I know this is a little infantile for Firefly-but I just had to

Kaylee had gathered Jia, River and Zoe in the galley for an idea of hers.

"It would be so much fun."

Jia was concerned, "I don't know Kaylee."

"We won't even be leaving the ship, how can it be dangerous."

Zoe added, "It's not really a mature thing to do Kaylee."

"That's what makes it fun."

"But a girls only camp away in the shuttle? It seems a little much."

"We can gossip and do girly things. Please everyone."

Jia added, "Simon won't be happy that River is going. He also won't be happy I'm not resting."

"Do you really care?"

Jia considered that, "Well, it might be fun, but Zoe just got her husband back."

Kaylee turned to Zoe. Zoe sighed, "Actually, Wash has been telling me I need to do things with others too. I think the guys wouldn't mind a bit of time off from us either."

Kaylee was ecstatic, "So we are all doing it?"

"If the Captain says it's ok."

"That's ok, I'll just ask him."

Mal came in, "Ask him what?"

Kaylee turned to him and in her sweetest voice, "Captain, can we please spend the night in the shuttle?"

"You and River or what?"

"All of us."

He looked around at the four pairs of eyes looking at him, "You girls want a just girls night do you?"

Kaylee nodded and gave him her best puppy dog expression, "Please Captain, we will be good, we promise."

Mal knew it was already decided and it was a small concession, even though he thought it silly, "Well, I don't know. Zoe, you're on board for this?"

"Sure, why not."

"Fine, but it's your head if anything goes wrong."

"I'll take care of them sir."

He nodded and it was settled. Kaylee cheered and started rattling off a list of things they would need. Mal left a minute later with his coffee smiling and shaking his head.

--------------------------------------------------

There was a lineup going into the shuttle that night. First was Wash and Zoe.

"Now if they tell stories that are too scary come and get me lambietoes."

"I will husband."

A kiss was their goodbye for the night.

The second group consisted of Kaylee, Simon and River. Simon was explaining to Kaylee why this was a bad idea.

"Jia is not healed yet, and what if River had nightmares?"

"Simon, relax. This will give you time to unstuff that shirt of yours."

"It's ok Simon, the girl will be ok. No nightmares, I promise."

Simon was not happy, but knew when he was beat. He nodded to them both and went on his way. The last was Jia and Mal.

"Supper and breakfast are already made and in the cold storage, just heat them and they will be fine."

"Gorram it woman, we ate before you, you know."

"But not well."

Mal rolled his eyes and pulled Wash behind Simon down the stairs and away from the girls. They turned and entered their sanctuary for the night. Mal went up to Jayne who was lifting weights. Jayne stopped and said, "I don't like it Mal."

"What?"

"Those four up there by themselves."

"Oh I think they can take care of themselves Jayne."

"That's not what I'm worried about. Woman is strange when they get in packs."

"Packs?"

"You know what I mean. A whole night of talk of guys and clothes and...fancy stuff, whatever. Bunchof giggling girls up there plotting against me."

Mal finally got it. "Jayne they have more important things to talk about then you."

------------------------------------------------

"You think he's crude you should see his room."

Zoe looked shocked, "Kaylee, when did you see his room?"

"'member when he tried to put his hand though the wall and dented it?"

"Oh, yeah. I remember now."

They were all seated in a circle in the shuttle with treats in the middle. River started to sing, "The hero of Canton..."

The other two started in, "The man they call Jayne!"

Jia was laughing, "I still can't believe that."

"Believe it, I was there." Kaylee giggled. "I thought Simon was going to have a heart attack. Oh, I forgot, what did Badger write you?"

She got out the note from her pocket and gave it to Kaylee. Kaylee started laughing, "That is the dirtiest love note I have ever seen."

Zoe reached for it and Kaylee gave it over, "I will never be able to look him in the face without laughing again."

River read over Zoe's shoulder, "I don't think that is correct grammar." She pointed to a part in the letter.

"It isn't sweetie, but that's not the point. I can't believe he asked you to stay with him."

"According to the note I am irresistible."

They all laughed again. Kaylee said, "You are really pretty Jia."

Jia rolled her eyes, "Sure, I'm really hot. Kaylee, I talked back to him, that's all he wants."

Zoe rolled her eyes, "I'm sure the fact you are good looking had nothing to do with it."

Jia changed the subject, "Anyway, how did you and Wash get together anyway? He's not exactly what I pictured for your husband."

"He wasn't what I pictured either, not that I pictured anyone. His persistence was the one thing that happened. Other than that he makes me laugh, and that's not something I can say a lot."

Kaylee awed, "That is so sweet."

"He's really everything I ever want. What about Simon?"

Kaylee smiled and looked at River, "I don't think that's something that should be discussed in front of his sister."

River scoffed, "Anything you could tell me would be old news Kaylee, I know everything remember." Kaylee still looked uncomfortable, so River sighed, "He is not an adept lover but she really loves him. He needs to work on his foreplay and..."

"River!"

She smiled, "I told you to tell it."

"Fine. I really like him, lets leave it at that."

