Guest starring
Tyne Daly as Shelly Frye
James Cromwell as Hank Frye
and
Joshua Jackson as Finn Frye

"No." Zoë stood at the foot of her bed, arms folded across her chest, a pose made somewhat less fearsome by the lack of pants. "Husband, we've had this discussion."

"But Zoë," Wash protested. "You always said we could try it!"

Wash looked hopefully up at Zoë, whose frown did not waver. "No."

He tilted his head, his blue eyes glinting deviously in the faint light of their bunk. "Think of it as a trial run for a baby."

Zoë sighed. Leaning over, she lifted a squirming furry bundle from the floor. "This?" she gestured. "This is not a baby. This is a job."

Wash grinned as the puppy licked her chin. "See, she likes you."

Zoë made a face. "It has to go back, dear, and you know it."

"Don't call her it. She has a name, and it's Vera."

"Vera?" Zoë gave her husband a flat look. "Jayne's favorite gun is named Vera."

"The same gun which Vera here was gnawing on when I rescued her from the walking weapon. It was destiny, Zoë."

"The answer is still no." The puppy squirmed in her arms. "‘Sides, we’ve already had this discussion ‘bout taking cargo. That means we can't keep her."

"You're missing the point here, cupcake."

With a sigh, Zoë turned back around. "And the point would be what exactly?"

"We wouldn’t just take Vera, we’d buy her."

"Husband," Zoë said patiently. "The contact wants four sets of mating pairs of beagles. That means four boys and four girls." Vera licked Zoë’s face and yipped happily. "We don’t have the money anyway."

Wash grinned mischievously. "And if I told you we did?"

"I would wonder when you robbed a bank without telling me."

He gave her his most disarming smile, and patted the bed beside him. "Come sit down. Bond with her a little. If you don't love her by the time we land, I won’t breathe another word about it."

"I'm more interested in all this money we supposedly have." She handed the puppy back to Wash.

He settled the beagle in his lap, scratching her behind the ears. "Might be that I've been setting some aside here and there for a rainy day."

Zoë raised an eyebrow, but sat down beside him. "Really now?" She absently petted Vera, who was happily snuggled down in Wash's lap. "And how have you done this?"

"How have I done it? Or how have I done it without my beloved finding out?"

"Both," she decided. "As far as I know, we have barely made enough to buy new clothes this year."

He plucked at the collar of his Hawaiian shirt. "And does it look like I've been spending any money on my clothes?"

Zoë smiled and smoothed his collar back down. "You have been looking slightly ragged lately. I thought you were expressing your new style."

"I still have some surprises up my sleeve yet."

"Well, husband." Zoë stood, recapturing Vera and tucking her under an arm. "What say we throw this mongrel out, and you can show me what you have up your sleeves?"

"We've got time for that before planet fall?" He questioned, already working on the buttons of his shirt.

"We’ll make time," she promised, dropping the puppy outside the door.

Vera took off at a scamper as soon as the hatch was closed, her paws slipping out from under her on the slick metal. The pups had been on board more than a week, and had quickly learned the run of the ship. She slid around a corner and careened down the stairs, her feet getting tangled underneath herself. She landed in a soft cushion of vests at the foot of the steps; one ear flopped over atop her head.

Vera shook herself hard and found herself looking into a pair of puzzled brown eyes.

"Did you get lost?" The girl lifted the puppy out of the vests and into her lap. "You don't want to lay there. Simon is protective of his shell."

Vera swiped her tongue over the girl's chin, squirming happily.

River giggled. "That tickles, Little Gun."

"What tickles?" Simon stuck his head out of the door.

She spun around, and Simon looked from River to the puppy, to the vests littering the floor. "How did those get out there?" He moved to pick up one of the vests and shook it out. "I've been looking for them all morning."

River shrugged, floating to her feet with the puppy in her arms. "You should wear shirts that show off your shoulders. Kaylee likes them."

"That may be, but these are more appropriate," he frowned, trying to brush the dog hair off his favorite.

River examined her brother. "You'll look like a doll in a case. Kaylee won't want to play with you."

"Kaylee always wants to play with me," he murmured offhandedly, and then froze. "Not that – I mean, she's–"

River blinked innocently, petting the dog in her arms. "You missed a spot shaving."

He rubbed his chin. "I did?"

Simon ducked back into their rooms with a frown. River shared a look with Vera, and then smiled. "Go on, Little Gun. Go find your friends."

She yipped as River set her down, and ran off toward the cargo bay where Jayne and Kaylee had set up a makeshift kennel for the eight puppies they were transporting – a kennel that hadn't seen use outside the first day.

Vera was investigating the far corners of the cargo bay when she was unceremoniously grabbed by the scruff of her neck. She yipped in irritation.

"There you are." Jayne held her aloft with a glower. "Better not’ve been in my bunk again."

She barked playfully, licking his face enthusiastically. "Well," Mal said, "Looks like someone on this boat likes you."

He tucked the puppy beneath his arm. "Just a dog."

