Title: Dog Stars

Author: Sullen Siren (adena(at)direcway(dot)com

Summary: Serenity gains a new four-footed passenger.

Rating: G

Disclaimer: I don't own Wash, Zoe, or any of these crazy kids and their spaceship. I just play here. Please don't sue.

Feedback: Nicer than candy

"I say we name it Mal."

She slanted a look at her grinning husband. "That ain't gonna convince him to let you keep it. You know the Cap'n – he ain't got patience for animals on board that ain't for profit."

"But . . . just look at it! How can he say no? It's a veritable fountain of cuteness. It's overrun with adorability. It's precious and unmatched in its ability to –"

"Honey, you do what you wanna do – ask him if you want. Just don't be surprised at the answer ya get."

Wash sighed and looked down at the small canine face that smiled up at him from the crate. An old woman stood next to a barbecue, cooking large and fatty slices of some dubious smelling meat and Wash winced, looking deep into dark-brown eyes. "Zoe . . . what meat do you think that is?"

Zoe sighed. It had been a long day, and the nice, relaxing evening she had planned – dinner with her husband planetside – was rapidly becoming a thing of the past. The puppy turned its head – sensing weakening resolve – and made a small, whining noise. Zoe closed her eyes. Damnit. "I'll talk to Mal."

Wash made a whooping sound of pleasure and kissed her soundly, scooping up the puppy and beginning a haggling session in Chinese with its former owner. Zoe rubbed at a temple. This wasn't going to go well.

******************

"No. I ain't having a dog on board and that's the end of it, Zoe! We got enough trouble on this boat without bringing a four legged flea infestation on."

"It's just a little dog, sir. Kaylee and River'll help look after it – might even give River somethin' to do. Girl needs t