Title: Shadow

Rating: PG. "So there /is/ kissin'..."

Characters: the whole crew, plus toddlers Kacey and Lolly, Baby Abey, the Reynolds-Stokes clan

Pairings: Heavy on the M/I, trying not to neglect the rest of canon (S/K, Z/W, J/Vera)

Summary: Set 4 years post-BDM, Mal and the crew have a job on Shadow.

Author's Note: I had so much fun writing this one. I have a cousin who is currently about Baby Abey's age, so he's really the inspiration for everything Abram does. So this is also dedicated to him. This is the end of this story, but there are more to come. Serra will be returning soon, I promise. :)

Part 5

“Can’t believe he went back there,” Laney sighs, pulling out a chair from the kitchen table and beckoning for Mal to sit as well. “Sam Wilkins was just a young kid, a wanderer. Signed onto the ranch just ‘bout the time your grandparents got sick. Jack’s age, eighteen. Took a shining to our Maggie immediately, and why shouldn’t he? Pretty little thing of sixteen, iron-willed, bright smiled. Jack caught ‘em in the hayloft a couple ‘a times, innocent kid stuff. Then Ma and Pa died, and Maggie lost it, held onto Sam for all she was worth, ‘cause he was the only one not gone or mournin’ left in her life, ‘cause he let her forget, I figure. Their relationship weren’t exactly healthy, but we were all so lost at the time, them dying three weeks apart, and me only twenty. The next year I married Silas. Just wanted to leave the ranch, leave the memories. Boys came too. Your mother pitched a mighty fit. I know you don’t think that’s possible, but she could throw ‘em fierce. She refused to come here, so I dragged her. She went running right back after a few months, back to the ranch, to Sam. I guess she relied on him to keep her sanity.” Laney pauses, studies her nephew’s face. It’s a mask, not revealing anything, which says so much in itself. “They fought all the time, over the ranch, over Sam’s wanderlust. Killed him to stay in one place so long. I figure he never meant to start anythin’ real long term with Maggie, but that’s how it worked. ‘Bout four more years and Maggie learned you were on the way. Changed her life, settled her down. And Sam hit the Black on the next boat out of Carlton County. Couldn’t handle that kind of pressure, bein’ someone’s daddy. Never liked the boy much, never had anything by way of stones, couldn’t take any kind of responsibility.” Mal is still silent, won’t meet his aunt’s eyes, clenches his fist and jaw until it hurts. “You ain’t him, Malcolm. You’re an amazin’ father to that little boy, got a life full of responsibilities you’re meetin’ every day, from what I hear. Got a wife, a boat, loyal crew. Wouldn’t have any of that if you were anythin’ like Sam. Don’t even start thinkin’ like that.” Abe’s crying drifts down the hall, pulls at Mal’s heart. He must be extra-cranky tonight if he’s giving his mama trouble going down. Usually Inara nursing him is enough to put him right to sleep. Maybe he’s teething. Probably; it’s about that time. “I, uh, I should go help ‘Nara.” Mal rubs at the back of his neck. “Thanks, Aunt Laney.” It sounds mostly sincere. He stands and walks back to the guest room he’s sharing with his family. The crying gets louder as he approaches, and he pauses at the cracked door, taking a deep breath before pushing into the room. “Oh, hey now. What’s wrong, Bubba?” Inara is walking the length of the room, trying to calm the infant, rubbing his back and humming soothingly. “We teethin’ again?” Mal asks, putting the recent conversation out of his mind for now, at least until his baby boy can stop wailing. He crosses to his wife and son, relieving Inara of Bubba for a bit, rocking the boy against his