Mal gestured to the puppy. "We'll be makin' landfall in another hour. She the last one?"

Jayne tugged the pup's nose out of his armpit and placed her in the kennel with the others. "Nope." He smirked. "Kaylee’s got one in the engine room with her."

Mal sighed. "Sooner we're rid of these the better. And I thought the cattle were bad."

The big man shrugged and captured another escaping puppy. "People pay good money for huntin’ dogs. And at least these is easier to clean up after."

"The cattle stayed in one place though, 'stead of getting into everything." He patted the cage. "Get these ones locked up and then go fetch the puppy Kaylee has."

"'Magine she's too busy getting ready to worry about the pups. How long has it been since she's been home, anyway?"

"Not since we picked her up." Mal rubbed at the back of his neck. "Feel a mite guilty takin' so long to get her back for a visit."

Jayne shrugged. "She woulda asked, if she wanted. You never could say no to that girl."

He smirked. "Which is why I'm sendin' you to pry that puppy outta her arms instead of me."

Jayne's mouth fell open in dismay. "Cap'n, that ain't fair!"

But he was already walking away. "That's an order, Jayne."

"Xiongmao niao. Henku de laoban."

Simon ran a hand over his jacket again, conscious of the wrinkles he hadn't been able to smooth out before leaving the ship.

They'd landed on Hartford, the third moon off Paquin, an hour ago. The Captain, Jayne and Zoe were taking the shuttle and the puppies to the buyer, and had dropped the rest of them on a dirt road half-way to the Frye’s farm rather than land Serenity on their property without warning.

From what he'd seen so far of the moon, it was just like all the others on the Rim: hot, brown, and dirty. He counted himself lucky that the chief export of Hartford seemed to be grain, rather than mud as on Canton. It certainly smelled better.

His eyes landed on Kaylee who led the pack, bouncing with every step, the hem of her flowered dress fluttering in the breeze. River was skipping beside her, slipping into an intricate dance step every few yards, and Simon imagined that Kaylee's excitement must be contagious.

Inara, Book and Wash hung back a bit, and Simon marvelled at the Companion's ability to look perfectly comfortable in the sweltering heat when he felt ready to self-combust. The 'verse was simply an unjust place.

He tugged anxiously at his collar again, wishing that they had proper starch on Serenity. His shirt was in sad shape. He really didn't want to contemplate what Kaylee's parents were going to think. He didn't think he was going to present a very dignified appearance and he wanted to make a good impression. Not that he and Kaylee were involved, but he did like her – a lot.

Squinting, he could make out a small building through the dust they were kicking up. It was painted a cheery yellow, which meant it had to be Kaylee's house.

Simon looked down at his wrinkled jacket again in concern.

They were going to hate him, he just knew it.

"Is this it, Kaylee?" Inara asked as they approached the small farm house. The yellow paint was faded slightly by the sun, flowers wilting in the yard, all of it overshadowed by the huge barn set a few yards back from the road.

Kaylee didn't seem to hear the question, as she had suddenly squealed and taken off running.

A young man stood up from where he had been tending to the garden, shading his eyes from the sun to see who was coming. He caught sight of Kaylee and let out a whoop of his own, dropping his shovel and lunging forward to swing her around in a circle.

"Jus' look at you, Finn!" Kaylee was giggling. "You’ve growed some since last year!"

The younger man finally released Kaylee with a happy whoop of joy. "Ma! Ma! Kaylee's home!"

A woman pushed the door open and stood in the doorway. Her dark eyes were tired, but a large, welcoming smile lit up her whole face.

"Finn, you put your sister down and run off and get your Pa from the shed." Kaylee's mother finished wiping off her hands on her apron and swept her daughter up in a fierce hug. "Kaywinnet, it is so good to see you! You shoulda told us you was coming home!"

"And what kinda surprise would that be?" she asked, the words squeezed from her lungs by the strength of her hug. "I brought my friends, I hope that's no trouble?"

Kaylee's mother grinned at the crew. They were all standing near the fence, except for River, who was perched on the top rail.

"Of course, it's no trouble. We'll just make a little bit more for supper." She released Kaylee and nodded at the crew. "How do, I'm Shelly Frye." She gestured to the barn, "Finn and my husband, Hank, will be up soon to say hello."

Kaylee beamed at the crew as she introduced them. "This is Shepherd Book, Wash, Simon, River and Inara."

Inara stepped forward and clasped both of Shelly's hands in hers. "Kaylee has been a ray of sunshine for us on Serenity. You've truly raised an amazing woman."

Shelly beamed at the compliment. "Why thank you! And I've heard tell that you help take care of my girl up there in the black. I thank you for that."

"I've hardly done much of anything except perhaps provide some companionship, but it's no more than she's done for me. Less even."

"River, come down!" Everyone turned to see Simon urging River from the fence railing.

Shepherd Book cleared his throat and offered his hand to Mrs. Frye. "It's kind of you to welcome us on such short notice."

