The traditional obligatory offering to Boss Joss. Love the work, got bored, and decided to to run with it!

This is a story co-written with a very good friend of mine. Action, adventure, drama, sweet Kaylee/Simon stuff, and BIG DAMN hints of Mal/Inara.

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In the cockpit, River sat in the pilot’s seat, staring out at the vast blackness surrounding Serenity and her crew. Wash’s seat. It still seemed odd to her how the red haired pilot was no longer a part of their lives, having long since been killed during the crew’s battle with the Reavers. Now, Mal flew the ship more than anyone else, and River had taken it upon herself to act as copilot, absorbing all the experience she could at the helm, and almost matching the Captain in skill now.

Her bare feet and legs pulled up to her chest, she listened to the sounds of the party going on only a few yards away down the hallway. But at least for now, she didn’t make a motion to join the group. Her mind was on other things at the moment. Even though her mind had significantly calmed since discovering the truth about the Alliance, River could still feel herself disconnected, as if some unseen force pulled at her mind, warning her of things to come. She could sense something over the horizon. A threatening darkness loomed ahead. Soon, someone would be coming for them...

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Kaylee let out with a breathless smile as she stood in Inara’s private shuttle, studying herself in the full-length mirror. She tried her best to stand still as Inara readjusted the silk jade-green kimono she’d loaned to the young mechanic. “This is gorgeous, Inara,” Kaylee said softly, running her hands up and down the front of the dress. The Companion smiled with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

“You look beautiful, mei-mei,” she complimented the girl softly, looking over Kaylee’s hair, now tied up loosely, one last time. Kaylee could feel herself blushing, but didn’t respond, too caught up in the excitement of the evening to argue over Inara undeserved praises. “I’m sure Simon will love it.”

Kaylee’s blush deepened to the roots of her hair, and she chuckled nervously. It had been several weeks since she and Simon had finally confessed their feelings for each other and consummated their relationship, but they had not gotten a chance to have a real date, of sorts. This little party that had come up last minute, thanks to a more than lucrative job gone right, was her chance to really impress Simon.

“How much time to we have?” she asked suddenly, her feet tapping anxiously in the thin sandals that she’d also gotten from Inara.

“Plenty of time, Kaylee,” Inara laughed warmly, “Don’t be nervous.” She placed a hand on Kaylee’s shoulder, squeezing it reassuringly.

Kaylee shook her head softly, lightly chewing on her bottom lip. “Easy for you to say. Just look at you, Inara.” She turned to face the Companion with a defeated expression. She was in a beautiful red dress, her hair flowing over her shoulders in elegant curly waves. “Just one look at you and the Captain will fall head over heels.”

Inara glanced up at Kaylee, shocked by the young mechanic’s words. “Mal? I don’t see what he has to do with anything…I mean, that’s not why I got all…You organized this evening Kaylee, and I just want everything to go perfectly for you.”

Inara’s excuses didn’t seem to convince Kaylee all that much, and the girl lifted a brow in amusement; apparently, the tables had turned. “Oh come on Inara. You only just came back on board, and you haven’t spoken so much as a single sentence to the Cap’n. And now we plan this party and you know right well that Simon and the Cap’n will be the only other people there most likely…”

Inara lifted a hand to silence Kaylee. “Let’s…let’s not keep the others waiting, alright?” she suggested hurriedly, grasping Kaylee’s hand and she led her slowly down the stairs and towards the kitchen. The Companion had had more than her share of insinuations regarding Mal for one night.

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"No you're cutting them all wrong." The young doctor protested. Watching Mal cut veggies was like watching an animal have children. It was terrifying.

Mal looked at the younger man with anger. "You better stop yelling at me." He said holding up the cutting device. Of course it wasn't a real kitchen knife. It was one of Jayne's newer knifes. "I know how to cut this stuff and if you don't go over there and help Jayne I'm gonna let you take a walk in space doctor." He wiggled the knife at him and Simon slunk back.

