Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan. He's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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This story takes place nearly four years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Follows after Big Blue.

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A/N: Starting to wind this arc down. One or two chapters left to go.

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Thanks again Chris for the Beta.

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Birthday

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Chapter Seven

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“You sure you can do this?”

“Yes Mal.”

“You're hurt an' all,”

“I'm fine.”

“And you have done this before?”

“Four times.”

“Should I boil some water?”

“Just go sit down somewhere, Mal,” Allan said in an exasperated tone.

The captain looked like he was about to argue but one glare from Inara and he decided to keep quiet.

“Everything will be fine, Ai-ren,” Inara said through clenched teeth. A moment later she relaxed.

Mal reached across and wiped the perspiration from his wife's brow.

“Zoë, time the contractions please,” Allan asked his wife, “I need to know how far apart.”

“Okay Baby.”

Allan gently lifted the blanket that lay across Inara's lap, “I need to see how much you're dilated...”

“Okay Allan.”

“Alright, only about three centimeters. Going to be a while yet.”

“Hey Gramps, Doc wanted me to see iffin you... Wuo de ma!” Jayne exclaimed as he saw Allan on his knees between Inara's legs with a flashlight. The big man's eyes shot towards the overhead in the shuttle.

“Kinda busy here Jayne...” Allan said.

“Doc wants ta know iffin you need anything,” he gulped, keeping his eyes anywhere but on the scene in front of him.

“Just grab some more towels. And see if there's any coffee made. I think I'm gonna need it.”

“Got it.”

“I'll go help Jayne...”

“Malcolm Reynolds!, if you move off this bed, I 'll have Zoë shoot you!” Inara screamed as another contraction hit her.

Mal moved closer and held Inara's hand in his as the contraction subsided.

“No need to get techey darlin.”

“You made me like this...”

“I seem to remember you bein a willin part...” The venomous glare Inara shot at Mal shut his mouth.

“Six minutes dear,” Zoë said to her husband. She glared at the captain as well.

Allan looked again, “Almost five centimeters. Inara? Do the women in your family have a history of short labor?”

The former Companion nodded.

“Okay... might not be as long a night as I thought.”

“Is there a problem, Baby?”

“No... just that this is moving a bit quicker than I expected.”

“How long should it take?” Mal asked, suddenly nervous.

“Every woman is different. Some, it can take nearly twenty four hours for the first baby. Others, it's kinda quick. I'm thinking Inara is in the latter category.”

Mal relaxed a bit, “So, it's okay?”

“Yeah Mal...” Allan was cut off by a scream from Inara as the next contraction hit.

“Five minutes,” Zoë said.

“Doin okay darlin?”

“No! You try pushing a watermelon out between your legs! Zoë, shoot him if he says anything stupid like that again!”

“You got it “Nara.”

“You wouldn't...”

“Female solidarity Sir,” Zoë replied, “In the leg.”

“The leg?”

“Could go higher, keep this from happening again.”

Mal's retort was cut off with another scream from Inara.

Allan looked at Zoë.

“Four minutes.”

Allan lifted the blanket. Inara was now dilated nearly seven centimeters.

“Not long now.”

Over the next fifteen minutes, Inara's contractions got closer together. As they increased in number, she began squeezing Mal's hand so hard, Allan was sure he heard something pop.

The Captain paled but didn't let go of his wife's hand.

“I can see crowning! Inara, on the next contraction I want you to push! Zoë? Gonna need another pair of hands here.”

She moved next to her husband, gloved up and ready to help catch Serenity's newest crew member.

Inara screamed.

“Almost there! One more!”

With a final push, Inara delivered her son into Zoë's waiting hands. Allan quickly suctioned the newborns mouth and nose and then pinched the bottom of the the boys foot.

He was rewarded with a very healthy scream. Zoë began wiping him down.

“It's a boy!” Allan beamed as he finished his examination, “Ten fingers and toes, he's pinking up nicely. Zoë can you tie off the cord?”

Zoë handed the infant to Allan as she tied off the umbilical cord, “Capn'.”

Mal's grin threatened to split his face as he cut the cord with shaking hands. Allan handed Inara her son. She immediately brought him to her breast. The infant began to suckle with gusto.

“Zoë, could you massage Inara's abdomen? It will help deliver the placenta.”

“Sure, Baby,” Zoë replied. Her own smile matching her husbands as she went to work.

After having his fill, Mal and Inara's son decided to announce his presence again. The boy certainly had a good set of lungs.

