Mal was almost invariably the first person stirring aboard Serenity and the last to bed down.

Except for today.

Today he'd overslept. He knew it. Knew that River was already plotting their new course and Kaylee was busy clanging away on the whoziwazzit down in the engine room. Figured that everyone had probably shared knowing looks and significant glances at each other when neither he nor Inara showed for breakfast.

Jayne had probably made some horrifyingly inappropriate comment about it being ruttin' time and Zoe'd likely threatened to sock him for it. Kaylee woulda burbled on about how sweet it was and River would have that smug teen-genius-reader look all over her face. And the Sweet Baby Jesus only knew what the doc might make of it all.

He should get up. Lots of things needed doing. Captainy things. Important captainy things.

He should untangle himself from her. Untangle his body, his mind, his heart.

She opened her eyes and sleepily smiled at him from a sea of blue satin sheets.

And he didn't mind the tangles quite so much any more.