CHAPTER 3

I don't know how to write the way Badger talks,

You'll have to add the accent youself.

FRANKIE & JAYNE:

“Dinner, Kaylee? You want us to all go out for Dinner?”

“Yep, that’s what I want for my birthday.” She smiled at the Captain. “A dress-up dinner.”

“Sounds like a wonderful idea, Mei Mei.” Inara gave her a hug.

“Is one of the safest towns we been to in awhile, Sir.” Zoë smiled back at Kaylee. “Shouldn’t be any problem.” She thought for a moment. “How dressed-up?”

“Dressy as you can.” She jumped up, kissed her Captain and skipped away.

“How long before we land?” Inara asked

“Four or five hours.” Mal watched Kaylee leave. “Why?”

“Want to make sure we have time to alter Kaylee’s dress.” Inara smiled at Mal as she followed Zoë out.

“So, who’s your date going to be?” Mal asked.

Inara tried to keep a straight face as she turned back to Mal. “Date?”

“Well, there’s Zoë and Wash, Kaylee and Simon. That leaves Shepard, Jayne or me.”

“Well, how about you pick.” Inara smiled back.

“OK, how about I take Frankie, you take Book and Jayne takes River?”

“Not sure the Shepard would want to go with a Companion.” Inara sat back down. “Or if River should be that near Jayne.”

“OK, how about I take River, you take Jayne and Frankie goes with Book.”

“You want me to go on a date with Jayne?” Inara could hardly keep form laughing.

“OK, how about I take you, River takes Book and Frankie goes with Jayne.”

“Sounds like the only good combination. How much of a date is this?”

“Just seating and eating.”

“Sounds like any other night, how are you going to make it special for Kaylee?”

“We’ll all be ‘Dressed-up’. I better go find my tight pants, Kaylee likes them.” He headed up to his bunk.

Inara watched him leave. “Don’t we all.”

***

“What are they doing in there?” Wash looked at the rest of the men. “They’ve been in there for hours, I’m getting hungry.”

“Me too.” Jayne leaned on the mule as they waited for the women to come out of Inara shuttle. He stood up when the door opened and Z