River laid on her bed staring at the ceiling. Three weeks. Three weeks since the archangel had left. Three weeks since it had fallen apart. She felt Serenity mourn. Zoe never talked anymore. Wash's concern for his wife consumed him. They were not as happy as new parents should be. The Shepherd prayed for answers day and night. He had received none. Kaylee's sadness had doubled. Simon was in the same position as Wash, but he was not able to comfort his woman. Jayne stayed in his room most of the time. He never hung around the kitchen anymore.

Mal hadn't mourned. He had disappeared. In his place was a shadow guarded by a demon. The demon lashed out at any semblance of the man returning. No comfort, no happiness, only sadness and grief. It was an absolute sadness, an unconditional sadness.

He had kept them as far away from Persephone as possible. He hadn't spoken but orders to anyone since. River knew he was waiting for it to go away. She knew it never would.

She had failed. No other words came close. She had failed. Without the family Simon and Kaylee could never be. Without Kaylee, Simon would never be happy again. Nothing felt so helpless. No hope. No time for anything but regret.

The simple truth was she missed her friend the most. Jia had always been there for her the way her mother never had. Any problem River had she could talk to Jia about. Jia might not have understood it all, but she felt in the right way. There was comfort, there was hope and light. Light in the darkness.

She had thought it over two thousand eight hundred and nine times now. She couldn't act. She sat up in her bed. Perhaps someone else could. Someone with a similar situation. She shook her head. No one had a situation like this. Except...yes, it could work.

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Wash was sitting in the pilot's chair thinking about his wife when an idea popped into his head and wouldn't go away. The solution was obvious. Could it be possible? He must have been mistaken but he thought he heard a frustrated sigh in his head before he heard a voice screaming the words 'just do it!'

He got up and went to the galley. Mal sat in his usual spot staring into nothing. Wash shut and locked the door behind him and went to the other door and locked it too.

Mal looked up, "Something on your mind?"

Wash sat directly opposite him, "Yeah, a lot. I want you to hear me out before storming off."

"I make no promises." Wash noticed the teasing tone to Mal's voice was gone.

"When I first met Zoe I wanted her. I mean look at her of course I did."

"I really don't want to hear this Wash."

"Just shut up for a minute will you?"

Mal waved him on.

"OK, so I started perusing her. She very adamantly said no. I kept at it. When she finally agreed to dinner I was on top of the 'verse. Something happened I didn't think would ever happen. I sat across from her at dinner and couldn't stop thinking about little things. I couldn't believe what my head was telling me, so I chose not to. That night when I told her goodnight something caught me. I knew at that moment I loved her. I spent the rest of our courtship making her see she loved me too. You need to wake up Mal."

Mal shook his head, "You don't know anything about it." He got up.

"Then tell me damn it! Tell me why! Tell me what's wrong with her that you can't see it."

Mal was slightly taken back by Wash's yelling. "There's nothing wrong with her."

"Then what could make you do that to her? Hurt her like that? What could make you hurt her so bad she leaves? Do you hate her that much that you don't care?"

"I don't hate her that's why I did what I did!"

"What the Gorram hell logic is that?"

"I'm not good enough for her!"

Silence greeted his pronouncement.

"Happy now?"

Mal turned to leave.

Wash yelled at his back. "Of course you're not!"

Mal whirled around, "What?"

"You think I'm good enough for Zoe?"

Mal didn't have an answer.

"I ain't near good enough for Zoe. No man ever measures up to the woman he loves. That is how it works Mal. That's why we work. She settled for me. I am quite aware of that. I am very happy with that. She loves me and that is all that matters. It's the only thing that matters Mal. Everything else is just...nothing."

Mal rubbed the back of his neck, "What do you want me to do? What's your answer Wash?"

"Make sure she never regrets it. That's all."

Mal turned and left without a word. He went down to his room. Wash let him go.

Mal was in his room for quite a while without a thought in his head. Wash's words just kept replaying. The problem was she would regret it. He knew she would.

He was startled by a voice to his right. "Maybe."

He looked up into River's eyes.