Standing just outside the shuttle entrance stood Jayne, Oso and Marion. Smiles on their faces. Alisha and Reggie were in the infirmary, helping Simon with Kaylee's labor.

“What's his name?” Allan asked as Zoë helped her husband to his feet.

Inara, with an exhausted smile, looked at Mal. He nodded.

“Everyone, meet Jefferson Salah Reynolds,” Inara said proudly.

Allan stiffly moved beside the bed and looked again at the bundle in Inara's arms, “Hey there Jeff.”

Zoë put her arms around Allan and smiled. He winced a bit at the pressure.

On the bridge, River's smile nearly lit up the black visible outside the windows.

Inara yawned suddenly. She was exhausted. Little Jefferson yawned as well, illiciting a chuckle from the people in the room.

“I think Inara needs some rest,” Allan smiled.

“Looks like you need some too,” Mal said to Allan.

“Not wrong there,” the engineer replied.

“Come on Baby, lets get you back to bed.”

Allan nodded and headed for the door, pain evident in his stride. Once outside, he leaned against the bulkhead and nearly collapsed. Only Jayne and Oso's quick hands kept him on his feet.

“Baby?” Zoë asked, her face clouded with concern.

“Need... my... ribs... re-taped. Something... popped... loose.” Alan gasped.

Without a further word, Jayne and Oso grabbed Allan and carried him in the direction of the infirmary. Zoë and Marion, just steps behind.

XXXXXXXXXX

Kaylee was still in the mid stage of labor. Simon was able to re-tape Allan's ribs quickly. After a mild smoother to help with the pain, Allan laid down on the sofa in the Common area, using Zoë's lap as a pillow.

Allan had dozed off for a couple of hours when Zoë gently roused him.

“Wass' up?” he said sleepily.

“Simon's asking for you. Needs a hand. You up to it?”

“Think so. Whats wrong?”

“Kaylee's havin a bit of a problem...”

“Help me up.”

Allan entered the infirmary. Kaylee lay on the med bed, soaked in sweat. Alisha was wiping her brow.

“Simon?” Allan asked.

Simon looked concerned. That in itself made Allan nervous. Simon was so steady when it came to medical matters, that any concern was troubling.

“I might need to do a cesarean,” Simon said to the older man.

“Tell me what you need.”

“Just get prepped. Kaylee plateaued. If the rotuxin I gave her doesn't kick in soon, we will have to go in.”

“I understand.”

Fortunately, Kaylee had another strong contraction, followed by another a few minutes later. The doctor and former paramedic shared a look.

Crisis averted.

Two hours later, Simon Tam delivered his daughter. Kaylee had actually passed out for a moment from the effort but came to quickly.

The grin on the young doctor's face was priceless. And Allan had never seen Kaylee smile so wide. Considering that it was Kaylee, that was saying something.

“Everyone?” Kaylee announced, “This is Rebeca Brooke Tam.”

“Brooke huh?” Zoë said grinning.

“Better than creek,” Allan teased.

“I heard that!” crackled River's voice over the com.

“Good,” Allan chuckled. Punctuated by wince as his ribs caught again.

Simon turned to Allan, “Now that this crisis is over. As your doctor, I'm ordering you to bed. I don't want to see you out of your bunk for at least twenty four hours.”

“But..”

“Go husband.” Zoë said sternly.

“You ordering me too?”

“Yep.”

“Yes dear.”

With effort, Allan climbed the stairs to the top deck. He nearly slipped and fell down the ladder to his and Zoë's bunk.

“Get your backside in that bed mister,” Zoë ordered.

Allan undressed with effort, Zoë had to help him by pulling his shoes off. Allan lay back on the bed with a hiss. The smoothers were wearing off.

Zoë stripped and slid in next to him, Carefully snuggling up to his side.

Allan was asleep in moments.

XXXXXXXXXX

Allan awoke with a start. It felt distinctly like Serenity had landed somewhere. That seemed impossible since Even at full burn, Serenity was thirty five hours at least from Londonium. Struggling to his feet, Allan made his way over to the small lavatory built into the wall in his and Zoë's bunk.

After washing his hands, Allan drew a large glass of water and chugged it down. A moment later, the hatch opened and Zoë climbed down.

“Sleeping beauty awakes...” Zoë said before kissing him.

“How long was I out?”

“Near on forty hours.”

“Ugh, no wonder I'm hungry again.”

“Might have somethin to do with it,” Zoë agreed, “How you feelin baby?”

“Better. I can actually see out of my left eye now.”

“Swellins almost gone. Still pretty bruised up though.”

Allan took an experimental deep breath. His ribs still ached but felt better than they had when he gone to bed.