"Oh, it's of no mind, Shepherd." She continued to smile sunnily. "Kaylee's been fillin' her letters with tales of all the people she's flyin' with. We've been itchin' to meet y'all for the longest time."

She glanced around the small group, the lines around her mouth tightening as she watched Simon trying to coax River down. "Seems like we're missin' a few. Where's that fine Captain of yours?"

"They'll be along after they finish the job," Kaylee assured her.

Finn came around the side of the house, an older man following close behind in his wake. Kaylee's face split into a wide grin and she ran down the stairs and into his arms.

Beyond them, River stopped her pirouette on the fence post and stood still, her huge brown eyes focused on the young man beside them. She lowered her eyes when Finn caught her staring, a flush climbing up her cheeks. Extending one hand regally, she smiled shyly when Finn stepped up to take it and helped her down.

Oblivious, Shelly watched the reunion between father and daughter with a happy smile. Kaylee immediately launched into details of Serenity's engine, bombarding her father with questions. "Always havin' trouble with the Viese lock, Pa. Keeps poppin' out of place no matter what I do to batten it down. Kept tryin' to remember what it was you done with that Cembber engine a while back..."

"Hold on, now Kaylee girl," her Pa said. "No talking business till everybody is settled."

"Sorry, Pa."  Kaylee whirled and ran back to tug at Simon's hand. "This here is Simon Tam – remember, I wrote you ‘bout him? And that's his sister, River." She waved over her shoulder at where Finn and River were still standing.

"River, that's a pretty name," Simon heard over his shoulder as he nervously said hello.

"Nice to meet you, Mr Tam," Kaylee's Pa said. "I'm Hank Frye."

"It's Doctor Tam, actually," Simon corrected, wincing as soon as the words were out of his mouth.

"Doctor?" Hank frowned, the lines etching deeper into his tanned face as he ran his eyes over Simon.

"Yes, sir." Simon nodded, shifting his weight.

"Hmph," Hank grunted. Simon tried to smile. River rolled her eyes at him behind his back. "Don't look like I pictured 'im," Hank frowned at his daughter, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leading her into the house. "Figured he'd be bigger."

"Oh, Pa," Kaylee laughed as they walked through the door.

The others followed them inside, Shelly chatting happily with Wash and Inara, and River drifting in beside Finn.

Simon just dropped his head into his hands with a moan.

"Sir, can you kindly not kill us all in a fiery crash?" Zoe asked dryly.

Mal smirked over his shoulder at her. "Nope, I'm good. You can crash us into something later."

Jayne grunted from the back. "Can we hurry? These critters are gettin' squirmy."

They both ignored him.

"What do you think happened to our contact?" Zoe asked.

"Dunno," Mal answered. "Could be that he took off, could be that Badger is an idiot. I’ll wave him when we get back to Serenity. With any luck he'll have heard something we haven't."

Zoe sighed. "Something seems wrong about this whole deal, Sir. I’ll be glad when we unload those pups." Leaning forward, she scanned the horizon. "We should be nearing them any second now. In fact, I think that's it... three o’clock, Sir."

"I see it. The bright yellow thing."

"Do you know of anyone else who would paint a house such an irritatingly cheery color?"

"Ain't meanin' to point out the obvious," Jayne called from the back. "But we don't even know if we's welcome for a visit, let alone these monsters."

"We'll deal with that when we set down, Jayne," Mal called over his shoulder. "But I’m pretty sure they won't mind a whit."

Zoe nodded in agreement. "And if they do, we pick up the others and head on back to Serenity for the night."

"Jus' so long as somethin' goes to plan," Mal grumbled. "Gorram dogs."

Jayne chuckled when one of the dogs growled. "Think somebody disagrees with you, Cap'n."

Mal set down none-to-gently in an empty field across the dusty road from the house. "Jayne, best you stay here with the pups 'till Zoe and I get acquainted with the Frye's. No point in haulin' all the puppies out to turn 'round and bring 'em back again. Dong ma?"

"But Mal..."

"No buts," Mal said firmly. "Somebody's gotta stay, and we never know when you're gonna open your mouth and say something insultin'."

"Mal!" Jayne's face was the picture of wounded innocence.

"We want these folks to like us," Zoe added. "If they don't, they might try to get Kaylee to stay with them. We could lose us a great mechanic."

"And one of the only decent cooks on board."

Jayne sobered up. "You really think she'd stay?"

"Relax, Jayne," Mal said as he climbed out of the shuttle. "I don't think there is a force in the ‘verse strong enough to get Kaylee to leave Serenity."

He scowled through the hatch as Zoe descended. "Y'ain't gonna leave me out here long, are you? Man's gotta eat."

Zoe just smiled and shut the shuttle door in Jayne's face.

Mal had briefly met Kaylee's parents before whisking her off on Serenity. They'd both come with her when she'd come back to the ship the day he'd hired her, and found 'em to be likeable enough people. Weren't no question of where Kaylee got her bubbly personality from, and he found himself looking forward to seeing Shelly again.

Voices floated out on the muggy air as they approached the house, and he slid a glance over to Zoe. "They seem in a good mood."

