Disclaimer: Firefly is Joss's creation, not mine. I just like to play with it.

Authors Notes: Once again I have to thank Reginaroadie for allowing me to use his character Shooter, as well as for helping me out with the character's dialouge. Thanks!

Past, Present, & Future By KaySky Part Ten

The Frye’s threw parties for every occasion. However, in the case of a wedding reception, it wasn’t just a party. It was a gorram festival. Good food, good booze, and good music were just a few elements to Danielle’s well planned out event.

Most of the guests had begun getting settled and enjoying their dinner. The tables had been placed underneath three large tents. Each tent had strings of white lights wrapped around the supports. Elegant and practical, the lights would shine after the sun had set, and glisten like tiny little stars in the night’s sky.

Soon bellies began to fill and food became scarce. Cole Frye gently tapped his spoon against his champagne glass. The guests turned their attention to him. “It’s that time where the father is supposed to give some profound speech. Well, I am the father, but I ain’t guaranteeing anything about being profound.” He paused while the guests chuckled. “Thirty years ago Katie and I started our lives together as one. Six children, ten grandchildren—almost eleven, and many years of gained wisdom later, I stood here today and watched my baby girl take the same vows I did. There’s not a doubt in my mind that thirty years into the future, Kaylee and Simon, will be standing before family and friends, giving a similar speech to their own child.” He paused slightly. “I’m sure Simon will come up with something more profound,” he joked and raised his glass in the air. “To Kaylee and Simon, may you have a lifetime of happiness.”

* * * *

The announcement of the bouquet toss triggered a stampede. Herds of single women pushed and shoved their ways into position.

Inara was not the type to partake in such an event, but she was given little choice. For a small girl, River had the strength of an army. She pulled Inara up out of her seat and into standing position at the front of the pack.

“Ready?” Kaylee asked as she turned her back to the crowd. The excited cries of the anxious women were a given yes.

It seemed like slow motion. The bouquet left Kaylee’s hands and floated behind her in the air. Its destination was the herd. Grabbing hands, shoving elbows, and cries of hope was all she remembered.

“‘Nara, you okay?” A worried Kaylee asked as she hovered over her maid of honor.

“She’s awake.” Simon was hovering over her, too. “Let’s give her some breathing room.”

“My head…” Inara lifted her hand to her head. “What happened?”

“You caught the bouquet.” Kaylee said cheerfully.

“I did?” Inara asked, surprised.

“Cousin Bethany always enjoyed playin’ football.” Kaylee began to explain. “You were gonna catch the bouquet. She tackled you.”

“Oh.” Inara sat up. For the first time she realized the bouquet was in her hands.”

“Guess you really wanted it. Too much so to fumble it.” Kaylee helped Inara back onto her feet.

“So that makes you next.” Emma helped Kaylee walk Inara to her seat.

“Next?”

“It’s believed whoever catches the bouquet is the next to marry.” Emma smiled. “That belief has yet to be disproven in this family.”

“Oh my.” Inara’s eyes wandered off into the distance. They stopped wandering at the sight of Mal’s eyes looking back at her. “Oh my!”

* * * *

Simon stood behind Kaylee. One hand rested on her waist and the other rested on hers. Together they pushed the knife into the cake and sliced the first piece. The tradition of feeding each other cake was a playful one. To Kaylee and Simon, playful translated into war.

Kaylee was the first to smush a piece over Simon’s mouth. His chin was sporting a frosting goatee. He reacted. Kaylee’s right cheek was soon smothered with cake.

After about five minutes of cake war, Kaylee and Simon took a minute and just looked at each other. They busted into laughter. So did everyone else. The newlyweds had so much vanilla frosting painted on their faces they could have passed for mimes.

“Mmm…” Simon said as he took his finger and swooped some frosting off her cheek and into his mouth. “Very tasty.”

“Can I try?” Kaylee asked innocently.

Simon nodded and used his finger to gather more frosting and guided it into her mouth. She swirled her tongue all around his finger, licking off each last bit of frosting and perhaps insinuating something more.

“We gonna get some cake, or what?” Jayne yelled. Dinner was nice and all, but it was a rarity for the crew to get sweets. Jayne had been staring at that three-tiered cake all night long. He couldn’t wait any longer.

“Help yourself.” Kaylee said to Jayne and the others. She cut another large piece of cake for her and Simon to share and the two headed towards a more private table in the corner of the tent.

“Let’s eat!” Sam yelled before running towards the cake so he himself could grab a large slice or two. Luckily, Katie Frye got there first.

“I’ll do the cake cutting, son.” She smiled. “Not all of us are children. I’m sure we can manage a single file line.” Katie said it loud enough for all to hear, but her eyes were focused on her boys and husband. She knew they were the real children at this party.

* * * *

While most people were franticly standing in line for cake, Shooter sat at one of the tables, checking over his equipment. He figured he’d wait till the crowd died down before helping himself to a piece.