Zoe was confused, "You never have any problem talking about your guys Kaylee. Why's Simon different?"

"He just is."

"Oh...Kaylee loves this one."

Jia was happy, "Good for you sweetie."

"Thanks."

"And according to his actions in the kitchen the second day I was here, he feels the same way."

Zoe broke in, "What's this then?"

"Kaylee and Simon almost had each other on the table."

"Did not. I know better than that."

Zoe said, "Not according to the Captain. I heard the story of how you joined the crew."

"That was before I knew all of you, it was nothing. Besides that was the engine room."

"You had a guy in the engine room!" Jia exclaimed.

"Like you've never had guy in a strange place."

Jia looked uncomfortable, "Actually I haven't."

River chimed in, "She's a virgin."

"RIVER!"

"So am I, it's not a big deal."

"River, you are seventeen, I'm twenty eight, it's different."

Zoe broke in, "Wait a minute. Are you?"

"It's not a big deal."

Kaylee was shocked, "Never ever?"

"No Kaylee. So what?"

"That's nice."

"No it's not. It's not like it was a conscious effort. I've worked eighteen hour days since I was twelve, I really haven't had the time for relationships."

"Relationships is different from sexin'."

"I just am not the type of person who gets close to people quickly, at least not that quickly."

"Wow."

Zoe laughed, "It's not a big deal Kaylee. Lots of women do that, save themselves."

"Did you?"

Zoe scoffed, "No, but it's not a bad thing."

Kaylee gasped, "Is that why you didn't like Inara?"

Jia was now really uncomfortable, "I didn't not like her. I just have never been comfortable around people who have association with the Alliance."

"She doesn't."

"They regulate the guild, Kaylee."

"It wasn't as if she was directly linked with them or anything."

Jia sighed, "Fine, my mother was a companion before she married my father."

Silence greeted that statement.

"She married him because she though he was going to be a wealthy man with his boxing. When he joined the browncoats instead of becoming a professional, she was devastated. The woman never thought of another person in her life but her. And before you say it I know Inara wasn't like that, it's just hard."

Zoe asked, "Why'd she kill herself and your youngest brother?"

"He wasn't my father's son."

"That doesn't seem like a good reason."

"Father treated him like he was, even though he came home from two years away to find a three month old baby. She wanted him to tell her to leave. After marrying someone, a companion can only go back to being what she was if her husband doesn't want her anymore and signs a paper to that fact. She wanted him to tell her to get out. He still loved her, so he couldn't. She didn't want to live like she was, she wanted to be high class again. The only things she ever did well were fashion and makeup. No skills beyond that. When he disappeared, she knew she would never be a companion again. She would legally be saddled with us kids. She couldn't take that. I guess it just became too much."

Kaylee held her hand, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"I'm glad you did. I needed to tell someone, and I couldn't bring myself to do it before. I guess almost dying has the effect of making you capable of things you never though you would be capable of."

Zoe added, "I know what you mean. Wash said..."

"Yeah?"

"I probably shouldn't be telling you this and you have to promise you won't tell anyone I told you, especially Wash."

They all promised.

"Before this he always said he didn't want to have kids yet. Yesterday night he changed his mind."

All the girls cheered, especially Kaylee. "You two are gonna have a baby?"

"We are trying, so we'll see."

Kaylee began to bounce up and down. "Oh I can't wait. I love babies."

"Remember, no telling anyone, not even Simon."

"Promise."

Jia said, "Simon will know before us all though."

Zoe considered this, "I guess that's right since he will be my doctor. Besides River he will be the first one to know for sure."

They all looked at River, "Don't worry, I won't tell."

Zoe laughed, "This is one crazy night."

Everyone else agreed.

--------------------------------------------

While the girls were upstairs confessing the guys were downstairs playing cards, and not talking. Jayne was still worried however.

"What ya think they're talking about up there?"

Mal hung his head, "For the last time, NOT YOU!"

Wash was now intrigued, "You know Jayne, recipes, dresses, stealing your underwear, flowers, that sort of thing."

"That ain't funny."

"Oh but it is."

Mal laughed, "He's got a point Jayne. Watch your underwear the next couple of days."

Jayne looked at them both to see of they were kidding. "Wouldn't you two be just red if'n that did happen."

Now Wash couldn't control himself. "I may just have to steal it to see the look on his face."

Everyone but Jayne laughed at that. Jayne took a swig of his drink. Mal slapped him in the chest, "Lighten up, Jayne. They ain't talking about you."

"Maybe it's you they's conversin about."

"I hope so , I need an excuse to buy new underwear anyway."

Wash was crying he was laughing so hard, "I wish the girls did this earlier, I love this."

"Me too, I gotta encourage this. Maybe we can get them to do it on a weekly basis."

"Be nice Mal, some of us got wives up there."

Shepherd said, "That would be just you son."

Wash looked around, "Oh, I remember now. Simon, you ain't married Kaylee yet have you?"

Simon turned red, "No I haven't."

Mal added, "Well, get crackin' doc, I got a new outfit an everything."

Everyone looked at Mal. He looked up from his cards, "It was a joke people. You guys are as jumpy as Jayne."