"They should, sir," she said with a smile as the door came flying open. "They've got Kaylee back."

"Well, they can't keep her," he replied under his breath as Kaylee came to a stop on the stairs, her happy smile fading to a worried frown as she looked back and forth between them.

"Where's Jayne? Nothing went wrong with the job, right? Should I get Simon?" She was already turning to head back inside when Mal stopped her.

"He's fine. Puppy-sitting is all. Them dogs seem to have taken a shine to him. They probably recognize one of their own."

Kaylee swatted Mal on the arm, grinning. "Why do we still got the pups? Don’t the contact want ‘em?"

Mal sighed. "Couldn’t find the contact."

"Well, ain’t nothing to do for it now," Kaylee clapped her hands happily. "It’s almost dinner time, so come on in and worry about it later."

River stepped outside. "Little Gun and the others will be more comfortable in the barn."

Kaylee glanced over her shoulder and saw River and her brother standing just behind her. "River's probably right. Part o' the shop is still bein' used as a barn. Sure the pups would be happier there."

"Your folks won’t mind?" Mal glanced toward the door, his eyes lingering momentarily on the brown haired boy standing a mite too close to River.

"Naw, course not. More the merrier." She grabbed his hand, "Come on inside and see what Ma's cookin' up for us all. Finn and River can go and get those puppies together." She offered Mal a guilty smile for giving orders. "That okay with you, Cap'n?"

"So long as Jayne don't run the two of them over trying to get to supper."

Finn smiled at River. "What say we go get those pups?"

River glowed back at him and took hold of the elbow he’d offered, grinning at Kaylee as they walked by her.

Mal looked from Finn to Kaylee. "Simon all right with this?"

"What? My little brother crushin' on River?" She grinned. "Don’t see why not. Don'tcha think they're a dozen kindsa cute?"

"Yeah, but," Mal tried to explain. "She's…"

"Don't make her any less cute," Zoe offered. "We'll keep on eye on it, make sure he behaves himself."

"Oh, don't you worry. Finn's a right proper gentleman. Not like his big sis." Kaylee giggled as she dragged them inside.

Mal was immediately met with the rich scent of roasted turkey as they entered, setting his mouth to watering before he'd even closed the door behind him. "Think I done died and gone to heaven, Zo."

Visible through the kitchen, Shelly was directing the mayhem with a steady hand. Inara sat at the table, the sleeves of her ornate dress rolled up past the elbows, her manicured fingers buried in bowl of mashed tomatoes. Wash stood in front of the turkey with a serrated knife, mangling pieces of it onto the plate beside him. Shepherd Book moved around the large oak table in the centre of the room, laying out dishes and silverware, attempting to give Wash advice.

Shelly barely looked up when Kaylee hollered, "Ma, Cap'n and Zoe are here!"

"Nice to see you, Captain, Zoe," she nodded. "Mal, we could use you over with the biscuits. And Zoe, dear, could you help the Shepherd?"

Mal grinned, stopping at the sink to wash his hands before working on the dough all laid out, reading for cutting. "You run a tighter ship than I do, Mrs. Frye."

"Course I do," she said. "I'm a woman."

"Well said, Mrs. Frye." Inara smiled as Kaylee sat down with a bowl of snap peas.

Mal went to work on the biscuit dough, cutting out the circles carefully. "And where's Simon? Not that I think it's wise to have him anywhere near the kitchen."

Kaylee laughed nervously. "He's in the other room, keepin' Pa company." She stepped towards the doorway. "Maybe I should go see if they need anything. Like drinks or somethin'."

"Kaywinnit, you sit yourself right back down again. Your Pa won’t do nothin' to hurt the boy."

Mal blinked. "Is Simon having some kinda conversation with your Pa that I need to know about?"

Kaylee sighed. "No, but Pa knows I like him, and so he’s being mean." She glanced towards the door again. "Will you go check on him? You know Simon has no idea how to talk to folks."

Mal smirked. "Soon as I got the biscuits in the oven. But I gotta tell you Kaylee, there's no one who can teach the doc to talk like a regular body. 'Sides, I kinda like seein' him squirm."

Kaylee made a face. "That ain't nice, Cap'n."

He was turning back to the biscuits when Jayne strode in. "Somethin' sure smells good!" he enthused. "I followed the smell of turkey all the way here!"

He took off his hat with a grin, spotting Shelly. "You must be Kaylee's Ma." He stuck his hand out to shake. "I can see where she gets her looks."

Shelly took the hand held out to her and shook it. "Oh, you are a charmer, aren’t you?" she smiled, flushing prettily.

Jayne tilted his head, running his eyes appreciatively over Mrs. Frye. "Naw, I take it back. You’re way too young t’be her Ma."

"Jayne," Mal growled warningly.

"What? I was just sayin’…"

"Oh, he didn’t mean no harm, Captain." Shelly urged Jayne toward the table. "You just have a seat here, Jayne. Supper’ll be just a few more minutes. I was thinkin’ there was still one more of you missin'. Kaylee always has such sweet things to say about you."

