This is my first attempt at firefly fanfic, and only my third at fanfic in general, so although i do appreciate and beg for any comments, please be gentle.

Disclaimer- all characters and places belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy, i'm just borrowing them for a while.

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If Only They Knew...

It was one of the happiest days any of them could remember.

There wasn’t anything particularly special about this day. They were flying through the black, on their way back to Persephone after completing a job. Kaylee and Wash were in the engine room, enjoying a friendly debate about the best way to wire a grav boot, before River came in stole Kaylee’s favourite wrench. Of course Kaylee had chase after her, and once she had retrieved her prized possession, challenged her friend to a game of jacks, determined this time to beat her. Jayne and Book were playing a highly competitive game of basketball, in which the outcome was inconclusive. After his debate was cut short, Wash went and found his wife and together they snuggled in the common area before deciding to reconvene in their bunk. Inara and Simon discussed certain pieces of literature all of which were on the Core Approved Reading List (or so Mal called it) that they both enjoyed, before Simon fell under the spell that was Kaylee, and Inara retreated to her shuttle. All through this Mal just watched his crew, and revelled in the sight of good spirits among good people.

At 1800 everyone converged into the dining area for a dinner of roast beef flavoured protein- a special concoction whipped up by Kaylee and Book. Book said Grace and for the first time in many, many years Mal joined in. After Grace laughter and chaos ensued, as they brought up just about every topic for discussion, or at least all that were suitable for the dinner table. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.

They were all just about to leave when River stopped them.

“I just wanna say something.”

Everyone sat down and hushed up.

“Times