Disclaimer: It’s Joss’s creation, but I love playing with it.

Authors Notes: This is the begining of my latest little creation. It follows suit with my previous stories. Feedback is appreciated!

The Unexpected By KaySky Part One It had been a long day for Kaylee Tam. As she slid open the door to her bunk and flipped on the light, she was more than ready to just flump onto her bed. She had spent all day trying to work out the kinks in the cooling drive. After ten long hours of work she finally got it functioning again.

She slid off her coveralls and the cool air that met her skin sent goosebumps running all along her body. She finished undressing and began to wash herself making sure all the engine grease was washed away. The feeling of her soft cotton pajama bottoms against her skin warmed her inside. She pulled on a light pink tank top and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She was now completely ready to meet her bed.

*Knock*

She sighed before forcing a cheery, “Come in.”

River walked into the room and over to Kaylee, poking her in the arm. “It.” She smiled.

“River, I’m so tired. How ‘bout I be ‘it’ tomorrow?” Kaylee’s warm smile overcame the exhaustion in her eyes.

“Not a game.” River giggled. “You have it.”

Kaylee was much too exhausted to ponder River’s rambles. She needed her to get to the point. “I have what?”

“Simon’s the doctor.” River smiled as she rolled her eyes.

“River I’m not sick.” Kaylee argued.

“Not sick, you have it.”

Kaylee was too exhausted to argue any longer and River had too much energy to give up anytime soon. “So I should see Simon about having ‘it’?”

“He is the doctor.” River pulled Kaylee by the arms leading her out of the room and on her way to the infirmary.

* * * *

Simon had been in the infirmary for hours going over his notes. He was sure there had to be something he was missing. River had been doing so well up until this morning. She hadn’t had any fits or nightmares. She’d even started talking normally and making sense. How could she wake up today and all that be gone? He sighed. Maybe he just wasn’t a good enough doctor to ever offer River a permanent cure.

“Simon” His River induced self-pity trance was quickly broken by the sweet sounding voice of his beautiful wife.

“Hey wife, isn’t it a little late for you to still be up?” He smiled. He got up from his stool, brushing the wrinkles out of his grey knit sweater.

Kaylee blushed. They’d only been married two short weeks. She wasn’t used to hearing the word ‘wife’. It sounded so good. “River says I have it.”

“Have what?” A hint of concern was in his voice. He walked towards Kaylee, looking her over.

“That’s what I asked, but she said you’re the doctor.”

Simon chuckled. Typical River, rambling something and leaving it up to others to interpret what she meant. “Well, hop up on the table. Let’s have a look at you.” He patted his hand softly on top of the table.

Kaylee hopped up, her legs dangling over one side.

“How are you feeling?” He asked as he began taking her pulse.

“Okay I suppose.” She didn’t sound too convincing.

“Suppose?” An eyebrow raised in concern.

“It’s been a long day. ‘Course I ain’t feelin’ all shiny.”

“Well, what are you feeling?” He pressed the stethoscope against her skin underneath the top edge of her tank top.

“Just tired, I guess.” She sighed. Usually she’d love being examined by Simon, but at this moment in time all she wanted was sleep.

“Just tired?” He stopped listening to her heart beat and placed his fingers on her neck, checking her lymph nodes.

“Maybe a little woozy.”

“Maybe?” His voice was filled with concern as he took a seat on the stool next to the examining table. Her dangling legs brushed up against his knees.

“Simon, I don’t need the third degree. If something was wrong I’d come to you. You know that.”

“Sometimes something can be wrong without a person ever realizing it. Not all ailments are obvious.”

“So I’m sick?”

“I’ll run a few tests.” He placed his hand on her knee, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “It’s probably nothing.”

* * * *

While Simon was running the tests, Kaylee fell asleep on the examining table. Simon stood over her, watching her sleep. He was trying to think of the best way to tell her.

When he first read the results, he was convinced he had done something wrong. After the third try and the same results, he knew he had to be doing it right. He knew he was doing it right. He nearly fainted.

He brushed the back of his hand gently across Kaylee’s cheek. At the touch of his warm hand, she smiled. Her eyes opened slowly, blinking while they adjusted to the light. She sat up on the table, letting out a big yawn and stretching her arms.