"Fine, but if you cut yourself I better not see you coming to me." Simon moved across the ground to where Jayne was at the table. He was supposed to be cutting apples. Instead he seemed to be eating them. Simon sighed and jerked one from him. Jayne glared back.

"Hey! What’s the deal? I was cutting that!" Jayne reached out with grubby hands ripping the apple from him.

"You were eating it, Jayne."

Jayne pushed his chair back standing up to stare down at the smaller of the men. He held onto his knife with the very same look in his eye he always got in battle.

Zoe, who was currently amusing herself with this new battle, leaned back in comfort. "You'd better come have a look sir I think Jayne is gonna kill Simon."

"He wouldn't. Because when he got himself shot or stabbed who'd patch him up..." He starred up at the larger man eyeing him. He wasn't scary...most of the time. Plus it was nice to know that River could hand him his ass when push came to shove.

"Fine. I'll cut the gorram things." He turned and sat back in the chair. A few quick chops and the apples were cute quite awkwardly. Simon eyed them cautiously and then Jayne. Least he cut them. He shook his head going back to check on Mal. He was almost finished. He was working on cutting Strawberries Simon managed to get his hands on back on land.

"Please Mal I beg of you do not mess those up." He asked pleadingly. Mal looked up at him and sighed.

"You cut them. I'm sitting." He put the knife down moving to the head of the table. Simon happily moved around the counter picking up the knife.

"You know doc your more picky than Mal here."

Mal looked in Jayne's direction, appearing offended. "I am not! Zoe, am I picky?"

Zoe looked up from the work she was doing. "No sir. Not anal at all." She said nodding.

"I didn't say anal. We didn't say anal. You think I'm anal too?"

Zoe let out an exhausted sigh. "No sir. I don't think you're anal. How is this relevant?"

Mal shrugged and looked at Simon. "Hurry up they're coming." He urged the young doctor.

Inara had to lead Kaylee by the hand as the two women made their way down the stairwell and into the ship’s common area. After a few moments, the Companion glided into the room with the elegance and ease that came naturally to her, though she could detect the slightest bit of apprehension from Kaylee.

The young mechanic slowly but steadily stepped into the kitchen, her eyes immediately picking out Simon from the chaos surrounding the kitchen. Kaylee swallowed hard, squeezing Inara’s hand for one last moment’s reassurance. The lighting of the kitchen, however meager it may have been, suddenly seemed brighter at the reflection off of the girl’s silken jade kimono entered the scene.

Simon was busying himself with the task of cutting strawberries. He almost didn't hear the girls. But he sure did smell them. He knew it wasn't Mal and god forbid it be Jayne. He looked up his eyes suddenly falling on a whole new person. Kaylee. She was. Well the word he was looking for was beautiful, but right now he was focused on her. She was so elegant looking. It almost hurt to look. He smiled softly though and put the knife down wiping his hands on a rag.

Inara smiled with smug satisfaction. Kaylee looked beautiful. She had to admit, though, actually getting some of the grease off of her face had done some significant good to the overall effect.

Detecting the exotic hint of lilac that had suddenly permeated the room, thanks to the oils that Inara had also leant to Kaylee, the Companion made her way to the other side of the room, confident that with all the advice and comfort that she’d offered, that Kaylee would be ready to fly on her own now. Picking out the distinct form of Malcolm Reynolds in the group, Inara cautious approached him.

“Mal,” she nodded with a thin smile. Gazing out on the enormity of the meal before her, “You’ve really outdone yourself. Or was your last ‘legitimate business transaction’ more lucrative than I’d thought?” Inara had not taken part in the crew’s last job, though she had to admit, she was surprised at how much she actually had become involved in the past few months with regards to the Captain’s business dealings.

Mal was greeted by the pleasant site of Inara and Kaylee. His little Kaylee looked nice and grown up. The way the doctor looked at her didn't settle him much, but then again it was impossible to stop him. He gave Inara a little grin. "Well the doc got the apples and strawberries. Traded something I believe. Don't be thanking me." He said shaking his head. He glanced at Zoe who had put her work aside for dinner.