“Hey Shooter, got a minute?” Danielle asked as she walked over to him.

“Sure. I was bored anyways.” He sat his camera down, giving Danielle his attention.

“I wanted to apologize.” Danielle said sincerely. “When it comes to my work, I'm a perfectionist. And in the process to perfection, I can get a bit bitchy.”

Shooter nodded at this and smiled acknowledging the fact. “That's all right. I do tend to get a bit obsessive with trying to get the right shot. Still got everything I needed. Just wish Jayne hadn't dropped Carrie when they got back.” The hint of annoyance in his voice was directed towards Jayne.

Danielle scoffed at this. “The man couldn't set up chairs. I can't believe you trusted him with a camera.”

In an apologizing tone, Shooter exclaimed. “Hey. I never had an assistant before. I figured three people working cameras would be better than two. Most of his stuff was crap anyways. He has no visual style whatsoever.”

“Jayne and style should never be used together in the same sentence.” Danielle joked, “It was a beautiful ceremony though. I'm sure Kaylee and Simon will be thrilled to see it all on video.”

“Yeah, about that. You know how much longer they're going to stick around? If I work non-stop, I can have the final product ready for them in two days. But I don't want to go handing the two copies to them and then finding out they've taken off with no way of contacting them.” Shooter looked at her with concern.

“Not really sure. I'd been so stressed with the wedding plans I never thought to ask. You could always give the videos to me. I plan on sticking around a bit.” Danielle’s eyes wandered to Mac Frye who was wolfing down a piece of cake. Even with frosting on his nose, no, especially with frosting on his nose, he looked adorable. “I can always send them a wave, find out where they are or are going to be and meet them.”

Shooter sat back in his chair relieved. “All right. I just like delivering the final product to them myself. I do this for every bride I do, but I just want to see Kaylee one last time.”

“And I'm sure she'd like to see you too. But looking at those two together…” Danielle glanced over at Kaylee and Simon who were happily making out in the corner. “It may take the jaws of life to pry them apart long enough for you to get a word in.”

A strange look came over Shooter then, as if a hidden muse had whispered something in his ear. “You know what....that looks perfect. Gimmee a sec. I gotta get this. I can just see it in my head. This'll make a great final shot.”

Danielle laughed. “You better get it on tape while it’s still PG-13. Right now Simon's got a one track mind and his thoughts are leading him towards, well towards an NC-17 rating.”

“How do you know? And so what? I've had couples that have asked me to delve into amateur henati.”

“Well I guess the secret's already out among the Frye family. No use keeping it from you, too. I can read peoples thoughts. Not everyone’s, just those who are open. I try not to, but sometimes I just find myself doing it. Like just now with Simon. And while you might be able to get Kaylee to go for that kind of video, there is no way in hell Simon would agree to it.”

Shooter squinted towards Simon, and then coiled back into his seat, his arms going lax. “Yeah. He doesn't seem to be the exhibitionist type. That's cool what you have. I kinda got something like that.”

“How so?”

“Well, the reason I was standing on chairs, lying flat on the ground and getting the different peoples feet was because I saw it in my head. It's weird. Ever since I was a kid, I could see things. Not premonitions of the future, or anything elaborate or betraying. I can just go into a room or place, and in my mind's eye, I can see the shot in my mind. And I know exactly where I have to be at the right time, with the right angle to make sure the lighting's illuminating the subject in the right way. Or to zoom in or pan or pull out at the right moment for the best emotional impact. I see everything clearly. I just try to be there at the right moment to capture it.”

“That's an incredible gift.”

“Not really. Every filmmaker, be it cinesium maestro or an underground dude has a mind's eye when it comes to visuals. I just have one that's a bit better tuned.”

“We'll either way, I think what you have is great. Great enough that maybe if we ever cross paths again we can work together. I'll promise to be less bitchy. But I should warn you, I have a hard time keeping my promises.”

Shooter chuckled. “I have a hard time dialing down my enthusiasm for filmmaking and coming off as a son of a bitch. But I'll try. Here's my card.” Shooter took out one of his business cards and handed it to Danielle. The song, “Deep Inside of You” by Third Eye Blind form the earth-that-was began to play. “Oh I love this tune. C'mon. Let's cut some rug. Or grass in this case.”

“I'd be honored.” Danielle said as she took Shooter's hand and headed towards the dancing area.

* * * *

It was surprising. Bester was surprising. When Mac let him out of the trunk he was in tears. He went running home, crying out ‘I want my mommy’ all along the way. Mac Frye never thought he’d see that boy again. He was happy about that. But as happy as seeing the back of Bester made him, seeing his little sister, Laney, with a smile on her face so bright she made the stars look dim, he knew he’d put his personal feelings aside for hers.

