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 1 Adult Only!, Chapter 2 PG13, Chapter 3 PG13, Chapter 4 Adult Only!, Chapter 4A PG13

Chapter 5 Simon asks Mal a question.

Mal woke to the feel of a warm washcloth on his abdomen. He opened sleepy eyes and grinned at Simon. "Mornin'."

"Good morning." Simon leaned down and gave Mal a tender kiss. "We could really use a shower."

Mal glanced at the chronometer and groaned, "No time."

"How much time do we have?"

"We should be breaking atmo in about an hour, gotta meet with Badger an hour after that. Gotta get dressed and have a crew meeting before then."

"Oh, well, sponge baths can be fun, too."

"Yeah?"

"I'm a doctor, trust me. I know all about sponge baths," Simon smirked.

They proceeded to spend the next half hour washing each other and getting dressed, stealing kisses and caresses all the while. As they finished and were about to leave their bunk, Simon stopped Mal with a hand to his forearm. "Mal?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think we'll have time while we're here to have a nice steak dinner somewhere?"

"Don't rightly know. Depends on what Badger has lined up for us. Knowin' him, we'll be out of the world almost before the engines cool down, but I'll see what I can do. Steak does sound good, now you mention it," Mal smiled as he hugged Simon.

"Tell me again, Mal, why we keep dealing with Badger," Simon said quietly.

There was a strong hint of steel in Mal's voice as he replied, "You know why. Because he keeps giving us jobs, and we need the coin."

"I know. But surely there are other people…"

"Simon." There was more than a hint of steel now, and also a "we've had this conversation before, and nothing's changed" tone.

"I'm sorry, love. It's just…I don't trust him. And I don't want you to get hurt."

Mal's expression softened slightly, and he pulled Simon in for a quick hug as he replied, "I don't trust him, either, and I'll be careful. Maybe you should come along this time. With Zoë out of commission for a bit, I could use an extra set of eyes and ears while we work out a deal."

"Are you sure? You know I'm still not much good with a gun."

"Not about guns at this point. More about brains. And I hear you got them in spades," Mal smirked.

Simon playfully slapped Mal's shoulder and said, "If you're sure. But I don't think you should tell Zoë she's out of commission. She might not take that too well."

Mal laughed as they climbed out of the bunk.

***

Later that evening Mal and Simon were sitting at a table in one of the better steak houses on Persephone waiting for their order. It had been quite a day.

They'd managed to get to breakfast before most everyone else, but just barely. Only Wash and Eddie beat them to the table, and that only because you couldn't stop a hungry four-year old. As everyone else joined them, Mal sent Wash to the bridge so he could see them safely landed. He also volunteered to make sure Eddie finished his breakfast, and actually followed through. Everyone clamored for some time off ship once they had docked, and Mal promised to see what he could do.

After breakfast, Simon had headed to the infirmary to check on Zoë and Becca. Mal followed along so he could talk to her about the meet with Badger. Zoë'd actually admitted she wasn't up to going, but only this one time, and thought Simon going in her stead would work just fine. She and Becca were both doing well, so Simon had released them from the infirmary.

Mal, Simon and Jayne, of course, had gone to meet with Badger. The meeting went rather well. Simon kept his mouth shut, and his eyes and ears open. Jayne kept his gun holstered. And Mal kept his cool when Badger admitted there was a problem with the cargo. Seemed it wouldn't be ready for delivery 'til the following morning, some kind of problem with the originating client. Mal used the information as a bargaining chip, no need to let Badger know how it fit their plans perfectly. A price had been agreed upon-- and half paid up front due to Mal's ship being so inconvenienced--and a delivery time set before they returned to Serenity, and released the crew for some much needed shore leave.

Kaylee had gone off looking for some much needed engine parts, and River went along with her. Simon was so glad to see his sister behaving mostly normal and in a happy relationship. Somewhere along the line he had stopped worrying about her. Was probably about the time she'd stopped needing the drug therapy. She still had bad days now and then, but they were nothing that she couldn't handle, either alone or with Kaylee or Simon's help. She'd been so happy the day Simon stopped the drugs. "No more needles! Yay!" She'd danced around the ship for hours before settling in Kaylee's bunk.

Jayne had gone off to buy some ammo. "Can't never have enough," was his gruff comment. Then he announced plans to hit a local bar, and maybe find some companionship of the female variety, and not to wait up for him.

Book had decided to head to the Abbey and visit with his fellow Shepherds.

Inara, while no longer an active Companion, had many friends on Persephone, so elected to go visiting. She borrowed her old shuttle, and would return before they left atmo the next day.

Wash had chosen to stay on Serenity with his family, not that there was ever been any doubt that he would. He and Zoë might get out for a little while in the evening, or maybe not. Whatever they did, they'd be a family.

That had left Simon and Mal at loose ends. They decided to walk the shopping district for a while, browsing in some of the more obscure stores, before Mal suggested that they check into one of the nicer hotels for the afternoon and evening. Simon not being averse to that suggestion, they promptly forgot about shopping in lieu of a long, hot shower, even longer, hotter love-making, and another long, hot shower. There might have been a nap or two in there somewhere as well. Must have been, or they'd probably both be sleeping on the table at this point. As it was, they were both totally relaxed and comfortable, a state not well-known to either. Simon hoped he wasn't about to destroy the mood with the topic that had been on his mind for quite a while now.

Unfortunately, or maybe not, just as he opened his mouth to speak, the waiter arrived with their order. "Will there be anything else, gentlemen?"

"Another glass of wine, please," said Simon.

Mal cocked an eyebrow at him, Simon didn't usually have more than one glass of wine, if he even had that many. Wonder what's up? Ah, well, time will tell. In the meantime… "I'll take another beer, thanks."

"Coming right up, sirs."

The steaks smelled heavenly, and they were prepared to perfection. That was the one thing Simon still missed after all these years, the ability to have real food at every meal. He'd become accustomed to eating protein in all its various shades, but to have real food again… He could wait a little longer to ask Mal the question that was uppermost in his mind. Nothing should spoil this meal.

So they chatted about everything and nothing while they consumed the best meal either had had in a long time. When the waiter asked if they cared for any dessert, they decided to split a piece of apple pie with ice cream. They were no sooner finished with that before he came by again, asking if there was anything else they needed.

"How about a couple cups of coffee, and the bill," said Mal as he tried to decide if the waiter was trying to get rid of them, or was just damn good at his job. Opting for the good at his job option, he decided to leave him a larger than normal tip. After all, he was in a good mood and had some coin to spare. Why not spread the wealth?

They were sitting there, sipping their coffee, trying to find the energy to get up and return to the hotel, when Simon took a deep breath. Deciding it was now or never, he asked, "Mal, do you ever miss not having a child of your own?"

Chapter 6