Rating: PG
Spoilers: Anything through Ariel is fair game.
Pairing: Let's just say it's not Kaylee/Simon or Mal/Inara, despite appearing such at first.
Disclaimer: The characters depicted here were created by Joss Whedon, and are the property of Mutant Enemy and FOX Broadcasting. They are used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit is being made from their use.
Summary: Relationships aboard the Serenity take some interesting turns when Kaylee decides to organize a Christmas party.
Author's Note: This story was started before the airing of "War Stories," so events in that episode do not apply.
Deck the AirlocksBy Grace
Part 2: Only One Shopping Day Remains
Kaylee was practically bursting with excitement when the crew disembarked on Helios the following day. The last few jobs had been pretty profitable, and she was looking forward to spending part of her cut on Christmas presents. Although she had assured Jayne that gifts weren't a requirement, she wanted to get something for everyone.
"Remember, three hours," Mal admonished them.
"Yes, Cap'n," Kaylee replied, as the others murmured their agreement.
Kaylee immediately made a beeline for the shopping district, trying desperately not to get distracted by the window displays of beautiful dresses and sparkling jewels. All too soon, though, an arrangement of glittering emeralds captured her gaze. After sighing over them for a few minutes, she glanced at the rest of the display…and then hurried inside.
Meanwhile, Simon and River were doing a little shopping of their own. Although the medication Simon had started River on seemed to be helping, it was still difficult to keep her on task at times. Spotting a bookstore, Simon steered her in that direction. After all, how much damage could River do in a bookstore?
Thirty minutes later, Simon had his answer. The crew was going to be receiving somewhat less extravagant gifts than previously planned, since he had just purchased fifteen volumes "modified" by his sister. Sighing, Simon took River firmly by the arm and led her down the street.
Several streets away, Inara was browsing through a shop crammed with delicate curios and collectibles. They weren't exactly useful items for people living on a ship like Serenity, but half the fun of receiving gifts was getting things you wanted but didn't necessarily need.
Her face lit up when she spotted a figurine nestled on a shelf on the other side of the shop. Crossing the room, Inara quickly determined that it would be perfect for River. Carrying it over to the cashier, she made her first purchase of the day.
Mal and Zoe had completed their business with the client after only an hour planet-side. Stepping back out onto the street, Mal said, "Well, I think I'm gonna look around for a bit."
Zoe smiled knowingly. "Doing a little Christmas shopping, sir?"
"What if I am?" he asked defensively.
"That's a perfectly admirable outing, sir," she replied, stifling a chuckle.
"I agree. Now go on—I can't buy you a present if you're hoverin' around."
"Yes, sir. I'll see you back at the ship."
She strode off, waiting until she had turned a corner before bursting into laughter. The expression on Mal's face had been priceless—like a little boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Composing herself, Zoe hurried off to do a little shopping of her own.
Jayne sat hunched on a barstool in a tavern not far away, a bottle of whiskey in front of him and a girl on each side. He didn't truck with this holiday nonsense, and he wasn't buyin' no ruttin' gifts for the crew, least of all the gorram doctor and his loony little sister. No sir. Far as he was concerned, the best gift of all would be leavin' them on this here planet and flyin' away fast as they could.
Taking a deep draw of whiskey, Jayne hooked an arm around the gal to his left, pulling her close and caressing her thigh. She giggled seductively, thrusting her full breasts up, her dark hair tumbling around her shoulders. He tried not to think about how her hair wasn't as dark or as long as River's; he didn't want to wonder whether River's hair was softer than this two-bit whore's.
She was just a crazy little girl, nothin' but trouble. Only reason he was thinkin' 'bout her at all was 'cause the liquor brought back the guilt.
'Course, that didn't explain the mornings he woke up hard, the dream images of her naked body hovering above him still fresh in his mind.
Jayne drained the bottle and lurched to his feet, brushing off the women like a couple of insects. He stumbled out of the bar and onto the street, then took off in the general direction of the ship.
Over in the fashion district, Wash stood outside a fancy boutique, his expression pensive. The dresses in the window were pretty enough, but they didn't quite match the idea of "slinky" that had been stuck in his mind since their jaunt on Persephone. 'Course, there might be somethin' suitable inside. Now, if he could just work up the nerve to go in…
Not far away, the Shepherd was suffering far less mental anguish over his gift shopping. He had decided that a Bible of her very own would be perfect for River. That way, she could "fix" it all she wanted. He was so pleased with his purchase that he decided to purchase Bibles for the entire crew. It was no secret they were all in dire need of a little religion, the captain in particular.
* * *
Three hours after setting down on Helios, all but one member of Serenity's crew was safely back aboard the ship. To the captain's surprise, the missing party wasn't River, but rather Kaylee.
Mal was standing in the main hold, gaze fixed pointedly at his watch, when the young mechanic came rushing up the ramp, her arms overflowing with brightly colored packages.
She began apologizing immediately. "I'm sorry, Cap, I know I'm late, but I was getting' one of the presents personalized, and it took longer'n I thought, an' I ran as fast as I could to get here."
His expression was stern. "I said three hours, and I meant three hours, not three hours and five minutes. Now, I'm sure the doc'll appreciate your effort with his gift, but I don't. If this happens again, I jist might leave you behind."
Kaylee grinned up at him. "The present weren't for Simon, Cap'n. It's for you."