"But maybe it would be worth it."

She turned around and climbed up the stairs.

Mal never said a word.

River returned to her room. She had done all she could do. It was Daddy's turn to make things right.

River stopped herself from invading his thought the entire day. She didn't move until she felt him leave his room. She got up and ran up the stairs. She got to the top as he was getting to the bridge. Wash and Zoe were there.

"Wash, how fast can you get us to Persephone?"

"Three hours at hardest burn."

"Do it."

He turned around and walked past her and went down to his bunk again. The only thought she could come up with was 'victory.'

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Once again they gathered in the cargo bay.

Mal spoke, "Jayne, you're with me. Were gonna make a stop then go see Badger."

Zoe broke in, "Badger sir?"

"There ain't no way that little weasel don't know where she is. Zoe I need you here. Keep the ship runnin'. We won't be long."

He turned and left the ship with Jayne hurrying to catch up.

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Mal had never been to Badger's without an appointment. The men seemed confused. Mal walked right up to his desk.

"Where is she?"

"I don't remember invitin' you."

"Where Badger?"

"Why should I tell you? She left you after all."

Mal reached across the desk and grabbed Badger's shirt, "Where is she?"

Badger waved off his men who were about to intervene, "So ye finally came to yer senses mate. Good. Little place just outside town named Reggie's." He gestured to one of his men, "Larry here will show you."

Mal released Badger's shirt and half smiled, "Thank you."

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Mal circled the small building. There was another entrance to the kitchen. He walked around and came to an open door. He looked in. There she was. Hair pulled back. Apron on.

She spoke, "Dan I need some more flour. Could you get it for me?"

She stiffened at the lack of response. She turned her head and froze when she saw him.

"Sorry I'm not Dan. Well, not really."

She stared to talk.

"Wait. Just let me finish this." He took a deep breath. "I love you, but I ain't good enough for you. I don't know how this is going to work. But I want to make it work. If you will just settle for me, I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret it."

She didn't move or speak.

"I'm asking you to marry me Jia."

She slowly turned completely. Suddenly she rushed forward and flung herself into his arms. He swung her around.

He looked into her eyes, "I gotta hear it."

She smiled, "Yes."

He picked her up and put her over his shoulder. She squeaked in surprise and told him to put her down. He didn't acknowledge her demand.

He carried her back the half mile to the ship after telling Jayne to collect her things and telling her new boss she quits. He carried her though the doors to approval from Kaylee and River and reproachful glances from Zoe. Wash, Simon and ths Shepherd smiled. He finally put her down and put his arm around her. Kaylee ran up and hugged her, as did River. Mal stood next to her with a goofy little grin on his face.

"Wash!"

"Yeah sir."

"When Jayne comes back get us out of here."

"Eye eye Captain."

They all walked towards the inner part of the ship when Mal stopped Jia with his arm.

"Did you want to get married on Persephone?"

Jia shook her head, "As long as I have you and Serenity I don't care where or when."

"How bout right here right now."

Jia started, "Now?" She looked down at her clothes and looked around the cargo bay. She then smiled, "Sounds good. If you're sure. You don't think I'll back out do you?"

"No, I just really want this. Plus I don't think I want to spend another night alone."

Jia smiled, "Sounds good."

Jayne came in with her pack, "You didn't unpack in three weeks?"

Jia shrugged.

Mal smiled and called out, "Hey preacher!"

Shepherd turned, "Yes."

"You up to a wedding ceremony?"

He smiled, "Let me get my bible." He left towards his room.

Kaylee ran at Jia and grabbed her hand and her bag, "We gotta get you ready." Kaylee dragged her and Zoe off behind the shepherd. River followed. Wash approached Mal carrying John. For the first time, Wash didn't say a word.

Mal reached for John, "I gotta hold this thing I hear is wonderful."

Wash handed him his newborn son.

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The wedding was exactly what they both wanted, simple. Jia had talked Kaylee out of more elaborate dresses and settled for her grey slip dress. They both said the words without regret. Kaylee and River cried.

