Disclaimer: I don’t own jack.

Guy named Jack, “therefore I am a very happy man.”

I just don’t own Firefly.

Simon stared at his cup of questionably fresh coffee in his cup. He sighed and started to drink the dark liquid.

“Bit late for coffee isn’t it Doc?” Malcolm asked as he walked into the mess.

The elder Tam sibling gagged on his drink as the captain found a clean cup and poured himself something to drink.

“I was just thirsty,” the younger man said innocently.

“Hmm . . . ”Malcolm turned around and got his first good look at the ship’s doctor and chuckled, “I guess you didn’t think of a shirt either, because you were so thirsty of course.”

“Can I ask you what you are doing up so late Captain?” the doctor asked.

“Sure, but I don’t have to answer,” he replied.

“Oh please, tell us,” Inara said as she entered the mess and went straight for the coffee pot, “we’d just love to know.”

“You tell me and I’ll tell you.”

“Fine then,” she answered, “I was just finishing up an account, and you Mal?”

“Just couldn’t sleep,” he said as she sat at the table with the two men.

“I’ll make you a bet,” he said to the companion, “fifteen credits say his shirt is on the floor of our little mechanic’s floor.”

Simon’s eyes went huge as the woman countered, “twenty says it is on our little mechanic herself.”

“Done,” he said.

At that Simon abandoned his coffee and left the mess, muttering about captains and companions.

“Well why don’t we go see which one of us won the bet, shall we?” she said.

As they were standing up to leave Kaylee stood at the entrance of the mess, wearing plaid pajama pants and a pristine white shirt with all but two buttons missing around the chest, and asked, “have either of you seen Simon?”

“Probably in his room,” Malcolm said biting his bottom lip to hold back laughter.

Inara turned to the captain and smiled, hand outstretched in front of her, waiting for her winnings.