based on the world of Firefly by J. Whedon

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He watched the stars slowly slide by, a thought slipping back to the days where ships traveled on water, the waves sparkling as the moon caressed the sides of the wooden hull. It had been a good week, though maybe not exactly how he had wanted it to go. Still, when had it ever...A smile crossed his lips.

A presence behind him and the reflection of a reddish brown hair and blue overalls stared back at him in the windows, haloed by the stars as they twinkled. It had interrupted his thoughts, but he had gotten use to that. "Kaylee, aren't you gonna say something or just stand there hoping my boat will fall apart?"

"Don't say that, Cap'n. You'll hurt Serenity's feelings." Her hand placed on the metal bulkhead and the other one her hip as she tossed him an upset look. She was probably the only person he'd met that made you grin when she looked mad.

"Ain't standing there for your health. What is it or you hear to tell me why my ship's been a bit dodgy?"

"Told you before, we need new belts, but I can't do nothing 'til we're grounded."

"Need money first. Fanti will pay us once we hit Beaumonde." He looked at the console before glancing back at her. "We're about a day out. "Now, that it?"

"I..." She was hesitant, unlike how she usually was, and turned to walk away. Taking a deep breath, the mechanic spoke. "When's Cat's birthday?"

"Hunh?" Mal was taken aback, first by her question and second, because he had no answer. Cat didn't talk about her conception much or the day she had been 'born'. It was a sore subject and one that he didn't want for her to have to relive more than she already did in her sleep.

"I rightly don't know, Kaylee. Cat don't speak of it and I ain't about to ask."

"Everyone needs a special day, Cap'n. Ain't right she don't got one just 'cause she wasn't born the same way we were." He saw the look in her pretty eyes, the one that the cheery little mechanic always got whe