In any case, River didn’t seem to be in a hurry to move things to the next level yet, so she had time to consider things, she supposed – as pleasantly difficult as River was making that at the moment.

A little frustrated, Kaylee pushed River back off of her some and shook her head a little. When her and River’s eyes met again, River was just looking back at her curiously, as if simply wondering why Kaylee had done that. Kaylee found herself considering whether to back River up against a tree herself next or not, them looking into each other’s eyes like they were, but she decided not to. She sighed in frustration though and sat down on the ground in front of the tree, running a hand through her hair and trying to get her head to working again.

”Something’s wrong?” River asked, getting down and sitting on the ground with her.

Kaylee looked up through strands of her hair that were falling over her eyes and met River’s interested gaze. ”Only that it’s hard to think when we get to doin’ that.” It was getting kind of hard to think period, where being around River was concerned, if she were being honest.

”That’s only a biological reaction, though some would say a spiritual truth exists behind it.” River offered.

”Yeah? And what truth would that be?” Kaylee asked, her hand moving her hair around on her head a little more.

”In summary… that love tends towards making everything else seem boring by comparison.” River explained softly.

”And…” She met River’s eyes again. ”You’d say that… we’re in love?” She asked.

”All signs are pointing strongly in that direction, yes.” River smiled. And again, like every time before, Kaylee marveled at just how very much River Tam could say with only a smile.

”…yeah. I’m guessin’ they are, aren’t they?” She replied softly, looking off somewhere into the forest. They were just a little ways from the shuttle they now called home, just come back from getting fresh water (which was sat down in containers a meter or so away).

”Aren’t you… pleased about that?” River asked.

”Huh? Oh, no, River, ’course I am.” She laughed a little. ”Could hardly be kissin’ you like that if’n I weren’t pleased, now could I?” She remarked, leaning her head back against the tree and looking up into the canopy of branches above. By chance, she saw a bird flit past, orange colored mostly.