Disclaimer: I don't own the Firefly characters. They haven't come up for auction on ebay yet.

Authors Notes: Once again I'd like to thank Reginaroadie for his help with Simon's dialogue in the first flashback scene. And of course, for being my wall. =o)

The Unexpected By KaySky Part Three

“Am I sick?” She was a bit apprehensive about finding out the answer. Her nervous fingers began playing with a loose string on her pajama pants.

Sitting next to her on the examining table, he took her hands in his, attempting to calm her nerves. "No, no you're not sick." He looked deeply into her eyes as he told her the diagnosis. "You're pregnant.”

"Pregnant? I think I need to sit down.” Kaylee Tam was in such shock she didn’t realize she was already sitting down.

"I thought you were taking those contraception injections from Inara?" He, too, had been just as stunned when he read the test results. He was still slightly shocked.

“I was. I do. Every morning as soon as I wake up, I do. How could this happen?” She looked into his eyes seeking answers.

"I don't know. I can't think of a..." He suddenly realized it.

“Simon? You can't think of a...?” She desperately urged him to continue his thought.

"I just did—the linen closet. We were woken up in the middle of the night by the gunshot. We’d both been overly concerned with the situation. I’d forgotten all about River’s medication. I suspect you didn’t remember your injections either."

“Oh.” She thought back to that night. She had been so frazzled. She was distracted and she simply forgot. Several minutes passed in silence. “I'm going to be a mom. That means your going to be a dad. We are going to be a mom and dad.” She said the words out loud as if she was trying to convince herself they were true.

“Yeah.” Simon was still trying to regain his composure. This was so unexpected.

The news finally settled in. Kaylee turned towards Simon and excitedly said, “I’m going to be a mom. You're going to be a dad.” She was grinning like a fool and even more excitement filled her voice. “Simon, we are going to be a mom and dad!”

The news hadn’t sunk in with Simon all that well. “Yeah, a mom and dad with three aunts, uncles, and a captain who might not take this too well.” He looked at Kaylee. While her face reflected excitement, his reflected unease. “I don't think we should be broadcasting the news to the crew just yet.”

“Nah, Cap'n will be happy. How can he not be?” Kaylee was still smiling ever so brightly. “But if you think we should wait to tell him and the others, we can do that.” She kissed him on the cheek” “I'm so happy.” She finally noticed Simon seemed a bit off. “You're happy, too...aren't you?”

“I...I....I don't know what I am, really. This changes everything. On the one hand, I'm going to be a father. On the other hand, said father is a fugitive. I'm just getting used to the idea of having a wife, let alone a pregnant one. And I don't know day by day whether we have a long future ahead or a very short one.” He sighed. “I did fantasize about having children with you. I just didn't think it would be less than a year after we were married.”

“Simon, babies are a blessing. They are the most magnificent wonders in the 'verse. This wasn't how I saw us either. I'd given us a few years before we started a family, but now that it’s happened, I think that's how it was supposed to happen. You being a fugitive don’t make a difference. It didn't make a difference in being a husband and it won't make a difference in being a father. I always wanted a big family. We're just startin’ it off a bit sooner than most is all.”

“I suppose you’re right. We do have at least eight months to worry about this. But let's just keep this between you, me, and River for now.” He wrapped his arm around Kaylee’s shoulders feeling a bit more at ease. A small smile even settled upon his face. “As for the large family, let's at least wait until the charges are dropped before we start on baby number four.”

Kaylee leaned her head against his shoulder. Happy thoughts of her and Simon together with their baby were filling her mind. Simon kissed the top of her head. Similar thoughts were flowing through his mind. His smile widened. He was going to be dad.

*bang*

Simon quickly awoke, dreams being left behind, and jumped to his feet at the sound of the slamming door.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to slam it.” Kiara apologized. “Doors get the best of me sometimes. I brought you lunch.”

“Kiara, I know I’m a doctor and not a psychologist, but I think I can tell when something isn’t sitting right with a person.”

