Disclaimer - The playground still belongs to Mr. Whedon, etc. I thoroughly enjoy visiting.

This is a continuation. Apologies for the delay in getting it up. The next part is mostly written in my head and I just need to type faster. Please be patient. I have to follow where it takes me. Comments appreciated.

(When I wrote this story, I had not seen The Train Job or Bushwacked, as well as the three unaired episodes. I had seen Shindig, Our Mrs. Reynolds and Out of Gas only once, at the original airing. So, there are mistakes. I hope you will overlook them.)

He stood slowly, stretching muscles stiffened by sitting too long in one position and headed toward the kitchen. It was still too early for anyone else to be up and about. Ship’s time almost never coincided with time in the worlds. They often just adjusted ship’s time. No sense in people having to lose sleep just because they had stopped off on some rock. It wasn’t like Serenity really cared. Mal mechanically put the kettle on the hotplate. When it boiled, he threw a handful of tea into the teapot and filled it with the boiling water. While it brewed, he headed for what laughingly passed for a bath.

He returned to the kitchen to see Kaylee getting bowls out of the cupboard. She looked up at him with a sad smile. “Hey, Mal,” she said in a small voice. She turned to add a bowlful of grains to a large pot on the hotplate. “You hungry?”

“Not much, mei mei. You’re up a mite early.” He poured them both some tea while she stirred the contents of the pot.

“Had trouble sleepin’. She frowned. “Mal, why’d that man have to kill Nandi? There weren’t no purpose in it. Are those girls gonna be okay?”

He put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently. “Some folk just have to prove themselves by beatin’ up on the weak, or killin’ ‘em. That ho-tze de pigu felt he was important only when he was hurtin’ others.” He paused a moment. “I expect Petaline will be able to keep those girls in order. She seemed a right natural, takin’ over like she did. She’s a strong woman, like Nandi was, and Nandi taught her well. They’ll be okay.” He poured tea for both of them, and was relieved when she asked nothing further.

They stood silent for a few minutes, Kaylee absently stirring the pot. After the grains had cooked, she put a couple of spoonfuls into each of two bowls and brought them to the table where Mal had taken their tea mugs. They sat quietly eating while the others slowly trickled in and served themselves. It was still very early. Seemed like no one got much sleep last night. Even Jayne was up in time to eat with the rest.

“Mal?” Wash came from the corridor leading to the bridge.

“Wash?”

“Did you alter course?” The pilot looked uncertain.

“Got a wave from Marcus Johansen, over on Fairfield, last night. He’s pickin’ his crop. We’re to move a load to Boros for him.”

Simon and Book raised questioning eyebrows. Kaylee, Zoe and Wash perked up.

River closed her eyes dreamily. “Oranges.”

Kaylee’s smile broadened as she saw River’s face. “Mr. Johansen grows oranges. The best you ever tasted. We hauled tons for him last season. They were wonderful.”

Zoe added, “Coupla seasons, actually. Johansen’s parents started the grove before he was born. He took over when they died, and spent the last twenty-five years buildin’ it up. It’s a fair sized oasis on an otherwise ordinary planet.”

“A legitimate job?” the Shepherd’s eyebrows went up again.

“Yes, occasionally we do fly on the right side of the law.” Mal said. “Not a huge amount of money, but the Johansen’s are good folk and we could use an easy run. We’ll be on Fairfield day after tomorrow. And, we may pick up something on Boros.”

Jayne added with a greedy grin, “We get free oranges to eat, too.”

The rest of the day was quiet, everyone still affected by the events the day before. They went about chores or reading or made small talk. Spirits were a little brighter since the announcement of their next job, but there was no laughter, if only out of respect for Inara, and even if she couldn’t hear them. If anyone knew of Mal’s involvement with Nandi, they didn’t mention it. Inara’s decision to leave was still known only to two people.

The Companion did not leave her shuttle at all that day, or the next. Not that anyone had much expected to see her, but Kaylee became anxious as the second day wore on. When she and the Preacher were fixing dinner, she asked him, “Do you think someone should check on Inara?”

“It’s probably best not to just yet. She’s mourning her friend and needs a little privacy.”

“But, she’s all alone and that’s not good.” The young mechanic persisted.

“Folk grieve in different ways, Kaylee. Some like to be surrounded by family and friends for comfort. Some like to be alone and quiet. Inara is a very private person.”

“Shepherd’s right, Kaylee.” They both turned, startled. They had not heard the Captain enter. He walked up to her and spoke softly. “Let’s give Inara a little time. Wait till morning.”

The next day dawned, if one can say that in deep space, a little brighter. The news of the job, a little time and a lot of distance eased the distress. They had all lost friends and acquaintances and knew that life continued.

Late that morning, Mal found Kaylee in the engine room, digging around in something he couldn’t quite identify. “Kaylee, you been up to see Inara? How’s she doing?”

She straightened, picked up a rag and started cleaning her hands. “Not yet. Been tryin’ to figure out what to say to her.”

