"How's things shaping up, Wash?" asked Mal, appearing behind him on the bridge and looking out at the approaching planet.

Wash looked back at Mal with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. "Looks like a lovely day for crime."

Mal nodded. "Good work. Holler if you see anything amiss," he said as he turned and headed down to the galley.

Kaylee emerged from the kitchen at a run, laughing as she dodged the burnt protein chunks that Simon was flinging in her direction. She dodged aside to miss Mal, who grabbed her shoulders as she passed and spun her around, wrapping his arm around her neck and rumpling her hair affectionately.

"I'll have no horseplay on my ship," he told her sternly. Kaylee struggled lightly and slapped at him. Mal turned her loose with a smile, thrusting her towards Simon, who was clutching a handful of protein and standing stock still, an embarrassed expression upon his face.

Mal helped himself to a plate and sat down at the table with Book, Jayne, Inara, Zoe, and River. "So, Shepherd. You got any pearls of wisdom for us heathens before we drop you for your little spiritual awakening?"

Book raised his eyebrows. "None that you'd see fit to heed."

"Man of little faith," Mal muttered under his breath as Kaylee and Simon joined them at the table. "Jayne, after we drop the Shepherd here at the abbey, you get the shuttle prepped with extra fuel. We're gonna be leaving Serenity a good ways off, and I got no mind to get stranded." Jayne nodded.

"Inara, I understand you'll be...entertaining during our little visit?" asked Mal.

"You know exactly what my itinerary is, Mal."

"And then you know I expect you to stay in communication at all times. I got no intention of havin' to stay behind for you if we wind up needing to depart a little quicker than we came."

"Be a good deal happier if I were coming with you, sir," said Zoe.

Mal shook his head. "So would I. But I'm gonna need Wash for the ship-stealing bit, and Jayne for the heavy lifting. Can't leave one of our shuttles in the c