Dear Mother,

I apologize for the lack of communication, I have been very preoccupied with my new life. I would like to talk about what has occurred in the months of my absence, but only in person. If it isn't an inconvenience I would like to come in a week with a few people that are very significant to me.

Love, Inara

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inara and Mal danced until Cash and Sissy sang the last song.

As did Simon, Kaylee, Pike and Wren. The barn dance ended with everyone singing ‘You’re Never Lonely In Shadow’, half of the words drunken slurs, but one a song that brought tears to many a cowboys eyes. Inara retrieved Meilin from Zoe and they all piled into the wagon, exhausted, happy, ready for hard sleep and sweet dreams. When they got home, Simon had to carry Kaylee in, who was tired and tipsier than Wren all at the same time. Meilin was fed, everyone else was put to bed and eventually Mal headed up the stairs with his daughter snoozing on his shoulder and Inara leaning on him as her poise had been zapped by exhaustion.

In the morning, there was a bustle about the homestead that was not routine. As the skies were hazy with snow clouds Mal came down the stairs with four suitcases, the rest of the household staring as Inara descended a few seconds later, dressed warmly and holding and equally toasty Meilin who's head was covered with a cap that had a penguin embroidered on it.

Kaylee grinned. "All set?”

"Pretty nearly." Inara sighed back, setting Meilin in her basket before going to get herself some breakfast as Mal stumbled along with their luggage. The rest of it, as a stack for three other parcels were already at the door, including the shabby military issue duffle he had packed all of his wardrobe into.

“Do you have enough?” Mal asked sourly. “I mean really, you two girls are only gonna be gone for a few days, we ain’t tourin’ the whole system.”

“Cap’n, dontcha know us girls gotta have everything just in case?” Kaylee chirped, heading over to the basket and lifting Meilin up. The baby smiled at her, and she snuggled her niece as she wasn’t going to see the wee one for awhile.

“In case of what? The revolution?”

“That’s what I always tell Pike.” Wren quipped through a mug of coffee, holding her own duffle that had patches from every planet they had been to sewed on the faded drab olive fabric.

"So, ready ta see your folks?" Zoe asked casually, sipping her own mug.

"My mother," the ex-companion corrected with a tense face.

Meilin cooed happily, drooling all over Kaylee’s clean coveralls.

“Say goodbye to your uncle Simon.” Kaylee lowered the baby to his eyelevel.

Meilin reached for Simon and pulled on his hair, making him wince, and Kaylee rescue dark locks from chubby hands.

“By Xiao Xiongmao.” Simon gave her a kiss and tickled her belly. “Be good, we’ll miss you.”

"and no, I doubt Mal, Meilin or myself will ever be fully prepared to handle my mother." Inara finished as she sipped a cup of tea.

“So Captain," Simon pushed his fork around his plate “what’s with this trip? I thought you didn’t want to get within a planet’s width of the core yet you’re going to one of the most Unionized planets in it.”

“Well… ‘cause.”

“Ahhh, cause.” Simon nodded his head sarcastically, agreeably to Kaylee and Zoe who gave tight lipped smiles, the mechanic smacking his shoulder halfheartedly as Wren and Pike chuckled through their coffee.

“I got a responsibility to join my girls on this trip, seenin’ I’m the father figure and all.” He elaborated. “The core’s rough enough not totin’ around a baby. I suspect Inara’s going to be wantin’ to luxuriate some on this luxury liner, can’t do that with a wiggly little something needing tending to.” He let out a huff as he began to address something else. “Now, Doc, Jayne, you two gonna play nice while we’re away?”

”He’s at the outpost, so I suppose so, though I’m not entirely above sedating him if/when he decided to grace us with his radiant presence and winning personality.”

Pike smiled. “This could turn out to be an entertaining winter yet. I’m somewhat saddened we’re leaving.”

"How reassuring." The captain commented, finally getting the luggage by the door. He headed towards Serenity.

“Actually, I have to go out to the Tigg Ranch after chores.” Simon dabbed his mouth with the corner of his napkin in sheer Core etiquette. Kaylee’s eyes flew up, as did the others for they knew his reputation with a certain son. “I just received a wave, one of the workers caught a nail through the foot.”

“But, you ain’t goin’ over there all by yourself, right sweetie?” The mechanic asked timidly.

“I think I will, it’s an hour on horseback in the snow, I don’t need to take someone else and pull them away from work.”

Everyone’s eyes grew rounder.

Simon pushed his jaw to the side, watching all of their skeptism as his eyes narrowed and his mouth opened slightly out of habit. “Your reassurance is overwhelming, really.”

“That boy’s got it out for you.” Zoe warned.

“Oh really? And here all this time I thought we were friends.” He replied back with a heavy layer of irony, receiving glares from everyone in the house with the exception of a smiling infant. “I’ll be fine, honest. I’m just there to treat a patient and then I’m back here.”

Kaylee lost a touch of her signature sunshine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Inara had made preparations for the trip so that it would depart upon the same day Serenity was scheduled to make a cargo run and drop Pike and Wren off.

