It was a couple weeks and some later. Kaylee was feeling in much better sorts. River’s doctoring and the meds from the shuttle’s emergency kit had worked their ways on her to where she was just sore and not quite rosy yet.

Today, like yesterday, she was in the bowls of the shuttle again, looking over things and feeling worse and worse about the chances of the shuttle flying again… ’least not without the right tools and spare parts, of which she had not anywheres near what she’d need for it. Maybe she’d be able to get it done with what she’d had on Serenity, not here though. She lay back, defeated, and thought about River and how they were getting along and everything. River still made her a bit nervous now an’ then, no denyin’, and there was still something that made her feel not completely secure around her, but the girl was much more familiar to her now… it felt like River had become much more a part of her life. Like she understood her more now, so much so that she thought it would feel a little strange if they were separated. It was kind of like how she’d felt about her sister back on Isis, a sense of camaraderie and them being the only two, except it was different than that. And maybe just all in her head.

River poked her head in just then. ”Has the expedition met with any luck?” She asked her.

”Only if you mean the kind that’s backwards and ornery.” Kaylee told her. ”Lost cause for sure, I’m thinking. What are you up to?” She asked. ”You got a look.”

”I always look, except when my eyelids interfere.” River told her. ”That doesn’t matter now though. Come play in the falling water with me?” She asked hopefully.

She meant the waterfall at the lake nearby. ”Sounds shiny to me.” Kaylee decided. She felt grimy and smelled of grease and smoke residue from the fire that’d happened a while ago, so a wash sounded heavenly. ”No sense dwelling on this mess at least. Might was well be enjoyin’ myself.” The thought of being out of where she was an in the fresh air under open sky again being a happy one to her about then too.