Important story note: The sections in italics indicate flashback scenes. This is going to be common throughout the story, so I hope all the jumping from past to present isn't too confusing. Oh yeah, any mention of engine or ship parts is just made-up stuff, I really have no idea about that kind of thing.
Also, I want to give a big thank you to the people who reviewed... you are the ones who inspire me to keep going :).
Mal was watching his new mechanic as she fidgeted nervously in the bridge of the ship, clearly eager for takeoff. A knowing smile painted his features as he recalled his own first time going off-planet and entering space - Kaylee really had no idea what she was in for. Tilting his head until his lips were level with her ear, he whispered, "Are you sure you're ready for this?" The huskiness of his voice fused itself with her excitement, effectively sending shivers down her spine. "Last chance to change your mind."
"Trying to get rid of me already?" she asked playfully, eliciting a light chuckle from the captain. "Let's go and do this," she said excitedly, knowing that if they didn't leave soon her heart would surely jump out of her chest. It was all too much to take in, really. Only hours ago her day had been just like any other, leaving no hint that her life was about to take an extraordinary turn. Then she met Bester, who'd taken her aboard Serenity and showed her the engine room, at her request. Assuming that she knew nothing about ships, he had pointed out some of Serenity's parts and their functions. When he'd mixed up the intake port with the exhaust port she had wanted to correct him, but instead she'd just listened with a smile.
Now she was standing on the bridge of that same magnificent ship, waiting for her new life to begin. Leaving her family behind had caused her more than a twinge of sadness, but the captain had helped to ease that a little. Not by doing anything in particular, really, but there was just something about his nature that made her feel comfortable. Around him she felt protected, and she knew instinctively that he'd take care of her.
"Wash, let's get this bird in the air," the captain said to the man with the funny mustache.
"You got it," the pilot replied as he concentrated on the controls, contentedly obeying Mal's command.
Taking off was smoother than Kaylee thought it would be. It amazed her that she couldn't even tell the difference between being in the air and not being in the air. She held her breath as nothing but clouds and sky flowed past the ship, wondering if she'd ever seen anything so beautiful.
If she thought that was something special, though, her mind was totally blown when the ship left atmo and entered space. The sight of the endless black sprinkled with millions of stars made her eyes go wide and her mouth fall agape. Seeing her home planet alongside the ship overwhelmed her with a feeling she knew she'd never had before.
And that's the moment when Serenity became her first love.
When Kaylee didn't show up for dinner, Mal wasn't particularly worried. It happened often enough that she got caught up in her work, caught up in Serenity, and lost track of time.
He'd given her a clock once with a timer alarm, after she'd called him out on his bluff – apparently, she wasn't too intimidated by the phrase "The captain waits for nobody," even though he'd inflected such talk with as much grumpiness as humanly possible. Just a day after he'd given her the item, though, she was late for dinner yet again. As it turned out, she'd lost track of time in her new project - taking apart the clock and seeing how she could integrate its components into the engine.
So yes, he was used to waiting on his mechanic when it came to the ritual of the evening meal. Mal let out a grumble, ranting somewhat incoherently about a certain member of his crew never being on time, but a sentient smile from River illustrated that she knew his grouchiness was just an act. He didn't even have to look at Zoe to know that she wasn't fooled, either.
Giving River a sharp glance, Mal decided to abandon his tirade and instead focused on the hungriest person at the table. "Jayne, you'd best call Kaylee over the intercom and tell her that dinner's ready," he ordered his mercenary, knowing that Jayne was eager start eating. A loud grumble echoing from the man's stomach only confirmed the captain's suspicions.
"Actually, I don't think she's coming," Simon commented, diverting Mal's attention from thoughts of dinner.
"You two have a fight, then?" Mal asked, eyeing the doctor disapprovingly. It was exactly for reasons like this that he had a policy against shipboard romances – clearly, they only caused problems. Not to mention the fact that he didn't like the thought of anyone yelling at his mechanic.
"Well, no, not exactly," Simon replied. Swallowing slowly, he looked around at everyone, knowing that he'd have to share his plans with them sooner or later. "I guess now's a better time than any to tell you all," he started. "Since River and I are no longer fugitives, we'll be leaving the ship at the next convenient destination."
Anyone at the dinner table who claimed to be shocked by Simon's announcement would certainly be lying, but no one was particularly happy to hear the news – except Jayne, of course, since the mercenary had never quite managed to feel comfortable around the Tams. Glancing over at River, Mal inquired of his pilot, "So you're okay with this, then?"
She only nodded in response, forcing a slight smile to her features. River loved being on Serenity, the place she'd learned to call home after the Alliance had made her their personal pet. It didn't take her mind-reading powers, though, to know that Simon wouldn't leave the ship without her. He had given up everything once in order to rescue her from captivity, becoming a fugitive in the process, and she felt that it was only fair for her to give him his life back.
"So, Kaylee must be upset that you're leaving then," Mal remarked to Simon, and his heart went out to his mechanic. Remembering how he felt when Inara had left after the Miranda incident, he knew that Kaylee would likely be hurting. It was no wonder why she wouldn't show up at dinner, hearing such upsetting news. Maybe he could put together enough money to buy her some strawberries at the next port. Sure, strawberries were a poor substitute for what she was losing, but Mal knew that with a little extra care, she'd get over the pain eventually - just like he had.
"Actually, I've asked her to come with me," Simon responded calmly.
Mal nearly choked on his water, and after coughing up a few milliliters of liquid, he stood up angrily. "You did what?" he asked, bewildered at Simon's nerve. Somehow, he hadn't expected this, and he certainly didn't take well to being blindsided. "You had no right!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize that she was a prisoner on this ship," the doctor said with his characteristic deadpan sarcasm.
"She ain't," Mal confirmed forcefully. "But I don't appreciate you tryin' to take both my pilot and mechanic away in one fell swoop!"
"Well, since Kaylee ain't comin', does that mean we can eat now?" Jayne interrupted, seemingly oblivious to the tension around him while food was on the table.
"Do what you want," Mal muttered indifferently and then sat back down, as if finally coming to his senses. Zoe was the only one who dared to make eye contact with Mal while he was in such a state, raising an eyebrow at him after meeting his frustrated gaze. That was just her subtle way of reprimanding him for his outburst, but Mal only grunted in her direction. He knew that his hostility toward the doctor in regard to this issue was unfair, but this was half of his gorram crew they were talking about!
Truthfully, he had expected this to happen with Simon and River one day, but Kaylee… he never thought… those gorram shipboard romances! "So you said you asked her… what'd she say?" the captain asked curiously, thinking he might very well choke on his heart (which was somehow lodged in his throat at the moment).
"She said she'd think about it," Simon replied and Mal simply nodded, feeling somewhat relieved. He wondered if Kaylee's impending decision was driving her as crazy as it was him.
"Mmm, mmm, now that's finger lickin' good!" Jayne suddenly exclaimed, suckling his grimy hands to emphasize his point. Aside from the captain, who was looking down at the table in a daze, everyone gave Jayne a stern glare for his insensitivity. Noticing their stares, Jayne paused and asked, "What? Did I get somethin' in my teeth?"