A/N: Alright, so all of this is after the following fics...

New Haven

The Sachem

Birthdays & Barns

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The crew was celebrating.

They had come into some extra coin by way of the ever so prosperous Boss Tig. It seemed he had purchased himself a band new hovercraft for the spring, a Royce Mikado to be exact, what was all the rage in the Core. It was shipped to the skyplex, but the hitch was all of his ships were livestock transports, and none had the space nor finesse to take such precious cargo. So, he paid them five hundred credits, far more than the usual to make a special trip to pick up the slick pearl white craft that cost more than they had ever made. Mal pocketed some for savings and to further help his little ranch, but gave his entire crew the rest of the cut. The next day, they had loaded up in the old wagon converted to a sleigh, Tao and Nui on the harness, and ridden out to town for a day of fun. The ranch was fine, with the snow having rolled in and covered the prairie, rustlers weren't likely to steal anything as it was cold and easily would be easy to track. So they had some down time. Time to walk about, time to spend, have some fun.

Mal was driving the covered sleigh, Zoe out with him in front as the others were bundled up tight inside. The skis of the vehicle cut through the top crust of the snow, sliding readily into the softer powder underneath. The horses with their heavy winter coats gave the moment the sound of crunching and plodding hooves. Tao's mane was long, unfurled and tacky with bits of frost as he pulled with little effort, his tail however wrapped and folded. Bound close to his rump by some old thongs. Nui's tail was the same, yet River had put a few braids in the mare's dark mane, weaving in a handful of beads to express the femininity of the mare.

"Gonna buy some new sheets." Kaylee explained to Inara, Simon and River as they all sat in back, rocking to the sway of the transport. "Those flannel ones for the winter, and then some c