A.N.: This story will focus on some pairings, but because its not solely about the romance, I put it in general fic =) Other chapters might end up in romance though, so just keep a lookout for that.

"Can I get all crew to the kitchen area please!"

The captain's voice reverberated around the ship, into every room and area. Inara, who had been sleeping after a particularly long engagement with a client, was jolted awake. She groaned and turned over, annoyed at Mal for buzzing her shuttle when he wanted crew. Suddenly his voice sounded again.

"Inara, you as well."

Inara groaned again and sighed, then heaved herself out of bed. In the cargo bay, Book helped Jayne finish his set on the bench press, and then they headed up the stairs together. Kaylee, Simon, and River made the short walk from the passenger dorms and Zoe and Wash wandered down from the bridge. Inara arrived last, draped in a silk dressing gown and trying not to yawn, cursing Mal inwardly.

Mal stood up from where he was sitting at the table and began to address them.

"I know you all are wonderin' why I called you... Well, seein' as we've got no cargo, and no job as of this moment, we're going to be havin' a bit of a vacation." He paused as they all cheered, waiting somewhat impatiently for them to stop. Finally they did and he continued as though there'd been no interruption. "We're landing planetside on Verbena in--" he glanced at Wash.

"Two hours."

"--two hours." Mal continued. "We'll have a week to stay on the planet, enjoy the sites, eat in the restaurants, yadda yadda." he sounded as though he thought it a crime to be doing such when they could be out in the black, but he didn't comment on it directly. Over to the side, Inara looked pleased with herself, and the rest of the crew cottoned on to the notion that it was Inara to be thanked for Mal giving them a week off.

"So we can do whatever we want?" asked Kaylee, smiling. Mal nodded curtly.

"But I expect some duties still to be done. Kaylee, yo