Everyone in the room turned to look at Kaylee in surprise. "She does?"

"She does?" Jayne looked baffled.

"I do?"

"Well, sure you do," Shelly said cheerfully. "You talk so nice about all your friends, and I just know this one must be especial nice, how sweet he talks!"

Jayne threw her a flirtatious wink and a grin. "That I am, ma'am. I'm nice through and through."

Kaylee snorted. "I think you could stand to be nicer, sometimes."

Jayne shot her a wounded look. "I'm plenty nice!"

"Kaylee, bao bai," Shelly patted her on the shoulder. "You be polite when we got guests. ‘Specially when they're bein' so polite."

"Yeah, see... I'm polite." He rose from his seat, smiling at Mrs Frye and talking over the smothered laughter coming from Wash's side of the kitchen, "Sure smells heavenly in here. Anything I can do to help?"

Before Shelly could reply, Mal jumped in.

"Yeah, Jayne," he gestured with floury hands. "Why don't you take over for me, and I'll go check on our doctor?"

Jayne nodded, wiping his hands off with a towel. "Sure, biscuits I can handle." He threw a grin over his shoulder at Shelly. "Bet they won’t be good as yours, though."

Wash and Zoe exchanged amazed looks as Shelly giggled and flicked her towel at him.

Mal hadn’t made it to the doorway when Simon appeared, eyes scanning the kitchen before he frowned. "Where’s River?"

The mercenary didn't bother to look up from his task. "Ah, she and Finn are takin' care of the pups. Gettin' 'em settled in the barn." He flashed Shelly a smile, "Right nice of you to put 'em up."

Simon blinked. "You left River alone? With a strange boy? Are you mad?" He started towards the door, trying to shove past various crew members.

"And what's wrong with my boy, 'xactly?" Shelly demanded, hands on her hips.

"Your son seems the right sort t' me," Jayne offered. "He’s takin' good care of the girl. Won’t take his eyes off 'er."

Simon shot Jayne a frazzled glare. "Well, that just makes it all better, doesn't it?" The doctor nodded to Shelly, apologetically. "My sister is rather… special," he said lamely. He headed for the door, cringing from the flat look on Shelly's face. "I'm going to go check on her."

Kaylee sighed watching Simon go. "That didn't go well."

Inara patted her hand reassuringly. "I'm sure he's just nervous."

Both women flinched as Shelly turned back to her work, slamming drawers with more force than necessary. "Have to say," Shelly said, irritation still evident in her voice. "Your doctor ain't got a way with folk."

Jayne snickered from the stove and Kaylee shot him a glare. "Simon's just... nervous, is all. He's tryin' real hard to make you like 'im, Ma."

Shelly gave her daughter a pointed look. "You always did have poor taste in men-folk. Was hopin' you'd a grown outta that."

"Ma!"

Mal managed to hold back a grin. "Girl could do worse than Simon Tam. Not rightly sure how..."

"Cap'n!" Kaylee reached across the table to swat at him.

"He ain’t a bad guy," Zoë offered. "He’s just bad at talking to folk."

"Real bad," Kaylee sighed. "But I have faith," she said brightly. "At some point, I’m gonna be talkin' to him, and he ain’t gonna stick his foot in his mouth first thing!"

Jayne snorted as he put the biscuit pan in the oven. "That ain’t never gonna happen, Kaylee, and you know it." The big man leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "He’s gotta learn how to treat a lady."

Shelly smiled widely at him. "I bet you know all about that, you charmer! If I weren’t happily married, I’d give my daughter a run for her money with you!"

"Ma!" Kaylee gasped in shock.

"Hey now," Jayne flashed a wicked grin. "Don't let that be stoppin' you."

"Jayne!"

"What?" He blinked innocently.

"Oh, don't you mind none, Kaylee," Shelly smiled. "No harm done. Been a while since someone other'n your Pa flirted some with me."

"An' that's a shame, that is," Jayne nodded.

"Oh God," Wash ran his hand over his face. "Make it stop."

"Well then, Jayne – would you go out and round everybody else up so we can stop scandalizing your crew?" Shelly fluttered her eyelashes outrageously at the big man.

"Yes, ma’am." Jayne wiped the flour off his hands with a tea towel and tossed it over Wash’s head before heading outside.

"My crew," Mal murmured softly.

"An' a fine one you got, Captain Reynolds." Hank Frye appeared in the doorway, causing all eyes to turn on him. "'Cept for that doctor of yours. Man was trippin' all over his words, when we were talking earlier." He shook his head, his eyes landing on Kaylee. "You sure that's the one you meant?"

"Yes, Pa."

He moved to the head of the table and took a seat. "Leastways the boy seems content flyin' with you, Captain Reynolds. Says you've taken good care of m' girl. All 'cept that time she got shot."

