Don't own 'em. They belong to Joss.
XxXxX
"Congratulations are in order Mr. Reynolds." the thick accented voice said sarcastically. "You've managed to stay alive much longer than the last time."
"What... can I say Niska." he struggled to speak through his pain. "I been eatin' my protein."
Niska nodded to a thug who punched Mal square in the jaw. "Now, now Mr. Reynolds I was only trying to make polite conversation. No need for your pathetic jokes."
"I guess were not all as naturally humorous as yourself, Niska." Mal retorted with sarcasm.
"Malcolm Reynolds, stop!" said the first mate to the captain. "Sir." she added. He had been pacing shuttle two since he'd gotten into his tux and it was making Zoe space sick.
"I'll excuse your insubordination" he smiled. "but only cos your my Best Mate."
"That's very kind, sir." she adjusted his tie. "Sir, if I may say, I've never seen ya so nervous and it's a might creepifyin'."
"Thanks Zoe." he said sarcastically. He took a slow heavy breath. "I never felt this way before."
She smiled at the youthful look in her best friend's eyes. "I know what you mean." After a few moments of silence a knock came at the door. "Come in." she called.
"It's almost time." Simon said, sticking his head in through the doorway.
"Thanks Doc." Zoe responded. The young man nodded before closing the door and returning to where his sister stood in the cargo bay.
"Let's go Sir." she walked ahead of him. Through the shuttle door, down the stairs and down the aisle to where a Shepherd stood beneath the alter.
The only time, Mal thought, he'd seen the cargo bay almost match its current beauty was the night he'd proposed. The silk fabric leading to the alter was lined with white candles and littered with tiny red petals. Jayne stood on Mal's side while Simon and River stood on Inara's. At the click of shuttle one's door the crowd looked up. Kaylee exited in a lavender gown with a small bundle of red roses in her hands. Kaylee's smile was as wide as a crescent moon. Mal smiled at his mei-mei as she walked down the catwalk. Kaylee flashed her captain a wide grin before stopping at the top of the stairs. Mal waited, breathless for what felt like eternity. His gaze was locked on the motionless shuttle door. Then there she was. First the white bottom of her gown, then a delicate white glove on a railing, a bundle of roses, and then a beautifully veiled face.
Inara's eyes were glued to the floor before her. She refused to look for fear her make-up wouldn't stand up to the tears. Her dress was the purest white any of them had ever seen. The train stretched out several feet behind her. The rest of the dress was simply elegant. The white silk was shimmering in the candlelight. A band of red lined under her breast and from the small of her back the edge of the train was lined with the same color around its edge. Her raven hair was in a bundle of curls atop her head. Inara's veil emerged from where her curls we gathered. The front of the veil covered just below her chin while the back flowed down below her waist. As she began her cross over the catwalk, Kaylee descended the stairs. By the time the mechanic reached the bottom, Inara had reached the top. It was an elegant dance that they two had practiced over and over.
'This is the longest minute of my life.' Mal thought. After another agonizing moment Kaylee was standing before him with joyful tears in her eyes. "I love my cap'n." she said and kissed his cheek before moving to the other side of the alter. He gave her a loving smile before all the air escaped from his body and he stood breathless before his bride. Mal held out his hand for her to take.
"What's the occasion?" he asked with a soft smile.
"We are bao bei." Inara laid her delicately manicured hand within his large rough one.
The Shepherd began the ceremony with a welcome and a poem. "Love is patient; love is kind and envies no one. Love is never boastful, nor conceited, nor rude; never selfish, not quick to take offense. There is nothing love cannot face; there is no limit to its faith, its hope, and endurance. In a word, there are three things that last forever: faith, hope and love; but the greatest of them all is love." After his speech came to a close Mal began his vows.
