Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan. He's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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This story takes place nearly four years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Follows after Big Blue.

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A/N: Fineto

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Thanks again Chris for the Beta.

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Birthday

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Chapter Nine

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“Oh 'Nara, ain't this the cutest thing?” Kaylee gushed as she pawed through the rack of baby clothes.

Inara pushed the stroller carrying Jeff to where Kaylee stood with a matching stroller holding Becca.

“That's darling, Kaylee,” Inara replied, “And perfect for Becca.”

Behind the two women, Zoë tried not to laugh. Kaylee stuck her tongue out at the first mate.

“Just you wait, Zoë. Once you have a little'n you'll be doin the same thing.”

“Maybe, Mei-mei, but in the meantime, I'll just stand here and snicker.”

With matching smiles the two new mothers headed for the checkout, carrying an armload of baby clothes while Zoë followed with a large case of diapers.

The checkout girl eyed the three women suspiciously as she rang up the purchases. Inara rolled her eyes. She was dressed casually today as was Kaylee. Zoë was dressed in her leather vest and black pants. Even though she was from Shinon, Inara disparaged at how shallow some people in the core could be.

“That will be three hundred nine credits,” The girl said.

“Ow, that's mighty steep,” Kaylee said, biting her lip.

“Perhaps you shouldn't shop in the most exclusive baby shop in New London if you can't afford it,” the girl said snobbishly, “Perhaps one of the discount stores in low town would be more fitting.”

“I'll have you know....”

“Relax 'Nara, I got this,” Zoë said as she quickly produced her bank card.

The shop girl took Zoë's card and ran it through the reader. After a moment, she smiled and excused herself, saying that she needed to run the card in the back as the reader at the counter seemed to be malfunctioning.

Kaylee reached for the card reader to attempt to fix it out of sheer habit, but Inara batted her hand away.

After a few minutes, the girl hadn't returned. Zoë was becoming concerned. The bank card was on Allan's account and you could conceivably buy a cruiser with it's credit limit.

Just as Zoë was about to go into the back room, five Fed officers approached them. The lead officer spoke.

“I do not wish to make a scene, but all of you are hereby bound by law,” He said in an authoritative tone.

As if on cue, Jeff and Becca started to wail.

“What in hell is this all about?” Zoë demanded, “Bound for what?”

“Fraud and purchasing merchandise with a stolen bank card.”

“Stolen... It's not stolen, it's my husbands card.”

Kaylee attempted to quiet Becca but was struck and knocked to the ground by one of the officers.

Inara cried out and Zoë reached for her gun. One of the feds shot her with a stunner. Kaylee screamed.

In a moment, Kaylee and Inara were handcuffed as was the unconscious Zoë.

“Call for transport. And call children's services,” The lead officer ordered on of his men.

Inara glared at the lead officer, “If you lay one finger on my son your career won't survive it. Not to mention what will happen when Zoë's husband finds out what you did. He'll probably kill you with his bare hands.”

“Shut up. Get them out of here.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Zoë awoke slowly, her head pounding. She tried to make out the words someone was speaking.

“Zoë? Can you hear me?”

Zoë lifted her head, “Nara?”

“I'm here Zoë.”

“What the hell happened?”

“We're in jail,” Kaylee sobbed, “An they took Becca and Jeff!”

“Tai-kong suo-yo duh shing-chiouh doh sai-jin wuh duh pee-goo!” Zoë swore, “I'm gonna have that Fed's head on a plate!”

“Shut up in there!” yelled a guard

“What are we gonna do, Zoë?” Kaylee asked through her tears, “We're never gonna see our babies again!”

“Shhh, Kaylee girl, we'll get this mess sorted out,” Zoë said with as comforting a tone as she could. She looked to Inara who was holding up much better but was clearly worried about Jeff. The babies were less than a week old and needed constant care.

Zoë stood up and walked to the bars, “Hey you!”

“What?” growled the guard.

“I need to call my husband.”

“You'll get your call when I feel like it.”

“You better feel like it right now or so help me when he does find out about this, you'll be lucky to be guarding prisoners on Silverhold.”

“Niushi.”

“Your funeral.”

At that moment, a senior officer walked into the cell block. Inara stood and walked to Zoë's side.

“Names! The officer called.

“If you had bothered to check our ID's you wouldn't need to ask,” Zoë growled.

“Bi zuie!”

“How we gonna tell you our names if we shut up?” Zoë snapped.

