Kaylee closed her eyes again and lay back, a small hum of contentment leaving her lips.

River had insisted Kaylee be the first to get a bath, even though Kaylee could tell River was secretly longing for one too. River’s standing order was for her to just soak in the tub for a while after getting in. To loosen up her sore mussels before washing and to help in the healing as well, she’d told her in so many words. And Kaylee had to admit, it was really doing the trick. She felt yards better for the relaxing soak, the water’s soothing heat seeming to penetrate her skin down to her bones and relax her. She felt downright lackadaisical in fact.

It was some moments later, she heard a soft shuffling motion and felt River’s lithe fingers touch her forehead and move aside a bit of her hair. Kaylee opened her eyes and saw River’s dark brown eyes looking to hers from the side of the tub she’d made. ”No falling asleep.” River said.

Kaylee laughed. ”Aye, aye, Captain River.”

”A captain without a ship is no captain at all, according to conventional maritime wisdom.” River said is a soft and contemplative voice, gently smoothing her hand through Kaylee’s hair again.

”Says the girl sitting in a ship.” Kaylee joked.

”Not mine.” River denied. ”Ours now. Until Inara gets back.”

Kaylee was silent, the reminder of their absent friend, likely lost to Reavers, putting a damper on her mood some.

”Don’t be sad.” River said softly.

Kaylee made an effort to smile for her. ”I’ll try not to be.”

”Tired and true, that’s the crew of The Serenity.’’ River smiled a small smile back.

Kaylee laughed in spite of herself. ”You say the darnedest things you do… but you always seem to know how to make me smile, don’t you?” Kaylee said back with a growing affection and appreciation.

”It’s not hard.” River pointed out. ”The wind told me the first time we met, there’s a treasure of smiles inside you Kaywinnit Le Frye. You give them away too easy, that’s why there are so many.” River traced her fingers down the one of Kaylee’s cheeks lightly, before withdrawing her hand and blinking.

Kaylee felt a shiver of something go through her at the touch. ”Got a way with words too, I see.” Kaylee said a little uncomfortably, feeling self conscious for some reason.