Wishing for Kittens (If That's What They're Called)
Chapter Two: The New Plan
As everyone got back onto the ship, there was mild chatter. Kaylee was showing off her new dress, and Zoe was showing off a ring that Wash had bought her. Everybody was happy, even River. She had a wide smile on her face as she sneaked around between each member of the crew. I was the only one who knew why.
"Alright, everybody get a move on. Let's get this boat in the air," the captain said, rushing everybody off. We must've gotten a new job, and he must've been eager to share the details. As everybody went their spearate ways, Kaylee came over to me.
"What'dijya think of my dress?"
"It's beautiful, Kaylee. I'm sure you'll be beautiful in it," I said, smiling. River rolled her eyes next to me and wandered off to her bunk. I paid no attention, and neither did Kaylee. "I think we'd better get ready for takeoff," I said to her, desperate to make sure that River wouldn't do anything stupid with her new possession.
"Yeah. Mal'll have a fit if I don't get into that engine. It's jus'... I was wonderin'... what did you get?"
"I just bought something for River. And a few new supplies for the infrimary."
"What'dijya buy River?"
"Just... something she really wanted."
"Not gonna tell me?" Kaylee gave me a little annoyed look, and I immediately felt bad for lying, but I knew I had to. If Mal found out before I told him, he'd probably kick me and River off the ship. He probably would even after I told him.
"She wants to keep it a surprise." I figured that by saying that, Kaylee wouldn't much mind that I was lying. Plus, River did want to keep it a surprise. Or at least, I did. Mal shouted something down at Kaylee and she rolled her eyes and went off.
"Well, the minute she doesn't want it to be a surprise anymore, you tell me," Kaylee called back to me.
"I will," I said to myself before going to join River. She was laying on her bed, giggling softly. I flopped down next to her and heard a mewl of protest. However, it wasn't coming from her, but the little kitten that was prouncing around in front of her. "I doubt that Mal is going to like having a kitten around."
"It's not just a kitten, Simon. It's a little baby, and it understands its place. Not like the crew," she shook her head quickly and then petted the kitten's head. "It knows where it goes, and knows how to get there."
"Talking to animals now, are you? Well, if that's the case and the kitten knows how to get around without getting in anyone's way, I'm sure Mal won't mind." I paused. "No, he will still mind, but maybe not as much. I mean, it is another mouth to feed, but how much can that tiny thing eat?"
"Tiny cat, big world. It's trying to see it all. Just like Mal," River said rather knowling, so I shut my mouth and rolled over on my back. The bed was really comfortable, and the day had seemed a lot longer than it was. However, I had the petulant little kitten banging its head against mine. I sighed and turned my head to glare at it. River giggled. "It likes you."
"But do I like it?" She smiled at me and scooped the kitten up in her hands. "I mean, its cute, River, but can you take care of a kitten?"
"You take care of me. I see you taking care of me, I know what you do. I'm not much more than a kitten, how hard could it be?"
"Well, one, you're not a kitten, and two, you've never even had a pet. How do you know that this will work?" She threw me a look, as if saying that she just knew, and I shouldn't question it so much. "Fine, fine. What are you going to name it?"
"Selene. And it's not an it, it's a girl."
"You're not a girl, you're a kitten," I said, and River laughed at me. She shoved me off the bed and just giggled mercilessly. "Now, that, little kitten, was unneeded." She feigned an apologetic face, which was quickly broken by another giggle. The kitten, Selene, was purring rather loudly and rubbing her face up against River's leg. She seemed genuinely pleased with her new pet, and I knew that she would be so hurt when it had to be taken away. I frowned at the thought, but just sat up to watch them playing.
A voice came over on the loudspeaker, "I hope y'all didn't already eat, 'cause we got quite a meal ready." River sat up and put Selene in the little cage she had come in. "You be a good little girl, you hear?" she said, pointing her finger at the little tiny kitten. It rolled over and started flailing its legs in the air, yet it seemed to be smiling up at its new found friend. River didn't want to leave Selene there, but I was hungry. I had to drag her out of the gorram room.
Everyone was gathering around the table and Kaylee was setting food out. Mal was already seated, and Zoe seemed ready to burst with the excitement of a new job. As everyone took their places and began to fill their plates, Mal cleared his throat. "Well, today was a good, semi-productive day, and I hope you all enjoyed it. I certainly hope we can have many more similar occurences in the future." There was a murmur of agreement around the table. "So, maybe this job'll bring us another one. I met up with someone who was offering up quite a challenge, and only wanted the best. Apparently, we are the best. So, after supper, I s'pose we'll just have to conjure up a plan about how to go about doing this."
"What is the plan?" I asked politely. Mal shot me a look, as though he had been just about to get to it.
"Kittens," he said straight out. There was shock on everyone's face.
"Kittens, sir?" Zoe said, obviously trying to hold back laughter.
"What? There's a good, honest job to be done. All it is is transportin' kittens," Mal had a profound look on his face. Jayne was the first to outright laugh, and soon everyone joined in, except for me, River, and Mal.
"Kittens. It sounds so... adorable," Kaylee said behind chuckles.
"Well, it's a job," Inara said.
"So, why do we need a plan for this?" Wash asked, wiping tears of hilarity off his eyes.
"Because, there's a lot of danger here," River said quietly. "We're trying to cross the road, but ships keep coming to knock us off our feet."
"But... kittens?" Book said, doubling over in a new fit of laughter, which everyone joined in on. I gave River a wary look and she just shrugged her shoulders. Mal sat down, defeated.
"Well... I guess we're transportin' some kittens," he said to himself.
THE END of chapter two
Hmm... so nobody reviewed Chapter one. But that's okay. Even if nobody reviews it by the time I'm finished, I'll be happy because I wrote it. Yeah... so. Bye