“I wouldn’t worry ‘bout that. Just be you. I’m sure Inara will appreciate your being there. Tell her where we’re goin’. I seem to recall she liked Fairfield.”

“We all like Fairfield, Cap’n. I’m sure it’ll help cheer her up.”

They left the engine room, Mal heading for the bridge and Kaylee to clean up. A few minutes later, she was standing at the shuttle door, tapping softly. It slid open.

“Inara?”

“Kaylee, come in.” The Companion’s voice was a little strained. She turned from the door and set a kettle on a small hotplate. She looked tired and pale.

“Are you okay? If you don’t want company, I can go.”

Inara turned to her and smiled warmly. “I’m fine, dear. Please, come in and sit down. I always like your company. Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, please. Inara, I’m so sorry about Nandi. She seemed like an awful nice lady.” Kaylee blurted out, then stopped, her eyes wide. “Oh, I’m so sorry. You probably don’t want to talk about it. Must still be… I’m sorry.” She stopped and sat down, nervously biting her lip.

Inara smiled indulgently. “You have nothing to apologize for, Kaylee. I don’t mind talking about Nandi. She was a dear friend. I will miss knowing she is alive and well in the universe.”

The Companion made tea and poured for them both. She looked up at her young visitor. “Thank you for your concern.”

“My Mom says that you can’t choose your family, but you can choose your friends, so they gotta be special.”

Later, Mal found Kaylee in the kitchen, setting the table as Book fixed dinner. She pulled a stack of plates out of one of the cupboards lining the wall. Mal took them from her.

“Kaylee, did Inara say she was coming down for dinner?”

“No, Cap’n, she ain’t coming. I asked her. We had a nice talk, but she doesn’t want to see everyone yet.”

He handed back one of the plates. “That’s okay. Take somethin’ up for her? I’ll help finish up here. And, we’ll wait for you.”

She smiled and began to spoon food from the steaming pots. “Sure, I don’t think she’s eaten since the funeral.”

The Shepherd continued to work as Kaylee filled up the plate and left. He watched the Captain closely, noting a tiredness in the younger man’s face. He thought about saying something about guilt and not being responsible for the woman’s death, but knew it would not be welcomed or heeded. He felt some of that guilt, too.

The meal was livelier than the night before. The talk centered on Fairfield and Boros.

Wash looked at his wife. “You may have to rescue me. Last time, I think she broke coupla my ribs.”

“Excuse me?” Simon was alarmed.

Zoe laughed. “Don’t listen to him. Katie Johansen is a lovely woman. They’re all warm, friendly folk, kind of made the captain and me honorary family a few years back and they just adopt anyone we bring.”

“Yeah, Miss Katie makes great pies! Hope she ‘members to make one for me.” Jayne was almost salivating.

Wash hugged himself. “Oh, don’t get me wrong, Katie Johansen is wonderful. Trouble is, she’s big as Jayne and doesn’t know her own strength. I had sore ribs for a week. Ouch!” he exclaimed after Zoe gently punched his shoulder. “Hey, I bruise easy.”

Later that evening, after everyone else had gone to their bunks, Mal made his way to the ramp leading to the shuttles. He stood for a few minutes on the platform where he and Inara had talked many times, looking at the door to her shuttle. Finally, taking a deep breath, he walked up to the door and knocked.

The door slid open and she stood there, the smile that said she had been expecting Kaylee quickly fading. “Mal, it’s late.” She turned and walked away from him.

“I know, but we have to talk. I…”

“I won’t change my mind. I’m leaving.” She interrupted.

“Not here to change your mind. It’s probably best you leave.”

The expression on her face was one of disbelief. She had not expected this from him. “Best I leave?”

He turned from her, remembering the door was still open, and hit the button to close it.

“What are you doing?” she started, but stopped when she saw the expression on his face. Inara sat on the end of her bed and indicated he should sit on the sofa opposite her. He sat on the edge.

“I mean,” he buried his face in his hands for a moment. “I meant, you would be better off if you weren’t here. This is not the life for someone like you, in your position. Can’t do near as well on Serenity as you could on one of those fancy boats or some core world. And, every time we do a job, you are at risk.”

“How could you possibly know what’s best for me?” Her voice was shaking a little.

He threw up his hands. “Okay. I don’t know.” Then he stood up suddenly, trying to ease the tension in the shuttle, and started to pace in the confined room. “Look, I’m sorry. I came to talk about where we’re going and finding someplace right for you.”

She looked down, unable to watch him. “Kaylee told me, Fairfield and then Boros. I’ll find something there.”

Mal stopped in front of her, and spoke, his voice almost inaudible. “Inara, I am sorry, about Nandi, everything. I failed both of you.” He paused for a moment. “We’ll be on Fairfield in the morning. I know it won’t be easy, but if you’re up to it, Marcus said Katie would love to see you.”

Before she could find something to say, he turned and left.

Late the next morning, everyone was surprised and pleased to see Inara emerge from her shuttle as Serenity approached the planet. She looked rested, but not quite as serene as usual.

