Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me, just writing for fun.

A/N: Holy Crap!!! So sorry to keep you guys waiting!!! If you’re still interested in the story, thanks for hanging in there! I got super sick, then the holidays, vacation, and this horrible creature called writer’s block was rearing it’s ugly head. So here is the end of the First- Happy Felicitations. I hope you guys like it. I have to say it got really sappy, I guess I’m just a big mushy puff. The end has some possibilities and I will revisit this story soon, but most likely in one shots interspersed through out the time line. And I will return to the funny at some point. Please Comment and thanks to all who have read and enjoyed!!! ________________________________________________________________

“What’s goin’ on?” Inara and Simon turned to Kaylee as she poked her head out of the sliding door. She was still sleepy, but the concern in her voice jolted them. Simon walked over and kissed her forehead. “Nothing, bao bei. I should go check on River.” Before Kaylee could protest Simon headed up to Inara’s shuttle. Kaylee then turned to Inara. “It’s just Mal....being Mal.” “He hit Simon?” Inara smiled at Kaylee and shook her head, “He tried, Simon ducked.” “Really?” “I’m not surprised. The man tends to hit first and ruminate later.” Kaylee tilted her head. “Ain’t what I’m surprised about.” This elicited a chuckle from both of them. Inara set down "River's" bucket and took Kaylee's hands in her own. "Are you happy?" Kaylee just beamed at Inara. "Oh ‘Nara. We're gettin' married." Inara pulled her into an embrace, happy for her friend but worried all the same. At least she thought Mal may be better receptive to the idea of Kaylee being pregnant if Simon married her. " A baby is something to be cherished, mei mei. You have many blessings now." Inara held Kaylee a little closer, a small twinge of jealousy creeping into her heart for the life she thought she never wanted.

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Simon stared down at his baby sister, tangled in Inara's bed, her head covered by a pillow. "Smothering yourself is not going to get you out of this." Her pitiable whimper, muffled by the pillow struck Simon straight through the heart. His anger from last night had begun to wane, especially after his confrontation with Mal. Simon sat himself down at the end of the bed. "I'm not upset anymore, mei mei. I just do not understand your...timing." River crawled out of the covers and perched herself on her knees next to her brother. "It was the right time." Simon gave River the big brother-Are you kidding me?-look. "It was." Simon still looked at his sister incredulously. “Every one who needed to know was there.” "Maybe next time you have something that is life changing to say, you can come to me and discuss it first, in private, and sober." River hung her head and replied, "I will." Simon patted her knee and got up from the bed to face her. "Now, why don't we go to the infirmary. I’ll get you something for the headache.” “Never said I had a headache.” “I don’t need to be intuitive to know what a hang over feels like.” She smiled at him as she got up from the bed and stumbled a bit. Simon caught her arm and guided her to the shuttle door. “By the way, whatever possessed you to get drunk?” She faced him with those innocent eyes and responded with complete sincerity, ”Never have been.” Simon shook his head and then rubbed his temple, feeling his own headache coming on.

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“Chickens?” Mal looked at Elmer Martin with skepticism. That’s all he needed, a cargo bay full of feathers and clucking. The little round man had been waiting for them at the edge of town. He was the local sheriff but had been in the pocket of the Renko family for years. Fortiscue was like most pissant border world towns but it had the unfortunate distinction of having the perfect environment for raising chickens. They were everywhere, scrambling across the main road, one had almost tripped up Jayne as he was exiting the mule. There were even a few on some of the roof tops, and those were just the loose ones. Fortiscue was surrounded by hanger bay size chicken coops. “Nope, eggs. To be precise, thousand year old eggs.” “Ain’t those made with duck eggs?” Mal and Zoe exchanged surprised glances. They were both astounded Jayne even knew what thousand year old eggs were, let alone what they were made from. Elmer Martin looked unruffled and replied,” Commonly, yes. These here’re made with chicken eggs. Alliance tariffs are a bit high, can’t make a profit ‘less we ship through other means," Elmer Martin gave the three a meaningful glance, "Renko's must be branchin' out, Katya never did like comin' here." "I never want to come here again," Zoe whispered to Mal, wrinkling her nose as Elmer turned around and motioned to follow. He lead them through to back of the first hanger to a shed, sliding the door open to the foulest smell they had encountered yet. Inside were racks of fermenting eggs. "Wo de ma!" Jayne exclaimed, though a bit muffled from him holding his hand to his mouth. "Parcels are in the back, 'bout ten or so. Needs to be shipped to Santo, ya can contact Katya’s brother," Elmer Martin contained the mirth he felt at the reactions each had had when he opened the shed, Mal had pulled back a bit from the opening while Zoe swallowed what Elmer was sure was a little vomit. Mal leaned over to Zoe, " Go get the mule, we do this quick." "Thank you, sir." Though still the epitome of the perfect soldier, Mal was sure he had never seen her walk that fast before, at least not without bullets flying and all manner of hell breaking loose. As Mal watched Jayne turn away from the shed and gag he thought to himself - Well now, there's gonna be at least two on board that ain't gonna be pleased 'bout this job. Mal smiled to himself as he muttered under his breath," That'll teach'em to get drunk and pregnant." Jayne turned to see Mal beaming as he entered the shed and wondered to himself - What the hell is he smilin’ ‘bout?