"Inara, I never thought that livin' a life of a petty thief would get me to anything I ever wanted. I didn't know how wrong I was til I met you. In this life I found family, peace, home and you. It's funny how we both hate each others jobs but they're what brought us here today." Mal gave her an affectionate smile. "There ain't much I been good at in this 'verse cept my fightin skills which you aint too bad off in that category either, but we are the first thing I actually been good at. I vow to do that for the rest of my life." Mal turned around and took the small ring from Zoe with a shaky smile. "With this ring I thee wed." he placed the delicate gold band on her equally delicate finger.
"Inara." nodded the Shepherd.
She stood silent. It took Mal a moment to realize that she was trying to form words through the lump in her throat. Inara could feel his worry. She looked up into his eyes with a beautiful smile and joyful tears. When she saw a smile reach his gorgeous face she found the strength to speak. "Mal, I thought that my life was over the day I left Sihnon. The thought never occurred to me that my life was just beginning." she took in a shaky breath. "I was meant to spend my life giving love and expecting nothing in return. Mal you give me so much of your love when I expected to get nothing. I'm so very in love with you Malcolm Reynolds. I love who you are, what you do, I love your temper and how you think swears can fix any situation. I love your crew, your ship, your heart and soul. Any you're wrong Mal. Your job is a big part of what I love about you, I wouldn't change a scar on your body for anything."
"Well I would." Mal mumbled.
Inara shot him a look. Even through her tears her stare was murderous. "And you're good at so many things. Your love for other people is so overwhelming. I vow to love you with all I have." She turned to Kaylee whose face was streaked with large tears. Kaylee handed her best friend the gold band. "Thank you mei-mei." Inara said softly before turning back to face Mal. "With this ring I thee wed." she placed the gold ring on Mal's large finger.
"By the powers vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." the Shepherd stepped aside. Mal slowly lifted the veil and looked into the eyes of his beautiful wife. He wiped her tears with his thumbs before kissing her gently.
"Are we ready to do this?" Inara asked over her shoulder.
"As ready as well ever be." Zoe nodded.
"Lets do this." said Jayne.
"Alright. 'Nara you go in first. We'll follow behind." Zoe laid out the plan. "Everyone got their weapons?"
"Good to go." affirmed Jayne.
"We're here." said Inara as she moved from the cockpit of the shuttle to where Jayne and Zoe stood.
"'Nara get on the stretcher. Lets do this."
"I can't believe what you're saying!" she yelled.
"'Nara. I'm just tryin' to look out for you and our baby." Mal reached for Inara but she backed away clutching her stomach.
"Don't touch me!" she screamed in a shrill voice that was unknown to Mal's ears.
"Inara, please." he begged.
"Mal you're asking me to leave you. How can you ask me to do this?" Inara searched his eyes for the answer his lips weren't providing.
"I don't want you here during this deal. Simon and I both agree that you and Kaylee should take Alex in shuttle one. Got to Sihnon. See some friends and do some shopping. We'll call you back in a week or so." Mal was trying to stay calm for the baby's sake. "It's for your safety bao bai. Niska is a sick S.O.B. and who knows what he could do."
"Mal," her tone was softer and her cheeks burned from hot tears. "Simon says I've just entered my third trimester. How can you ask me to leave when I need you the most?"
Mal put on the most forceful front he could. "I ain't askin no more 'Nara. I'm tellin'." He saw the hurt look in her eyes, he saw it in her open mouth, and in the hands that clutched their unborn child.
"Malcolm Reynolds you are a coward and a cold man. My child deserves better than you and so do I. Get out." her voice was eerily calm but her tears showed her true feelings. When Mal didn't move she began screaming. "Get out you pi gu! Get out!"
Mal walked by her and out of their bunk. Once he was out of view she fell to the bed in a heap of shaking sobs. After a few minutes Inara pulled herself together and began packing a bag with enough clothes to last for several weeks. 'Maybe this time I won't come back to you.' she thought.
The two couples met in front of the shuttle an hour later. Simon hugged and kissed his wife and child before allowing them to board. Inara kissed Simon's cheek before boarding as well.