They sat in the galley after words talking and laughing. Neither Mal or Jia said much. They just kept sneaking glances at each other. Kaylee was a barrel of words. Shepherd interrupted.

"I believe I am going to bed. Good night all."

He got up. As did Zoe, "I think we should too."

Wash looked at her, "What? I mean right dear."

They took their family off to bed.

Simon got up, "River we should go too."

River got up with a smile and followed her brother.

Kaylee got up, "I guess I'll go too."

She smacked Jayne on the way out. He just got up and left.

The new couple looked at each other and smiled. They got up and made their way to their room.

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I'm quite aware that I write for different audiences. For those of you not interested you should stop now. Suffice as to say they have sex. If that is all you wish to know then skip to the next chapter. If not...read on.

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Mal wasn't an inexperienced man, but he had to admit he was nervous. That disappeared when she kissed him. Now he knew why she was always so hesitant in kissing. It was new to her. She opened her mouth and he tasted her for the first time in three weeks. It seemed intoxicating. She slipped her fingers to the buttons on his shirt and started working on them. He helped her take his shirt off. He then removed her shoes and his.

He led her to sit on the side of the bed. He sat beside her. Running his hands through her hair he ran his lips down her neck. He came to her collarbone and paused to lavish his attention. He had learned her skin was sensitive there. She gasped and pressed closer to him. He fought for control.

He slipped first one then the other spaghetti strap down. The dress was soon around her waist. His hand came up and cupped her breast. She kissed his earlobe in appreciation. He followed her down to the mattress and pressed his body to hers. Mal kissed the underside of her breast and then he slipped her nipple into his mouth. She arched under him. When she whimpered a surge of possessiveness went though him. She was his. His wife. No one else's, but his.

He slipped the dress all the way off and stared in appreciation. She hadn't worn anything under it. She reached to cover herself and he caught her hands.

"You are so beautiful."

She smiled hesitantly. He then covered her body with his own. He kissed her until she was pressing again and stood up to undress the rest of the way. He couldn't help but smile when she looked away. He laid beside her on the bed.

"It's ok."

"I've just never seen, well..."

"It's ok."

He covered her body once again with his. He caressed her naked hip with his hand. She could feel him against her leg. She was surprised. Jia was aware of the physics of sex, but never had she thought of the possibility of it. Her mother's lessons hadn't included size or specifics, but she was confused as to how it would work. She looked into his eyes. He loved her. She loved him. It had to work.

His hand finally found it's goal and she gasped at the sensation. He touched her slowly, gently. She could feel something building. She let it come. He slipped a finger inside her and she moaned. Soon she was frantic with wanting something, but she wasn't sure what.

"Mal, please."

"I know Baobei."

She shattered and he held her while she peaked. Jia cried out his name. When she had come down he moved over her again. He pulled her knees so her legs were bent. He paused over her.

"This is gonna hurt a little. Just relax. I'll try..."

"I know Mal." She kissed him.

He probed at her opening. Slowly he slid into her. He had fantasized this so many times. He surged ahead when he met her barrier. He whispered he was sorry in her ear. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him all the way in. When he started to move she was with him.

He had forgotten what an unpracticed woman felt like. The only one he had ever been with was when he was sixteen. It had been his first time too. She moved so differently. No practiced movement, just nature. Jia moved with him. Raising her hips to bring him deeper. Caressing his back simply because she wanted to. His pleasure jumped at the thought of her never having been with anyone else, and her never going to be with anyone else. He moved faster as he could feel her building again.

They met their climax at almost the same time. He rode out the first of her muscles clenching around him, but soon was taken himself. He collapsed on top of her. She held him tighter. He rolled to the side to avoid crushing her, but brought her with him. He pulled her to his side and she put her head on his chest. Together they lay there exhausted.

He kissed her forehead and got up. She watched him walk to the bathroom and disappear. When he came out again he was holding a towel. He nudged one of her knees up and wiped the small amount of blood from her thigh. She blushed. He threw the towel across the room and held her again. She nuzzled him and he kissed her.

"I love you Mal."

"I love you too."

They slipped off to sleep.