“Simon, I understand your desire, your need even, to know what is happening to River, but I can’t help you with that.” She sat down the tray of food. “Ask me for an extra dinner roll and that I can do. Ask me to reveal top secret information, I cannot.”

Simon looked into her eyes. He saw a true sadness. “What about a favor? Can you do me a favor?”

Simon’s plea tugged on her heart strings, but she couldn’t help. Simon needed to get that information processed in his brain. She just couldn’t help. Frustrated, she turned her back and started heading out the door. “Again if it involves…”

Simon interrupted her. “I promise this favor is not related to top secret information or my sister.” Kiara froze in her tracks. “I need you to send a wave, that’s all.”

She turned around and walked closer to Simon. “What’s the catch?”

His eyes met hers. “There is no catch, honest.” His words were sincere.

She figured if he was lying he wouldn’t have looked her in the eyes. Damn it, things were getting complicated. She didn’t want to deal with complications. “Simon, I’m not a little girl. I realize there has to be a catch. There is a catch to everything in life.” She wanted to storm off. She didn’t. She stayed put. He looked so desperate. She knew he was.

“All I want is for you to send a wave saying the name of the planet we are on, just the name and nothing else. Waves can be sent anonymously. It’d be a long shot, but at this point, what wouldn’t be.” Surely, if the crew were to receive a mysterious wave with the name of a planet, they would come, they would understand it was a clue, wouldn’t they?

“The computers here are all monitored. Even if I wanted to, whoever I sent the wave to would be brought in for questioning immediately.”

“So don’t send the wave from here.” Simon never particularly thought of himself as being clever, but sometimes he thought of something so brilliant, he couldn’t help but feel proud. “In fact, forget what I said about sending the name of this planet. Send a request to an Inara Serra seeking her companionship.”

“Excuse me?” A blushing Kiara didn’t know whether to be offended, appalled, or both.

“Inara Serra is a registered companion in the Guild. Send her a wave asking her for companionship.”

“Dr. Tam, I am sorry, but you are one fruit short of a fruitcake. I do not need a companion, thank you. And I don’t see how my sex life is any of your concern nor how it could help you in anyway unless you are one of those guys who gets off on two women being together, but I assure you, if I was going to seek out a companion, I would not invite you over to watch. Good day, Dr. Tam.” She hurried out of the room, face red in embarrassment, purposely slamming the door behind her.

* * * *

An entire month had passed and nothing had changed. Wash was still very much unwelcome by everyone. Except for his wife and the Shepherd, no one really spoke to him. He was convinced the only reason why the two that did speak to him did so only because of some higher laws. One that said, ‘for better and worse’ and another that said ‘treat all others as you wish to be treated’. If it wasn’t for the sacredness of marriage vows and the moral lessons found in the bible, Wash was sure all his conversations would be one-sided.

He wasn’t surprised when he walked into an empty kitchen. He’d purposely been coming late to breakfast. He couldn’t look at Kaylee. Not after what he’d done. He felt too guilty. He never would have thought it possible for Kaylee to hate anyone, but after what he’d done, he was sure if she ever did, he deserved to be hated. He wouldn’t blame her if she hated him, not one bit. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sighed as he sat down at the table. Loneliness sucked, he thought to himself.

“Good morning, Son.” Shepherd Book walked into the kitchen and helped himself to some coffee.

Wash forced a half smile and tried to sound somewhat enthused. “Morning Shepherd.”

“Son, you understand it’s only a matter of time, don’t you? The others just need to work though their emotions.”

“And how long does that take?” He pounded his fist against the table. His anger wasn’t directed towards Book, only towards himself.

“Unfortunately, since Mal gave word they were going to try finding them, closure might take awhile. Plus, the news of the little one on the way only heightens the situation.”

“Find them?” Wash sat up in his chair. “How long…. Why didn’t….” Wash paused as another reality sank in. “I guess I can’t be trusted to know that. Better watch what you tell me, Shepherd. We don’t need anything else broadcasted to the Alliance.”

