There were stamps all over it, and the mailing address had to have ben scribbled out at least once for each trip around the known 'verse.

Zoe took the package from the postmaster and squinted at the top address label: "'PFC Malcolm C. Reynolds.' Sir, what's the 'C' stand for?"

Mal paled for a moment before composing himself. "'Confidential.' As in my private business."

And with that, he grabbed the package out of Zoe's hands and strode on ahead, calling behind him for everyone else to hurry up and get the cargo on board. Zoe and Kaylee shrugged at each other. Whatever was in the package had soured Mal's previously good mood.

Jayne looked confused. "What the hell sorta name is 'Confidential' for a kid?"

When the crew got back on board, Mal didn't break stride through the cargo bay and up the stairs to the catwalk. Inara stepped out of her shuttle upon hearing everyone's return. "Hello, Mal, was the trip a...."

He didn't even slow down, leaving her to throw a confused look at his disappearing back.

Kaylee looked equally confused. "Zoe, what's gotten into the captain? Was that package from a war buddy of yours and his?"

"Don't rightly know," Zoe responded thoughtfully. "By the time I met him, he was a corporal, so it musta been from way early on."

Meanwhile, Mal had gone straight back to his bunk and set the package down on the desk. He spent the next hour until supper just staring at it.

Supper itself was a subdued affair, with Mal only speaking to ask for someone to pass him the rolls or the water pitcher. Kaylee tried to fill in the silence with her usual happy chatter, but soon gave up. Immediately afterward, Mal cleared his plates and went back to his bunk without saying a word.

Jayne untied the apron he was wearing and tossed it on the table in frustration. "Now that's gratitude for ya! Didn't even say thank you!"

Several hours later, Mal sent a message over the all-ship intercom for the entire crew to assemble back in the mess. When they got there, they found Mal in his u