A.N.: This story will focus on some pairings, but because its not solely about the romance, I put it in general fic =) Other chapters might end up in romance though, so just keep a lookout for that.

"Can I get all crew to the kitchen area please!"

The captain's voice reverberated around the ship, into every room and area. Inara, who had been sleeping after a particularly long engagement with a client, was jolted awake. She groaned and turned over, annoyed at Mal for buzzing her shuttle when he wanted crew. Suddenly his voice sounded again. "Inara, you as well." Inara groaned again and sighed, then heaved herself out of bed. In the cargo bay, Book helped Jayne finish his set on the bench press, and then they headed up the stairs together. Kaylee, Simon, and River made the short walk from the passenger dorms and Zoe and Wash wandered down from the bridge. Inara arrived last, draped in a silk dressing gown and trying not to yawn, cursing Mal inwardly. Mal stood up from where he was sitting at the table and began to address them. "I know you all are wonderin' why I called you... Well, seein' as we've got no cargo, and no job as of this moment, we're going to be havin' a bit of a vacation." He paused as they all cheered, waiting somewhat impatiently for them to stop. Finally they did and he continued as though there'd been no interruption. "We're landing planetside on Verbena in--" he glanced at Wash. "Two hours." "--two hours." Mal continued. "We'll have a week to stay on the planet, enjoy the sites, eat in the restaurants, yadda yadda." he sounded as though he thought it a crime to be doing such when they could be out in the black, but he didn't comment on it directly. Over to the side, Inara looked pleased with herself, and the rest of the crew cottoned on to the notion that it was Inara to be thanked for Mal giving them a week off. "So we can do whatever we want?" asked Kaylee, smiling. Mal nodded curtly. "But I expect some duties still to be done. Kaylee, you still need to check the engine daily, and everyone else needs to make sure the ship is still clean and taken care of." Everyone nodded and Mal surveyed them all for a while. "Alright, that's all. Have fun."

Everyone cheered and scattered, Simon and Kaylee heading back to the lounge area of the passenger dorms as River stayed in the kitchen to make something to eat. Kaylee flopped down on the couch, beaming. "A week off, this is so shiny..." she said happily, watching Simon sit down beside her. He too was smiling, but he looked somewhat nervous. "Somethin' wrong, doctor?" she asked in concern. He shook his head, and looked at her. "I was just... wondering... if you'd like to.. do something with me.. on Verbena..." he asked awkwardly. He watched her nervously, expecting a no, but he was heartened as a radiant smile crossed her face. "'Course I want to! What are we gonna do?" she asked excitedly. She'd never been to a nice planet like Verbena for more than a day or so before, and she had no idea what kind of interesting things there were to see, but she suspected there were lots. Simon smiled happily. "I've got some things planned, you'll just have to see." he said, trying to sound mysterious. Kaylee laughed and threw a cushion at him. He caught it and grinned at her, pleased with her reaction. He smiled softly as she stood up, preparing to go back to the engine room. "So later then, tonight? We can start there, and then tomorrow... well, you'll see. But is tonight good?" he asked. She beamed at him and nodded, then turned around and headed out of the room. Simon watched her go, and then got up and already started packing a bag. A blanket, a thermos of hot cocoa, and, his surprise for her, a small box of strawberries he'd picked up several days before and had kept in a special container that kept them ripe and fresh. His stomach lurched with excitement a little while later when he felt the familiar jolt of the ship that meant they'd landed. He lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling, waiting for time to pass so he could begin his first outing with the beautiful mechanic.