Jayne had picked up on the weird vibes. He wasn't actually excited to be in the room with these four, but he was hungry. His stomach was rumbling. "Kaylee sit down already. I'm hungry. Doc, bring that food over here." He was always good at ruining moments and making Kaylee seem awkward. "Where the hell'd you get that?" He asked grabbing an apple and attempting to take a bite.

Mal heard Jayne's comments and glared. He reached out jerking the apple piece from his hand. "You wait till we are all seated. Or go eat in your bunk." He didn't like Jayne ruining Kaylee in front of the doctor. Didn't seem fair to him.

Kaylee glared at Jayne, smacking his arm harshly as she passed him. Making her way over to Simon, she offered a bright, albeit anxious smile. Jayne growled. "You don't gotta go hittin' me. I'm out of here. You guys is all lovey dovey. Boring." He reached out grabbing a plate and piled some food on the plate. He pushed his chair back and readjusted his belt walking to the cockpit. Might as well check on the crazy one flying the gorram ship.

Simon moved around the table and approached Kaylee. He didn't pay much attention to Jayne. He talked a lot. It didn't bother him. He'd deal with him if he got out of hand. Half of him wondered where his sister was and the other half wondered what this night held. He stopped a few feet away. "You look..." He didn't even know what to say to describe her.

"I believe the word you’re looking for is spectacular," Zoe said looking in the doctor’s direction.

“You really like it?” She asked timidly, wringing her fingers in front of her. Inara caught the nervous habit, and she glanced at the young girl, shaking her head subtly with a careful smirk. Kaylee saw her, and promptly dropped her hands to her sides. Hearing Zoe’s words, Kaylee felt herself blush bright red. With a quiet laugh, she moved a loose strand of hair from her face. “I just wanted tonight to be special,” she said quietly to Simon, grinning from ear to ear.

She watched Simon with a giddy curiosity, surprised and ecstatic to see a glimpse of some fresh food. “Strawberries?” she tried to suppress the excitement in her voice as she looked down at the absolutely delicious looking fruit. “Simon, this is amazing!” she moved to stand beside the young doctor, and looped her arm into his as she looked at the meal with anticipation.

Simon smiled and nodded. "I was hoping it would be. You might wanna get some before..." He trailed off seeing Jayne take some food and leave. "Well I was gonna say get some before Jayne, but too late." He offered a simple smile and moved to the chairs quickly letting go of her. He pulled a chair out for her making way for her.

Zoe could only smile. It was the first one in a while. It was strange seeing another kind of love on the ship besides her and Wash's. Who she hated to think about because it only brought her down. Plus she liked to remember him being happy and making a joke about Mal or Jayne. Her eyes switched to Inara and Mal. The awkward tension was apparent and she simply smirked while taking a sip of her drink.

Mal looked back at Inara and offered up the piece of fruit he’d just cut. "Apple?" He offered with a hint of a smile.

Inara gently reached out to take the apple that Mal offered, their fingers unintentionally brushing passed each other’s. “I, uh…thank you…” she got out after a moment’s hesitation, and with a shy smile, she took the fruit.

Mal almost gagged out right. The way Inara had taken the apple had been cute, but he'd never act like the doc. "Welcome," Was all he simply said to Inara. She looked mighty fine tonight, but he'd die before he told her that right now. She'd probably laugh at him anyhow. "Alright you two sit down. No sense in standing about."

Looking around, Inara surveyed the layout of the food, nodding approvingly. “It’s very impressive,” she commented again with a smirk, trying to shake off the uneasiness between herself and the captain.

Kaylee found herself blushing again as Simon pulled out the chair for her in a very gentlemanly manner. “Thank you,” she nodded with a smirk, carefully sitting down into the chair as she tried to move as naturally as possible in her dress. She wasn’t entirely at home in the outfit, normally used to her engine-grease-covered flight suits. She glanced up at Simon with a warm smile, pink from ear to ear as she basked in the young doctor’s attention. Inara had been right about the dress, she thought mirthfully with a smirk over to the Companion.

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Much more coming soon! This is a pretty big piece....please R&R!