Disclaimers: Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy own all characters. I'm just borrowing them for fun not money.

A Serenity Christmas

As Serenity coasted through the deep black, Simon watched Kaylee and River decorate a sapling tree branch that Kaylee had coerced Jayne into cutting down when they were planet side a few days ago. Aside from the grumbling from the mercenary, the sight and sound of Mal, baulking at the idea of an innocent Christmas tree onboard his boat, had surprised the doctor. Eventually, the persistence of the cheery mechanic had convinced the captain that the twig would not cripple the ship.

River's sudden outburst of laughter brought Simon's attention back to his sister and the progress that she had made over the last few months. She seemed at peace and was happy. She rarely sank into depressive and violent moods. Simon knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that he had done the right thing when he had kidnapped her from the Academy and squirreled her aboard Serenity.

His thoughts of the first time he laid eyes on the Firefly-class transport ship made him smile as he looked lovingly at Kaylee. He remembered that rainbow-colored umbrella, shading her skin from the sun on Persephone. The beautiful colors on that paper umbrella caught his eye first, followed by the upbeat and friendly personality of the young woman, barking for the ship. She told him their destination and how much the fare would be for him and his "special" cargo. Her smile was contagious, and for the first time since he had been reunited with his sister, he smiled. Before he knew it, he had committed to the trip to Boros, and his heart had committed to Kaylee.

"It's almost done," River suddenly blurted out as she cocked her head towards the galley, listening for something no one else heard.

Kaylee glanced at her and jumped down from the stool she was standing on. "I'll be right back," she chirped, laying a tangled web of wires down on a chair. She approached Simon and le