Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me anymore now then they did before.

Author's Notes: A very special thanks to caltan, Ande, Casual Reader, havenward, Cassie E and Lilyhead for taking the time to read and review; your words were all very appreciated. I hope you, as well as anyone else out there, keep on enjoying the story. Cause I'm having all kinds of fun telling it.

Precious

by Kristen Elizabeth

"This is Serenity requesting clearance to dock, over."

"Serenity, docking is a go. Welcome to Athens."

Wash leaned back in his chair after flipping a few final switches. "Ain't that nice, Capt'n? They wish us welcome."

"Right friendly." Mal pointed to the steering controls. "You gonna guide us down or just hope she finds her own way?"

The ruddy-cheeked pilot cracked his knuckles and gripped the twin handles. "Bit tetchy there, are we? Couldn't have anythin' to do with what we'll be leavin' here? Or who we'll be leavin' here?"

"Stick to pilotin', Wash. I got no need for a gorram…"

"A gorram what, sir?" His right-hand woman, Zoë , ducked into the cockpit just then, her coolly composed face hinting at something near amusement. Listening to the two most important men in her life quibble was usually good for a chuckle. "You wouldn't be calling my husband names, would you?"

"Of course he would," Wash replied. "But given the day's schedule, I won't hold it against him. You know, it's gonna be dock, load up cargo, say goodbye to…"

Mal turned to go. "Ye soo…I ain't got time for this. Zoë , shut him up, will you?"

"Yes, sir." As Mal left, she came up behind Wash, turned his head around, and kissed him hard. "One of these days, I'm not gonna be here to keep him from deckin' you, sweetie."

"Like he'd hold back even for you."

Situating herself against the control panels, Zoë faced the man she'd married. "Not this time, I don't think he would've. He's wound tighter than I ever seen him on account of her leavin'."

"He should just tell her not to go," Wash said, guiding Serenity down through the clouds. "Then they could get with the smoochin' and we'd all be a big, happy family again."

She shook her head. "If only it were that easy."

"Was for us," he reminded her.

"Funny. I remember there bein' shoutin' and cryin' and beggin'." She paused. "But I married you, anyways."

"Fay-fay d'pian, I never begged."

"You begged."

Wash frowned as he thought back. "But in a charming way! Mal's not even tryin' to keep her from goin'."

"He does what he thinks is best. Always has, always will."

"Yeah. And while he's doin' that, we all get the brunt of his sexual frustrations." Her husband bumped her thigh with his elbow. "Speakin' of…"

She stood up. "Right. No distracting the genius pilot while he's at work." Zoë made sure he got an eyeful of her backside as she left. "Bring 'er in safe, honey."

Mal waited with much impatience for the cargo bay door to lower. As it did, a draft of fresh air rushed past him. He breathed deeply. As much as he loved his ship and the sky she flew in, it was good to go planet-side for a couple of hours every now and then. The sun beating down, the scent of grass and dirt, the faces of people other than the eight who shared Serenity with him…there was something to be said for returning to what passed for civilization.

The dust kicked up from their landing began to settle and he looked around at the docks of Athens. He and Zoë were to pick up the cargo at a nearby warehouse that shouldn't be too hard to find, he figured. That was all they'd been told. It was probably best not to know absolutely everything about their latest job, but given their luck in the past, Mal wasn't terribly comfortable not knowing anything at all.

Kaylee came up behind him, her hair pulled into twin pigtails and her face smudge-free. "We gonna be takin' on anyone, Capt'n?"

"And why would we be doin' that? You got a mind to see some stranger recognizin' our runaway siblings and reportin' them?"

She bit her lip. "I wasn't thinkin'. I just thought since Inara's leavin' that we'd need the extra coin."

At the mention of her name in connection with her imminent departure, Mal's expression grew dark. "Did just fine before she joined up, didn't we?" He softened his words with an added, "Mei-mei, I'm thinkin' you'll be surprised how little things change without her around."

Kaylee stared at his profile. Her scrutiny almost made him squirm; she was one of the only people in the 'verse whose opinion of him mattered. "Jien tah-duh gway. Everythin's gonna change, sir. I'm thinkin' you got no idea how much she matters 'round here."

The problem, he very nearly told her, was that he was entirely too aware of how much Inara mattered.

He swallowed. "Get on now, little Kaylee. Got work to do."

"Yes sir." But before she let him off the hook entirely, she put a hand on his arm. "Just get back 'fore she leaves. So you can say goodbye."

Mal's only response was to clear his throat. Fortunately, Zoë and Jayne's entrance prevented Kaylee from pressing the issue.

Twirling one of his more discreet guns around his index finger by its trigger, Jayne came up on Mal's left side. "What're we standin' 'round here waitin' for?"

"You," Mal replied curtly. He looked at his second-in-command. "We get the cargo and get goin'. Not lookin' for any complications."

