Just to let you know, I'm a firm believer in the 'calm before the storm' technique. ;) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The new mule, was going roughly thirty miles an hour as it bore the weight of the crew of eight.

Everyone was bundled up, and holding thermoses of stew as Mal drove them out into the forest. Even though they complained about the cold, they all found the scenery breathtaking. The lights of the moons made the snow glimmer silver as it coated everything, and the stars were shimmering brightly against the black blanket of the sky.

“Don’t think I’ve ever seen the sky so beautiful.” Kaylee told Simon while snuggling up against him as they shared a blanket and a seat together. She felt his arm around her shoulder as she smiled broadly. Back on the ship, she had been feeling sad and confused because Inara hadn’t said goodbye that morning, yet spending time with Simon immediately made her forget about it. “Not like this, with all the snow.”

“Me neither.” He exhaled in wonder, as not even Osiris had nights like the one they experienced. But then again the once great trauma surgeon realized sharing a night with Kaylee was something Osiris could never top. “And yet, we’re out here to disturb the tranquility by blowing up a piece of equipment.”

River was sitting next to Gambit, her head tilted all the way back so her round brown eyes absorbed nothing but stars. Her grin was a wide, as she drank in the freedom of the black above. “Open sky.”

The blonde next to her took in a deep breath and gave a rare smile, nodding his head slightly in agreement. Open spaces to them were beyond description, the liberation they felt was just saturating and made them forget about being captives and slaves to the government.

Wash took a sip of his stew and smacked his lips. “You know for once, it’s edible.” He told Zoe as they had a blanket spread across their laps. “Usually it’s just… you know…”

“Tastes like somethin’ we used to pull out of our rucksacks.” She quipped. “But you’re right, this is pretty decent.”

“Good food, ambiance… say this looks to be a romantic outing.” He suggested, sidling up closer with a suggestive grin. “I mean, it’s not like we’re on the job… just out here to light a mule on fire. Which, if you look at it a certain way, provides the candlelight.”

Zoe smiled a feline smile and leaned in, kissing her husband. Soon, they were making out passionately, she tossed her thermos to the wayside and into the snow to wrap her arms around his neck for better positioning.

Simon made a face, and Kaylee giggled while River and Gambit were rather absorbed with the freedom.

Mal glanced over to Ru who was next to him and saw her peculiar expression. “What’d goin’ on ‘n yer head?”

“Oh nothin’ just didn’t think we’d be blowin’ up a mule, sober.” Glancing at him sideways. “This is one of those copious amounts of alcohol moments.”

The captain glanced over his shoulder as he parked the mule. “Wash, open up the back hatch, take my refreshments out.”

Wash reluctantly let go of Zoe and turned around, opening up the hatch to find four corked glass bottles. “Oo.. Baby we can add wine to the list of romantical things.” He passed her the bottles and she made sure they all got around with the exception of one they kept.

Zoe pulled the cork out with her teeth and took a sip, passing it to Wash. “That’s the stuff Kaylee makes.”

“Still good.” He took a swig as Gambit passed his bottle back. “What’s wrong Gam? Don’t like wine?”

“Never had it and it smells funny.” He clarified, looking over to River who was in his keep.

River gave the stars a toothy, not quite sane grin. “Boom.”

“More for us.” Wash gave Zoe a wine infused kiss and listened to her throaty chuckle as Mal and Ru jumped out to unhook the old mule.

“I supposed this is romantic.” Simon took a sip and passed it to Kaylee, wrapping her up in his arms as he saw her give a shiver, he rested his head against the side of her head. “Slightly twisted as it involves explosives, but romantic none the less.”

Kaylee nodded her head and let out a sigh, followed by another shiver.

“Still cold?” He wrapped her up tighter in a blanket and felt her head nestle against his chest. Yes, they were all crammed together in one tiny hovercraft and everyone could see their public displays of affection. But Simon couldn’t bear to see her cold.

“Thanks Honey.” She took another sip of the inter-engine-fermented wine and passed it back to him.

“This stuff is… strong.” He told her after a rather long drink, clearing his throat, blinking a few times as the wine had a rather unique taste.

“I know, I can’t drink no more cause I gotta finish up in the engine room when we git back. And I can’t do that all tipsy.” She snuggled in closer, pecking his cheek sweetly as Simon set the bottle down between his feet and rubbed her shoulder to keep her warm.

The doctor leaned in and whispered into her ear. “I guess I’ll be waiting in bed for you then.”

Kaylee beamed and gave him a chaste kiss before nuzzling his chest. “K.”

“Doesn’t look like enough explosives.” Ru told Mal as they checked the blackened mule. “Zoe? I thought you put explosives on this thing?”

