Mal Love Bots for Sale! (6/6) Word Count: 664 per Word Rating: PG-13 Author’s Note: For damiarvn, srichard, obsidianagirl. Yes, the long anticipated end of the story is here!

* * * * *

Mal grinned as he walked into the kitchen to make himself and River a cup of tea. The job had gone well. No one had been shot up, stabbed or otherwise harmed and they’d gotten paid. That made everything right in his ‘verse for the moment.

He was surprised to see Simon sitting at the table.

“Doc.” He nodded his head as he went over to the sink and filled the pot with water.

“I’m confused about a few things.”

“Like what?”

“If that was River’s bot that I saw her… with in her bunk, then how did you know what I was doing to try and keep you two apart?”

“I saw her open the crate. I watched her room every night to get a minute alone with her and saw you guardin' it. Figured you knew," the captain shrugged. " 'Sides, every time I went down there I could hear 'em going at it.” Mal's insides churned as he thought about River and the bot.

“And you said all those things to me because…” Simon left the statement open. He needed to know.

“I meant what I said.” Mal didn’t want to go speaking about feelings again with Simon.

Simon pondered the ramifications of the bot in the series of events, as Mal prepared two cups of tea.

Taking a deep breath, he had one last question to ask of the captain. “So, aren’t you, I don’t know, jealous of the bot?”

Mal shot Simon a penetrating glance.

“If Kaylee had gotten one of you before...?”

“I would... that is to say, I wouldn't be…” Simon faltered as the impact of a variety of emotions coursed through him, drawing a succinct “oh.”

“Exactly. 'Night, Doc.” Mal said as he headed toward the bridge.

Simon watched Mal’s retreat before sighing heavily and heading toward Kaylee’s bunk.

* * * * *

Mal strode onto the bridge, setting the steaming mug on the console before River.

“There you go, darlin.”

River smiled as she lifted the cup to her lips, savoring the smell of jasmine as it wafted toward her.

Mal grinned as he sat down in the pilot’s chair. He just adored that look of happiness of his albatross’s face.

“Question for ya.”

River gave him an inquisitive look.

“I know for a fact that bots have limited programming and the voice on my bots sound nothing like me. So how come yours does?”

River blushed as she pulled her legs up onto her chair, curling into her defensive/reflective pose.

“Recorded your voice, wrote an interactive program while I waited. Had to be right. Had to fool...”

Mal’s eyebrows shot up. He shoulda figured, what with her being a gorram genius and all.

“Where's it hidden? Jayne looked in all a Serenity's crannies an' never did find a damn thing.”

River beamed. “Empty space under my bed. Only place big enough to hide a man.”

Mal’s eyes twinkled in pride and delight at the pure ingenuity of his girl.

“Am I? Your girl?”

“Have I given you reason to think otherwise?”

“Sometimes I’m your girl, sometimes your albatross, some times Simon’s little sister. So many things. Never know for sure.”

“Hmm. Thought I’d been pretty clear. You’re River, first and foremost. As to what else you are, well, I guess it’s time for bed.”

Mal’s eyes twinkled in devilment as he stood and walked over to stand next to River, his hand held out.

River’s face was a picture of confusion as she stared at him, unsure why he was shooing her off to bed without answering her question.

Sometimes the words had to be said aloud. “Am I sleeping alone tonight, lil’ one, or will you be joining me?”

Delight illuminated River’s face as she took his hand and rose to stand in front of him.

“Never alone again.”

“That’s what I thought.” Mal said, as he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

They turned and walked toward his bunk, fingers intertwined.