"This is the captain. Everyone to the dining area pronto." Mal said through the comm before walking out of the bridge. "Where is my gorram crew?" Mal asked as Zoe entered with Wash. "They'll be here soon, sir." She said, sitting down with her husband. When the entire crew was accounted for, Mal said, "I received a WAV from Mrs. Frye." Everyone turned to look a Kaylee who was bubbling with excitement. "Ya talked to ma?" She asked with a grin. "That I did, lil' Kaylee. As you all know, It's Kaylee's birthday in 6 days and her mama invited us to spend the holiday with the Frye family." Kaylee smiled and the whole crew began talking at once. "Cap'n are we goin'?" Kaylee asked. "How could I say no? We made more money than ever on the last trip I figure we all deserve a break." "Finally, Zoe!" Wash said. "A vacation!" he turned to Kaylee. "You got a naked beach near you?" "We got a beach. No naked ones, though. Sorry, Wash." Kaylee laughed. "Better than nothing!" Wash kissed Zoe. "Meet the parents." River looked at Simon. "Yes, we will meet Kaylee's parents." Simon said. "This is great!" Kaylee said and kissed Mal's cheek. "I love my captain." "When we landin'?" Jayne asked. "Tomorrow afternoon." Wash answered, calculating the time it would take to get there in his head. "'Nara, you ain't gonna have any plans on my birthday are ya?" Kaylee asked. "No, meimei, I'm taking the week off for you." Kaylee squealed and hugged her. "Simon, we gotta celebrate!" Kaylee grabbed his arm and pulled him into her bunk. "They've been ruttin' like animals for months. Don't they ever get tired?" Jayne grumbled as he left the room. "Zoe, we gotta go find our beach stuff!" Wash tugged at her arm. "Let's go!" Zoe laughed. "I haven't gone swimmin' in years, Wash. I hardly think my suite will still fit." "Well we better go try it!" He kissed her before dragging her laughing into their bunk. River was mumbling unintelligible words under her breath. "River, let's get you to bed shall we?" Shepard Book said and guided the girl out of the room, leaving Mal and Inara alone. "No clients? For a whole week?" Mal asked her. She scowled. "For Kaylee." "Ya haven't taken a client since the Heart of Gold, 'Nara." Inara looked at her feet. "What's botherin' ya anyways? You're always sad now. Cryin' all the time." "I do not cry!" She said. "Yeah ya do! Every gorram night!" He yelled before he could stop himself. "You...you spy on me?" She gasped. "I'm only walkin' round my boat! Can't help it if you're sobbin' my name an' I happen to hear ya!" "Mal!" Inara started to cry. "Hey now...don't do that!" Mal hesitantly pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be spyin' on ya like that....but can I ask why ya do cry my name every night?" "You...you and...and Nandi...and I was..." Inara sobbed. "You're upset I slept with Nandi?" "Why didn't you come to me?" She cried. Mal's mouth fell open slightly. "You wanted me to...?" "I've wanted you in my bed since the moment I met you. I...I love you." When Mal didn't say anything she continued. "I always dreamed that I'd give up being a Companion for a rich man - someone to spoil me, to buy me pretty things. Someone with a big house on the beach. But I met you and realized I don't need any of that. I just need you." Mal looked down at her, and she realized with horror that he had tears in his own eyes. "Mal don't..." He kissed her, full on the mouth. She had imagined this moment every night in her dreams, and now that it was really happening she could hardly believe it. "I love you, Inara." He whispered. "I can't spoil you or nothin' like you said - but i can treat ya right and love you. I've always loved you." "I know. Me too. I...I want to give up being a Companion...for you but...The Guild will only let a Companion leave without a problem if..." "If what?" Mal asked. Inara shook her head. "We'll talk about this later." "You sure?" "Yes. Right now you and I have some things that need to be done in my shuttle." She poked his chest playfully and led him out of the room.

"KAYLEE!" Mrs. Frye ran screeching out of the house in an apron to greet her daughter. "Mama!" The woman hugged each other. "God, look at you! You been doin' alright?" "I've been doin' just fine, Mama. How's everythin' here?" "We're all good here. Your Daddy's been missin' ya somethin' fierce." "Where is he?" "I'm here!" Mr. Frye ran over and hugged Kaylee. "You look great, girl." "You look good to, Daddy. I want ya to meet some people." Kaylee turned to the crew. "You know Cap'n Reynolds already." "Yes I do." Mr. Frye shook hands with Mal. "Nice to see you again, Captain." "You too. Lookin' forward to spendin' time here." "Lookin' forward to havin' ya." "Think you met Zoe and Wash when I signed on. Zoe's the first mate, and this is her husband, Wash, the pilot." "Hello, sir." Zoe said and shook his hand Mal perked up when he heard her say 'sir'. She had never called anyone but him by that name. "Nice to meet you both." Mrs. Frye said with a smile. It was obvious where Kaylee had gotten it from. "Mama, Daddy, this is Jayne, the merc. And Simon and River. Simon's the doctor and River's his little sister." "So you're the doctor my lil' Kaylee's been talkin' about. It's good what ya did for your sister. I respect that. Family should always stick together." "Thank you, sir. I agree. Family is important." "Mama, Daddy, this here's Inara. She's a Companion and my best friend." "Hello, it's nice to meet you both." Inara smiled pleasantly. "Well look at that! A Companion's spendin' the week with the likes of us! Nice to meet you." Mrs. Frye said. "Kaylee, come inside I made you somethin' to eat. If any of ya all want some, just c'mon right in." "Thank you, but I think Kaylee mentioned something about a beach?" Wash bounced up and down and Mrs. Frye laughed. "Right over that way. You can all go relax if you want. We'll join you in an hour or so." "Thank you!" Wash grabbed Zoe's hand and dragged her off. Jayne grumbled somethin' about polishing Vera and went back to Serenity. Simon and River went inside with Kaylee, and Mal put a hand around Inara's waist. "Mal, let's go to the beach!" She said. "Ya wanna?" He looked down at her. "Yeah. Let me get my stuff, I'll meet you here in 10 minutes." Mal nodded before heading to his own bunk to grab his swim trunks. This was going to be an interesting day.