Mal was pleasantly surprised when, after spending an entire morning shopping with River, he was only carrying two smallish boxes and one rather large bag. On the rare occasions he had been pressed into service as general pack mule and bodyguard for Kaylee and Inara on their shopping excursions, he had always returned to Serenity with a stiff back and sore arms.

But River seemed content to simply look at all the sundries without the compulsion to own them. Mal actually enjoyed the time she spent in a little out-of-the-way dress ship trying on all manner of pretties while he watched in appreciation. He could tell that two of the dresses caught her attention by the way she twirled in front of the three-way mirror, examining the effect with a critical eye. He encouraged her to buy them, but she only smiled happily, and shrugged off the suggestion.

"I've got dresses enough already for what we do," she said.

"Be that as it may, darlin', I think you look mighty fine in both of them."

"Maybe another time," she answered.

"Saving your coin for a special occasion?" Mal asked.

"Something like that," she replied, an enigmatic smile gracing her delicate features as they crossed the street.

Mal looked up at the noonday sun. "I'm gettin' a mite warm in this coat, and I'd like to drop these packages off before lunch. Let's head on the the inn."

River acquiesced, and they walked along in companionable silence. Just as she began to wonder if perhaps they were lost, ahead she saw a charming two-story house sitting amid a stand of old oak trees.

"Is this the place?" she asked excitedly.

At Mal's nod, she added, "It looks like the summer house I told you about from when Simon and I were children."

"I thought it might from your description." Mal smiled.

"How long have you known about this place?" River was fascinated and flattered by Mal's attention to detail.

"Last time we had a job here, I found it. Thought to come back here someday we had the chance."

River looked at him thoughtfully. "I do believe it's things like this that make me love you, Malcolm Reynolds."

"Well, darlin', I'll just be obliged to keep on doin' 'em."

When River saw the room, she was quite sure this was why she loved him. In the middle of the room stood an enormous four-poster bed, covered with a gaily patterned hand-crafted quilt. And to its right sat a sight almost enough to make her moan aloud in anticipation, an antique bath tub large enough for at least two positioned precisely under a huge skylight.

"Everything shiny over there, bao bei?" Mal asked, noting with pleasure the flush rising from her chest to her face.

"Perfect," she sighed happily.

"Well, before we get too comfortable in here, let's get some lunch. Any preferences?"

"How about that little cafe we passed with the flower garden outside?"

************************** As it turned out, the little cafe served the best rhubarb pie Mal had put in his mouth since his Mama's back on Shadow. River, having never tasted such a thing, was completely entranced. Leaning back with a contented sigh, she siad, "I think I may have just eaten my actual weight in food. How in the 'verse did you function eating like this every day as a child?"

"Oh, we worked it off quick enough. Ranchin' was hard, but ya' went to bed every night satisfied in your mind. Slept through the night every night clear to daybreak." Mal sighed. "But then, it didn't have the pull on me that the Black does. I guess I was born a restless sort. Speakin' of travelling, I have a few odds and ends I'd like to pick up. Want me to walk ya' back to the inn?"

"I'd like to find a few more things too," River said lightly. "Why don't we meet back here in an hour and walk back together?"

A vague disquiet made the short hair on the back of Mal's neck prickle. He didn't like the notion of River walking alone through the unfamiliar streets. But, she looked so hopeful all of a sudden that he couldn't refuse her. "One hour sharp," he confirmed.

Kissing him sweetly on the forehead, River danced down the street and around the corner. When he was sure she was well and truly out of sight, he hurried back to the little dress shop. Winking at the clerk, he thanked her for holding the dress aside for him.

"It was my pleasure, sir. Your lady looked quite lovely in it." As she watched him head back down the street, the clerk thought that every couple should look as happy and be so kind to one another as they had.

River, true to her word, returned in precisely one hour, triumphantly carrying two packages. For one stomach-twisting moment, Mal was afraid she had gone back to the dress shop herself. "Whatcha' got there, darlin'?"

It's a surprise," she trilled happily, twirling around him dizzyingly. "I'll show you in the room." She practically dragged him out of the chair, as he scrambled to retrieve his own package. "Got a few surprises of my own, bao bei," he grunted, trying to catch up with her retreating form. "Let's slow this race to a saunter so's I still got breath to climb the stairs when we get there."

River obligingly slowed to a more sedate pace. "When'd you get to be such an old man?" she teased.

"While back now, darlin', only you've been too dazzled by my winnin' manner to notice." Mal's smile lit his eyes. River's laugh warmed his soul. "I'm sure that's the case," she answered.

Arriving back in their room, Mal was eager to show River her gift, but she insisted on going first. Putting the packages behind her back, she invited him to choose one. He reached around her slowly, pressing his body firmly against hers.

"How 'bout I unwrap this one first?" he whispered against her neck.

River melted against him instantly. "You don't play fair," she said, kissing his chest with gentle little nips.

"That's because I aim to win." Mal's hands found the zipper of her skirt. Sliding it slowly down her hips, he snagged her panties with a thumb, sending them to follow the skirt to the floor. Reversing the direction of his hands, he quickly relieved River of the last impediments to his unobstructed view. Stepping back to eye his handiwork, he was struck again by her bewitching beauty. Small, firm rose-tipped breasts, tilting upward begging for his hands and mouth. Smooth pale skin covering gently curving hips. Creamy thighs, parting slightly even now, as he pulled her close again.

