There was a nervous cough, and then all eyes turned to high above where Simon slowly descended the steps, palms sweating, fuzzy pink bunny feet preceding him.

"Oh! Isn't that the most precious thing ever?!" squealed Kaylee in vindictive delight as he came into view, clad head to toe in a bright pink bunny suit.

"He looks like a pink nightmare!!" Mal snorted, trying less than overly hard to contain his amusement.

River burst into giggling laughter and Simon glared at her. "Shut up, River," he grumbled.

"He does look miserable," agreed Zoe, nodded with a grin.

Wash tilted his head, holding his chin as he appraised the giant bunny. "I think the pink really brings out his eyes. And his ears. And that cute little tail," he said facetiously.

"Hey! That tail belongs to me!" Kaylee said, swatting Wash's arm playfully. "The little'uns are gonna love it!" she said, smiling widely. "An' you can wear it for later," she staged whispered making Simon close his eyes with a wince.

"Kaylee—" he pleaded but she cut him off.

"Ah, ah, ah! You know the alternative!" she chastised, and he shut his mouth instantly, sulking.

Mal leaned toward Inara. "Remind me to not ever get her mad at me," he whispered and Inara shook her head in silent agreement.

"You're a hard woman, mei mei," the Companion said as she shook her head with a grin, feeling sorry for the poor doctor.

Just then, Jayne came loping into the cargo bay, pink ears flopping, a giant grin on his face, and the hold went completely silent in stunned shock.

Jayne looked himself over, all six foot plus of pink bunny fur, and then back at the rest of them. "What?" he questioned as Wash buried his face in his wife's shoulder, overcome with the laughter that Zoe was trying desperately to hold in. The mercenary shrugged and came up to Simon, a large pink fluffy paw slapping the shorter man on the back. "Ready for some fun, Doc?" he asked, and then he was bounding down the cargo ramp, calling out "Who's ready for some fun?!" to the delighted squeals of the gathered children.

The crew looked at each other.

"Something about that just strikes me as awful disturbin'," said Mal, shaking off a shudder.

"I'll second that," said Inara.

"Here, here," echoed Wash as all but Simon began filing down the ramp after the mercenary rabbit.

The doctor stared after them, wondering if there was any chance he could make a getaway—

"Simon," came Kaylee's voice, heavy with warning, and he sighed, tugging his ears on more firmly, before heading down the ramp in glum resignation.