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They had arrived just in time for Kaylee to be heading down from the kitchen to the cargo bay, finishing the last bite of the leftovers she had for breakfast. Simon and River emerged from the infirmary and Inara was leaning against the catwalk. As Zoe landed Mal hopped off the mule, the big grin still plastered across his face. Simon headed to the mule to begin helping unload and River started to head to the stairs. “No need to get her warmed up just yet. Ya can help unload Lil’ Albatross.” His smile widened as River gave him a horrified look. She may know what were in the boxes but it didn’t lessen Mal’s joy at her impending displeasure. Simon gave Mal a reproachful glance but continued to help Jayne unload. “Whadda we got Cap’n?” Kaylee snuck up next to Mal and looked up with those shining eyes he never could stay mad at, but she needed to learn a lesson, at least to Mal’s way of thinking. “Come and see.” He lead Kaylee over to one of the boxes, encircling her shoulders with one arm while he grabbed a retreating River with the other. “Go on, open her up.” Kaylee unhitched the lock and threw open the lid. The smell was atrocious. Both River and Kaylee turned three shades of green as the aroma of the eggs finishing their fermentation process hit their nostrils. “Oh ...” Inara sighed as the smell finally wafted up to her. Kaylee turned tail and ran back through the doors towards the bathrooms, River quick on her heels. Mal turned around from watching the girls exit to a scowling Simon as Jayne leaned against the boxes laughing to himself and Zoe still gagged at the dreadful smell. He gestured back to where Kaylee and River had fled. “That went well!” Simon pushed passed Mal heading in the same direction. Simon spat out,"Hwoon dahn!" “We ain’t finished, boy.” Simon just called back, “Later.” ________________________________________________________________

“Happy with yourself?” Inara entered the cockpit as Mal was setting the controls for take off. He turned in the pilots chair as Inara crossed her arms. “Might be.” He was still smugly smiling, but Inara’s expression quickly wiped it off his face. “Mal, what are you going to do?” Inara had never seemed so exposed to Mal and it took him aback. Something had shaken her. “Don’t fret, I ain’t gonna kill the boy.” Inara just kept silent and waited for him to continue. “’Nara, what do you expect, I can’t have a child running around this ship.” “Can’t or won’t?” Mal got up from the chair to face her directly. “Can’t.” “You are so selfish.” “Selfish? It ain’t selfish to be concerned ‘bout a child’s welfare and a boat’s no place for a child.” “That’s just an excuse.” “’Nara my minds not gonna change.” “You won’t be able to get along one week without Kaylee here, and I know you’ve grown attached to River and Simon. Simon won’t leave without River. Are you willing to lose your mechanic, medic, and pilot over your own stubbornness?” “I’ll find those who can replace them.” Inara stared down Mal for a moment and then decided to get to the root of the problem. “What are you so afraid of? Caring?” Mal’s eyes squinted at Inara as he considered her question carefully. Inara gave him a pointed look and took her leave.

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“Feeling better?” Kaylee stirred from her slumber as Simon grasped her hand, sitting himself at the edge of their bed. “Guess throwin’ up would come about sooner or later.” She looked at him with a sheepish grin while he pushed a lock of hair out of her face. "Ready to face the music?" Kaylee looked away from Simon across the room and muttered, " Guess so." Simon cupped her cheek and turned her head back to face him. "No matter what happens Kaylee, I will always take care of you." A wistful look came over her as she answered, "I know." "Then what is wrong?" "I just wish...I want to stay and I know the Cap'n ain't gonna make it easy." Simon chuckled at her remark causing Kaylee to scrunch up her nose at his response. Simon controlled his laughter and rubbed her cheek as she asked, "What's so funny?" "I was just wondering when anything has ever been easy on this ship?" Kaylee giggled and then reached up and pulled Simon into a deep kiss.