"I ain't jumpy."

"Sure, you're just sitting here imagining them talking about you. That's nice and sane."

Mal sighed and brought their minds back to the game and alcohol they had lined up.

-------------------------------------------------------

The four ladies were laying down in the shuttle in a futile attempt to sleep. Silence was only available for minutes before another conversation was struck up. This was the first girls night any of them had ever had. Kaylee's family never had enough room in their house for them much less her friends. River had never had many friends before because her intelligence ostracized her. Jia Li had never had time, as she had raised her siblings. Zoe had never even thought about it. She had never been a girly girl, and had never realized she had missed out on anything, until now. As a result, they didn't want the night to end. Tomorrow, it was back to the hardships of life in the black. Tonight, they could be silly, girly, soft. They could be what they could never be outside this shuttle.

River didn't even feign sleep, she had questions. Questions that she might never have the opportunity to ask again.

"Kaylee, was Bendis your first?"

Kaylee giggled, "No River, He wasn't."

"Who was?"

"A boy in my home town. Thomas Jackson, when I was sixteen. Not much to write home about. What about you Zoe?"

Zoe sighed, "Zach Argus, seventeen."

River asked, "Is it the same for everyone?"

Zoe wanted to comfort the already socially nervous girl, "Not everyone. Just gotta find the right guy River."

"Like who?"

Silence enveloped the shuttle. No one knew what to tell her. Kaylee finally spoke up, "I guy you love sweetie."

"Did you love Thomas, Kaylee?"

"Thought I did. Nothin' much happened after though."

"Wouldn't it be easier to have your first time with a stranger. That way your feelings can't be hurt."

Zoe sat up and leaned on an elbow, "You been thinking about this lately?"

"No, just thoughts always running through."

"Because the first time should be special." Zoe realized her mistake. She should have told River her first was Wash. That's probably what her brother would have preferred.

"I wouldn't have bought that Zoe."

"Well, maybe I shoulda said it anyway." Zoe laid back on the floor.

River smiled, "Don't worry, I won't do anything foolish. You are right, the first time should be special. Even if I won't be with the person forever."

Kaylee was concerned, "River, talk to me before you do anything ok."

"I promise, no touching guns, no sex without talking to Kaylee first."

Jia sat up, "What?"

The others laughed. Kaylee told her, "Never mind."

Silence once again came, but was broken by River, "Kaylee, aren't you going to tell Jia the same thing?"

Kaylee realized River was serious, "Sure, Jia you talk to me too."

Jia scoffed, "You just wanna know for the gossip."

"True, but talk to me anyway."

Jia laughed, "Sure."

Silence again, but not for long. River again. "Thank you for making us do this Kaylee."

The others agreed.

"No problem."

------------------------------------------------------------

The guys had a much harder time getting to bed. Only Mal and Book had stayed relatively sober. Wash had passed out on the galley chair. Shepherd had put Jayne to bed after he started telling everyone how much he loved them. Simon was led down to his quarters by Mal when he started talking about going up to see the girls. Mal and Book stood together in the cargo bay, looking at the shuttle.

Mal said, "What do you think they are really talking about up there?"

Shepherd looked at him suspiciously, "You don't think they're talking about you too do you?"

Mal raised his eyebrows, "Maybe."

The shepherd shook his head, "Maybe it's time you went to bed as well."

"Maybe you'd be right Shepherd."

Book watched Mal go off to bed before finding his own.

------------------------------

The morning found the girls tired, but in good spirits. The opposite was true for the three of the five guys. Wash woke up when Jia came down to sort out breakfast. She took pity on his disheveled state and went and got his wife to take care of him. She led her very hung-over husband to continue sleeping it off. Simon woke without effect, as he always did. Jayne was a late riser as always. He sat through breakfast with everyone but Wash, darting glances between the girls. Not a word was said about what went on last night on either half of the conversations.

When breakfast was over, Jia was cleaning dishes when Jayne came up to her, "So what did you girls talk about last night?"

Jia glared at him, "None of your business Jayne."

Jayne pointed at her just as Mal walked in, "I knew you was talking about me! Didn't I tell you Mal."

Jia sighed, "We had much better things to talk about then you Jayne."

Mal shrugged. "Told you Jayne."

Jayne grumbled and left in a huff.

Mal casually walked up to Jia. She cut him off before he could ask, "It's none of your business what we talked about either Captain."

"I wasn't gonna ask."

"Were too."

"Was not."

"Sure."

"I was gonna ask what Badger wrote to you but now you're being so judgmental, maybe I don't wanna know."

"Good."

"Why is that good?"

"No reason."

Now he had to know, "What did he write?"

"It was my note. It didn't have anything to do with you."

"It was on my boat, so is sorta did."

"Fine, next time I get a note, I'll make sure to read it outside."

"Next time?"

"Yes, next time. Beaver's a nice guy, maybe he will write me again."

"His name's Badger, and he is not a nice guy."

Jia rolled her eyes, "Whatever."

Mal threw up his hands and walked out. Jia was left asking herself why she didn't just tell him, and why it mattered so much to either of them.