Serenity had left Persephone after a three day layover, all but Simon and River made use of the port's many attractions with their generous cuts from the last job pulled on Quint. They hadn’t been more than a day in the black and Mal knew something was going on. Just wasn't entirely sure what.

For one thing, the crew was entirely too happy. Usually the glow of a successful run and coin in their pockets wore off after a few hours in the black and old routines were firmly back in place. For another thing, they were giggling. Even Zoe. That alone was disconcerting enough. And Mal didn't like being disconcerted. The only one unaffected by whatever it was that was floating in the air was Jayne. He was as grumpy as ever and already chomping at the bit for the next job. At least some things didn't change.

Every time he stepped on the bridge, he found Wash struggling to look as innocent as possible with Kaylee, River and Zoe in fits of laughter. Odd thing was, he kept finding him poised in the oddest positions: Kneeling on the floor. Stretched out across the co-pilot console. The last time, he found him on all fours, throwing the girls what Mal was afraid to classify as a sultry stare.

He avoided the bridge for the rest of the day.

That evening, when even the Shepherd couldn't make eye contact with anyone at the table without laughing, he'd had enough.

"Alright, last I checked, this was still my boat," he said sharply, narrowing his eyes from the head of the table. "Anyone here disagree with me on that point?" Everyone but Jayne looked chastened, he was still eating with gusto. "I wanna know, and I wanna know right now what has you all actin' like a bunch school girls on holiday."

No one answered him. He scanned each face, settling on Inara who appeared the most composed. "Miz Serra?"

"Sorry Mal." She sat up straighter. "I don't believe I can bare any light on the subject."

For some reason, that sent the other girls into giggles. Zoe snorted and Mal shot her a sharp look. "Zo, Care to let me in o