The tray of baked beans in Shelly's hands clattered to the table. "Wo de ma too zai zi! Kaylee!" She rushed to her daughter's side, running her hands over her. "Are you alright? Does anything hurt? How did this–"

"Ma. Ma! I'm fine," she assured Shelly, mentally cursing Simon for ever bringing that up in front of her father. "It was ages ago. Really. Simon patched me up perfect right after."

Well, not right after, Mal said to himself.

Hank turned to Mal. "I thought you said my girl wouldn’t be going out on any of your jobs?"

"We wasn’t on a job, Pa," Kaylee tried. "Was an accident, that’s all."

Hank was giving Mal a stern look and Shelly’s hands twisted in her apron uncertainly. Mal was looking a little trapped.

"You and I're gonna have words, Captain." Hank's piercing brown eyes were fixed on Mal. "If you expect to take my little girl back in the air 'gain."

Kaylee gasped. "Pa, no!"

"Can’t clip a bird’s wings," River said seriously as she entered through the back door into the kitchen, the other men behind her. "Kaylee will fall."

Finn smiled at her. "You like birds?"

"Parrots can be taught to talk," she told him brightly. "Mostly people teach them to swear."

Jayne chuckled. "Sounds like my kinda bird."

"Won’t be no clippin' 'till after we eat." Hank frowned. "I'd like hear 'bout this job of yours. Kaylee tells me you’re shippin' puppies?"

Mal frowned. "We were aimin' to drop 'em off with a buyer on the other side of town. Got there and the place was empty. Prob'ly nothing. We'll head back into town tomorrow an' ask around, see where he’s got to."

"Least," Zoë sighed. "That's what we're hoping."

Hank tilted his head thoughtfully. "There a real market for breeding these days?"

"Beagles, there are. Hunting dogs." She responded with a smile. "Folk on some of the border moons are startin’ to think they got airs. Want the best of the best for their hunting parties, but can‘t seem to afford ‘em straight from the Core."

"How much they sellin’ for?"

"Two hundred credits, or thereabouts. According to our contact," Mal replied, spearing a piece of turkey with his fork.

Hank looked between the two of them. "Seems odd for a fellow to disappear, that much money on the line."

"Which is why I expect it’s just a miscommunication," Mal said, watching in disbelief as Jayne helped himself to several slices of turkey. "Save some for everyone else, Jayne."

Shelly shook her head. "He ain’t doing no harm. I like to see a man enjoy a good meal."

Jayne smirked and stabbed another piece of turkey. "Thank you kindly, ma’am."

River allowed Simon to fix her a plate, watching Finn move around the table and slide into the seat directly across from her with a shy smile. When she grinned back, Simon set the plate in front of her with a loud clatter. "You should eat, River."

Shelly frowned disapprovingly at him. "So, Simon. Tell us how you came to be on Serenity. Kaylee was always vague about it in her letters home."

Simon froze, a disturbed look in his eyes. His voice was very precise when he spoke. "We like ships."

River looked rather vacant. "Father wouldn’t buy us our own."

Simon put his hand over hers. "We wanted to travel." A sardonic smile crawled onto his face. "We wanted to see other places."

"We have seen much crime," River replied coolly.

"Really?" Finn sat forward eagerly, looking at River. "Kaylee doesn't tell us nothin' 'bout what she's been up to."

"It's not much crime," Mal offered, opting to take control of the conversation before more was divulged than need be. "Smuggling, which you already know about. Petty stuff, actually."

"Right," Wash nodded. "Most exciting thing we had aboard lately were those wobbly-headed geisha dolls."

"Oh," Shelly grinned at the pilot. "I love those!"

Mal shot Inara a triumphant look. "See?"

Inara rolled her eyes and went back to delicately eating the beans on her plate.

Mal stood on the back porch of the Frye home, leaning up against the railing some hours after night had fallen, smirking to himself as he watched his crew settle in by the fire out back. Finn had brought out an old guitar and Jayne, much to the crew's amazement, was playing songs by Shelly's request.

Amused him some, how eager Jayne was to please Kaylee's folks, but then, could just be he liked showin' the doc up. Wash and Zoe were usin' the excuse of a campfire to cuddle up outside. River and Finn were sitting together, stiff-backed, but occasionally their knees would brush, and River would smile. It was nice to see her acting like a girl her age should be, and he figured her obvious pleasure was the only reason Doc hadn’t said anything yet.

Faintly, he could hear Simon’s voice on the breeze, "But he kills people."

"Some people need killin'," Shelly replied, without battin' a lash. "Kaylee-bear, why don't you come sit here, 'tween Jayne an' I."

Mal chuckled to himself, shaking his head. He almost felt sorry for the boy. Almost.

"I ain't careful, my wife's gonna be takin' up with your mercenary." The waft of cigar smoke followed Hank's words as he appeared on the porch behind him. "That's what he is, right? A paid killer?"

Mal took a sip of whiskey laced tea. "He don’t shoot unless someone else shoots first."

Hank’s eyes were sharp as he sized up the Captain. "He have to do a lot of shooting?"

"Not if I do my job right," Mal answered.

"Well, that’s good," Hank said. "I trust he takes good care of my Kaylee?"

