Mal looked out into the black. It was a practice he found himself engaged in more frequently than perhaps was good for him. John had found a buyer for the cargo from the failed Atherton job. That was a good thing. Kaylee had informed Mal if the left engine didn't get a complete overhaul, with new parts, it was liable to not just fail, but to explode, severely damaging Serenity, possibly breaching the hull, and in general just being a bad thing.

Mal was fairly certain Kaylee was exaggerating. He also knew she was serious about the needed overhaul. Cameron had spent money belonging to her and John to start the construction of a battle bridge and security center.

Selling Atherton's cargo would be no more dangerous than any other deal. In fact, the customer had dealt with Mal before and was a bit leery of Jayne. This meant the customer would come armed and with men of his own. It also meant the customer knew Mal would be armed, have men of his own, and other crew hidden around the exchange site. It would be tense, but nothing more.

It was the insistence of the crew to return to Persephone that had Mal worried. If things came to a vote, as Captain his lone vote carried more weight than the entire crew combined.

Except in this case.

Sarah had accepted Jayne's proposal. Mal was happy for the pair. He was even happier Inara was pleased with the announced engagement.

What concerned him were the looks every woman on the boat had given him when Sarah informed him she wanted to be married by the same priest, in the same abbey, where John and Cameron had gotten married.

Experience had taught Mal to stay away from certain planets until things cooled down and the Alliance and local law had other suspects to arrest and detain. He'd prefer to stay away for a few more months.

It was equally clear if he didn't set course for Persephone after the deal was finished he'd have the worst kind of mutiny imaginable on his hands. One led by Inara and Cameron with all the womenfolk in full support. Making matters worse would be the fact all the men would support the women. Jayne's motivation was obvious. John would never cross Cameron and he wanted his mother to be happy. Simon would cross neither River nor Kaylee. Derek was enjoying a truce with both River and Cameron at the moment and would not risk breaking the truce. He also wanted Sarah to be happy.

For the thousandth time, Mal found he wished Sheppard Book were still alive and onboard Serenity. Book would have happily performed the ceremony, setting Mal free of the current dilemma he faced.

There was no solution to the problem he faced. Kaylee wanted parts for the engine overhaul. Cameron wanted a long list of items necessary for her project. Simon had money for medical equipment and was adding his voice to the ever-increasing clamor about the state of Serenity.

Everything pointed to the necessity of a trip to Persephone.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Simon jumped at the sound of the polite knock on the infirmary's door. Pausing to calm his racing heart first, Simon slowly turned to see who the visitor was.

"Oh, River, Cameron. Hello. Please come in."

The pair entered, Cameron closing the door behind her. The doctor's stomach dropped as an ominous air filled his workspace.

"Is something wrong, Mei Mei?"

"I don't know, Simon," River answered. "Twin asked the girl to come with her."

Simon turned to face Cameron. Relieved River appeared to be okay, his concern shifted to that of a doctor for his patient. It was telling Cameron had brought River and not John with her to see him.

Cameron sat down and looked first at River and then Simon.

"Before I explain, both of you must promise me you will not say a word to anyone." Cameron paused. "Anyone."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"This visit is going to be great," Kaylee announced to everyone as they ate. "Money to shop with! Money for lots of brand new, shiny parts for Serenity! Sarah and Jayne are gettin' hitched! I swear, the only thing that could make this any peachier was if Simon would get down on one knee and ask me proper like to become an honest woman!"

Laughter erupted from the crew, making Simon cringe at Kaylee's cheerful, spontaneous remark. A lot was at stake on this visit. Things Simon could not tell anyone about.

"You bet it is," Jayne roared, throwing his arm around Sarah and hugging her roughly. "Best trip to Persephone ever!"

Sarah smiled up at Jayne, elbowed him sharply in the ribs, and freed herself of his grasp. "Don't be so rough," Sarah chided.

Zoe cleared her throat and lifted her bottle of beer. "I wish the two of you the same happiness Wash and I had together."

Jayne nodded solemnly in thanks as Sarah beamed at Zoe in appreciation.

"I know we didn't get off to the best start," Inara announced. "Both of you, to be honest. But I'm happy for both of you. Cheers!" The Companion raised her bottle of beer and the crew drank again.

Simon took it all in as the crew celebrated. His own predicament with Kaylee aside, the doctor was genuinely happy for Jayne and Sarah. Jayne was just as likely to be injured on a job and Sarah seemed to have a penchant herself for brawling in bars or getting shot on the job, but she'd made the big ape of a man much more tolerable to live with. Sober and often in a better mood lately, Simon had discovered Jayne a little of what Sarah saw in her future husband.

Life had taken strange turns for Simon. When in the right mood, he contemplated the life he'd dreamed about as a child and the life he led now. With only a few exceptions, Simon found he preferred life on Serenity. The crew needed his care. Kaylee was wonderful. From time to time he was able to provide medical care to those on the rim who needed it.

Live was adventuresome as a member of Serenity's crew. As much as Simon complained, he secretly liked the fact he lived life on the edge. A secret he'd never admit to anyone and he hoped River never detected.

Cameron caught his eye and smiled at him, just a quick, faint smile followed by an equally brief frown. Reminding him to remain silent, to keep the secret they shared.