A warm breeze blows across the porch ruffling Mal’s hair. He closes his eyes and breathes deeply of the fresh country air. No place like home, he thinks. He opens his eyes and looks around taking in the ranch’s large front yard and his house’s expansive front porch. After so many years in the sky settling down back on Shadow felt so right. Children’s laughter drifts to him on the breeze and he smiles, wondering what kind of trouble his kids were working on to scare their mother next. He turns in the rocking chair at the sound of a soft footfall. He opens his arms for her and she sits down in his lap resting her head on his shoulder. “You call this watching the children?” “I can hear’em.” He mumbles good-naturedly, entwining his fingers in her hair. “Do you know how much I love you?” she asks, looking up at him. He smiles down at her, “I love you too,--“ “Captain? Captain you awake?”

“Wha? I wasn’t asleep.” Mal dragged his hand across his mouth checking for drool. He swung his feet off the console. “What do ya want, Zoe?” “Official, captainey business, huh?” Zoe chuckled softly then grew serious, “Seems we’ve got ourselves a small situation, sir.” ~ Mal fairly stomped across the catwalk towards Inara’s shuttle, Zoe trailing behind almost reluctantly. “Inara!” he bellowed throwing open the door to the shuttle. He stopped dead in his tracks halfway in, momentarily speechless. By then Wash and Sheppard Book had heard the commotion and come to watch. Wash looked curiously over Mal’s shoulder and promptly burst out laughing. There sitting quite calmly were Inara, Kaylee, River, and a mutt of a dog, all drinking tea from delicate porcelain cups. “Inara.” Mal’s voice was low and threatening. He took a step into the shuttle and was answered by the dog. Growling low in its throat it jumped down from its perch on a pile of pillows and stalked slowly towards Mal. No one else moved (Wash even stopped laughing). Inara cleared her throat and took a sip of her tea. “He certainly is an excellent judge of character.” “Shush, Captain.” River scolded. “Big Captain’s the one in charge. Play nice.” “Yeah, I’m in charge, so . . . wait. Big Captain? Since when am I ‘Big Captain’?” Mal asked, very confused. Lil’ Captain turned around and sauntered back to his pillows and teacup. “Ever since Little Captain here joined the crew.” Inara indicated the currently well-behaved dog. “That MUTT is not part of MY crew! And-and-did you give him some of your good tea? You never invite me for a tea party.” Mal said a little hurt. “Well, maybe that would be because I don’t believe you can stay civilized long enough to enjoy a nice cup of tea.” Wash snickered softly at that. Mal visibly straightened in indignation. “Well then, don’t come crying to me if her tinkles on your favorite pillow or something.” With that he stormed out of the shuttle blowing past the rest of his crew and headed for the cockpit. “Oh Captain, don’t be mad.” Kaylee called out after him. Inara let out a breath that she hadn’t known she’d been holding in a rush. “That certainly went better than expected.” ~