged her tightly, her soft white flesh under his grip. He nodded.

"Albatross," he repeated. She looked up smiling, and enjoyed the name. She stood to her toes, kissing his lips lightly with hers. Jayne hastily reciprocated before she could stand back, and lifted her so she could reach him better. She parted her soft lips, to let his tongue in. Soon the two were softly sharing their second kiss, and didn't even hear the impending steps.

Simon had reached the door, and paused, watching his little sister and the brute. Just watching them filled him with hate. His stomach wrenched, his jaw set. If only he could take her with him, or even, possibly kill the giant. He looked to ground, unable to take another second. He heard his sisters soft laughs, and quickly backed up, only to hit something. He turned around to see Kaylee staring at him. She glared at him, until he babbled a whispered apology. "Why you whisperin," she said, crossing her arms, a glazed look in her eyes. Simon gestured over his shoulder. "Ya?" she shrugged. "Least they don't hide their feelins," she said, brushing past him, but Simon touched her shoulder. She paused, pushing it away.

"Kaylee…I," Simon couldn't find the words to say. She sighed, starting to walk away. "I'm sorry," he breathed, the stale air felt like poison. The silence gnawing at his gut. "I never said anything. Or-or did anything," he said aimlessly. Kaylee took another breath.

"Don't worry, I get it," she said, walking away. He stepped out stopping her.

"No. I mean, its not that, its not you. Its me, I'm just not very good at telling people…what I feel," he said. Kaylee had a little flicker of hope, and turned to face him. She waited for the rest, but he paused a long while. "Maybe I didn't see it, because I was so involved with River, and you were there but," Kaylee nodded, pressing her lips together. "What I mean to say is. I, uh…like you," he finally edged out, and Kaylee smiled somewhat.

"So the truth is out doctor," she said, sticking her hands in her jumpsuit pockets. The small little silence between them was interrupted by the laughs of pleasure in the other room. Simon glanced up at her, and she took to his side, both gliding from the hallway. Kaylee was still smiling. "Why are you leaving?" she said, glancing over to him. Simon shrugged lightly.

"I have to" he trailed off, and the two stopped. Kaylee crossed her hands behind her back, looking down at the floor. Simon was concentrated on her fiery hair, and completely forgot the subject they were on. Kaylee looked up, seeing him, and he quickly leaned in to press his lips against hers. He jerked back, "I-I'm sorry," he said, backing up. He had no idea what had come over him.

"No-no, don't be," she said, approaching him again. Simons face was slightly colored, but she only smiled, giving a little giggle at him. Simon looked up, seeing her face inches from his. The two met, and unlike Jayne and River, ripped at each a bit more vigorously. Suddenly a sound broke them apart, both looking away at the ground. Kaylee looked up to see River.

"Don't kiss and tell," she whispered and floated past them, smiling the whole time.