"This day is all set to be a tiring day." Mal stated to Zoe as he passed her on his way to the cargo bay.

"Yeah? Why's that, sir?" Zoe followed him down the stairs.

"Seems Kaylee's kid brother is coming aboard to check things over."

Zoe's forehead crinkled. "Oh? And you're allowing it?"

"Well, yeah." Mal looked a bit frustrated. "There were puppy eyes."

"Can't deny a beggin' woman." Zoe joked.

"I'm seriously hoping I don't end up regrettin' this."

"Always do, sir."

"Now, don't say that. It ain't always so!"

"It's shiny, Cap'n." Kaylee said. "Tucker wants to be a Captain someday. Just like you."

"He doesn’t want to be like me. He doesn’t even know me."

"I've told him things." Kaylee grinned mischievously. "Sides, he'll know ya soon enough."

Wash joined them. "Well, the mule's set. Are we ready?" He looked at Kaylee.

"Kaylee, you taking my husband somewhere?" Zoe asked casually.

"No. He's taking me."

Zoe raised an eyebrow and eyed Wash. He simply shrugged.

"Can’t resist Kaylee."

"Seems the trend." Zoe observed.

"Ain't that so." Mal grumbled. "Well, get goin' then. The sooner the kid gets here, the sooner he can leave." Kaylee just kept smiling.

"Okay then." Wash gave Zoe a quick kiss and started the mule. Kaylee settled in behind him.

"We'll be back in a jiffy!"

After the roar of the engine faded, Zoe turned back to Mal. "So, why wasn’t I in the know about all this?"

"I wasn’t even in the know 'til about half hour ago." Mal tried to defend himself from her harsh glare. "If you recall, this is the rock that we picked Kaylee up on." Zoe nodded. "She obviously told her family we were comin' here." His look was chagrinned. "I had to choice but to let her bring her brother."

It wasn’t more than thirty minutes before Wash pulled the mule up the ramp into the bay. By this time Jayne had joined Mal and Zoe in waiting.

"Whew." Wash exclaimed, wiping sweat from his face.

"It is no little bit hot out there." Kaylee agreed.

"No, it's many la