"Be safe Simon." Inara said quietly. She entered the shuttle without turning and saying goodbye to her husband.
"If this plans gonna work, you two gotta be pretty convincin'." Zoe said to Jayne and Inara as they waited for Niska's men to open the door.
"Don't worry we'll be fine-AHHH!" Inara began screaming as the doors opened. Zoe carried the foot of the stretcher and Jayne carried the top.
"What's going on here?" asked a guard over Inara's screams.
"My wife!" Jayne yelled. "She's having the gorramn baby, at a very inopportune time might I add."
"Shut up you pi gu!" she yelled as she flung an arm back in an attempt to slap him. "You did this to me!"
"We had to abandon ship an; she just went into labor. We got no med supplies much less a doctor." explained Zoe.
"Um. Ok, follow me this way." the guard led them down the familiar hallways that Zoe and Jayne had once sprung Mal from before.
They waited to pass the room. All the while, Jayne comforting his screaming wife. The man in front of them looked back every few minutes. Zoe turned and nodded to Inara.
"It's coming!" Inara yelled.
"Set 'er down. We need to check her." Jayne said as they lowered the stretcher. "Go ahead boy." Jayne slapped the guard on the shoulder for encouragement.
"I-uh." the man stuttered. Suddenly Inara kneed the guard in the face knocking him unconscious.
"'Parently kids not ready yet." Jayne said as Zoe helped Inara off the stretcher and he loaded the guard on. Once the guard was out of sight the trio stood in front of the door to which Mal and Niska were: the torturing room.
"Jayne, bust down the door then step aside. 'Nara you gonna do this?" the group was pulling out weapons form under their clothing, mostly from Inara's extra padded stomach.
"That bastards gonna die." she cocked the large rifle. "Lets do this."
"Zoe." Kaylee said in a cheerful voice. "Good to see ya."
"Hi Kayleebird. Is Inara there with you?" Zoe's tone was grave.
"Yes. I'm here Zoe." Inara said coming up behind her friends with Leah in her arms. Inara instantly recognized Zoe's stoic features.
"You need to get here quickly." she said simply.
"Were only a little ways out." Kaylee responded.
"See you soon." Zoe said before she clicked off the cortex.
"Kaylee take us as fast as you can back to Serenity, dong ma?" Inara turned all her attention onto Alex hoping to keep her tears at bay. Although Kaylee could not, Inara was fully able to read Zoe's feelings behind the stoic mask she wore.
After about an hour they docked with Serenity. Inara rushed from the shuttle as quickly as her swollen ankles would allow. When she reached the bottom of the cargo bay Zoe was walking through the far door. The warrior stepped aside as Inara rushed passed her and through the door towards the infirmary. A confused Kaylee followed with a fussing infant in her arms.
"Simon, what-" Inara gasped at the sight of her husband's beat and bruised body lying motionless on the table.
"Inara whats going on?" Kaylee's voice faded as she saw her captain lying in the infirmary. Kaylee's fingertips came to rest on her lips as she gasped. Simon rushed to her side and hugged her deeply.
Inara slowly walked to Mal's side. Taking his cold hand in her warmer one. "What happened?!" Inara yelled harshly at the doctor for no apparent reason other than that her husband was dying.
"He was shot." Simon went into doctor mode as he left Kaylee to stand alone in the doorway. Zoe silently took his place next to Kaylee. "Several times. Once in his left shoulder, the second in his abdomen and the last: a graze on his right arm."
"And how is he now?" she asked, voice raised barely above a whisper.
"Stable. We would have lost him if it weren't for Zoe." Simon nodded to the woman standing with his wife.
Inara looked up at the woman and then back down at her husband. It wasn't much but Zoe saw the gratefulness in her eyes. "When will he wake up?"
"I imagine either late tonight or tomorrow. It'll be a few weeks before he's fully healed." Simon began reading printouts and checking Mal's vitals.