“Self induced pity will not bring Simon and River home.” Book sat down across from Wash. “If you turned all that negative energy into something positive, something worthwhile, the results could be astonishing.” He took a sip of his coffee. “Maybe even somewhat short of a miracle.”

“Shepherd, are you saying what I think you are saying?” Hope wasn’t an emotion Wash had experienced lately, but he believed the Shepherd was giving him that very feeling.

“What is it that you think I am saying?” He knew Wash had to come to this conclusion and make this decision for himself. He was just there to offer support and guidance.

“I should stop feeling sorry for myself and start looking for them.”

“You do have the determination.” He guided, now he would support.

“At this point Shepherd, that’s all I have left.” Wash took a final sip of coffee and headed out of the room. It finally dawned on him, little one. He froze in the doorway. “Shepherd, did you say something about a little one?”

“Kaylee is expecting.” He hoped the news would only throw another log onto the fire. He hoped Wash wouldn’t cave with more guilt. Wash needed to be strong.

“Expecting as in expecting a baby?” He was astonished. He’d figured if anyone was going to have a baby on this ship it would be him and Zoe. Not the kids. Kids having kids, the thought was overwhelming. The thought of one particular kid, Kaylee having to raise the little one all by herself was devastating. He wasn’t going to let that happen.

“She’s two months along. That child will be here sooner than we realize it.”

He had seven months. He didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he knew he was going to do it. Even if it was the last thing he ever did, he would find the Tams. He would make sure Kaylee’s baby grew up with a father.

* * * *

It wasn’t extravagant by any means. It was simple. It was quiet. It was romantic. It was a cozy little Bed and Breakfast overlooking the lake where he had proposed. It was where they would spend their first night together as man and wife.

Clumsy fingers fumbled with the key. Had the door knob been a patient, a serious malpractice suit would have followed. Then again, trying to open up a door with a somewhat overeager bride in his arms, who wasn’t letting her lips part his neck, kissing him on that very spot she knew drove him wild, would be an airtight defense for any man.

He felt like Moses parting the Red Sea when the obstacle was finally overcome. He carried her over the threshold and laid her upon the soft, silky, bright red sheets that covered the extra soft, plush mattress. The bed had been covered in rose pedals by special request of the good doctor. He didn’t notice them though. He was too focused on her. She was breathtakingly beautiful. His fingers, being of somewhat more use now than before, had managed to unzip her dress. He ran his hand along her bare back. She was so warm. He kissed her neck as he slowly slid the dress off of her. The blue lingerie had looked sexy on the hanger, but after seeing the teddy on his wife, sexy was no longer adequate enough to describe it. He was sure there were no words known to man that would be. A simple, “Wow”, was all he managed to say, but he needn’t say more. The look on his face expressed what words could not.

“Your turn.” A sexy little smile formed on her face as she ran her hands up his chest and underneath his jacket, quickly sliding it off. She had loosened his tie and her teeth were quickly working on the buttons of his shirt while her fingers fumbled with his belt. It was then when a familiar smell caught her attention. Her eyes widened and her smile grew. “STRAWBERRIES,” she exclaimed as she lunged for the bowl sitting on the nightstand.

“Huh?” Simon’s mind had been taken over by other, more aroused, parts of his body. It took him a few minutes to fully grasp what had just happened. “Kaylee, those are for later.” He laughed as he pulled her into his arms. The bowl of strawberries came with her. “There are certain things I thought we would do to work up an appetite.”

His hot breath created goosebumps along the back of her neck. She couldn’t see it, but she knew he was wearing that sexy little, devious grin of his. She just smiled as she leaned against his chest. “We could do that,” she said as she bit into a strawberry, “or you could feed them to me first.” She turned so that she could look into his eyes. “And Simon,” she said as she took another bite of the fruit, its juices squirting, streaming down her chin, “I think you might enjoy that.”

