Mal leaned back in the pilots seat, scratching the skin behind Doo's ears as he watched the black pass by. Mighty good idea, taken the pup on board. River was needing fewer smoothers, gave the crew something of a mascot, and finally, something listened to him!

Then again. River and drugs never made for a very good day. Wasn't a nice thing, seeing her walk around Serenity like a zombie or a ghost. Not when she could go hide in Inara's shuttle or with Jack. She'd done a mighty good job cleaning the vents too. Seemed to help her out some, cleaning. Doing something simple and productive helped block out whatever programming the alliance had put inside of her brain. Wasn't right, doing that to someone.

Doo was the ship mascot though. And he did listen to Mal better than anyone on the ship. The tiny dog shifted on Mal's chest, yawning as he settled himself back in. They were going to have to potty train the dog, teach him to do his business in some corner, maybe even invest in a pet potty. Keep the scent down.

Mal picked up one the pup's paws, wondering just how big their boy was going to get. They were big paws. Good, body needed to be able to protect himself and those around him, human or not.

That was one of the reasons Mal kept his distance from Inara. It was best for her. Getting involved with a brown-coat and living a life of crime, it wasn't meant for her. It almost wasn't meant for Jack, but his girl had a fire in her, the kind of fire that wasn't suited to sitting at a desk or in a home. The kind that told him another war might happen one day. He wasn't looking forward to that day, not really. Not when they had Necros on one side and Reavers on another and Alliance over on another.

"Gettin' mighty crowded in my sky Doo," Mal mumbled, scratching him behind the ears again. "Mighty crowded."

A light flashed by Jack's station, blinking bright green before mellowing and staying lit. She had a message. Mal knew that much. Course, he didn't know if he should listen to it or just let it go.

Doo's leg kicked as he dreamed his puppy dreams.

"Suppose you're right."

Jack would tell him later. She always did.