"Could I be alone with him please?" Inara asked. Simon nodded his approval. "Kaylee will you bring me some linens and ask Jayne to bring me a cot. I don't think I want to sleep alone in our bunk."
The others didn't question her. "I could use some rest anyways. Call me over the comm if you need me. Inara, make sure you get some rest and some food. All this stress isn't good for the baby." Simon set down the printouts and followed his wife out of the infirmary.
"I'm so sorry Mal." she finally allowed the tears to cascade down her soft cheeks. Inara cried until she fell asleep. She sat on a stool with her head on Mal's stomach, his hand still firmly within his.
"When she woke the lights had been lowered for sleep and Mal was stirring beside her.
"Inara?" the rough voice came from beside her. She shot upright in a second.
"Mal? Mal how are you feeling?" she ran her hands over his cheeks and neck as if making sure he was real.
"I feel like I been shot." he said groggily.
"Oh, Mal." Inara feigned a smile.
"Why Mrs. Reynolds. I do believe you've been cryin'." Mal turned his head to smile at her.
"Mal, I'm so sorry for what I said. I know you were just looking out for us and I-" he cut her off.
"Shhh, bao bei." he stroked her hand with his thumb. "I know. It's ok."
"No. No it's not. The things I said to you. Mal, I wasn't going to come back. I packed all I needed and I was going to stay." she swallowed the lump in her throat. "I didn't mean it. Any of it. Our baby needs you. I need you." Mal pulled her closer as her sobs shook her body. "You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"You're the best thing that's ever happened to me too bao bei." he kissed her hair. "An' this baby's gonna be the best thing that's ever happened to us."
"I love you Mal." she whispered.
"I love you too." his voice was soothing to her. "Now get some rest."
Inara heaved a heavy sigh. "Jayne, go!"
The large man kicked the door down and stood aside as told. It took only seconds for Inara to step forward, shoot Niska's guard in the forehead and then shoot Niska himself in the kneecap. Once the men were taken down Zoe rushed to untie Mal with Inara following shortly behind.
"Mal? Bao bei can you hear me?" Inara asked her semi-conscious husband.
"He will be... dead soon enough I think." Niska spat from where he clutched his knee on the floor.
"No, you will." Inara took her gun, aimed and fired. "Zoe can you get him?"
"Yea. Jayne stretcher!" Zoe shouted from within the room.
"I'm here Mal. We came." Inara continued to talk to him as they walked through the hallways, shooting anyone who would contest the escape. As they climbed back into the shuttle, Zoe headed for the cockpit.
"Simon prepare the infirmary for a patient." Zoe clicked the comm off. "We're only a little ways out." she said over her shoulder.
Inara sat beside Mal where he laid on the floor. "Oh God. Mal look what he's done to you. If you'd only gone shopping. "
"I ain't goin' in that frilly ship, woman." he mumbled through pained breaths.
A smile spread on her face but faded quickly as she let out a scream. Mal looked horrified. "Zoe. Tell Simon to prep for two patients." Inara said as calmly as possible through her gritted teeth.
"Inara, what is it?" Mal asked while checking her over for bullet holes.
"It's time."
When they docked with Serenity, Simon was there to assist Jayne with carrying Mal while Kaylee and Zoe helped Inara. They passed River as they entered the infirmary. "Zoe," Simon barked. "I need you to examine Inara and see how far a long she is. Have you ev-?"
"I've helped birth a few lil ones. Granted not since I was a teenager but as long as there's no complications, I should be fine." Zoe finished just in time for Inara to let out another scream.
"Great. Ok, everyone who isn't the captain, his pregnant wife, Zoe or me please leave." The crew shuffled out. Kaylee finished closing the curtains and then closed the door on her way out. Simon began cleaning Mal's wound as Zoe examined Inara.
"Doc she's pretty far a long." Zoe said as she went to get blankets and the incubator from the closet. "Nine centimeters, I think."
