Chapter 2

“Can I get you young ladies anything else,” the older gray haired gentleman asked the three members of Serenity’s crew.

“No, I think we are fine.” Inara answered moving her gaze from the town folk walking along the street.

The small street side café was on Gold’s main road. Even now at this late morning hours a number of the tables were full. The café and the town seemed to have a very positive aura about them. People moved up and down the main street doing the business of the day happy to be doing so.

“Okay, it is one and a tenth bits,” the man said.

“I got it,” River said.

“River, save your money I will…” Inara started.

“Have been, want to do something for you and Kaylee…please,” River pleaded as she took a small coin purse out of a hidden pocket just under her dresses waist line.

“Thank you,” Inara and Kaylee both said.

River took two platinum coins, one larger than the other, and handed them to the man, “Please keep the remainder.”

“Thank you. You ladies have a nice rest of your day now.”

As the women got up River took a quick step around Kaylee and gave the older man a kiss on the cheek.

“What was that for young lady?” he asked.

River smiled, “You have a very kind heart. That’s a very rare thing.”

The man smiled deeply as the women left.

“Isn’t he a bit old for you?” Kaylee joked as soon as the man was out of earshot.

River turned and gave her a look before explaining, “I remind him of his wife when she was younger. She passed away a few months ago.”

“That was very sweet of you,” Kaylee commented.

“So, we ate how about some shopping now?” Inara asked as they continued down the street.

“Sure, I think I saw a junk store down the street that might have some parts we could use,” Kaylee said joyfully.

“I was thinking more stuff we don’t really need,” Inara explained with a smile.

River suddenly stopped, “Do you smell that?”

“Smell what?” Inara asked.

River was not sure if she really smelled anything or not. It could just be h