“Hank, got some research for you.”

“Really?” The pilot turned in his chair and looked at the captain, carrying Ethan in the sling across his chest, and managing not to look stupid doing it. “Something you don’t want Freya to know about?”

“No.” Mal tried to cross his arms but failed. He contented himself with hitching his thumbs in his pants pockets.

“Pity. Could do with being able to blackmail you once in a while.”

Mal found himself sidetracked for a moment. “To do what?” he asked.

“Oh. I don’t know. Maybe a few days break? Somewhere nice?”

“A naked beach?” Mal murmured.

“What?” Hank didn’t understand.

“Never mind.” Mal shook his head. “Look, you do what I’ve asked and I’ll take the days off thing under advisement.”

“Fine. Only you haven’t asked anything yet.” Hank grinned and nodded towards Ethan. “Is this what having a baby does to you? Makes your brain turn to mush?”

“So Freya tells me.” Mal glared down at his pilot. “I want you to check out where there might be a fair, a carnival, maybe a dance … something we can all attend.”

Hank’s eyebrows raised. “Why? And when?”

“17th of this month.”

“That’s a week away.”

“You can count.”

“Been doing that for a while now. And why would I be finding said fair or dance?”

“Because I'm captain and you work for me.”

“Well, yes,” Hank backpedalled. “But I meant more specifically.”

“Just find out, dong mah ?” Mal turned to leave the bridge.

“This anything to do with River’s birthday?” Hank’s voice followed him.

“You wanna keep that to yourself,” Mal said, suddenly right at his ear.

“But that’s it?”

“Maybe.”

Hank grinned. “She’ll love it.”

“Just don’t let her find out.”

“You figure she don’t know already?”

Mal stood up. “River’s been very careful not to read anyone lately. Ain't you noticed?”

“Is that Freya’s influence?”

“Some. But I think it’s Jethro’s too.”

“Brave man.”

Mal smiled slightly. “Just don’t you tell anyone else.”

“Not even Zoe?” Hank asked,