"Anyone know what's goin' on?" Jayne growled as he stood by the counter, chewing breakfast.

"Dunno, somethin' big though by the looks of it." Hershel, sleeves rolled up as he stood over the stove with a ladle and spooned out servings of conjee for their bedridden guests. "Possibly something to do with those little ones is my guess." he nodded off towards the table, where Inara sat with the two small children.

He frowned. "Two little pups? That what the fuss is all about?"

"Probably." Inara was watching them, having taken a break from coloring she had fetched them some chow for them and the little ones were eating with gusto. "They've been hiding in that other ship since it touched down and there was quite a reaction this morning."

"Doctor saw them and just about looked like he swallowed a spider." Mal's father agreed with a head nod.

Meilin eyed the food the other children ate and reached for it from her mother's lap, jabbering loudly.

"Hell they ain't nothin." Jayne wolfed down more food. "Ain't like gettin' a naked girl in a cryo box."

Hershel raised his eyebrows, but said nothing.

Virgil, the closest bed to the kitchen, listened carefully.

Inara, cleared her throat, shooting him a sideways glance. "At any rate..."

Jayne was oblivious. "Probably Simon's..." He reasoned.

Zoe slipped out of her room as the conversation continued.

"Probably knocked that other doctor up." the mercenary masticated, his voice dulled with so much food crammed in his mouth.

Inara glanced to the unknown whelps, they were too busy enjoying their bacon, eggs, milk and jam slathered toast. Too into the yummy food to listen in on Jayne's remarks.

"She found River, River read her mind some and they decided ta spring it on ol' lover boy..."

"Why don't you quit runnin' your mouth." Zoe announced stiffly as she limped over to the kitchen. "Whre is the lady doc by the way?"

"Off with Simon, Mal, Kaylee and River." The ex-companion announced.

"Well he's gotta knack for attractin' surprises now