Title: Making Plans Rating: PG Synopsis: Inara uses her wiles. Simon and Kaylee discuss the wedding. Timeline: Takes place 14 months after Serenity, the movie. Notes: Next part of a series beginning with : And So It Begins, Kiss Me, Coming Together, Tell Me, What’s Proper?, Tears , Peekaboo, Impatient, Waking Up is Hard to Do, The Talk, I See You, Exhaustion,.Moving Day, Celebration, Surprise , Vacation, Reunion, Manipulation, Baby Talk, A First Time for Everything, The Way It Is, A Special Day, Girl Talk, The Gift, Breaking it In, Making Plans Disclaimer: This story is not meant to infringe on the copyright of any person or company related to the trademarked characters and situations depicted in the Serenity movie or Firefly series. I make no money from this. Only done for fun - and a desperate craving to have more stories told about this wonderful ‘verse Joss Whedon created.

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“This isn’t fair, you know.” Mal groaned as his chin dropped onto his chest.

“You should know by now that I do not play fair, Mal,” Inara smiled down at him, watching his body shudder as her hands moved over his shoulders.

“But this - this is - why you women gotta be so good with your wiles?” He groaned softly when one hand slid into his hair and began to massage gently.

“I’m well trained in the use of mine.”

“Men need wiles.” Coherent speech was rapidly becoming difficult.

Inara leaned forward and breathed into his ear. “You have them, Mal.”

“I know ya want somethin’. So what is it? Tell me ‘fore I pass out here.” His eyes fluttered shut as she pressed a gentle kiss to the tip of his ear.

“It’s about the wedding.”

Mal groaned. Everything lately was about that gorram wedding. What was takin’ so long, anyhow? He could marry the kids in the cargo bay, the bridge, or even in their gorram bunk, if they wanted. But no-o. Inara was meddlin’. And worse, they were letting her.

The only words his mouth could formulate were, “What now?”

She lifted his chin and brought his head back to pillow against her chest. Her fingertips traced the shell of each ear and she felt a surge of pride when a tremor raced through his body. “I need your help. I have a few plans that require your - expert touch.”

A soft groan escaped his mouth when her hands slid around his shoulders and down beneath the front of his shirt. “What do you need me to lie to them about now?”

~*~

River knocked incessantly on the door to Simon and Kaylee’s bunk, refusing to be ignored. “You’ve had it for nearly a month now. Don’t you think it’s broken in enough yet?”

“Broken more like,” came Jayne’s voice from the other side of the door.

Simon groaned against Kaylee’s neck and rolled off her, their intimate moment ruined the second he heard Jayne’s voice. Simon refused to even contemplate why the sound of his little sister’s voice outside of his door didn’t bother him in the slightest.

“Come on Simon!” River knocked again, her voice taking on that bratty, impatient sister tone. “We have an appointment!”

“With Inara!” came Simon’s breathlessly annoyed reply. “In her shuttle!”

“To discuss your wedding!” came River’s quick retort.

Kaylee giggled as River scolded her brother for his tardiness. “We’re coming sweetie. Give us a few minutes.”

“I ain’t heard no com - ow!” Jayne was clearly hit for that comment which made Simon smile.

They could hear Jayne mumbling as River led, or maybe dragged, him away from the door.

Kaylee pushed Simon onto his back, climbed onto him and thrust her tongue into his mouth before he could say a word. “Don’t like bein’ interrupted,” she said when they finally parted for air. “’Nara will understand.”

His hands came around her back and pulled her against his chest, seeking to continue where they’d left off before being so rudely interrupted by his sister and Jayne.

~*~

“Sorry we’re late ‘Nara!” Kaylee hurried into the shuttle, dragging Simon by the hand behind her.

Inara chuckled daintily as she looked up from where she and River were looking at dress designs and fabrics on the flat panel cortex screen in front of them.

River quickly flicked off the screen as Inara stood. It wouldn’t do for Simon to see dresses and fabrics. His eyes would just cross at all the choices anyway.

Inara’s eyes danced. “It’s all right, River advised me you two might be a little late.”

Kaylee smiled sheepishly and Simon glared at River. “It will never end, will it?” he asked her with a heavy sigh.

River grinned smugly at her brother. “Oh no. Never.”

“Sit, sit.” Inara poured two additional cups of tea as the couple took a seat.

“I’ve received permission to have the wedding at the Companion Training House on Paquin.” Inara waited as the revelation sank in. She’d told them to leave the location of the wedding to her and they’d agreed.

Kaylee inhaled sharply and even Simon’s mouth dropped a bit in astonishment.

“Close your mouth, Simon. You’re catching bugs.” River admonished with a grin.

“No bugs in space, brat,” Simon shot back quickly.

River crossed her arms. “Yes there is. Big space bugs, Kaylee said so.” Simon simply rolled his eyes and returned his attention to Inara. “Inara, this is - you don’t have to do this.”

Inara dismissed him with a wave of a delicately manicured hand. “Nonsense. It’s already done. We simply need to go over a few things like flowers, decorations, and Kaylee’s dress.”

River leaned around Simon from her place on the couch and looked at Kaylee. “Simon can’t be here for that. His only job is removing it after the wedding.”

Simon rolled his eyes and glanced at Inara. “Does River have to be here?”

Inara nodded, secretly enjoying Simon’s discomfort. “She does.”

River stuck her tongue out at her brother. “Comedy relief.”

