The Last Spartan – Chapter Thirty One

I own no rights to Firefly or Serenity, and make no money for these stories. It’s all for my own enjoyment.

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Mal and River found Zoe and Kaylee also ‘scrounging’ for food. Of course ‘scrounging’ in this house wasn’t quite the same as on board ship.

The private dining room’s table was covered in food. Security members were drifting in and out in pairs to fix themselves something, then return to their posts. Word of Jersix’s ‘termination’ had spread quickly, so there was no loitering.

Not to mention that no one wanted Neera to catch them sluffing off in any way.

The friends all fixed themselves something, one of the cook’s doting on River’s ever need. Mal eyed the large platter in River’s hand suspiciously.

“That’s a right impressive plate there, Albatross,” Mal commented casually. “Any other kinda announcements we mighta missed out on earlier?” His voice was friendly, almost teasing, rather than mean and biting as it would have been a month ago. River looked at her plate, finally realizing what Mal meant, and colored nicely.

“No, Captain,” she laughed lightly. “There are no little Jaynes or Rivers on the way,” she assured him. “My metabolism is far higher than it was even two weeks ago, let alone before. I need more food, and water, to sustain myself nowadays.”

“Just checking,” Mal winked. “Thought we might need to have Inara. . .” the words died on his lips, and the happy moment was gone.

“It’s all right, sir,” Zoe said quietly. “I’m sure Inara’ll be up and giving orders in time for any baby showers.” Kaylee and River both laughed softly, though it didn’t help much.

“Sorry,” Mal mumbled. “Didn’t think until. . .”

“Cap’n, ya ain’t got ta ‘pologize for somethin’ like that,” Kaylee told him firmly. “We was all like to think the same thing, truth be told.” Zoe and River nodded their agreement.

“Well, let’s talk ‘bout somethin’ else,” Mal ordered, forking a mouthful of food in.

“I agree,” River nodded, tasting her own fare.

“In all the e