"How's things shaping up, Wash?" asked Mal, appearing behind him on the bridge and looking out at the approaching planet.

Wash looked back at Mal with a satisfied gleam in his eyes. "Looks like a lovely day for crime."

Mal nodded. "Good work. Holler if you see anything amiss," he said as he turned and headed down to the galley.

Kaylee emerged from the kitchen at a run, laughing as she dodged the burnt protein chunks that Simon was flinging in her direction. She dodged aside to miss Mal, who grabbed her shoulders as she passed and spun her around, wrapping his arm around her neck and rumpling her hair affectionately.

"I'll have no horseplay on my ship," he told her sternly. Kaylee struggled lightly and slapped at him. Mal turned her loose with a smile, thrusting her towards Simon, who was clutching a handful of protein and standing stock still, an embarrassed expression upon his face.

Mal helped himself to a plate and sat down at the table with Book, Jayne, Inara, Zoe, and River. "So, Shepherd. You got any pearls of wisdom for us heathens before we drop you for your little spiritual awakening?"

Book raised his eyebrows. "None that you'd see fit to heed."

"Man of little faith," Mal muttered under his breath as Kaylee and Simon joined them at the table. "Jayne, after we drop the Shepherd here at the abbey, you get the shuttle prepped with extra fuel. We're gonna be leaving Serenity a good ways off, and I got no mind to get stranded." Jayne nodded.

"Inara, I understand you'll be...entertaining during our little visit?" asked Mal.

"You know exactly what my itinerary is, Mal."

"And then you know I expect you to stay in communication at all times. I got no intention of havin' to stay behind for you if we wind up needing to depart a little quicker than we came."

"Be a good deal happier if I were coming with you, sir," said Zoe.

Mal shook his head. "So would I. But I'm gonna need Wash for the ship-stealing bit, and Jayne for the heavy lifting. Can't leave one of our shuttles in the city where it can be picked up and traced back to Serenity, so that leaves you as the taxi driver."

"I understand, sir. Doesn't mean I have to like it." Zoe stood and left to spend a few minutes alone with her husband on the bridge.

"Simon, Zoe's in charge of the ship while we're gone. I'm trusting you to make sure things go smooth on board," said Mal with a significant glance at River.

River glared back at him. "Won't go smooth. You said it. Nothing ever goes smooth." Mal gave Simon an entreating look, but he merely shrugged his shoulders.

Mal stood and walked up behind River, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I need you to make an exception to that, little one."

She looked up at him. "Not me. You." Her face bore an expression of deep sadness. "You came for me. I'll come for you."

Mal looked down at River, troubled. Jayne shoved his chair back and stood. "You wanna stand around and listen to the little creepy girl, or you wanna make some money?"

"Jayne!" howled Kaylee indignantly. Mal glared at him as he turned to follow, taking Kaylee's hand as he passed.

"You take good care of Serenity while we're gone, little Kaylee."

"Sure thing, Cap'n. Good luck with the crime," she said, beaming up at him.