Mal watched Jordona as she bartered with a merchant. They'd left Serenity two weeks ago right after they'd exchanged wedding vows. Those two weeks had been interesting to say the least; he'd had the chance to learn about her all over again, everything, including her body. He felt a slow smile tug at his lips; he'd enjoyed all of it, but that part especially. They had spent long nights making love, feeding each other and talking. They'd been apart nine years, it had changed them both, but he now understood a little more about where she'd been and what she'd been through while they'd been separated. His crew had been shocked at their decision but he was looking forward to having Jo with him out in the black and it made it even better that she had made fast friends with everyone onboard. They where due back today, and he had to admit he was more then a little homesick for his ship. He watched her turn, a large smile spreading slowly as she found him watching her. She moved toward him confidently a box in her hands. Once she was beside him, she opened it and showed him what she'd gotten.

"Strawberry's for Kaylee…now I'm done with gifts for everyone. Ready?" She asked.

He nodded, "Yup." He offered her his hand and squeezed hers gently as she gave it to him. They made their way slowly along the docks enjoying their last few moments alone. He looked up as he caught sight of Serenity, her silver body glinting in the sunlight. He could see Kaylee and Zoe outside directing the last of the techs and repair crew as they gathered their tools and cleared out. He waved at Kaylee as she spotted them in the crowd. He watched as she spoke to Zoe and she too turned to watch them as they moved closer to the ships entrance ramp.

"Hey! Welcome back Cap'n, Jo…so, how was the honeymoon?" She asked with a smile.

"Good." He and Jo said in unison. That got them a laugh from Kaylee, but Mal noticed Zoe's tense posture. He raised Jo's hand and left a light kiss on the back as he told her, "Hey, I'm gonna do a walk through with Zoe and check the ship over. Leave the luggage here and I'll get it to quarters and the kitchen later alright?"

Jo nodded as Kaylee looped her arm through one of her own, "Come on, I want to know what you all did, and everyone will want to say hi." Mal watched them walk away before he turned back to Zoe. "What's wrong?" He asked her.

She raised an eyebrow, "That obvious?" She asked him. He nodded.

She cleared her throat, "I got a wave from Inara a few days after you left with Jo. She wanted to know if she could meet us here and catch a ride. I didn't think you'd turn her down so she's onboard, and she brought a friend. I just thought you'd appreciate a warning is all." Zoe said.

"Did you tell her about Jo?" He watched Zoe nod.

He smiled, "Should I ask what she said when she found out?"

"Just that she hoped you'd be happy together…I think she's got some problems but won't talk to me about them. I figured you might be a bit luckier with that."

Mal snorted, "Yeah."

He sighed and looked at her, "How was the vacation? Did you all do anything?"

Zoe smiled, "Kaylee, Simon and River did some exploring but I stayed with the ship mostly." He was watching her. She gave a sad smile, "I'm fine Sir." She saw him nod, but she didn't think he believed her. "Jayne took off a day after you and Jo, he knows he's due back before eighteen hundred." Mal nodded again and sighed. "Let's do that walk through; I want to see what they did to my ship." He said starting off ahead of her.

An Hour Later in the Dining Area

Jordona had heard from Kaylee about Inara being aboard Serenity. She knew that Mal was worried over her reaction, evident only in his silence since their re-boarding. He hadn't given her time to let him know it wasn't an issue. She sighed and continued to unpack the boxes he'd left her. Mal had mentioned Inara when they had spoken about their pasts over the last two weeks. She knew that there'd been an attraction but that there had never been a follow through on either of their parts. She also knew Inara was a companion, she'd met a few of those in her time but she'd never understood the glamour everyone else seemed to see in the job, even if you where choosing your clientele, you where still selling your body. She'd kept that to herself even with Mal.

She was labeling the cans and jars of new vegetables and fruits as she shelved them. She had told Mal that if he wanted good meals even just for the first few weeks of flying she would need half decent provisions, he'd taken enjoyment from helping her buy what they needed to stock the ships pantry. It had been nice he'd said to shop without fear of a cash need for a while. She knew he'd be accepting jobs again in the very near future and she had assured him that she wouldn't be left out of helping the crew somehow. She'd seen the semi closed off look that had appeared on his face and she'd needled him for it reminding him of what she'd done the last time he'd seen fit to try to handle something without her. He'd smiled and given a shake to his head as he'd said, "Marriage with you is gonna be a trial ain't it?" She'd kissed him and assured him that she'd try not to step on his toes too often. She had found also over the last few weeks that she'd been unable to wipe the smile off her face, which he had taken full and utter credit for. She'd never admit it but he was right, he made her happier then she'd been in a very long time. She was finishing the last of the boxes when she heard heavy footfalls and saw Jayne come marching through the door.

"Hey stranger…" She said with a smile.

"Hey yourself, so? How was the honeymoon?" He asked stealing a banana from the basket of fruit on the table.

"Good…how about your vacation?" She asked tossing the last empty box on the floor for Mal to dump before take off.

She watched him shrug, "Was okay I guess, spent some money, had some good wine and good women." He looked up to see if he'd shocked her and she laughed.

"Glad to hear it, sex is great isn't it? Helps relax you and takes a load off your mind while you're at it."

She saw the shock on his face and snickered as she started to put away the dry goods, "Come on Jayne I'm no prude…I can be as raunchy as the next guy." He chuckled.

"Yup, your gonna be a breath of fresh air for Mal alright."

"Who's gonna be what for me?" Mal asked as he stepped through the doorway. Jo smiled as she waived a hand at where Jayne sat, "We where just talking about sex, and how it helps relax you." She said with a smile and a wink in her husbands direction. She saw him swallow, "Oh." Was all he said.

"Lookin' real relaxed there Mal…" Jayne said taking another bite of banana, smiling wide as he watched the Captain squirm.

"Don't you have somethin' you should be seein' to?" Mal asked Jayne with a scowl.

"Nope."

"Yeah you do, take these empty boxes out for Jo and dump em' before we lift off." Mal said.

"Please." Jo added.

Jayne shrugged, tossed his banana peel into one of the empty boxes and smiled at Jo. "Since ya asked so nice, I'd be glad ta toss em' for ya…Jo." He said with a direct look for Mal before he left.

She shook her head staring at Mal as he watch Jayne go. "You just have to know how to handle him ya know?" She asked locking away the last of the dry goods. She heard Mal sigh and then felt his arms wrap around her from behind and she leaned into him with a contented sound. He kissed the top of her head, "Glad to be back?" He asked her quietly.

"Yes…you?"

"Yeah, this will always be home." He said with another sigh.

She turned then in his gasp and kissed him lightly before asking, "Why didn't you tell me about Inara being aboard?"

"Kaylee…?" He asked.

She nodded then and smiled, "It's ok you know, I'm not bothered and I'm not jealous."

He lifted an eyebrow then, "No, and why not?" He asked with a smile.

She laughed, "You want the total truth?" He nodded.

"Because you look at me like you look at Serenity, so I know it's true love." She said kissing him again.

He laughed then, "I do, do I?"

"Mmhm."

"Hunh."

She laughed and pushed away from him then. "Go do your Captain stuff, I'm gonna start dinner. I'll let everyone know when it's ready." He nodded as he watched her move around the kitchen for a minute and then turned to go.

Before he reached the door, Jo called to him and he turned around. "Sha ma?" He asked.

"When you do finally see Inara and welcome her aboard make sure to let her know she's invited to dinner?" He nodded, "Will do."

She watched him go, "Well, this should prove interesting." She said with a grin.