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"Would ya stop dancing around out there and get in here!" River had been lurking outside the cockpit, peeking in when Mal was turned around, waiting for an invitation. She plunked herself across from him in the co-pilot’s chair and held her hands in front of her, staring at them instead of Mal. "Well you've certainly stirred up a hornet's nest, lil' one." River continued to stare at her hands and quietly replied," I know." "Ya know? Just what do ya know?" River looked at him and continued on," I know that it was wrong of me to get drunk and tell secrets that were not mine to tell." "It certainly was. Ya have no business doing whatya done! And gettin' drunk, well...that just ain't...,”Mal then pointed his finger at her,” Never again, ya hear me!” River somberly nodded her head. “Now, I guess we’ll be heading to Santo, landing in a week or so. You and Mischa set this up, didn’t ya? Well, you’ll be confined to the ship and your share of the job will be goin’ to Inara to pay for the rug you ruined.” River looked at him with those pitiable eyes she liked to use when she knew she was in the wrong. “Don’t even try it girl, ain’t gonna work. Your brother may be a softie but I’m wise to ya. Best just wipe that forlorn little look right off your face. My ship, my rules. I am the captain, ya know.” River pouted for a moment before getting up to leave. She quietly muttered under her breath as she left,” You’re just mad because I told Inara your secret.” “Quiet River!” Mal turned back to the control panel and fired Serenity’s engines. As he took off he whispered encouragingly to himself,” My ship. I’m the captain.”

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After take off Kaylee and Simon headed into the common room. Mal was sitting at the head of the table with a cup of coffee and far away look. “Cap’n?” Kaylee took a tentative step forward. Mal looked up to her but his face revealed nothing of his emotions. “Take a seat ya two.” Mal motioned for them to sit down. Simon pulled out the seat closest to Mal for Kaylee to sit and took the seat next to her. Underneath the table he reached out and took hold of her hand. “Looks like we got some decisions to make.” “Cap’n I-” Mal waved her off as he interrupted,“ I’ll do the talkin’ for now. Seems we got a new addition on the way but I just wanna make sure y’all understand what this means. This is gonna complicate matters something fierce and I don’t like complications.” Kaylee turned a shade paler than normal and her heart sunk as she wondered if he was really going to kick them off the ship. “Don’t start jumpin’ to no conclusions just yet Lil’ Kaylee. Now, I for one ain’t pleased ‘bout this state of affairs, but what’s done is done. I s’pect you’re keeping the baby?” They both nodded. “And y’all wanna stay?” They nodded again. “Guess there’ll be a wedding soon?” Mal gave Simon a quick glance. “Yes. As soon as possible,” Simon replied. “Right then, well. Ain’t much more to talk ‘bout, y’all got jobs best go do’em.” Mal pushed out his chair and exited leaving his cup on the table. Simon and Kaylee turned to each other and stared disbelievingly. “What just happened?” Kaylee flung her arms around Simon. “We getta stay!” “I just don’t see why I’m still alive? This morning Mal was ready to pummel me and now he’s...he seems to be fine with...I’m just confused.” Kaylee kissed Simon’s furrowed brow. “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” Kaylee dazzled Simon with another of her smiles. He couldn’t concentrate on his skepticism when she smiled like that. He pulled her into a kiss that quickly became more. “Gorram it, ain't ya in enough trouble 'cause of that?” Simon pulled back from Kaylee to see a disgusted Jayne stomp through to the kitchenette.

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Mal lifted his hand to knock on Inara’s shuttle just as she opened it. “Mal..I-” “Inara.” “Is there something you need?” Mal stared for a moment, the loaded question hanging in the air between them. “Thought you’d like to know they’re stayin’, ‘gainst my better judgment.” Inara smiled pensively at Mal then reached out and took his hand, “I’m very glad.” The shock that overcame him was amplified by her next action. She leaned across the threshold and softly kissed Mal on the lips. Mal was still stunned when she pulled back, let go of his hand and shut the shuttle door. He stood there and stared at the shuttle door before he turned and wondered out loud,” Huh?”