“Hey xin gan,” He said softly as he sat down on the table next to her. “I have the results.”

She didn’t know what it was about the way he said ‘results’, but it made her nervous. “Am I sick?”

He took her hands in his as he told her the diagnosis.

* * * *

Three days later: Docks of Persephone

It was the early evening when Serenity finally arrived on the docks of Persephone. Inara departed in her shuttle to meet a client. Jayne and Zoe had loaded up the mule. Wash drove them and Mal to the rendezvous point. Shepherd Book said he had errands to run in town and promised to bring back some fresh produce for the crew to enjoy. River had been given a smoother and was asleep in her bunk. Kaylee and Simon stood in the cargo bay.

“Do you really have to go?” Simon pouted.

“Simon, I’ll be fine, but if I don’t get those parts for Serenity, she won’t be.” Kaylee gave Simon a quick kiss on the cheek, but before she could pull away, he had pulled her in for a more passionate kiss on the lips.

A few minutes, and several kisses later, Kaylee pulled away. “If you keep that up I ain’t never gonna get those parts.”

“So?” A devilish smile formed on Simon’s face as he pulled her in for one more kiss.

As much as she didn’t want to, she quickly broke the kiss. “When I get back, I promise.” She kissed the tip of his nose and took a few steps backwards. “Anticipation is a great aphrodisiac.” She grinned.

“Guess we’ll be able to prove the effectiveness of that theory when you get back.” Grinning like a love struck fool, Simon watched his beloved wife leave the ship.

His love induced daydreams were interrupted by River’s scream. He had no idea why her behavior had gone so far down hill. Maybe being alone on the ship together would give them a chance to spend time together, undistracted. Hopefully, he’d be able to get some insight to the change in her condition.

* * * *

The cargo was delivered successfully and Mal got paid. He liked getting paid. As much as he wanted to head off to the pub with Jayne and Wash, he knew if he wanted to get paid again anytime soon, he and Zoe would have to look for work.

The pub was rather crowded. Jayne and Wash found the only two free seats and sat down. At the table sat two other gentlemen. One was completely wasted. He easily had a few hours of drinking time in. The other was sober. He seemed to be happy just nursing his drink.

Several, several, drinks later Jayne and Wash were completely intoxicated. Jayne had been eying a hooker at the bar all night. He finally decided it was time for some manly entertainment. He got up and headed towards the bar, leaving Wash alone at the table with the other two men.

The intoxicated man was rather friendly. Within minutes he had struck up a conversation with Wash.

“So I told him I wasn’t no criminal.” He waved his mug in the air. “No criminal, not me.”

“A toast!” Wash exclaimed. “To those who ain’t criminals!”

“And fugitives!” The intoxicated man added. “Fugitives are nuttin’ but unfound criminals!”

“Fugitives ain’t so bad.” Wash defended. “I kinda like ‘em.”

“You sayin’ yousa fugitive.” The man said angrily.

“Not me...” Wash took another chug of his drink. “My friends, the doctor and his sis, theyze the sweeterst people. Ain’t right the Alliance has a price tag on their heads.”

For the first time the whole evening, the sober man’s attention was captured. “A price tag?” He questioned Wash.

“Yeah you know, reward money.” Wash said before taking another large gulp.

“What ship did you say you came in on?”

“My wifey is the first mate. She’s so pretty.” Wash grinned. “The first mate of Serenity is my wife. My cutie-pie of a wife.”

The sober man got up from the table, leaving a few shillings for payment of his one, unfinished drink. He even left a little, actually a lot, for a tip. Usually a cheapskate, tonight he felt generous.

* * * *

River was sitting on her bed, her legs pressed against her chest and her arms holding them tight. She was rocking back and forth. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and her eyes were as dark as the night’s sky.

“River!” Simon called her name as he rushed over towards her, sitting down next to her, pulling her close to him, holding her, comforting her. “Meimei, it was just a nightmare.” He rubbed circles on her back, trying to calm her down. She was still crying. She was still rocking despite how tight he held her. “It was just a nightmare, meimei.” He repeated again.

“Nightmares aren’t real.” Her voice was weak.

“That’s right. They aren’t real so there is no reason to be upset.” He planted a kiss on her forehead. “You’re okay meimei.”