She was too beautiful and extremely to sexy to argue with, Simon reasoned. He tossed her backwards onto the bed, laid himself on top of her, and began kissing away the sweet juices on her chin.

“Kaylee,” Inara had placed her hand on Kaylee’s shoulder. “Meimei, wake up.”

A reluctant Kaylee awoke from her nap on the couch. “‘Nara…”

“Meimei, are you feeling alright? You were moaning.” Kaylee had sat up, leaving room for Inara to sit down next to her.

“If I’m moaning like that again, don’t wake me.” Kaylee was partly blushing. “Please, don’t wake me.” She grinned.

“That good?” Inara chuckled.

“Better than good, ‘Nara.” Kaylee was still a bit dazed. Dreaming about their wedding night had left a warm, fuzzy feeling inside of her.

“Well then, I am terribly sorry to have woken you. Next time I’ll try and distinguish between a pleasure induced moan and a pain induced moan.”

The happiness of Kaylee’s dream soon wore off. Her hands nestled upon her stomach. “How can I raise a baby without him?”

Inara knew it was a slim chance of finding Simon, but she also knew she couldn’t let Kaylee think that. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, but she didn’t want to get them down either. “Kaylee, you of all people should be working on making welcome home decorations. You once told me without hope, we have nothing at all. You said the sun always comes up so why not be shiny.” She took Kaylee’s hands in hers. “Let’s not sit around discussing the ‘what ifs’. Let’s take this day by day, minute by minute if we have to. And if seven more months pass and we have been unable to find Simon all that means is your baby won’t be delivered by a doctor, but a captain, or a first-mate, a pilot, a shepherd, or even a companion. Once your baby is here, we will all be around to help until we can find Simon, dong ma?”

“Just promise me it won’t be the mercenary delivering my baby.” She jokingly pleaded.

Inara laughed as she pulled Kaylee into her arms. She’d give anything to make sure her words to Kaylee came true, that they would in fact find Simon.

* * * *

It was very late in the evening. The majority of Alliance officials had already called it a night. Travis Walken however was still very much involved with his work. Papers covered his desk, drawers to filing cabinets were hanging wide open, and files upon files were scattered across the floor. He was so deeply involved with paperwork he didn’t notice Kiara standing at his door.

“You wanted to see me?” She slowly entered the room, closing the door behind her ever so softly.

He looked up at her, acknowledging her, and motioned for her to sit down, quickly returning his eyes to the paperwork. “Back on the earth-that-was in 1969 a man walked on the moon and they felt that was a great accomplishment for mankind. If those dumb bastards could only see us now, they’d shit their pants.” He smirked. “I’ve got an assignment for you.”

“Okay, what do you need to me to do?” Sitting in his office made her extremely uncomfortable.

“Interrogate the prisoner.” He ordered without ever looking up at her.

“Excuse me?” She was shocked. Surely, she didn’t hear him correctly.

He let the papers rest, and brought his eyes to hers. “I realize this is not your area of expertise, but he’s stubborn. No matter what I do to him, he will not tell me a thing. You on the other hand Kiara, you are a horribly caring person, he may confide in you.”

Horribly caring? How someone could use the word horrible to describe caring boggled her mind. “I don’t know why you’d think that. I can’t even imagine why you’d need me to do this. Don’t you already know everything you need to?”

“He wears a wedding ring. He’s married, but I’ll be damned if I can find a record of that marriage. I’ve had people on it ever since we brought the Tams in over a month ago. It’s time I change strategies. I want you to get close to this boy, make him trust you. Make him think you are a friend to him. Find out who it is that he’s married to.”

“Then crush him?” She blurted out, extremely upset. The idea of deceiving someone and hurting them made her sick to her stomach.

Walken raised his voice. “Kiara, you will do as I say, nothing more, nothing less. Do I make myself clear?” He pounded his fist on the desktop.

“Clear, Sir.” She said with a bitter tone.