“Did we just land?”

“Londonium. Blue Sun pad. You got a few visitors waitin on you iffin you're up to it.”

“Who?”

“Durin Haymer and some muckety muck from the Companions Guild.”

“The Guild?”

Zoë nodded.

“I'll be up as soon as I get dressed.”

“Okay Baby,” Zoë smiled as she climbed back up the ladder.

Allan dug out some khaki cargo pants and a navy polo shirt. He pulled on sneakers and climbed the ladder out of the bunk. Walking slowly, Allan entered the galley.

“My god Allan,” Durin Haymer said.

“Hey Durin. Guess I look a sight.”

“I'm so sorry. I got you into this mess.”

“How so?”

“I asked you to go to the meet...”

“It was a setup anyway, Durin. You couldn't have known.”

“Still...”

Allan patted his friend on the shoulder, “Don't worry on it my friend. Things happen.”

Durin smiled. Amazed again by how good a man Allan was.

“Mr. Bryant?” Asked a stunning woman standing behind Durin.

“Yes?”

“I am Irena Markova, House Priestess for the Guild here on Londonium.”

Allan brought the woman's hand to his lips, “Pleased to meet you Ms. Markova.”

He heard a slight giggle coming from the direction of the stove where Zoë and Alisha stood.

Ignoring his snickering wife and sister-in-law, Allan smiled, “Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you,” The companion replied. Durin pulled out a chair for her then seated himself next to Allan.

“What do I owe the pleasure?”

“Mr. Bryant. I am here in person to express the Guild's profound thanks for your actions in saving one of our Sisters.”

“Who?”

“Allison Sexton. She was also a captive of Adeli Niska.”

“Ah, yes. How is she?”

“Recovering. It will be some while before she will be able to work again. If she should wish so that is. This has been very traumatic for her.”

“I can imagine,” Allan replied.

Irena nodded, “As a token of our thanks, the Guild Council has granted you three, one week sessions with the Companion of your choice, gratis. As well as a Gold star in the client registry.”

Allan heard a pot clatter to the floor. Beside him, Durin did his best not to laugh.

“I... um... I'm flattered but...”

“What my Husband means,” Zoë replied, jumping in, “Is that he won't need the Guilds services.”

“I see. The offer includes you as well Mrs. Bryant.”

An amused snort came from Alisha behind the stove. Durin chuckled.

“Thank you anyway,” Allan smiled, “If you could please tell the council that I sincerely appreciate the offer but I feel that due to my newlywed status, contracting with a companion would not be prudent at this or any time.”

Alisha lost it and collapsed to the floor in hysterics. Allan chuckled at the look on Irena's face.

“Why is that young woman finding this so amusing?”

“She's my Sister-in-law.”

“Oh....”

Ms. Markova rose to her feet and set a slip of paper on the table, “Allison asked that if you would like. She would like to thank you in person before you leave Londonium.”

“Thank you Ms. Markova,” Allan replied. Alisha had stopped laughing but was still snickering a bit.

The Priestess gracefully rose to her feet and turned to leave, nearly bumping into Inara as she entered with Jeff in her arms.

“Inara!”

“Irena, it's been quite some time,” Inara replied neutrally.

“Who is this?” The companion asked Inara, indicating the sleeping babe in her arms.

“This is my son, Jefferson.”

Irena was taken aback, “You have a son?”

“I'm retired, remember?”

“Yes... But a child?”

An awkward silence followed as the two women started at each other.

“Ms. Markova? May I escort you to your hover?” Durin piped up.

“Thank you, Mr. Haymer.

Durin turned back to Allan as he led the Companion out of the galley, “Wave me, Allan. Yolanda and I would like to take you and Zoë out to dinner when you are available.”

“I'll call you later Durin,” Allan replied as the two headed down the stairs.

As soon as they were out of earshot, Inara turned to Allan, “What did that Jin tzahng mei yong-duh, piece of lan dong xi want?”

“Who with the what?” Allan replied, confused.

Zoë jumped in, “Guild comped my husband with three weeks worth of... companionship. As a thank you for saving that girl on the Skyplex.”

Inara snorted in amusement and then asked, “What girl?”

“Niska had a Companion captive as well,” Allan replied. “She was in pretty bad shape when I woke up.”

“What is her name?”

“Allison Sexton.”

“Merciful Buddha! She was one of my students!”

“You want to see her?” Allan asked, “I know where she's recovering.”

“I would, Allan.”

“We'll go this afternoon. You, me and Zoë. Mal can babysit.”

TBC