shoulder, pressing kisses to the top of his dark head. “That seems to be what’s going on. I’ve given him some of the analgesic Simon recommends. Just waiting for him to settle down a little.” Mal offers his pinky to Abe, who chews on it eagerly, quieting to sniffles. “I did try that, you know,” Inara assures him with a raised eyebrow when Mal looks at her triumphantly. “As well as several teething rings meant for this purpose.” “He’s a Reynolds,” Mal shrugs teasingly, “Stubborn as can be.” Abe has stopped his wailing, is focused intently on his teething, but he is still very much awake. Mal toes off his boots gently, lying back on the comfy bed, balancing Abram on his chest. One hand claimed as teething ring and the other rubbing his son’s back, Mal watches Inara ready for bed and neatly arrange all of their belongs. He likes watching her move about like this, feeling Abe’s chest rise and fall on his. Makes him feel all manner of domestic, something he never thought would feel. “Checked with Si. We’ll be all set to leave, mornin’ after next.” “How do you feel about that?” “Ready to hit the Black again, clear my head. I’ve had a lot to take in. Just wanna get to Three Hills and line up new crime.” Inara pauses in folding Abe’s dirty clothes and laying out clean ones, smiling at the sleepy picture her husband and son make. “Sheydra waved this afternoon to see if we were interested in picking up a few passengers and taking them to Bena.” “Girls for the training house?” Mal asks, a little uncomfortable as always when this subject comes up. They’ve made regular stops at the training house on Bena over the past couple years, bringing in supplies. Sheydra often asks Inara for advice and help with the girls, most of whom are still enamored with their former teacher and love having her around. Still, Mal’s not entirely comfortable with the whole idea. “No,” Inara says lightly, sidestepping an argument. “A dulcimer teacher, a dance teacher, and a literature tutor.” “All stuffy-like and Core-born?” “Thank you, dear,” she replies, sarcasm dripping sweetly. “And I have no idea. They’re willing to pay a very nice fare.” “Another nice legal job? What’s this ship comin’ to?” Inara laughs softly, not wanting to do anything hinder to Abe’s slumber. “I’m sure we’ll be back to thieving and scavenging soon. Don’t worry.” She finishes rearranging and crawls onto the bed beside them, lying down at Mal’s side, head against his shoulder. Abe’s eyes are drooping, lashes fluttering against his round baby cheeks, his teething slowing until his jaw eventually goes slack with sleep. “He’s out,” Inara whispers. “I wonder how long he’ll last.” “Might get lucky, and he’ll sleep through the night.” “Hmm, while he’s teething? Unlikely.” “True.” He pauses. “Talked to Laney.” Inara pushes herself up on one elbow, meeting his eyes, a stray curl falling across hers. “How did that go?” Mal sweeps her hair behind her ear before returning his hand to Abe’s diapered rump. “Well ‘nough. Learned more about what a hun dan my father was and how unhealthy his relationship with my mother was.” Mal sighs, closes his eyes. “Somethin’ everyone wants to know about their parents.” “None of that changes who your mother was to you, Mal. That man hasn’t earned the right to any part of your life. Don’t give it to him.” Mal nods. “You’re right.” “Can I get that on record?” He leans down to kiss her. She meets him halfway. They kiss for a few moments, then break apart ever so slightly, lips still barely touching as they drink each other in. Finally, Inara brushes another kiss on Mal’s cheek before gingerly grabbing Abe and placing him in the crib. “We should get as much sleep as possible while he’s still out.”