"We all try," he said honestly. "Girl has a mind of her own, though."

Hank snorted. "That she does. Gets it from her Ma."

"Kaylee's got a... special kind of spirit," his voice sobered. "I don't need to be tellin' you that, I suppose. Just think you should know that we all seen it and we appreciate it. Don't think there's a soul more loved on that boat than her. Ain't one of us wouldn't lay down our lives for her. You can be sure of that."

Exhaling a cloud of smoke, Hank nodded. "Got a talent for sayin' what a man needs to hear, Captain."

"I'm just bein' honest. Occasionally, I got a talent for that too."

Hank smiled. "Can't stop a father from worryin' about his baby girl. We miss her somethin' fierce."

"She misses you too, you know." Mal leaned up against the porch railing, which creaked under his weight. "Looks like you could use help with some repairs, Mr. Frye."

Hank patted the railing with a slightly gnarled hand. "That we could. We can find plenty of work for you and your crew to do while you‘re here, if you have a mind to help."

"And Simon?"

"Can he do anything worth doing?"

"He sews awful nice."

Hank took another long drag from his cigar,."Never got 'round to asking you about that contact in town. Who was it?"

"Fella named Lawti."

"Never heard tell of anyone by that name in these parts," Hank frowned.

Mal grunted in annoyance. "Don’t much know what we’re gonna do with a bunch of pups if we don’t find him."

"Another buyer?"

"Only if they’re close by." Mal shook his head. "Our contact on Persephone already got his cut up front. We’re supposed to collect our cut with delivery. But we don’t got the time to be looking for new buyers – a couple days, max. Besides," he added, "if we keep those pups much longer, all of them will get named and adopted, and then we’ll never get rid of ‘em."

He nodded towards Kaylee, who was laughing at something her momma was saying. "That one right there has been trying to talk me out of one since they got picked up."

Hank grinned. "That don’t surprise me in the slightest."

Smiling, Kaylee nudged River awake, the younger girl having nodded off some time ago. The Captain was standing over the crew gathered around the waning fire. "Been imposing ourselves on the Frye’s long enough. 'Bout time we start heading back to Serenity."

Shelly smiled tiredly. "Weren't an imposition, Captain. Always a boon gettin' to see our daughter and meet her friends. Sets a body's mind at ease to know who it is takin' care of her."

"Your hospitality's much appreciated, ma'am."

"Don't be ma'amin' me, young man. Makes a woman feel past her prime."

He grinned. "An' you're far from that, as Jayne has been kind enough to note. We still got a job to do, people. Ought to be heading back to the ship."

"It all right if I stay here, Cap'n?" Kaylee questioned. "I can meet y'all back at the ship in the mornin'?"

He shook his head. "Course you're stayin'. Don't expect you back on Serenity till we're headed for atmo neither. Family's more important." River was starting to lean into Kaylee again and Mal gestured for the rest to get movin'. "Once we find out somethin', we'll let you know how long to expect before we take off."

"Well now, you don't all have to go," Shelly shook her head. "We got a spare bed up in the attic and a awful comfy couch for the right sort of man to stretch out."

Kaylee rolled her eyes. "Ma!"

Shelly ignored her, and smiled at Jayne. "Probably more comfortable than wherever you're stayin' on that ship. And you can help Kaylee here with her chores in the morning."

"Might just take you up on that, Shelly."

"You mean River could stay the night here?" Finn blinked, more awake now than before.

"Of course she can."

Simon spoke up from where he sat on a log. "I don’t think that’s such a good idea." His vest was half unbuttoned from the heat of the fire, and he had dirt streaked down his cheek. "River has nightmares, and if she stays, I would need to stay as well."

Shelly frowned faintly. Her answer was rather short. "We don’t got enough room for another body, and certainly don’t have anything fancy enough for a doctor." She sniffed in derision.

Simon blinked, looking a little confused. "I don’t require anything special, ma’am," he sounded a little hesitant. "I just meant that I would prefer that River not stay unless I could as well."

Shelly’s eyes flashed in irritation. "We’ll take fine care of your sister, Doctor Tam."

"It’s quiet here, Simon," River yawned. "I promise to be good."

Simon closed his mouth with an unhappy sigh. "I’ll be here first thing in the morning, River." His concern was plainly written on his face, but he knew better than to argue with River when she had made up her mind.

Shelly still looked unhappy with him, but he tried to say goodnight nicely. "Ma’am, I assure you…"

"Goodnight," she cut him off and started herding her family inside, leaving Simon standing miserably.

"They hate me," he muttered.

"Looks like," Wash threw in thoughtfully. "Maybe you should try being a mime."

"No," Simon sighed. "I would manage to offend people by standing wrong."

Shelly stood at the door as the others filed inside, purposefully overlooking Simon as she met the Captain's eyes. "I expect the lot of you back at the house for breakfast. What we got ain’t much but it's better than the protein you got aboard."

Mal shifted his weight. "We do got a job that needs finishin' up, Ma’am."