“Fine. What's your name, smart mouth.”

“Zoë Bryant.”

And you?”

“Inara Serra-Reynolds.”

“And you blubbering in the corner?”

“Kaywinnit Lee Tam, you Qingwa cao de liumang!”

“Nice language. You... Bryant. Hands behind your back. Time for your call. It had better be your lawyer.”

Zoë just glared at the man as the other guard bound her wrists and led Zoë from the cell.

XXXXXXXXXX

“CEO's office,” Edwyna Butterfil replied to the incoming wave, “Oh, hello Mrs. Bryant.”

“Hi Eddie, my husband about?”

“Mr. Bryant is with Ms. Vorrasi down in the security department. If it's urgent, I can send a runner for him.”

“It's urgent. Seems there has been a misunderstanding. Myself, Inara and Kaylee got arrested.”

“Goodness! I'll send for him immediately.

“I don't have time to wait. Just tell him we're at the East side Fed station,” said Zoë's image on the screen.

“I'll get him myself.”

“Thanks Eddie.”

Allan was helping Marion get fitted for better body armor as well as getting a new set for himself when an out of breath Edwyna Butterfil, ran into the room.

“Mr. Bryant!”

“What's wrong Eddie?” Allan said to the harried woman.

“Your wife just waved. She's been arrested.”

“What?”

“Arrested. Along with Mrs. Tam and Mrs. Reynolds.”

“What the hell for?”

“She didn't go into details but said something about a misunderstanding.”

“Come on Marion. I need to bust some idiot Fed's head!”

“Lead the way Boss.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Thirty minutes later, a Blue Sun limo pulled up in front of the East Side Fed station. Allan erupted from the back seat, Marion rushing to keep up.

Boss... Allan!”

“What?”

“Let me talk first. You're libel to start busting heads first then ask questions.”

“Fine!”

Allan placated for a moment, Marion stepped up to the reception desk, “I need to speak with the lead officer.”

“Major Koenig is busy with prisoners,” The man said in a bored tone.

“That's why we are here. It seems my employers wife was arrested.”

“And you are?”

“Marion Vorrasi, Blue Sun Security.”

The man's eyes shot up to look at Marion, “You don't mean employer as in the head guy at Blue Sun?”

“I do.”

“Go-se.”

“That about sums it up. Best be fetching the Major.”

“Right away Ma'am.”

Allan was standing behind Marion, fuming when he saw two women exit a side door into the lobby, each carrying a small infant.

Allan stood in front of them, blocking their path, “Where the hell are you going with those babies?”

“That sir, is none of your business. We are with Children's Services.”

“It's my business when one of them is my god son.”

Before the woman could reply, a pompous looking man in an Alliance Major's uniform walked up to him, “Mr. Bryant?”

Allan turned, “Where the hell is my wife?” he thundered.

“Sir, you need to calm down...”

“Calm down! Listen to me you stuck up son of a bitch! I want my wife, her two friends out here in thirty seconds.”

“And if I don't comply with your request?”

“I hope you have long underwear. I hear St. Albans is a might chilly this time of year.”

“Now see here...”

“Boss? I've got the Prime Ministers Office on the line, “ Marion smiled as she handed a portable cortex unit to Allan.

“The... Prime...”

“Minister,” Marion finished for the suddenly frightened Major.

“I'll release your wife and friends immediately!”

The two women from Child Services tried to head for the door but were intercepted by Marion.

“Take one more step ladies and I will shoot you.”

The women froze.

A minute later, Zoë, Kaylee and Inara were led from the rear of the building. Zoë hugged Allan while Inara and Kaylee ran to their children. The women from Children's Services, started to protest but a cross look from Marion silenced them.

“You okay?” Allan asked Zoë.

“I am now. The stunner wasn't fun though.”

“Stunner? What the hell happened?”

“I tried to pay for Inara and Kaylee's shopping and I guess the clerk didn't like how we looked and thought I had stolen your bank card. She called the Feds, and when they went to arrest us, one of em' hit Kaylee and then shot me with a stunner.”

“Kaylee got... and you got...”

“Yep.”

Allan was beyond pissed off. Marion saw him flex his fingers like he was going to reach for the gun she knew he was carrying. Only Kaylee's hand on his arm kept Allan from shooting the Major on general principles.

“It's okay Ge-ge. Let's just get the little ones back to the hotel,” Kaylee said quietly.

