Mal was standing on the ramp of the cargo bay when Inara found him. He was wearing his long brown coat, his heavy leather gloves, thick wool pants, winter boots, and, she noted with a smile, the red and green scarf Kaylee had knitted for him. She pulled her heavy woolen shawl tighter around her shoulders as she approached. He turned slightly to give her a smile as she joined him.

“It was uncharacteristically sweet of you to bring the crew here for the holidays.”

He grinned, looking straight ahead. “Haven’t you heard? That’s my new thing: sweetness.”

Outside, the rest of the crew was enjoying the snow, running around and making a general ruckus. Mal was just watching them with his arms crossed, the slight hint of his grin still resting on his face. Inara shivered slightly and inched closer to him for warmth.

“I always forget how cold it can get on this side of Persephone in the winter.”

Mal blew out a warm puff of breath, making a little cloud in front of his face. “Least we ain’t on St. Albans. Now that’s some serious cold.” He glanced at her as if trying to decide something, with that look on his face that’s not quite smiling, but very close. He put his arm around her and drew her closer, rubbing her shoulders to warm her.

She smiled to herself and felt a warmth rush through her from the inside out. She decided not to comment on his gesture in the case that he lost his nerve and withdrew. “So what warranted this little excursion? You seem like the ‘bah humbug’ type to me. No offense meant, of course.”

“Oh, none taken. It’s just that—well, you try sayin’ no to little Kaylee. She made that puppy face and I was helpless.”

“Ah yes, the ‘puppy face.’ Kingdoms have fallen for that face.” She leaned back against his chest as she looked out at the rest of the crew. It went without saying that everyone needed this kind of break after what they all had been through this past year. She looked up at Mal. “Are you ready to join them, or are we just going to sit here watching all day?”