Fairfield was not a particularly green world, but the vista of fruit-laden trees belied that fact. Serenity landed about a mile from the main house. As the ramp lowered, the crew could see a large, middle-aged man driving a carriage, accompanied by three younger men on horseback. The four of them dismounted, all smiles, when the Captain and Zoe approached them.

“Marcus, how’re doin’?” Mal held out his hand, a grin on his face. He nodded at the others, who were even bigger than their father. “Daniel, Sam, Emmett, good to see you!”

“Mal, good to lay eyes on you! Zoe, I swear you are more beautiful every time I see you. We’re well enough. The crop is good and the family’s in good health. Can’t ask for more.” The older man embraced them both, as did the younger. “Glad to see yer still flying.” He looked up at the others. “Come on, y’all, no sense hangin’ about there. Missus is fixin’ up a big lunch. Come and have some real food fer once.”

Almost everyone headed down the ramp, looking forward to a meal made of something out of garden instead of the processed protein and limited canned goods they usually ate.

Marcus turned his attention to each in turn. “Inara, my dear, it is very good to see you. Katie’s fit to bust that I caught Mal on the Cortex. You ’n Kaylee here are two of her favorite young ladies. Brought the buggy up for you. The fare is a kiss from each!” He leaned down and pointed to his cheeks. Both women laughed and paid up.

“That is very kind of you, Marcus,” Inara replied, “and a most reasonable price to pay.”

“Better’n what Mal’s chargin’ you, I’ll wager.” He laughed as he handed them up into the carriage, not noticing the tiny frown that crossed her face for the briefest moment. “Mal, you musta done somethin’ right to have a whole passel of beautiful women on that old boat!”

“Must have. Don’t rightly know what, though.”

Simon held River’s hand and hung back, as they usually did, unsure of their safety or welcome wherever they went. The Captain noticed and jerked his head, indicating they should join the others, the corner of his mouth quirking up. River smiled broadly, broke Simon’s grip and skipped toward the carriage. She glanced back at her brother, “Come on, Simon. Daddy says it’s okay. They’re nice people.” Dumbfounded, Simon paused briefly, and then rushed to catch up with her.

Marcus ushered them to the carriage. “Mal, we’ll load after lunch. Katie’ll be up here if I don’t get y’all to the house quick-like.”

After everyone was aboard the carriage, the boys remounted and they all turned and headed for the farmhouse. During the ride, Simon watched his sister while he tried to remember another time when she had referred to Daddy without meaning their father since they had joined Serenity. He couldn’t quite.

The reception at the house was more of the same. Katie Johansen was a big-boned woman as tall as Mal, with a broad, open face that welcomed all. She was waiting on the verandah that stretched across the front of the house with two teenage girls. She bear-hugged Mal, Zoe, Inara and Kaylee, then held Wash at arms length, looking him up and down. “Glad to see you ain’t grown back that nasty caterpillar on your upper lip. How’re doin’, Wash?”

Before he could respond, she grabbed him up in a hug that all but smothered him. Over the top of his head, she winked at Zoe. “This fella treatin’ you right, girl?”

Zoe laughed and nodded. “Sure is, Ma’am.”

“Hey, what about me, Miss Katie?” Jayne stood with his arms open, a mock hurt look on his face.

Katie laughed and let go of Wash. “I swear, Jayne, ain’t you done growin’? Come ‘ere and give me a hug.” Jayne giggled like a kid and walked into her arms.

“D’ja make some pie fer me?”

“I have a whole pie with your name on it, Jayne! Gotta feed a growin’ boy.”

Simon and Book watched this, unsure of what they were seeing. River smiled happily, looking expectant, as if waiting her turn. Mal edged over to them, a slightly wicked glint in his eye. He whispered, “You won’t escape.”

He cleared his throat. “Miss Katie? I’d like to introduce the new crew members.”

Katie let Jayne go and turned to them. “Where are my manners!” She exclaimed. “’Course, Mal, please forgive a blathering old woman.”

“Katie Johansen, this here’s Shepherd Book, Dr. Simon Tam, and his sister, River. They joined us a while back. And, those two lovely young ladies are her daughters, Abigail and Katherine.”

The girls giggled while Katie gave Book and Simon a more restrained embrace. “A preacher and a doctor. I daresay yer both sorely needed on Serenity, what with the mischief this bunch get up to.” Everyone laughed. She held River at arm’s length for a moment, and then gently embraced her, too. River seemed to melt into the big woman. “My, child don’t they feed you?”

She waved them all into the sprawling house. “Come on in the house before everything burns on the stove. Abby, Kitty, let’s get to servin’ up some lunch. These poor folk look half starved to me.” She put her arm around River, guiding her up the steps and into the house. “You come with me, child.”

“Do you have any orange juice?” she asked eagerly.

“Why, yes, as much as you want and ice cold, to boot.”

The elder Johansen held Mal back until the others were inside. “I have another job for you, Mal, after dropping the shipment on Boros, if you have a mind to take it.”

Mal raised an eyebrow. “We don’t have anything else lined up. Need somthin’ brought back from Boros?”

“Not quite. It’s a surprise for Katie. Let’s talk after lunch.”