As Wren flew the ship across the flat Elysian Prairie, Mal came in as the sounds of Meilin's baby chatter could be heard in the galley. The captain, dressed in one of the nicer sets of pants (charcoal slacks), suspenders (his new ones) and shirts (red and ironed at that) as he folded his arms behind his back and surveyed what came upon the windshield.

"We're about fifteen minutes from Horus." Wren reported.

"Good," He breathed nervously, Zoe walked in and stood next to him. “Ready to take the reins?”

"Reckon so. You edgy Sir?"

"About what? Getting on some Alliance sanctioned luxury liner fulla cameras and sensors, treadin' lightly all the way to the gorram Core of the Core where I meet Inara’s Ma, Grand Pooba of Sihnon's Whatchamacallit Government Thingy?" He scoffed. "Cool as a cucumber.... " Pausing, Mal later mumbled "in a wok."

“Core isn’t all that bad, Mal.” Wren reassured. “Pike’s folks are settled up on Londinum, decent place, just so much Alliance propaganda you wanna shout a Jody and end it with oorah to see if any old eggplants jump out of their skins.”

Zoe smirked and shook her head at a slow pace, then focusing on the vast grasslands before them that was sparsely dotted with robust trees. Elysian was flat and lush, but snowless in the winter and home to more savannah like animals. Water could be sparse, giving the land the look of golden wheat as there was only one river that ran through, the Achak. Also there was only one settlement between the Lovell Mountains and the coast, Frigg. They had passed that stone walled city long ago as the gleaming spires of Horus came into view.

He felt his stomach clench. "You got the order forms?"

"Yes Sir."

"Docking station code?"

"Yes Sir?"

"List of goods 'n vendors?"

"Yes Sir."

"And Kaylee..."

"Kaylee ain't gonna spend coin on prettifications, Sir." Zoe chuckled. "You've warned her all morning as you have Wren and I about watchin’ her."

"Oh, right."

“We girls ain’t all about shopping.” Wren explained. “I suspect I’ll be slacking off, curl myself up with a dinosaur and nap till I get told my ride is docked.”

“Dancin’ tire you out, Birdie?” Zoe chuckled.

“Well I’m used to brawling, not stepping. Eighteen month tour pillaging and bucaneering leaves your rug cutting out of practice. Hate to say it, but I feel old right now.”

“You ain’t old.” Mal slid his thumbs under his suspenders. “Just got two left feet.”

“Be glad my husband isn’t in here to defend my honor. Hear you’re quite infamous with a sword.”

“Hey, I’m walkin’ ain’t I?” Mal huffed indignantly.

"Getting back to the current task and worry at hand.” Zoe cut them off “Just take a deep breath and enjoy your time off." The first mate smiled with oozing sarcasm. "It's a cruise; eat at the buffet, drink at the bar, see a show, go swimmin', play tennis, do all that leisurely stuff."

“Have some ‘adult time’ away from the babe.” Wren, reaching up, she hit the com button as Mal gave an astonished expression. "Kaylee, ease the engines for landing."

"Sure thing." her voice answered back.

“Wren, I don’t think that’s..”

“Aw come off it Mal.” She cut him off with a smile. “You two haven’t had a second together and it shows. Half expect you to jump Inara when you come in, or visa versa. Advice from a married woman, find the time to work out the tension, or else it’ll drive you crazy.”

“So thoughtful.. your words.” He sniped dryly.

The first mate grabbed the radio and flipped a few switches before speaking into it. "Ground control this is Firefly class Serenity, permission to dock."

"Ground control to Serenity, we do not have you on our itinerary, please state your business. Over."

"Yan huabian Lianmeng gangkou." Zoe growled before addressing the ground control once more. "Serenity to Ground Control, we have passengers to unload, they're flying out on the Royal Transport, bound for Sihnon's Cheng De Xi Guang. we'll be out in ten minutes, won't take up your space for long, over."

Mal tightened his arms across his chest and pulled his jaw tight.

"Ground control to Serenity, you may dock, docking orders will pull up on your screen momentarily. Over and out."

Mal wet his lips, and turned to leave. Entering the galley he found Pike drinking some coffee and Inara with Meilin, the babe wide awake and trying to talk as Inara read her a book that was suited for an infant's tactile hands. Little fingers grabbed at furry embellishments, cooing happily regardless the words themselves meant nothing to her. He went over to them. "A regular chatty cathy, takes after her momma."

Meilin saw her father and let out a squeal, grinning from ear to ear.

Pike was entertained. “It seems you have an adoring fan.”

"My goodness Meilin, do you like him?" Inara tucked the book into a silk satchel she had made a baby bag as her daughter garbled with delight. "Are we ready?"

"Just about." Mal tickled the baby's cheek to get a brighter smile as Inara stood and adjusted her hold of the child and the satchel that went along with her. Reaching over, he grabbed a blanket and helped Inara wrap Meilin in it. "We're by the coast so it's actually pretty da..."

Inara arched a brow at his language.

