They landed on Buell, closer to the Core then Zoe or Mal liked, but Simon had been absolutely insistant that he acquire the proper supplies to take care of two pregnant women on board.

“We should meet back here in an hour.” Mal said. “You can all do whatever you like as long as you keep a low profile.” Just then Jayne walked past wearing his knit orange cap, Vera slung over his shoulder, singing. Kaylee practically hit herself in the face to stop from laughing. Everyone but Mal was shaking, holding in their laughter, even Simon was amused. Mal looked at Jayne in disbelief. “Are you deaf? I said low profile. Low.” Now either take off that hat or put that gorram gun away!” Jayne was surprised at Mal’s outburst but Kaylee shot him a look, a look that spoke volumes to him. Namely, ‘don’t start anymore fights with my captain or you will be without sex for a month.’ Jayne turned and went back into the ship. Mal shouted after him “And stop that gorram singing!”

Inara walked out of Serenity, dressed to the nines as usual. She approached Kaylee and hugged her. “You comin with us ‘Nara?”

“Yes, it’s been ages since I’ve gone out with you.” Inara smiled at Kaylee who looked a little irritated. Kaylee had wanted to talk to Jayne alone but the companion had just thrown in a wrench in her plans.

Zoe had elected to stay with Simon, which nobody had noticed. They all thought she was just being paranoid about her baby and wanted to stay with the doctor. River drifted towards Mal. “I’ll stay. Look after the house.” He looked down at her. She seemed very much a little girl to him at the moment and Mal wanted to comfort her. But she floated away, much the moonbrained way she used to do.

*****

Kaylee was also worried about River. As everybody made ready to leave she approached Simon. Inara hung back, waiting politely.

“Has River told you about the things she’s been seeing?” “Seeing? You mean the way she used to? No. That’s…that’s impossible.”

Kaylee already knew that Simon wouldn’t believe