After almost a minute of deep breathing, Allan turned to face the Major again, “I want their personal effects out here and all record of this erased. Do you understand me Lieutenant?”

“I'm a Major.”

“I hear anything but the words 'yes sir' outta your mouth. You'll be lucky to be a Sargent. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes sir.”

XXXXXXXXXX

On the limo ride back to the hotel, Allan slowly calmed down. Jeff and Becca were quiet again after being fed.

Allan turned to Zoë, “As soon as Serenity is ready I think we need to head back to Boros. I've about had enough with the Core for a while.”

“Won't hear any complaints from me,” Kaylee said. Inara nodded in agreement.

Once back to the hotel, everyone went to their rooms. Allan was sure he heard Mal yelling through the wall when Inara told him about her misadventure.

Allan collapsed onto the sofa while Zoë headed to the bathroom to take a shower. Allan tipped his head back and closed his eyes.

“Here ya go Boss,” Marion said as she held out a cold beer for Allan.

“Thanks Marion.”

“Were you gonna shoot that Major?”

“I wanted to.”

“He wasn't the one who stunned her.”

“I know,” Allan sighed.

A quiet knock on the door stopped Allan's train of thought.

“I'll get it,” Marion said.

Walking to the door, she opened it a crack, her hand near her gun. She needn't have worried, River and Simon stood outside.

“Hey Simon, River,” Allan said as Marion led them into the suite.

“Where is Zoë?” Simon asked.

“Taking a shower.”

“Is she all right?”

“Yeah, I assume so. She got stunned... Is there something I should know?”

“Ge-ge needs to check,” River said urgently

“Check what, River?” Simon asked.

“The surprise.”

“What surprise?”

“Just give her a full exam, Simon,” River ordered.

Allan looked at the siblings with confusion.

“River is insisting I give Zoë a complete examination after what happened today.”

“If you can get her to agree, go for it.”

“Agree to what?” Zoë asked as she entered the room, dressed in a robe, her hair still wet from the shower.

“An examination,” Simon said.

“I'm fine Doc.”

“I know, but River has been insisting...”

“You seein somethin Mei-mei?”

“Maybe... Simon needs to check.”

“I brought my scanner.”

“Fine. Scan away.”

Simon had Zoë lay on the other sofa while he ran the scanner up and down her body. He paused a moment when he passed over Zoë's lower abdomen.

“Doc?” Zoë asked when Simon paused.

The young doctor looked at River, “You really are a brat.”

“Uhh, Simon?” Allan said.

“You picked this week didn't you?” Simon asked his sister, ignoring Allan and Zoë for a moment.

“Yep. I win.”

“Win what?” Zoë asked.

“The pool. Congratulations Zoë. You're pregnant.”

“What?” Allan and Zoë said in unison.

“This new scanner is good. My best guess is that Zoë conceived less than twenty four hours ago. Which goes, by the way, against my orders to Allan about no sex for five days.”

Allan stared at Simon in shock, Zoë had a similar expression on her face.

“Pregnant?” she finally said.

“Yes.”

“Really pregnant?”

“Really pregnant,” Simon replied, A grin splitting his face..

Zoë looked at her husband. All the color had drained from his face.

“Allan?” Simon asked.

“Yeah?”

“Are you okay?”

“Define okay.”

River snorted in amusement, “I think we broke his brain.”

Allan suddenly stood. He took a few steps toward Zoë who had sat up by this time. Allan gazed down at his wife.

“Half of you, half of me.”

“Your brains,” Zoë said.

“Your strength,” Allan replied.

“Best of both.” Zoë said as she stood and pulled Allan to her.

“Wow,” Allan chuckled, “I'm going to be a dad.”

“And I'm gonna be a mom,” Zoë replied as she kissed Allan.

“I think this means it's time for you two to leave and for me to stand post outside the door,” Marion said as she hustled River and Simon out the door.

“Hope it's girl,” Marion said as she closed the door.

“I know so,” River replied as she headed for her own room to tell Jayne.

A minute later, Kaylee's happy squeal was heard echoing down the hallways of the hotel after Simon told her the news.

“What's all the ruckus?” Mal asked as his head poked out of his room.

“Better make room for another crew member in about nine months Captain,” Marion said from her post outside the door.

“Nine... bout damn time. Wait a minute. This means River won the pool!”

As the door slammed shut, Marion chuckled. “This job sure ain't gonna to be boring.”

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The End

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For now...