I know the death you mean in DH, and shockingly I was surprised. But yes, you are totally right about his pattern.

I know Joss would have messed with Simon and Kaylee. He once said Jayne was going to get in the middle and make it a whole triangle thing. Which would've been fine by me as I hated Kaylee and Simon.

I digress, however. Yes... yes Joss does that to us. Which is why we both love and hate him.