I dont own em. They belong to Joss.

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"Oh Simon. I'm so happy." she cheered as she threw herself onto the bed.

"Me too, bao bei." he said kissing her quickly. "But Kaylee why do you want to get married so soon?"

She sat up, unsure of what to say so she lied. "I just can't wait is all."

"Bao bei, why are you lying to me? I know you too well." he said holding her trembling hands in his. "You know you can tell me anything."

"I know. I just didnt want you to worry." she said in a small voice.

"Worry about what?" he said smiling at her childish behavior.

"Simon, I think-" she swallowed. "I think I might be pregnant." she bashfully, lowered her head.

He quickly lifted it again with his hands. "Really?" he asked with a smile. She nodded her "yes". "Bao bei, that's wonderful!" he began kissing her lips tenderly.

"It- is?" she asked between kisses.

He pulled away. "Of course it is. Marrying you. Having a baby. It's more than I ever could have asked for." he paused. "But why were you so afraid?"

"I just was worried you'd propose cuz ya had to not cuz ya wanted to. Plus I know the captain would be more than happy to have Jayne point Vera at your back."

"I'm not afraid of them. But we can wait to tell them till after the wedding if that's what you really want." he said.

"That would be wonderful, Simon." she kissed him more passionately than ever before, pulling him down onto the bed with her.

"I love you, Kaylee Frye." he whispered to her mouth as he trailed hot kisses down her chest until he was hovering over her tight stomach. "And I love you." he whispered only loud enough for himself to hear.

~

"That was delicious. Thanks so much 'Nara." Kaylee said with a grateful smile.

"Well you ate three pieces, mei-mei. It must have been good." Inara laughed.

"Should we go to the common room for presents?" asked Simon.

"Ooh! Presents! Presents!" Kaylee squealed.

Kaylee had opened a few presents already including strawberries from Jayne, a new diary from Zoe, and a few more trinkets from Simon.

Mal and Inara sat on the couch enjoying the attention that was directed anywhere but at them. They felt like proud parents watching their little girl on her birthday. Inara couldn't help but think that one day they might have their own little girl. She rested her head on his shoudler, sighing contentedly. He pressed a gentle kiss on the top of her head. Inara curled her feet up onto the couch cushion and responded with a gentle peck in the crook of his neck, sending shivers through his body. He glances down and places one on the tip of her nose. They've begun a game and Inara is caught up in it. Smiling, she looks up at him eyes glinting mischievioulsy. She notices a tiny piece of sugar icing in the corner of his mouth. She turns, touching a hand to his cheek and licks the corner of his mouth. Game over. Mal can't take it anymore. As she moves away grinning smugly he reaches up and captures her face, They kiss passionately. Enjoying the feel of each other's tongues battling within their hungry mouths.

"I said! Thanks Cap'n and 'Nara." yelled Kaylee, clearly sick of trying to be heard by the couple. Trying to hide her beaming smile she spoke again. "I been needin' some new tools."

"Oh, um. Your welcome darlin'." Mal said, his voice sounding somewhat strained.

"One more!" cheered River. "I made it myself. Inara taught me how to knit."

"I'm afraid I'm not very good at it but I knew the basics. She wouldn't even let me help." Inara said cheerfully.

"Oh. Well, I'm sure I'll love it." Kaylee said, opening the box. She lifted the cover allowing only herself and Simon to see. As she unfolded the tissue paper she saw two blue booties. Kaylee gasped as she closed the box quickly. Kaylee looked at the young girl who simply stuck her tongue out.

"What is it?" asked Jayne eagerly as Zoe laughed at his childishness.

"Oh. It's um. Just some skimpy lingerie." Kaylee said smiling.

"Ok, that's all I need to know." said Mal.

"I could hear s'more." Jayne said before receiving another beating from Zoe.

"We'll talk later, you." Simon said sternly to his bratty younger sister.

~

"Gorramit, woman. D'ya have to beat on me all day?" asked Jayne as he walked into his bunk. Zoe suddenly shoved him down onto the bed violently.

"Think ya could stand to take a lil more?" she grinned mischieviously.

~

"Simon, I can't believe what River did." Kaylee said laying down on their bed.

"I know bao bei. She was completely out of place." he said frusterated. "I'll talk to her about it later."

"No. Not that, Simon." she sighed. "The booties. They were blue." she paused waiting for him to make a conclusion but he just stared at her. "We're having a boy, Simon."

Simon collapsed into a chair and ran his hands through his hair. "Wuo de ma, a son." Kaylee ran to him and kneeled between his legs.

"Simon? You gonna faint cuz I could go get some water." she said standing to leave.

"No. No." he grabbed her arms and pulled her back down. He leaned his forehead against hers as he spoke. "This day has been amazing. When I came on Serenity I never thought I'd find this family, a soul mate and a life. I just dont want it to end."

She stood pulling him up with her. "Believe me hunny. Besides this lil guy, there'll be plenty more 'fore it comes to an end.

They spent the rest of the day not only celebrating Kaylee's birthday but their love for one another.

~

"Mal?" she said climbing down the cold metal ladder. "You down here?"

"Yea, I'm here." he said placing his datapad on his headboard. "River told me ya got a wave. Everythin' alright?" "Not exactly." she sighed as she came to stand in front of him. "The Guild has requested a meeting or rather a trial, actually."

"For what?" he asked sitting up, directing his full attention to the gorgeous woman before him.

"Marcus' death. They believe it's time for me to return to the training house and become a "teacher", as it were." she moved the chair closer to the bed before sitting. "They think my staying on Serenity is a bad idea. Well, I dont fully disagree with that but not returning would cause problems for you and the crew as well as myself. And I refuse to deal with that."

"So your just gonna go?" he asked standing in frustration. He ran his hands through his hair.

"I have to. You don't know what they're capable of." she said looking up at his pacing form from where she sat in the chair.

"Oh I know all about what their capable of." he said harshly. "Remember that time they protected you oh so well from that operative?"

"Mal, please-" she tried.

"'Nara," he knelt in front of her, holding her hands, his elbows resting on her knees. "I jus' found you. You're the one thing in this 'verse I aint got taken away from me. You're the one thing that makes sense. I can't lose that."

"Mal, we can do this the hard way or the easy way, both ending with me walking out that door." she said calmly.

He chose to ignore her as he continued to rant. "Fuck the gorram Guild." he said, scaring her with his loss of temper. "They can come after me all they want, we'll just keep runnin' like we always do."

She shook her head with frustration. "You don't understand." she sighed. "I refuse to let them destroy your life."

"'Nara your my life now. An' you leavin' wont help nothin'." he said, finally sitting and lowering his head into his hands.

She did nothing as tears poured from her mournful eyes. She simply stood and said, "One day you'll forgive and appreciate what I've done." she left as slowly as she could, allowing him time to stop her. But he did nothing but sob in his hands. And then, he was alone again.

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TBC- sorry if its crappy, tired to post it then lost it and had to do it all over again. Next- FINAL CHAPTER. (then epilogue, tehe) Inara says goodby and leaves. Will post one if not both tonite.