DISCLAIMER: Don't own it, never did, just having fun playing.

A/N: A huge thanks to kispexi2 for betaing this, my first multi-chapter effort! Wouldn't want to do it without you!

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Chapter 2 PG13 An alternate beginning, Chapter 3 PG13

Chapter 4A A bit more story, and some background.

Simon had learned in MedAcad how to take short power naps whenever the opportunity arose, so he had lain down for a little while that afternoon after Becca was born and everything had quieted down. Still, by the time he headed down the ladder to join Mal in their bunk, he was exhausted. Had their anniversary really only been yesterday? So much had happened in a day and a half, what with Becca deciding it was time to join the family just when he and Mal had been settling in for a long night of loving to celebrate their anniversary. That had been the longest twelve hours of labor. Didn't second births usually have shorter labor and delivery times? Ah, well, leave it to Zoë to be unusual. He smiled as he stepped off the ladder.

Mal was sitting at his desk, going over paperwork. When Simon stepped off the ladder, Mal turned towards him and held out his arms. Simon moved into them, and onto Mal's lap, as natural as breathing. He leaned his head against Mal's shoulder, and lay quietly, drawing comfort from the strong arms surrounding him.

"Tired?"

"Exhausted."

"Why don't you go to bed, and get some sleep. I've still got a bunch of paperwork to finish, then I'll join you."

"Are you sure? Seems like I promised… Just yesterday morning was it? …to make your bones melt."

Mal smiled and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. "How you gonna do that when you can't even keep your eyes open? Huh?"

Simon yawned hugely, "Suppose you're right. Sorry, love."

"Don't be. Anticipation is a powerful aphrodisiac, or so I'm told."

Simon grinned as he stood up, kissed Mal, and strode to the bed, leaving a trail of clothes in his wake. By the time he crawled under the covers he was naked, and by the time his head hit the pillow he was asleep.

Mal watched him walk away, and knew he really must be exhausted. Simon never left his clothes on the floor. Oh, well, time for a break anyway. He picked up Simon's clothes, and put them where they belonged. He looked down at Simon sleeping peacefully, and thanked every power in the 'verse for the day Simon had decided to board Serenity.

It'd been almost ten years ago when he'd first seen this man on the ramp leading into the cargo bay. That first year was hell, what with me sniffin' after Inara, and Kaylee sniffin' after Simon. Once he'd realized he was tryin' to take Inara away from somethin' she didn't want to leave, things had improved. Course, that was probably because she'd left us for a while. At least then he'd had the chance to really see Simon, and realize that what he felt for the young doctor was more 'n he'd ever felt for Inara, or for anyone else for that matter.

It'd been a form of torture, watchin' Kaylee puttin' Simon on a pedestal he didn't want to be on. Luckily, she'd started spendin' more and more time with River, givin' her less and less time to think about Simon, and her infatuation had died a natural death by the time he and Simon had finally become lovers. They'd been lovers for three glorious, but terrifyin', years. Glorious because Simon made love then just like he does now--whole heartedly and unreservedly. Terrifyin' because he'd felt sure Simon would never stick around with a grumpy old man like him, that Simon had to be just takin' what was available 'til somethin' better came along.

Then had come the day when The Academy was exposed, and the arrest warrants had been dropped for River and Simon. He'd felt sure they'd leave for Osiris, and their old life, immediately. Instead, Simon had convinced him that Serenity was their home, the crew was their family, and the only way they were going to leave was if he kicked them off. When he'd admitted that there was no way he was ever gonna to do that, Simon had come right out and asked, "So, when are you going to make an honest man of me then?" He remembered chokin' out "Wha… You wanna get married?" before wrappin' his arms around Simon and whisperin', "Today, tomorrow, whenever and wherever you want." They'd been married two weeks later on Sihnon, with Book presidin' over the ceremony, Zoë actin' as his 'best man', and River givin' Simon away. It had been wonderful.

Ah, hell, paperwork can wait. Right now, I just need to curl up beside my husband, and hold him all night long. He stripped out of his clothes, turned off the light, and crawled in next to Simon, wrapping him in his arms and holding on for dear life. Simon just snuggled in closer, and slept on.

Chapter 5