Zoe pulled her hot mouth off of Wash’s and let her eyes focus and her mind sharpen as it was clouded by thoughts of hormone induced activities. “Only found one sticky… but I found’a bottle of mudders milk and wrapped it around that, dropped a starter in the bottle and shoved it in the engine. Figured there’s enough alcohol in the milk ta start’a decent fire.”

“You’re probably right.” Mal opened the hood up and dropped a starter line in the ceramic milk bottle. Taking the spindle of line he hopped back in the hovercraft with Ru and drove a safe distance as Wash had two bottles of wine passed up to them, the spindle letting the line uncoil. Finally he parked sideways and looked back at everyone as Ru cut the line and prepped it. Standing up, he took a bottle of wine and sucked a lungful of chilled air into his lungs as the crew looked up at him. “As you all know,” The captain began with a commanding voice. “we’re here ta see off the old mule. Mostly ‘cause I like blowin’ things up and it’s a gorram good excuse.” He listened to everyone laugh. “But partially cause it deserves some respect. It’s our first mule, second thing I bought after Serenity, ‘n it served us well.”

“To the mule!” Wash raised his bottle.

“To the mule!” Malcolm, Ru, Kaylee and even Simon raised the other three bottles and took drinks in a toast.

“Boom!” River yelled, releasing a puff of air as she exhaled the word.

“I agree with River, let’s blow it up!” The pilot hollered, turning to Zoe he murmured to her “So we can go back and finish this in our bunk.”

Zoe pressed her forehead against his temple and laughed. “Good idea.”

“Here ya go.” Ru passed the small handle like object with the button on the top of it to Malcolm.

Malcolm, with a giant grin, pushed the button and watched as the mule’s explosion went from the engine, to the gas tank underneath and actually made the ATV fly into the air with a giant burst of flames.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Baby…”

“HOBAN…. You need to tell me the truth.”

Wash knew he was in it deep, she had just called him by his first name. Zoe was standing by their bed, in her robe, with her hips slightly to one side and her arms crossed while her face was stern. Wash swallowed hard and wondered why they couldn’t just have sex. Things had been going so well, then all of a sudden the discussion of a little Washburn had come up. “Zoe,” He grabbed his boxers and put them on, “now’s just not the right time….”

“There’s never gonna be a perfect time to have kids.” She actually sounded more hurt than angry, which was a rare side to the first mate. “But this is the closest ta perfect it’s probably ever gonna be. We got money, a good deal of it, and it looks to be that everythin’s ok for once. We ain’t starvin’, we ain’t runnin’ hard…”

“I know, but you’re overlooking the part where we’re criminals. And we’re wanted! This is a dangerous life Baby, I don’t want to bring a child into this!” He gestured wildly with his hands as his eyes were a mixture of guilt and concern. “You get shot at.. a lot… how are you supposed to be pregnant while you’re running around with Mal ‘n the gang…”

“I won’t run around while I’m pregnant, Hoban.” She toned in frustration. “You really think I’d run ‘round putting our child at risk?”

“Zoe….” His eyes widened as he realized she took it offensively.

“What more do ya want? Do you just want us to retire and buy a farm so we can have kids?”

“Yes! That is the ideal kid-friendly setting! Not living on a rusty Firefly with death as a possibility every day….”

“Ye-jiu-shi dan de teng shi.” she swore as her anger flared up. “You can’t stand living on land! You’d hate it! And you’d know I’d hate bein’ some farmer’s wife too!”

“Well fine!”

“FINE!”

“I guess we’re not…. “ He found himself grasping for words. “Living… on a farm then!”

“And you’re not sleepin’ here!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Simon heard Kaylee padding over towards his room.

He had put River to bed, which required some sedation as she had been babbling about teddy bears, hamsters, lions, rats, incense, coats, dinosaurs, an ape and someone just called she. But the sibling was in bed asleep, and it was late at night, horrifically late. However he opened his eyes and saw one coverall clad mechanic sneak in, trying not to wake him up. She looked around, and he smiled, stretching his arm out and pointing to the chair. “I put your pajamas over there qing-ren."

Kaylee turned around with a smile of astonishment. “What did you just call me?”

“I’m trying it out.” He smiled sleepily.

Kaylee let out a nearly inaudible squeal of delight towards the fact that Simon was using affectionate names and gathered up the pair of her beau’s pajamas she was going to wear for the night. She changed quickly into the too big cotton bottoms and a long sleeved tee, noting that Simon stared straight ahead at the wall and refrained from looking in a gentlemanly gesture. It made her roll her eyes as she tied the drawstring of her pajama pants. “You can look. Not that I would have opposed ya taken’ a peek.” She heard him sigh to the comment as she washed her face and gargled some of his mouthwash to get out the taste of wine before dimming the lights and slipping into bed.