Kaylee giggled and squeezed Simon’s hands. “It’s ok, sweetie. We have to talk ‘bout your clothes too.”

River smirked at her brother. “Yes, you can’t be naked. You’ll scare the guests.”

Simon groaned and briefly considered taking Kaylee to the first Shepherd they found the next time they were planet side. Eloping had to be better than enduring endless teasing from his little sister.

River scowled at him as she picked up on that thought and Simon sighed, resigning himself to his fate.

~*~

“Plot the course, lil’ Albatross, we’ve got to finish this job and then dump your brother and Kaylee off on Paquin so’s we can keep Inara’s little secret.”

River stared into the blackness of space. “Shouldn’t trust him.”

Mal’s brows knitted together. “Who?”

“Badger.”

Mal scowled. “Well, we have some cargo to deliver to his contacts and then we’re gonna have a bit of a discussion about our last job.”

“He’s dangerous.”

“Most men in our line of work are, lil’ one.”

River trembled again and Mal rested a hand on her arm. You all right?”

She nodded, though her voice wasn’t as sure as her words. “Fine.” She shot him a small, tentative smile. “I’m fine.”

Mal narrowed his eyes at the young girl and as he was about to question her further, Inara slipped onto the bridge. “Is everything set?”

“We’ve got a delivery to make, can’t put all plans on hold ‘cause of a weddin’ I could perform myself at any time, and then we can continue with your little secret.”

Inara scowled at him. “You’re such an ass.”

Mal glanced behind him and smirked at her. “Yes, one of the many things you love about me.”

River turned away and rolled her eyes. She didn’t want to be witness to their foreplay. Not today.

Inara stared hard at him, resisting the urge to look down at that mighty fine backside. “Hardly.”

~*~

Kaylee was too excited to sleep by the time the lights had been dimmed for the night. She crawled into bed with a long yawn but chattered animatedly about all of the plans they had made during the last few weeks.

Simon couldn’t help but look at Kaylee and smile. Her already boundless enthusiasm seemed to grow as more and more plans had been made for the wedding. His heart swelled as he pulled her into his arms. He was the luckiest man in the ‘verse to have such a beautiful, talented and energetic woman with whom to share his life. His only regret was that he couldn’t give her everything he’d dreamed of being able to give his wife. His fugitive status rather put a damper on any sort of plans he could have made in that regard.

But when Kaylee pressed her lips to his chest and snuggled tightly against him, he forgot all about what he didn’t have and what he couldn’t give her, and concentrated on what they did have. They had friends they considered family, they had their freedom, they had a home and most importantly, they had each other.

“Want ‘Nara to stand up with me.” Kaylee’s voice was muffled but Simon understood it anyway. “Gonna ask the Cap’n if he’ll give me away.”

“I suppose I can ask River to stand beside me.” He pressed his lips to her forehead. “It’s a little unorthodox but I’m sure she’ll just love picking out an outfit to compliment mine - or, knowing River, one that clashes horribly just to embarrass me.”

Kaylee giggled but could detect the hesitation in his voice and suddenly realized something she hadn’t considered before. “Did ya wanna ask the Cap’n to stand up with you?”

Simon smiled briefly. “I’d considered it. But -“

“Then he can walk me down the aisle and then he can stand by you. Double duty. He should be used to it by now.” Kaylee leaned forward and brushed her lips against his. “’Sides, everyone gonna sit on my side, you’ll need River to sit on yours.”

Simon laughed at the twinkle in her eyes. “That’s true enough. Jayne certainly won’t be sitting on my side - unless it is with a gun pointed at my back.”

Kaylee snuggled closer, her body tingling as they talked about the wedding. “‘Cap’n says we can make a stop at home after the wedding to see my folks. I want ‘em ta meet ya.”

Simon tightened his arms around her shoulders, thinking about his own parents and how he had left them. He felt shame at not having tried to contact them since they’d left dead federal officers lying at their feet. But, he’d felt it would be for their protection if he didn’t have any contact with his parents. River insisted that they’d be fine after what had happened and he had to trust his little sister.

“I’m looking forward to that,” Simon said with a smile that reached his eyes. “I need to thank them for you.”

Kaylee rubbed her cheek against his chest. “Aw. Simon. You’re gettin’ better with the talkin’.”

He lifted her chin and grinned into her eyes. “I think I’d rather do something else right now.”

Kaylee carefully maneuvered herself onto him and pushed her hands into his hair. “Yeah.”

He kissed her gently, enjoying the feel of her hands gently tugging at him. “Need to exhaust you somehow or we’ll never get to sleep.” He rolled her over suddenly, pinning her beneath him.

As his mouth sought out that sweet, sensitive spot on her neck, Kaylee arched her head back into the pillow and tightened her fingers in his hair. It would take some good, long, sexin’, but she’d finally get to sleep, dreams of standing by Simon’s side and pledging their lives to one another dancing through her mind.

~*~

River sat on the bridge, alone, her legs curled beneath her, staring out into the blackness of space. Everyone was in bed but only Jayne and Zoe were actually sleeping. The Captain was fighting with Inara, as was common before they engaged in other intimate acts, and Simon and Kaylee were otherwise occupied, their passion spilling out of their bunk in tumultuous waves River had a difficult time trying to block.

Silent tears slipped down River’s cheeks as the emotions slammed into her. Everyone was happy now. But it wouldn’t last. Not for long. It never did. Things always got much worse before they got better.

END