"And you're not like to do it on an empty stomach," Shelly replied. "I expect ya back first thing in the mornin'. And in case you're thinking this is charity, you'll be earning this meal, Captain."

Hank chuckled and clapped a hand on Mal’s shoulder. "Don't worry none, tomorrow's Sunday here abouts. No one'll be movin' in town 'til after services. And you might as well bring Serenity and land her out back, don‘t make much sense the lot of you trekking back and forth."

Offering his hand to shake, Mal nodded. "We might very well do that."

Inara linked her arm through Simon’s as he stood watching River sweep a curtsey at Finn as he held the door for her. "She’ll be fine without you for one night, Simon," she said gently.

"I know," Simon nodded. "But I worry. And with a boy involved, I can’t stop myself from panicking."

She laughed softly at the terrified look on his face. "Escort me back to the shuttle, Dr. Tam, and worry about Finn in the morning." She patted his arm. "I really don’t think anything will happen under Mrs Frye’s formidable watch."

He nodded ruefully and let her pull him away, automatically adjusting his grip so he was escorting her properly.

In her bedroom, Kaylee leaned against the doorway. Her room hadn’t been changed at all since she’d left. It was still decorated with flowers and bright paint, her bedspread was still the same pink and yellow patch from clothes she'd long outgrown, a half dozen stuffed animals lined up at the headboard.

She hadn't realized until that moment, looking into a picture of her childhood, that she'd changed so much.

"You ain't in bed yet?" Her Pa’s voice made her jump.

"Thinkin' on it," she replied. "You didn’t change anything."

"Cause we knew you’d be back to visit," Hank replied. "Been a long day for you, baby girl."

"I know." She turned away from her room, slipping an arm around her father for a hug. "But I had to share you and Ma all day. Barely got a word in with either of you."

Her father shrugged as he tightened his arms around her. "You know us," he smiled. "Your Ma yells the orders and I do what she tells me."

Kaylee laughed into his chest. "What about everything else though? The workshop, the town, the house?" She hesitated. "I’ve been noticing some things ain’t been gettin' fixed around here, Pa."

She looked up to see a worried look flash through his eyes, but he forced a smile. "Don’t you be worrying on us. Things is just a little tight, is all."

"But why? Ain’t you got enough business in the shop no more?"

"He’s got plenty he could be fixing," Shelly said quietly from the doorway. "It’s doing the fixing that he’s having some trouble with."

"Now, Shelly," he started, but Shelly shot him a stern look.

"She’s just gonna worry if you don’t tell her, and she deserves to know."

Kaylee sank onto her bed, looking back and forth between her Ma and Pa with a worried frown. "I don’t understand. Are we in some sorta trouble?"

"You could say that." Shelly sat beside her. "You know how your Pa has trouble with his hands hurting some, right?"

"Well, yeah, but only when the weather’s bad."

"It ain’t just the weather anymore, baby girl," Hank said with a sigh. "It’s gettin' so most everyday they’s hurtin' so bad I have trouble handling my tools." He gestured, and Kaylee noticed the swelled knuckles she had missed earlier. "Finn tries, but he ain’t mechanical like you and me. He does better workin' here at the farm; doin' the gardening, keepin' the animals looked after – finding sick ‘uns to take care of. Always did have an affinity for critters."

Tears welled up in Kaylee’s eyes. "Didn’t the doctor say nothin', Pa?" She examined his hands anxiously. "I hate to think of you hurting."

"Doc can’t do nothin'," Shelly said gently. "We asked him right off. But with your Pa not working as much we’re struggling to make ends meet right now."

"How big a struggle?" Kaylee’s hands twisted in her lap.

Hank and Shelly exchanged a look.

Kaylee repeated, "How big a struggle?"

Hank laid a gnarled hand on top of his daughter’s head. "Not so bad yet. We’re keeping fed. The farm keeps us going. But we might have to close the shop."

"Not nothing you can do about it, Kaylee." Shelly folded her arms sternly across her chest when it looked like Kaylee was going to say something. "Don’t go gettin' ideas into that head of yours. Only right that you should know is all."

"Of course there's somethin' I can do. I got some money I've been savin'." Her hands fluttered as she spoke. "And Simon! He's the best doctor in the Core, Pa, honest. Top three percent, says so himself. He could look at you and find what's–"

"Kaylee, that's enough. I already seen a doctor – don’t need to see another. I already know this can’t be fixed."

She reached for Hank's hand, holding it in both of hers. "But if you can't work..."

"We’ll figure something out," he said firmly. "It’s no cause for you to be worrying over."

"This is my home and my family. I got plenty of reason to be worrying!"

"Well," Shelly said, standing and straightening her skirts. "Ain’t no cause to be worrying over it tonight, at any rate." She smoothed Kaylee’s hair back from her concerned face. "We’ll talk more about it in the morning."

"Yes, Ma," Kaylee nodded obediently.

But after her Ma and Pa kissed her goodnight. Kaylee looked out the window again and watched the stars, her forehead wrinkled in concern.

Continue to part two