"I'll do my best, sir," Zoë nodded, taking on the responsibility as if it was up to her to control the fates themselves. He shot her an exasperated look. "Jayne," she addressed the bigger man. "Try to be just a little bit less obvious, dong ma?"

Confused, he frowned and looked at his gun. "This ain't obvious." She arched a single eyebrow. Grumbling under his breath, Jayne tucked the weapon into the holster at his hip.

Mal started down the ramp created by the cargo bay door. "Let's get this day over with."

With the last of her things packed and ready to be taken off of Serenity with the help of the bellhops from the only reputable hotel Athens boasted, Inara had nothing to do but to say her own private goodbyes to the ship that had been her home over a year. She walked slowly, taking her time to commit every nook and cranny to memory. Inara passed through the crew quarters, pausing to smile the shiny, hand-painted sign over Kaylee's door. How she'd miss the bubbly girl's flowers and frills.

Mal's room was just next to Kaylee's, but she didn't linger long at his door. Part of her wanted to enter his lair, as if surrounding herself with his things could give her a better understanding of the man. But if she hadn't gained any insight into Mal after everything they'd been through, she probably wasn't going to start learning in her last moments on his ship.

She avoided the infirmary, the site of so many horribly anxious moments. Moments when she'd witnessed one of her friends bleeding or lying unconscious. Moments when he'd been so close to death that she was convinced he'd never open his eyes again. But he always had. Mal was nothing if not resilient.

In the kitchen, Inara very nearly broke down into tears. The infirmary held no good memories; the kitchen held nothing but. If she closed her eyes, she could almost hear echoes of laughter, interspersed with funny stories, risqué jokes and the sounds of chewing. It wasn't much to look at, but there was warmth within the room that she'd never found anywhere else. Whenever she wanted to return to Serenity, all she would have to do was remember the kitchen.

The time of her departure was growing close, so Inara quickly made her way through the passenger quarters and emerged into the vastness of the cargo bay. From the balcony, she could see the little misshaped family gathered to wish her farewell. The cargo must have already been acquired and stored, as Zoë and Jayne were present.

Mal, however, was not.

Lifting the beaded hem of her green and gold skirt, Inara descended the rusty stairs for what she assumed would be the last time. When she reached the floor, she fixed her mouth in a perfect, albeit, fake smile.

"I suppose it's time for the dreaded goodbyes."

Heads turned, and she saw more than few mournful expressions. Even Jayne looked mildly less vacant than usual. In fact, the only person who didn't seem particularly bothered was River. The girl studied her with unusual composure; Inara had the unsettling feeling she was being scanned in more ways than one.

Wash approached her first, and she was grateful for that, as it meant she didn't have to choose anyone to go first. He hugged her with his entire lanky frame and kissed her cheek. Instantly, she regretted not taking the time to get to know this man better. He was an open book, easy to read and even easier to decipher, but never boring.

"Keep in touch," he told her, drawing back. "'Cause we're gonna miss you."

She nodded tightly, reining in her tears. "Shr ah."

Zoë followed her husband. For a moment, Inara wasn't sure whether or not the formidable woman would embrace her, but she did, although very briefly. "You'll always have a place on Serenity."

"Xie-xie," Inara thanked her.

Shepherd Book took both of her hands in his, and she was sure he could feel them shaking. "I learned long ago that people cannot be stereotyped," the older man began. "But being human, I forgot over time. Thank you for reminding me."

"I feel the same." She gave him a hug, affording herself the opportunity to speak in his ear. "Take care of him," she whispered. "His heart has need of healing."

Book didn't have to ask whom she was talking about; he merely nodded solemnly.

Simon came next, with River at his side. Inara embraced him freely. Out of everyone on the ship, she'd found the most common ground with the young doctor, having grown up in his world. "Jia you," she said, encouraging him. "She will get better."

After glancing at his sister, he smiled hesitantly. "Thank you. Take care of yourself."

She moved to River, but before she could hug her, the girl locked her intense stare on Inara. "The ship won't fly any faster without your weight on board." At Inara's puzzled look, River continued, "You're breaking his wings."

"Sweetie." Inara held the girl close for a moment. "I think they were already broken."

How to say goodbye to Jayne was something she hadn't spent much time pondering. So when he stepped forward and held out his big hand to her, she was quite surprised.

"I ain't ever known a Companion before," he told her. "Now I figure I ain't ever gonna meet a better one. I mean…you know…personal-like. Not professionally."

Instead of taking his hand, Inara rose up on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Jayne." If she hadn't seen in herself, she wouldn't have believed him capable of blushing.

As soon as she saw Kaylee's face, Inara knew she had best get their goodbye over with as quickly as possible, before her composure was entirely lost. She merely wrapped the girl in a warm embrace, rocking her ever so slightly as she cried.

"I feel like I ain't never gonna see you again," Kaylee sobbed.

Inara rested her cheek on the soft bed of her hair. "You will," she promised. "Be strong, mei-mei."

Kaylee hiccupped. "You too," she said, rubbing at her tears. "Don't go forgettin' 'bout us."

