Three dollars and some change

Disclaimer: The Firefly universe belongs to Joss Whedon et al. Merry Gentry belongs to Laurell K. Hamilton. I'm only borrowing and will return them at the end of the fic.
Word count: 200
Author's Note: A follow-up to Secrets, my Firefly/Merry Gentry crossover, a drabble for houses7177. This story is set in the Firefly timeline (after Serenity), referencing Merry Gentry stuff, after Secrets. There is more in this universe coming soon, but this has to come first.



Inara paused in braiding Kaylee's hair, and reached behind her on the bed. "Here," Inara said. "Let's see how this looks on you."

Kaylee's eyes went round in the mirror. "Oh, I can't."

"Of course you can," Inara said with a smile. "See how beautiful it is on you?"

The stone in the necklace, a deep red with gold veins running out from the center, lay against Kaylee's skin, almost glowing on the happy girl. The beaming smile on Kaylee's face made Inara's heart lift.

Inara pulled a few tiny strands of hair out of the braid to frame Kaylee's face. She wanted to suggest Kaylee wear the necklace at her wedding, but Companion training held. Simon still had his doubts. He needed to move on before he could give himself to Kaylee, and Inara would not ruin that for her friend.

"Shall I tell you a story?" Inara asked, picking up the brush once again. Kaylee nodded. "Once upon a time, on earth that was, there was magic, and it was everywhere."

Inara let her grandmother's stories flow off her tongue, tales of magic and fairy princesses and love and honor, and Kaylee never knew that Inara spoke truth.