Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan. He's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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This story takes place nearly four years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Follows after Big Blue.

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A/N: Starting to wind this arc down. One or two chapters left to go.

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Thanks again Chris for the Beta.

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Birthday

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Chapter Seven

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“You sure you can do this?”

“Yes Mal.”

“You're hurt an' all,”

“I'm fine.”

“And you have done this before?”

“Four times.”

“Should I boil some water?”

“Just go sit down somewhere, Mal,” Allan said in an exasperated tone.

The captain looked like he was about to argue but one glare from Inara and he decided to keep quiet.

“Everything will be fine, Ai-ren,” Inara said through clenched teeth. A moment later she relaxed.

Mal reached across and wiped the perspiration from his wife's brow.

“Zoë, time the contractions please,” Allan asked his wife, “I need to know how far apart.”

“Okay Baby.”

Allan gently lifted the blanket that lay across Inara's lap, “I need to see how much you're dilated...”

“Okay Allan.”

“Alright, only about three centimeters. Going to be a while yet.”

“Hey Gramps, Doc wanted me to see iffin you... Wuo de ma!” Jayne exclaimed as he saw Allan on his knees between Inara's legs with a flashlight. The big man's eyes shot towards the overhead in the shuttle.

“Kinda busy here Jayne...” Allan said.

“Doc wants ta know iffin you need anything,” he gulped, keeping his eyes anywhere but on the scene in front of him.

“Just grab some more towels. And see if there's any coffee made. I think I'm gonna need it.”

“Got it.”

“I'll go help Jayne...”

“Malcolm Reynolds!, if you move off this bed, I 'll have Zoë shoot you!” Inara screamed as another contraction hit her.

Mal moved closer and held Inara's hand in his as the contraction subsided.

“No need to get techey darlin.”

“You made me like this...”