Laney and Bester were slow dancing. Smiles on both their faces and hands in appropriate places, Mac noted. If they hadn’t been, he’d definitely do something about it.

He looked at his other sister, Emma. She and Andrew looked just as happy dancing tonight as they did dancing their first dance as a man and wife four years ago. Maybe they looked even happier.

He watched his brother, Sam, twirl Molly around like she was a top. He laughed as a dizzy Molly about collapsed into Sam’s arms. Mac regretted never teaching his brother how to properly dance. Not that he was a great dancer himself, but he at least knew how to keep a woman from getting sick.

Ryan and Ruby had been the last to get married before Kaylee. Two kids later, with a third coming soon, their newlywed stage still hadn’t worn off. Ryan dipped his wife, twirled his wife, and held his wife all through the song. Their eyes never left each other through it all.

Mac watched his parents dance. Thirty years of marriage had done them right. They both looked as happy as he’d ever remembered. Sure he’d witness many fights and even a few insults thrown out here and there in the heat of the moment, but no matter what, they still loved each other. They knew they always would. No matter what happened, they’d always find a way to work through it. They’d find a way to get by. Mac supposed that’s what it meant to be married. Marriage meant no matter what, love would keep a couple going. Love is quite possibly the most powerful force in the ‘verse.

Finally, Mac’s eyes fell upon Danielle Erin Blake. The most powerful force in the ‘verse was leading him towards her. He got out of his seat, walked towards Shooter and Danielle, and tapped Shooter on the shoulder. “Mind if I cut in?”

“Looks like the line for cake has gown down.” Shooter said as he gave one last smile in Danielle’s direction and then walked off.

Mac took Shooter’s place and began dancing with Danielle. For the first time this evening he noticed her neck. “What’s that?” He asked noticing the two-half heart charm with the initials ‘M’ and ‘D’ inscribed, one on each half.

“Just a little something I picked up.” She smiled. “I really should give half of it to the person that holds my heart.”

“And who might that be?” Mac grinned.

“No one in particular.” Danielle returned with a grin of her own. “Just when I find him, I need to make sure his name starts with an M.”

Mac smiled as he leaned down to give her a sweet kiss. “If I find someone, I’ll let you know.” He said as he pulled away.

* * * *

River needed a break from dancing. All that twirling took a lot out of a girl. She needed to refuel. She grabbed a piece of cake and sat down next to Shepherd Book at a table.

“You are quite the dancer, River.” Book said sincerely.

“Only as good of a dancer as the songs will allow.”

Shepherd wasn’t sure what she meant by that. “It was a beautiful ceremony, wasn’t it?”

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” She took a bite of her cake. “This beholder says yes.”

Book chuckled. “So does this one.” He paused for a moment, slipping into a more serious mood. “I’m glad Niska couldn’t take this night away.”

“No one can take the nights away. People make their own nights with what they are given.”

“Lemons into lemonade?” Shepherd responded.

“Mr. Black and his men didn’t have as nice of a night, but they made it what they wished.”

“I think the Captain is growing. I’m surprised he let them live.”

“Wasn’t up to him.” River took her last bite of cake. “Wasn’t up to any of us. He knew that. He also knew they wouldn’t come after Kaylee again. The two goons are too afraid, Mr. Black, he’ll be dealt with before it ever comes to that.” With that being said, River hopped out of her chair and back to the dance floor.

“I hope you’re right.” Book said. His voice was filled with a mixture of hope and nervousness. “I hope your right child.”

* * * *

“Can you believe those two?” Mal said as he walked up behind Inara.

“Kaylee and Simon or Wash and Zoe?” Inara chuckled. Both couples looked as if tonight was there first night as man and wife, making out in corners as if no one else in the ‘verse even existed. It made her happy knowing that after everything they’d been through together, Wash and Zoe could still feel like that again.

“Kids these days just don’t know what belongs behind closed doors.”

“Oh and you do?” Inara actually found it quite endearing that the newlyweds, particularly Simon, didn’t mind displaying the affections in public.

“There’s really only one way for you to find out.” Maybe it was the romance of the night or maybe it was all the wine, but whatever it was Mal was glad it was there.

“Malcolm Reynolds what are you implying?” Her blushing cheeks were a pretty good indicator she knew exactly what he was implying.

“Do you want to walk?” Mal reached out his hand for hers.

“Sure.” Inara said. His hand was so warm and hers seemed to fit so perfectly.

The two walked off, hand in hand, underneath the night’s sky.

* * * *

Weddings are really a time for romance. They symbolize the joining of new life. Whether that new life may be a mechanic and a medic, a wedding planner and a teacher, or a captain and a companion, it was still something special.

As the night finally wound down and the guests departed, the romance had not faded. It would linger on for days, months, maybe even years to come. All that is needed to keep it alive are the hearts of those it had affected.

The End. (Love it, hate it, I don't care, just tell me what you think!)