Her clever hands went to work immediately to bare him to her as well. Kissing and nibbling her way down his chest and abdomen, she knelt before him. Swirling first her hands and then her tongue lightly along the length of his growing erection, she heard him gasp. His hips bucking involuntarily, he stilled the motion of her head. Her silky hair fluttered to a halt against his thighs. She looked up, tongue darting out to capture the taste of him on her lips.

"What's wrong, ai ren?" she asked.

Hauling her up his body and groaning at the friction created by the gesture, he answered huskily, "Not a thing in the 'verse I can think of. Only, if you keep doin' that, this is gonna be over way too quick."

Leading her to the bed, he laid her down a bit more forcefully than he'd intended. "I want to give you time to catch up."

Taking his hand and placing it between her thighs to feel the wet heat pooled there, she whispered, "I'm already there, ai ren."

That was all he needed to hear. Positioning himself at her entrance, he thrust into her in one long, smooth stroke. The combination of her inner walls contracting sharply at the invasion and her gasp of pleasure sent him beyond conscious thought. Lost to her own pleasure, River met his thrusts with the movement of her own hips. Communing in the age-old dance of man and mate, they were truly one, joined in body and soul.

Feeling the freedom of being away from the eyes and ears of the crew, the revelled, each in the sound of the other's cries of release. Finally, sweat-soaked and satiated, they lay entwined together.

"What are you thinking, ai ren?" River asked.

Startled by the question, Mal answered, "You sayin' you're not reading me bao bei?"

"You asked me not to."

"You've gained enough control to really manage that?" Mal was both pleased and surprised.

"For the most part," River answered. "You're always a presence in my head, but now I can cut the volume down. And I've been respecting your wishes. So, I'm asking honestly, 'What are you thinking?'"

Mal shifted to look at her directly. Taking a deep breath, he answered. "I was thinkin' on the future. Thinkin' how I wanna be layin' with you every night, and wakin' up with you every morning." Noting River's soft smile, he continued. "You ever think on the future, bao bei?"

"Didn't know until the last year I could hope for one," she answered, eyes huge and shining like gemstones.

"Wait a minute," Mal said, jumping out of bed to rummage through his coat pockets. Returning to kneel on one knee by the bed, he opened the small box and handed it to her. "I want to make love to you always, make a life with you. I want to see you pregnant with my children, and watch you rock our grandchildren to sleep. I want to marry you, River Tam. Please, bao bei, do me the honor of being my wife."

River's smile lit up the 'verse. "I'll be your wife, Malcolm Reynolds. The honor will be all mine."

As he slipped the ring on her finger, he leaned in to kiss her gently. "I'll never give you cause to regret it, darlin'."

"I know," she answered sincerely.

Mal's heart felt close to bursting with the beauty of the moment. But then, he looked down at his surroundings.

"I meant to do this all right and proper. Had reservations at the fanciest place I could find. Was gonna get all spit-shined and polished for you, woman."

River's gaze slid over his naked form. "I think I like this better," she answered solemnly.

Mal grinned, eyeing her with appreciation as well. "Maybehaps you're right, darlin'." Pausing for a moment, he added, "But I got you another surprise." He handed her the package.

Pulling out the dress, she gasped in delight. "I'll wear it when we have our official engagement dinner," she promised, as her hands carressed the fine silk. Remembering her own surprises, she jumped up to retrieve them from where they had fallen before.

Kissing Mal on the cheek, she handed him the first box. Like a little boy at Christmas, he tore it open to reveal a beautifully detailed gun belt, made of fine hand-tooled leather. He was speechless with delight.

"Thought that would look sexy with those suspenders," River whispered, biting his earlobe gently.

"I like the way you think, lady. What's in the other box?"

"You'll like that even more. When I saw this great big tub in our room I couldn't resist."

River opened the box on Mal's lap to reveal scented soaps and candles, assorted massage oils and some bath toys of an extremely suggestive nature. "Wanna bath?" she asked wickedly.

Mal's mouth went dry at the thought of it. "That I do, bao bei. But I'm thinkin' if'n this bath is gonna happen, I gotta get somethin' to eat first. You know, a man needs his strength for that kinda' strenuous bathin'."

"As does a woman," River agreed. "But, I don't want to get dressed again to get food."

Mal nodded. "I'll get the food. Passed by a little restaurant down the way that advertised round-the-clock take-out. Won't be quite as fancy as I was aimin' for, but it should get us into the bath a little sooner. Don't be startin' without me," he warned, pulling on his pants.

"Then you'd better hurry," River laughed. ************************ Mal walked quickly through the little side streets, trying to remember exactly where he'd seen the sign for the restaurant. He stopped short suddenly, realizing that he was whistling again. She'd said 'yes', he thought, exulting in the feeling. He, Malcolm Reynolds, was about to be a husband. And not be some trick, but absolutely intentional this time, he mused.

Up ahead, he saw the light of the restaurant. His stomach growled in anticipation,and he quickened his pace. Abruptly, he felt a sting behind his right ear, like that of a wasp or bee. Reaching up to rub the spot, he had just enough time to extract the small, silver dart before the 'verse went black and the ground tilted up to meet him.

***To be continued***