"Wo de mah." Simon continued working on the Captain as he spoke to Inara. "When did your contractions start?"
"This morning." Inara said trying to catch her breath.
"Zoe you need to come take care of Mal's wounds, this may get complicated." Simon removed his gloves and replaced them with new ones.
"Doc, move me next to my wife." ordered the captain. Together Zoe and Simon moved the tables next to one another. "Bao bei, we can do this." said Mal as he took Inara's hand.
Inara screamed. "You need to rest, Mal." she said through gritted teeth.
"We'll rest together when this is all over. With our baby beside us." Mal hissed as Zoe began stitching a deep wound.
"Inara this baby was ready to come a long hours ago." Simon scolded as he got supplies together.
"I couldn't have my baby without my husband. I'm strong but not that strong." she screamed again.
"Ok. Inara were gonna push now. When I count to five." Simon said calmly.
"Here we go bao bei. Just breathe." Zoe stopped her work so Mal could aid his wife.
"Ready? One-two-three-four-five. Push Inara!" she screamed as she did so. She clutched Mal's hand tightly making him momentarily forget about his other wounds. "Good." Simon smiled. "I can see it. Now, again. "One-two-"
"Three-four-five!" Inara said hurriedly for the doctor. She pushed and screamed again.
"Inara that was great. The shoulders are out you've just got one more push." Simon doctored.
Mal sat up and looked down to where Simon's hands were. Although he and Inara had been there as the godparents for Alex's birth this was much more real. "I see it. Our baby. You're almost there bao bei."
"Push!" Simon yelled.
Inara screamed one last time before collapsing backwards onto her pillow.
"Mal would you like to cut the cord?" The Captain nodded anxiously as he did as the Doctor instructed. Simon then carried the newborn over to the tiny exam table.
Mal sat back up with Inara waiting with bated breath for a baby's cry. Mal wiped the wet hair from Inara's face and kissed her temple as she panted. "I'm so proud of you darlin'. You did it." she smiled in return. Then they heard it, the sweet sound of their baby's cry.
"Congratulations Captain. It's a girl." the doctor laid the newborn in the man's large arms. "Do you two have a name picked out?"
"Jacqueline Nandi Reynolds." Inara said as she touched the small bundle. "She's so beautiful."
"Jus' like her momma." Mal smiled. "Blue eyes like her daddy though."
"All baby's have blue eyes when they're born, Mal." Inara informed.
"Well hers'll stay." he was so content. "Dark hair like her momma. She'll be a heartbreaker." Mal kissed the infants head before passing her to Inara.
"That she gets from both parents." said Zoe, making her presence known after her long silence.
The couple smiled. "It's time for rest now, sir." Zoe said with a glare.
"I agree." concurred the Doc. "You two Inara, its been a long day."
Inara handed the baby to Zoe who cradled her for a while before placing her in the incubator.
"I love you, Mal." Inara whispered, her eyes closed and head snuggled against Mal's chest.
"I love you too, bao bei." They fell asleep with the baby on Inara's other side.
"You're a month old today lil one," Mal said as he looked into a tiny set of bright blue eyes. "I told you she had my eyes."
"You were right." Inara smiled as she laid one hand on the bundle in his arms and the other hand on his lower back as she looked over his shoulder at their child.
They stood on the bridge of Serenity, looking out through the thick glass at the universe before them. "This is your 'verse little one. Your home. Welcome to Serenity. She'll protect ya. Keep ya warm and floatin'. If anyone tries to take her away from you jus' remember no one can take the sky from you."
XxXxX
Thanks everyone for reviewing. I thought I should let you guys know that I wrote this fic several years ago and posted it on But when I found this website I decided to copy as many as I could over. I skipped this one for some reason; which is sad cause it's my favorite one. I spent a lot of time spell checking and proof reading these before I posted them, so they could be exactly what I wanted. And for a little bonus, I can now tell you that there's a sequel… click that button and tell me what you think.