A true smile graced Inara's lips. "I couldn't even if I wanted to." She glanced at the open cargo bay door as if he'd come striding into the ship at any moment.

"He's still out," Zoë answered her unspoken question. "There was a problem with the cargo. But he'll be back…if you can wait."

Inara shook her head. "It's all right. We've already said our goodbyes." She pulled the silken shawl that wound through her slender arms up over the top of her head, creating a mantle and took one last look at the seven familiar faces.

"Tseye jen," she said, choking on the words. "Until we meet again."

Turning to go, she walked straight into Mal.

"Mal…" She blinked and looked up at him. The look of fury on his face caused her to take a step back. "You didn't have to come back just to…"

He bypassed her entirely and thundered across the bay until he reached his first mate. "Zoë."

"Sir?"

"Looks like we're gonna be turnin' this place into a gorram nursery after all."

She nodded gravely. "I'll start gettin' ready."

Even through her tears, Kaylee's interest was suddenly peaked. "What's goin' on, Capt'n?"

Jayne answered her gruffly. "Cargo's a luh-suh bunch of kids. 'Cause that's just what we need 'round here. More stuff underfoot." He gave River a pointed look.

"Kids?" Book frowned, as he often did when he sensed a less than pious mission ahead of them. "How is it that children are cargo?"

"The job is to take a group of orphans to Osiris where their adoptive parents are waiting for them," Zoë explained. "It's perfectly legal. The Captain just doesn't like the idea of having children on board. It's a common theme around here." Wash tried to take her hand at this, but she crossed her arms over her chest.

Simon's face paled. "We're going to Osiris?"

"It's pretty of us!" Kaylee said, smiling. "Gettin' those kids to new lives and all."

"Pretty," Jayne snorted. "Pretty gorram boring. Legal and all."

Coming of the shell-shock his sudden appearance and even more sudden dismissal had sent her into, Inara spoke up. "Legal…if it's true."

Mal shot her a glare. "If what's true?"

She took a breath. "Quite frankly, childless couples in the Core do not adopt orphans from the Border planets."

"Why not?" Wash asked.

"Why should they when they have the money for fertilization treatments and artificial life-production?" Simon replied. "Can we get back to the part where we're going to Osiris?"

"What are you sayin'?" Mal demanded, ignoring Simon.

"She's saying…" Book folded his hands neatly in front of him. "You likely just agreed to transport a group of child-slaves."

Serenity's captain closed his eyes, his fists balling up so hard that his knuckles turned white. "Liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze fuh ur-tze…why can't anything ever be simple?!"

"We'll just return the money, sir," Zoë said. "Walk away from the deal and no harm done."

"Can't do it," Mal snapped. "Half of it's already gone to fuel."

Jayne scratched his temple. "I ain't crazy 'bout kids, but somethin' 'bout this don't settle right with me."

"That's because you have a heart, son. Somewhere really, really buried." Book looked at Mal. "Do you, Captain Reynolds?"

Kaylee piped up to defend him. "He ain't anywhere near heartless! Tell him, sir. Tell him you ain't gonna do the job."

"We're gonna do it," Mal said between his teeth.

Inara whipped around, her dark hair flying. "You can't be serious! Mal…"

He leveled her with a look. "You ain't part of this crew no more, so it don't concern you none." His words were sharp and they cut deep.

Wash raised his hand. "I know we're not gonna vote on this or anything, but can I just say that I didn't sign up to help put kids in chains."

"Noted."

"If you go ahead with this, you are beyond redemption," Book said.

Mal chuckled bitterly. "Seem to recall there bein' one or two slaves in that good book of yours, Shepherd."

"Man has grown since then."

"Not all that much." He pointed to Zoë. "Start gatherin' up all the blankets and pillows you can. Got no idea how many kids we're getting, but I ain't gonna have 'em uncomfortable the whole trip."

Inara's eyes narrowed. "Why not? They might as well get used to it."

"Weren't you leavin'?"

She stared at him, searching for the good she'd so often seen just below his rough façade. "I was," she eventually replied. "But not now."

Caught off guard, Mal shook his head slightly. "Shumma?"

"I'm not going anywhere just yet, Malcolm Reynolds." Inara pushed her shawl back, letting it catch on her arms again. "If you're determined to go against everything human and decent, I am going to stay right here and watch you do it."

"Suit yourself," he said after a long pause. "Let's get movin', people. I wanna see this place fit for livin' in half an hour."

With much reluctance, fueled only by their desire to stay aboard Serenity, the crew dispersed to follow the captain's order. Simon looked around at them as they all parted ways.

"Osiris?" he pleaded one more time. "Has anyone heard of the proverbial lion's den?"

River danced around him, oblivious to the very real danger into which they were both about to be thrust. "Babies are coming, Simon," she sang with much glee. "We'll be mommies!"

He closed his eyes, overwhelmed all of a sudden. "Oh yes. This is going to turn out just wonderfully."

To Be Continued