“Did you get your work done?” He held up the covers for her and felt her cold toes touch his calf, making them flex to the temperature. However the toes warmed up quickly as Kaylee cuddled in for the night.

“Yep, finally.” She tugged the covers down and kissed his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. “Means I got plenty’a time for you…. If’n ya wanna spend time with me.”

“I think my research can wait a few days so we can spend time together. Speaking of which, may I ask Ms. Frye on a date tomorrow?” He pressed his lips against her forehead and stifled back a yawn. “Around noon?”

“Sounds shiny.” Kaylee settled against him and enjoyed the warmth, as the ship was cold from the winter forecast. “I propose sleepin’ in till ten though.”

“I second that proposal.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mal, couldn’t sleep.

He caught the tail end of Wash and Zoe’s argument. Which, led him to think about having a little one on board their boat. Serenity, was a fine old ship, but she was far from being child friendly. There were sharp corners, railings to fall over, heights, nothing was cushioned, plus the engine room was a death trap waiting to happen. Malcolm could never forbid procreating though. It was bound to happen sooner or later, probably sooner as Zoe sounded downright adamant about a baby. But if not them, it was possible Kaylee and Simon could become parents as well if their relationship ever got that far. Regardless of the fact that both couples would make cute little ones and Mal would enjoy being the fun uncle, he felt the ship wasn’t a decent place for growing families. As he fretted over it, he left his bunk, found Wash in the pilot’s chair again sleeping with his dinosaurs, and then retrieved a mug of the inter-engine wine. Malcolm slowly strolled his boat while thinking about babies aboard Serenity, his eyes suddenly catching every baby hazard. By the time he heard the noise in the cargo bay, he had gone through most of Serenity, and she had a rather pleasant hum to her as the engine was chock full of new parts. If Malcolm didn’t know any better, he’d say his little boat sounded happy. Yet he dismissed that notion and went to the cargo bay to find Ru still up. She was stripping the old panels off of Stang, piling them up by the door as the mule hung from the ceiling.

“What are ya doin’ up so late with that piece of le-se?” He asked as he noticed that she had closed all the doors so the sound wouldn’t wake anyone up.

Ru turned and wiped the sweat from her brow, in her coveralls and covered in grime. “Wanted to getta head start, so I’m stripping the old panels off and I’m gonna sell them for scrap so I can buy some burners. Because as you know, selling it for scrap is a bit more profitable than blowing it up.”

“But you enjoyed that.” Malcolm pointed a finger at her. “All of ya did, even the doc, who I know thought it was some crazy rim pagan worship, liked it. Cause after it blew we were still out there for thirty minutes…”

She chuckled. “I can’t believe ya brought wine and marshmallows.” Tossing another panel into the pile. “I’ve never had that combination ‘fore.”

“Well, we needed booze… and I figured if we start a fire we might as well… toast somethin’.” He shrugged his shoulders with a smirk. “’Sides I had ta pick up those gorram ‘mallows on account of Kaylee writing them ‘n hot cocoa mix on the grocery list like we was rich core folk…. Gotta be spoilin’ everyone with luxury foods….”

“Did you find her some strawberries?” Ru unbolted another panel.

“Nope, didn’t want no pouty faces though so I found her some strawberry jam, figured that’ll be a decent substitute.”

“You know,” the ex-fighter pilot carefully changed the subject. “She was all sorts of sad ‘n confused today in the engine room, in fact I think if she didn’t have those new parts our lil’ Kaylee would be depressed.” Carefully collecting the bolts she dumped them in a bowl since they were good enough to re-use. “Apparently Inara didn’t give her the ritualistic goodbye before taking off for clients.” Peeling the panel off she glanced over at his thoughtful face. “Somethin’ going on?”

Mal pursed his lips. “You didn’t hear it from me, but Inara’s goin' to leave.”

Ru’s face became sober as she thought about it. “I know she doesn’t really… like me… for some strange reason… but I mean, I don’t wanna be a thorn in somebody’s paw. I can lea…”

“Whoa there. You ain’t leavin’ on account of Inara.” He walked over and clasped her shoulder.

“Mal, she’s the reason why you can dock on half a dozen worlds ‘n moons. You need her more than an old fighter pilot with a metal arm.” Her voice was serious.

“This is her decision, Ru, ‘sides I think if ya left that mechanic of mine would be all crocodile tears…”

“You ok though?” She set the panel in the scrap pile.

“With what?”

“Inara leavin'.”

*****

*****

***** Translation

*Ye-jiu-shi dan de teng shi: That is a load of steaming shit

*qing-ren: Sweetheart

*Le-se: Garbage