He rose from his chair and walked towards her. “Kiara, I wouldn’t ask unless it was important. You understand, right? This is for the good of mankind. He and his wife are the small, necessary sacrifices needed to achieve our goal. By doing this you will have earned yourself a spot on the list of whom to thank for this major breakthrough.”

Travis Walken was not the same man. He’d changed. Either that or she had just been too stupid to realize his true self. He made her sick. “Yes.” She didn’t think she could respond in any other fashion.

* * * *

“Jayne, what in the gorram hell are you doing?” Every night Mal wandered his ship, making sure she and all her passengers were safe. Most nights he came across no one. He liked those nights. They were much better than the nights he found his mercenary lurking around half naked in the dark.

“Gettin’ a snack.” He had opened up nearly all the cupboards, rummaging through them like a raccoon trying to find something to satisfy his appetite.

“And you can’t do that while wearing pants?”

“Ain’t no rules about wearing pants on this ship.” With a lack of variety, Jayne finally decided to go with a brown protein bar.

“It’s implied that no one wants to see your gorram, white ass legs.” Mal decided as long as he was in the kitchen, he might as well snack. As long as his eyes stayed off Jayne’s legs, he wouldn’t lose his appetite.

“Don’t need to look at ‘em. I wouldn’t be lookin’ at yers.” He barked back.

“Yeah instead of gawking at my legs, you’d prefer to spoon me. Don’t think I’ve forgotten about that. I still have nightmares.” He grabbed himself a protein bar and joined Jayne at the table.

“Really think we’ve got a shot?” Jayne asked in between bites.

“Ain’t thinkin’ otherwise. There’s a baby coming, we need a doc to deliver it, and the baby’s father just happens to be that doc.”

“So watcha gonna do with Wash?”

“Ain’t gonna do nothin’. He’s suffering in his own guilty hell. ‘Sides, he’s a package deal. If I kick him out of the airlock, there goes my first mate and I ain’t about to find me another one.”

“Think they’ll kill ‘em?” Jayne asked with his mouth full of protein.

“Ain’t gonna think that. Just gonna focus on finding ‘em. We’ll worry on the details when we get there.” They’d get there. Mal was set on it. They’d continue to do jobs, they couldn’t fly anywhere without money to pay for fuel anyways, but in their free time, they would do everything they could to track down the Tams. He wasn’t going to rest until he found them.

* * * *

The next morning Simon was anxiously awaiting Kiara’s daily visit. He needed to explain to her what he’d ask the day before. He needed to convince her to follow along with his plan. She was his only hope. He needed her.

The door opened right on schedule and in she walked. She looked particularly unhappy to be there this morning.

“Kiara, I need to explain to you what I’ve asked of you. Please, listen.” He begged her, but she did not look at him. “I promise if you hear me out and you say no, then I won’t ask again. Give me two minutes, please.”

Sincerity was a quality she admired. It was so rarely found. She couldn’t deny his request. “Two minutes and not a second longer.”

“I want you to seek companionship from Inara Serra because she might be my only way out of here. She’s a friend.”

“Dr. Tam, you are…are…” She hated how it was impossible to cover embarrassment. She was blushing. She knew it. She took a moment, gathering her thoughts. “S-she, I mean the Companion, Inara, you know her? She would really come here if I sent her a wave?”

“Most clients reach her through the Guild Directory. With any luck when she gets your wave she’ll wonder how you obtained her private address. If you are persistent with these waves, she’ll have to think there is more to it than just a companionship request. She’s a very smart woman.”

“Still, I don’t see how a companion, friend or not, can get you out of here. Your two minutes are up, Dr. Tam.” She turned around and headed for the door.

Simon grabbed onto her arm, stopping her attempted exit.” Wait, it’s more than just her being a companion. She is with a group of people that could get me out of here.”

She raised her eyebrow. She remembered Walken’s order. Find out who it is that he’s married to. “Your wife is in this group?”

“Yes, she is.” Simon released her arm and leaned against the wall. The reality that his only chance of ever seeing his wife again might be slipping away was sinking in. “She’s with them.”

To be continued...