(Disclaimer: the song lyrics are by Leahy, off the album 'In High Places,' not written by me.)

"It's late and it's getting dark..." Simon started.

"So quit complaining, and hurry up!" River insisted. Simon growled under his breath.

"Come on, sweetie," Kaylee said, swinging herself and Simon around so that she could aim those pretty eyes of hers straight at him. "I... I think that we're close. I know I've said that before, but River thinks that it's right down there too. The girls at the store really recommended this place for down-home cooking and good hospitality, so... it's just a little bit further, right? And if we can't find it there, then we'll just go to the next cafe we see, which won't be far, since as you've pointed out, there seems to be one on every other street corner. Alright?"

"Umm..." Simon drew in breath to agree with her, when from down the street River called out 'I found it!' and kinduv made the whole thing academic. Kaylee laughed out loud and held his arm close to her as they caught up. Simon hadn't even noticed his irepressible sister running on ahead.

When he got his first look inside the Mellow Moose, Simon decided that it was possibly a bit too down-home for his tastes - but maybe he shouldn't be quite so judgemental. After all, the Canton tavern on Higgins' moon had definitely been even more - well, rustic than this place, but even there he'd enjoyed himself some - once he'd loosened up some and done his best to take things as they came. And... and it had been one of the first times he'd really gotten to spend some time alone with Kaylee and realize how much he liked her - though even that, he'd manage to mess up more than a bit through sheer idiocy...

And he realized that he was the only one standing out on the street and looking through the door, and hurried inside to find his girls.

"Gosh... I actually feel overdressed around here," Kaylee said as he got close. She and River were sitting at one end of a long table - there were other people around, but none terrib