"Come on, Simon, ain't ya never had the urge to try it?" Kaylee wore an eager expression that made her husband and her cousin smile affectionately at her. "Kaylee, nothing is ever going to make pickled brussels sprouts appetizing to anyone, least of all for breakfast," Simon laughed. "Kate, talk to your cousin for me."

"He's right, mei-mei. That there is definitely one of the not-normal pregnancy cravings." Kate laughed. "I'd help you out, but I plain forgot to buy any when Mal sent me for groceries." Kate grinned. "And, that would probably ruin my appetite, and everyone else's."

Kaylee pouted a tiny bit. "Guess I'll have to settle for... what's that, anyway?"

"Right now it's the biggest bowl of raw egg you've likely ever seen," Kate told her, beating the eggs with a whisk. "In a few minutes, though, it'll be omelets. What do you want in yours?"

Kaylee fought the urge to reply, 'pickled brussels sprouts.' "Little bit of everything?" she smiled sheepishly.

Kate snickered. "One loaded for the pregnant lady. Simon?"

"Uh, just cheese, and a little ham?" He smiled. "I can't remember the last time I had an omelet."

"Omelets?" River said, coming into the kitchen with Jayne in tow. "Yum. Make mine like that one."

Kate shook her head. "Ham and cheese for the doctor and another loaded for the psychic co-pilot. Jayne, hold your order a minute, please? I can only keep two skillets going at a time and I'm probably going to forget River's in the meantime."

"Hey, Mal," Jayne greeted. "Listen, Mal, I got me a powerful need for a puppy," he teased.

"I got a powerful need to toss someone out the airlock an' see what happens to em', you volunteerin'?"

"Grouch," Inara laughed, swatting Mal's arm. "Breakfast smells delicious, Kate. Is there anything I can do to help?"

"I could use someone to man the toaster, actually," Kate replied. "Omelet wouldn't be the same without toast."

"I coulda done that," Kaylee protested. "Why didn't you ask me for help?"

Kate grinned. "Because you and Simon look s