That caught him off guard, and he stammered a bit. "Oh. In that case…I s'pose it was only five minutes. But I still don't want it happenin' again, understood?"
She nodded, and then scampered off in the direction of her quarters. When she was gone, Jayne stepped out of the shadow he had been skulking in.
"Ain't you a softie," he taunted. "Can't even scold Kaylee proper. 's no wonder you didn't kill me."
A split-second later, Jayne found himself staring down the business end of a gun. "Don't tempt me," Mal warned. "All I'd have to do is tell the crew 'bout your betrayal, and it won't be me you gotta worry 'bout."
Jayne had just enough sense to recognize the genuine threat in the captain's tone, and he held up his hands in the age-old gesture of defeat. "You knows I's only jokin', Cap. Ain't no call for getting' all het up."
Mal holstered his gun. "You best watch yourself, Jayne," he warned, and then strode off.
* * *
Christmas morning dawned black and cold, just like every morning—and afternoon, and night—in space. To Kaylee, though, it felt different. She sprang from her bunk, despite having been up half the night wrapping gifts. She took a shower, grabbed some breakfast, and then headed for Inara's shuttle.
She knocked eagerly on the Companion's door, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet in excitement.
Inara grinned when she opened the door. "You're up bright and early this morning, Kaylee."
"It's Christmas, 'Nara!" She gave the older woman an impulsive hug. "I ain't been this excited 'bout Christmas since…since I don't even know when!"
Motioning Kaylee into the shuttle, Inara replied, "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Were you able to get all your shopping done yesterday?"
Kaylee nodded. "I hope ever'body likes what I got 'em."
Inara raised her eyebrows. "Did you buy gifts for the entire crew?"
"Well, sure," she replied, as though it should be obvious. "I don't want nobody feelin' left out."
"That must have been expensive."
The young woman shrugged. "Don't matter. What else do I gotta spend my money on? My whole life's on this ship."
"You truly embody the Christmas spirit, Kaylee," Inara said warmly.
Kaylee blushed. "Ain't nothin'."
"It most certainly is something. You've spent hours making decorations, spent most of your money on gifts, and you've even ensured that we'll have a genuine Christmas feast. That's quite a bit of something, if you ask me." Sensing the girl's embarrassment at all the praise, Inara smoothly changed the subject. "Speaking of decorations, when did you want to start putting them up?"
"Soon as we can, I s'pose. It's gonna take a while."
"Well, then, what are we waiting for?"
Kaylee grinned, and the two women headed off the shuttle.
* * *
Several hours later, Kaylee and Inara stepped back to admire their handiwork. The mechanic and the Companion had really been quite resourceful at scavenging decorations out of everyday items on the ship.
Kaylee had drilled tin cans full of holes, put candles inside, and strung them up like lanterns. Old blankets and bed sheets had been spray painted red and green, then draped elegantly as bunting and cut up into strips for streamers and bows. Hundreds of white paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling of the cargo bay, suspended by transparent filament. An entire spool of copper wire had been twisted into stars of all sizes, which now dangled from every railing and catwalk. There was even a Christmas tree, made out of a green sheet shaped over a wire frame. Kaylee had taken the string of lights from around the hatch to her quarters, and used it to decorate the "tree." She had even strung shiny silver washers into a sparkling garland.
"It looks so beautiful," breathed Kaylee.
"You've done a wonderful job. The entire crew is going to be stunned."
"Do you think they'll like it?"
"They'll love it," Inara assured her. "Now come on, I have a surprise for you."
"Ooh, what is it?" Kaylee asked eagerly.
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?"
"Aw, come on, 'Nara," she pleaded. "Please tell me."
"How about I do something even better? Why don't I show you?"
"Eee!" squealed Kaylee. "Yes!"
The two women headed back to the Companion's shuttle, where Inara insisted that Kaylee close her eyes. She led the mechanic inside, and told her to keep her eyes shut. Kaylee heard her rustling around for a few minutes, until Inara finally said, "You can open your eyes."
Her eyes flew open, and she gasped in delight. Inara was holding up a beautiful emerald green satin gown.
"For me?" Kaylee asked in a stunned whisper. The Companion nodded, and she protested, "Oh, Inara, it's too much! You shouldn't have."
"I wanted to, Kaylee. You've done so much work to make this party possible. You deserve to attend it as the belle of the ball."
Kaylee flung herself at Inara, enveloping the other woman in a hug. "Thank you so much! I ain't never seen nothin' so pretty."
"You're more than welcome. Now, let's get started."
An hour later, Inara finally allowed Kaylee to look in a mirror. When she did, she barely recognized herself. Her red hair had been curled and piled on top of her head, with just a few wispy tendrils artfully framing her face. Inara had applied make-up to her face with an expert touch, so that it accented her cheekbones, made her eyes appear smoky and mysterious, and made her lips look full and luscious.
The green dress clung perfectly to her every curve, the rich color highlighting her porcelain skin. The neckline dipped modestly, revealing just a hint of cleavage; the skirt flared slightly, making her want to twirl in endless circles.
Kaylee lifted one hand to gently touch her face, and her eyes were wide with astonishment. "That really me?"
"Indeed it is. You're a very beautiful young woman, Kaylee."
"Naw, I ain't," she protested.
"Yes, you are," Inara insisted, "and I believe certain people will finally realize that at tonight's party."
"Aw, go on," Kaylee mumbled.
"You just wait, Kaylee Frye. You just might be surprised.
To be continued…