"Darn cold." He caught himself as Meilin pushed her arms out of the blanket and waved them about. "Not as cold as Pryor but we best not catch a chill." He tugged the little cap back on her head. Suddenly there was a soft jolt as the landing gear hit a docking pad, the engines whining down.

Kaylee came out, already smeared in a little grease. "You guys ready?"

"As ready as we'll ever be." Inara announced tightly. "It's the Core."

"Bring me back somethin' shiny?" The mechanic asked with a million dollar smile.

"I'll bring ya back a new bolt, all chromed and polished up, hows about that?" The captain teased as he took Meilin and allowed Inara to put on her cloak, gloves and a scarf. He took amusement in the instant dissolving of the smile and the growth of a scowl by his mechanic who was well aware of his joke.

"Cap'n you better treat me right. It'd be a pity some of your laundry got done while you’re away and suddenly you gotta buncha pinks." She threatened, though coming from Kaylee it hardly sounded malicious, especially since she had a teddy bear sewn onto that particular pair of coveralls.

"I'll make sure you get something for Yuletide, Meimei." Inara gave her a hug and rolled her eyes "Tong ta jiuyao dan shang zhe lu."

"Hey." Mal frowned as his daughter was taken away from him.

"You don't know your way through the Core due to the fact you hate it." She explained as Meilin received an eskimo kiss from Kaylee. "I'll be guiding, just as you have guided me on the numerous backwater rim planets where we've touched down on and I know nothing about in regards to customs."

"Customs?" His voice hit an alarmed pitch. "You guys back on Sihnon got some weird high collar customs? Am I going to offend easily?"

“I hear they walk backwards.” Pike teased. “And the men wear dresses.”

“That won’t sway the Captain.” Zoe smiled humorously.

“Yes, he embraces airflow.” Inara giggled. "As long as you don't enter a conversation regarding the War, or politics I think you'll do fine."

“Nishi er luosiding.” Wren simpered, making Kaylee laugh, which made Meilin smile.

“Niang de shen what am I gonna talk about then?” He feigned his anxiety.

“You have quite the imagination, I’m sure you’ll be able to spin a grand life story. Remember Meilin’s joyous birth?” Inara said with her own cool sarcasm.

"You be good for them Xiao Xiongmao." Kaylee baby talked, pressing her lips against a button of a nose.

Meilin clumsily waved her hands at her aunt.

"Play nice." Zoe quipped as she came over to hug Inara. "Can't be slingin' a pistol when someone talks like a Purple Belly."

“Or when someone looks at you the wrong way.” Wren added, petting Meilin’s chubby fist before saying goodbye to Inara. “and remember your pleases and thank-yous, and bow don’t curtsey, that’s what the ladies do.”

“Growling is a sign of hostility.” Her husband smiled.

"I know the basics, thank you very much." Mal retorted. "Just as I know better not ta talk about the war on a boat full of Unification lovin', lace collared Johnnies."

"Your gun?"

"Stowed in my bag till just now." He took the look all three of them were giving him and immediately validated his actions. Unzipping his brown leather suitcase, he pulled out a shoulder holster with his pistol and slipped it on. "Royal Transport listed on their coretex page that first class cabin guests are allowed their own firearm. Somethin' about bein' rich and bodyguards. Either way, I'm packin for the safety of my family."

Inara said nothing, but her face quirked at the word 'family'. He said it easily, as if he were putting on a boot, and with absolute certainty.

Sliding on his coat, he concealed the weapon effortlessly. "With my luck I'll run into some trooper I shot way back when." Putting on his gloves and scarf, he was oblivious to the ex-companion's reaction to his use of the word family.

"Don't say that Cap'n." Kaylee adjusted his scarf before catching him up in a hug. "You're gonna have a great time, and you ain't gonna worry about none of us or sulk over all the what ifs, right?"

Mal smiled and kissed her head. "Keep bein' sunny, and just maybe you'll get somethin' shiny."

"Ya gotta get Zoe and Wren somethin' too."

"Really, Zoe? Wren?"

“A dead Fed, gift wrapped.” Wren announced. “Just ship it to Virg’s little moon, we’ll be there luxuriating till the New Year. If not, it’s ok, that’s the only thing I fancy.”

“I love my wife, such a twisted sense of humor.” Pike wrapped an arm around her shoulder adoringly.

“I figure Virgil would like it, mount it on his wall next to the puma.”

“How sweet.” Mal turned his face. “Zoe?”

"Postcard, Sir."

"That's what I like about you, easy ta shop for."

*** *** *** TRANSLATIONS/DEFINITIONS

Yan huabian Lianmeng gangkou: Tight laced Alliance port

Cheng De Xi Guang: City Of The Prosperous Light

Meimei: sister

Tong ta jiuyao dan shang zhe lu: Like he's going to call the shots on this trip.

Nishi er luosiding: You are so screwed

Niang de shen: Mother of the devine

Xiao Xiongmao: Little Panda

****As always, the writer appreciates all comments whether they be positive, negative, or suggestions.**