Disclaimer: Joss Whedon:All, Me: not all.

And a Huge TY to BYTEMITE for having a look at it and deleting what's not needed. (And for putting up with me)

This is too short to have a title.

Some of the crew still sat around the dinner table, laughing, telling stories, much like any other family around the 'Verse. Wash had his feet up on a chair and Zoe leaning against his shoulder, Simon and Kaylee held hands and Jayne munched on a leftover bread-stick, when River wandered in, looking a bit dazed.

Since that wasn't exactly new, nobody paid any direct attention, just kept observing out of the corners of their eyes. She muttered something to herself, the purposefully walked up to Jayne, grabbed his ears and gave him a loud, smacking kiss right on the mouth.

"Ew!" said Wash.

"Butterscotch," she announced.

"What the...."

Sauntering towards the door, River turned to Kaylee. "Tastes better than Simon." And a heartbeat later: "I'll be in my bunk!"

They looked at each other, Simons mouth hanging open.

"Well," said Wash, " who needs to watch the Cortex, when we've got River......?"

Jayne looked at Simon. "Freaked me less when she cut me."

Simon blinked. "You know, I never thought I'd ever say it, but I have to agree with you there...."