***

Abe doesn’t sleep through the night, but seems to have stopped teething briefly by morning. The next day passes easily and with only the fair amount of embarrassing stories about Mal as a youth. Abe gets used to his relatives on Shadow, a few of them at least, and even lets Aunt Laney take him around on her hip, out of sight of his mother for more than fifteen minutes. The following morning, the crew of Serenity packs up their things while the Reynolds-Stokes clan loads Serenity’s hold full of cotton bales. “Make sure someone waves me when you pop, dong ma?” Mal says sternly to his cousin, granting her a warm hug. Hannah kisses his cheek and laughs, hand resting on her stomach. “I’ll make sure. You comin’ back anytime soon?” Mal adjusts the two bags on his shoulder, kicking the dirt a little uncomfortably. “We’ll see ‘bout that, Hannah.” “This is a good gig, Malcolm. If you get that crop to Three Hills on time, you could have it regular.” “You just want me back here every year.” “That too. You think my mom’s gonna let you keep that little boy from her for years at a time?” Hannah asks, nodding towards Laney by the ramp of Serenity. The matriarch is saying goodbye to Inara and Abram. “We’ll see how this goes, alright?” “Shiny,” Hannah smiles. “Alright, fly safe.” “Unlikely,” a new voice interrupts them. “Just make sure you get yourself out of all the trouble you get yourself in, cous’.” “Thanks, Keaton,” Mal laughs, shaking his cousin’s hand warmly, slapping him on the back. “Take care, y’all.” He takes his leave and heads over to Inara, Abe, and Laney. The area around the landing pad is crowded with well-wishing cousins. Emmerson’s daughter Polly is bidding goodbye to Kaylee and Simon. A bunch of his younger cousins are laughing with Jayne, wishing casual good luck as the mercenary turns to board Serenity. Zoe and his uncles are overseeing the loading of the last of the cargo, shaking hands with knowing smiles and a ‘see you around’. River and the toddlers are with the gaggle of kids, hugs and giggles all around before River herds Kacey and Lolly back to their parents. His cousins move to collect their children, backing them away from the landing pad to a safe viewing distance. He’s already said goodbye to his uncles, but they clap hands to his back as they pass him and walk with Hannah to join the rest of the family. “Better get out of here, Aunt Laney,” Mal says affectionately. “This boat’s about to lift off.” “My own nephew, chasin’ me off,” Laney sighs, handing Abe back to Inara after kissing him one last time. “Thank you for all your hospitality, Laney. We’ll meet you onboard, Mal.” Mal nods and watches them walk up the ramp. “You’re a lucky man, Malcolm. You best take care o’ those two.” “Yes, ma’am,” Mal laughs, almost hearing his mother say exactly the same thing. “I’ll wave ya when we make the drop on Three Hills, have the buyer deposit your share direct. Any last minute instructions?” “Come back soon.” Mal gives her a stern look. “Don’t give me that, Malcolm Reynolds. You’ll get your pi gu back here at least every year at this time to haul this cotton. That’s an order, you hear?” “Yes, ma’am,” he sighs, though his chest feels so much warmer and lighter than he ever expected it to be on Shadow. “Good. Good. I like your crew, your family. That wife o’ yours is downright delightful. Hell, things ever go south with you two, I’m kicking you out of the family and keepin’ her, dong ma?” “Yes, ma’am. Well, we’re on a schedule, so I best see to that.” He kisses her cheek, lets her hug him. “I appreciate it. Everything you’ve done these past few days.” Laney nods understandingly. “Stay safe, Malcolm. Talk to you soon.” She moves off, going to join the rest of her family at a safe distance. Mal surveys the plantation for one last time, forming new memories of those majestic live oaks, the hanging Spanish moss, the swiftly moving river. He views the grand house one last time, sees parts of the other, smaller houses peeking through the trees on either side of the plantation house. Then he waves to the crowd of his family gathered and starts up the ramp, hitting the button to raise the ramp without looking. “Wash, take us out of the world.” “Aye, Captain.” He feels the oh-so-welcoming hum of Serenity’s engines as she roars back to life. Mal smiles, runs his hands over the soft cotton bales. He hears running steps on the catwalks, sees River chasing Kacey and Lolly, who giggle brightly. “Hey, no running! Not gonna clean blood off my cargo.” River stops, catching the toddlers and sticking her tongue out at him. “Yes, Captain Daddy.” She and the toddlers dance up to the kitchen. He chuckles slightly, climbing the catwalks, headed for his and ‘Nara’s shuttle. “Was a nice job, sir. Smooth.” “Sure was. For now,” Mal agrees, nodding to Zoe, who is climbing the stairs towards the crew quarters and cockpit. “Ready for more meals of processed protein?” “Not for awhile, sir. Your aunt was sure to load us with enough food for about a week, maybe two we keep it refrigerated well.” “Huh. Smart woman. You gonna go make sure your husband doesn’t crash us?” “On it, sir.” “Good. Call me if we’re crashin’.” Abe is crawling around the shuttle floor, trying to pull himself up to stand, while Inara unpacks their things. She isn’t one to leave those things to later. “Need some help?” Mal asks. “No, I don’t mind.” Mal scoops Abe up and tickles him. Abe laughs, grabs at Mal’s ear. Mal lifts him high, brings him down quickly, the baby’s laughter growing. Mal laughs right along with him, usually has trouble stopping himself when his son gets going. He and Abe settle down onto the couch to watch Inara putter, and Mal sighs contentedly, glad to be home.

el fin

Look for more PC to come.