“You don’t comprehend!” She yelled. Her voice was filled with a mixture of anger and terror. “You don’t understand!” She began crying harder than before.

Simon was starting to get a bit tense himself. He didn’t know why, but a shiver ran up his spine. “Make me understand, River.” He pulled her away so he could look into her eyes. “I can’t help you if I don’t know.”

“Knowledge will not triumph in this battle.” Her eyes were bloodshot and her cheeks were stained with tears.” The nightmare will conquer.”

Simon began to wonder whether or not this nightmare was really just a nightmare. His sister has had premonitions before, maybe this was one of them.

If only Simon would have come to that realization sooner. One last cry of terror escaped River’s lips as Simon was knocked in the back of the head with a gun. He fell backwards, unconscious.

* * * *

It was finally time for Malcolm Reynolds to relax. He and Zoe had found themselves a job. Tomorrow morning they would receive the first half of payment with the cargo. It was a good feeling knowing that money was coming in. To Mal, good feelings like that were worth celebrating. He planned on doing just that.

He opened the door to the local pub. Zoe followed him inside. It was still crowded. It took them a few minutes before they spotted Wash. Together they walked over to the table.

“Hello husband.” Zoe leaned in to kiss Wash, but the strong stench of alcohol turned her away. “You’ve been drinking, I see.” She sat down next to him.

“And he’s gonna be drinking some more because we’re celebratin’.” Mal said cheerfully as he sat down across from Wash.

“Zoe!” Wash exclaimed. “I’ve missed my pookey-poo!”

“She’s da first mate?” The intoxicated man slurred.

“I see you’ve also been talking about me, husband.” Zoe smiled at the drunk. “All of it was good, I’m sure.”

“She ain’t one of them fugitives, is she?” He pointed his finger so close to Zoe’s face she was tempted to bite it.

“Fugitive?” Mal’s eyebrow rose. “What would make you think my first mate was a fugitive?”

“He waz sayin’ them were bad, but we know thaznotta true.” Wash raised his mug in the air. “Toast to fugitwives!” He cheered.

Mal and Zoe looked at each other. There was nothing cheerful about their expressions. Worry, nervousness, and concern were just a few of the emotions flowing through their bodies. “Fugitives?” They said in unison.

“He warz sayin’ yousegotta family of ‘em that are nice.” The intoxicated man took the last sip remaining in his mug. “That otter guy seemed to think theyze was nice too.”

“Other guy?” Mal asked.

“The guy been sittern next to me all night. He seem ta think theyze nice, too.”

“Wash, where is this other man?” It was a rarity for Zoe to use the ‘wife tone’, but now was more important a time than any.

“Dunno, he askered ‘bout you and Serenity and left.”

“You told him what ship we’re on?” Mal asked angrily as he slammed his fist against the table.

“Well, I don’t think he told ‘em.” Wash said sarcastically as he pointed to the intoxicated man and laughed.

“Zoe, get your husband in line. I’m going to find Jayne and we are gettin’ the gorram hell outta here.” Mal jumped up from his seat, slamming the chair against the table.

* * * *

“Simon, River, where are you?” Kaylee was scared. It had been thirty minutes and neither one of the Tams had responded.

Book had returned to Serenity around the same time as Kaylee. He had just finished putting away the groceries when Kaylee walked into the kitchen. She was panicked. At first she thought maybe Simon and River were playing hide and seek, but after twenty minutes had passed, she knew Simon wouldn’t still be hiding. He would have known it would worry her and he’d never intentionally do anything to upset her.

Book, too, had become concerned when Kaylee told him of her suspicions. Fresh produce usually lured people right into the kitchen. Things were quiet. Too quiet to be on Serenity, something was definitely wrong.

“River dear, if you are hiding please come out now.” Book hollered through the hallways as he helped Kaylee in her search for the siblings.

“Simon!” Kaylee called out his name again in the cargo bay. “River, where are you, sweetie?” She became hopeful when she heard a set of footsteps behind her walk up the ramp. It was them. It had to be them. Who else could it be? She turned around expecting to see her husband and sister-in-law. Her expectations were not met.

To be continued... [I felt the only proper way to close this chapter was with a cliffhanger. You all love me. I know it. =o)]

* * * *

Translations: xin gan = sweetheart, darling