Disclaimer: I do not own Firefly or Serenity.

Note: 2nd in the 'How it all Ends' series.

The Way We Were

Five Hours Earlier.

Firefly Transport 'Serenity'.

They sat around the lunch table, handing bowls of meat and vegetables to one another hurriedly. It wasn't often that the crew got a good meal composed of real foods. Other then the food, though, it was their usual dinnertime ritual. Discuss the upcoming job, tell a few jokes, laugh at one of Rivers quirky remarks, and then take their turns in cleaning up and heading off to bed. It was just another day on Serenity, and just another family meal.

"Hey Shepherd, pass the potatoes will ya?" Jayne's voice echoed throughout the dining hall, alerting all to the fact that he was short his share of potatoes.

"The proper way of asking would require use of the word please accompanied in turn by the words 'thank you', and also a possible friendly handshake?" All of the people around the table turned to stare at River, all equally amused by her recommendations.

Jayne made a face that resembled the one Wash had that one time he attempted to brush his teeth with the antibiotic ointment instead of the toothpaste. Kaylee giggled and Jayne looked at her like he had no idea what was so gorram funny. Simon smiled at River, barely able to hold in his laughter. It was obvious that his thoughts were along the same lines.

When the others were quiet and staring at River, she made a final observation. Putting her hands to her temples and widening her eyes in annoyance she continued. "I'm surrounded by Savages." This was followed by a spec of quiet where everyone tried to decide whether they should be amused or offended. Finally, Mal broke into a large grin, one he rarely wore except for these special meal time moments, and stood up.

"Well alright then. Figure that's as good a reason as any to drink up." Mal raised his glass in the air, waiting for the others to do the same. "To bein' the most down right dirty savages this side of Whitefall!"

"Here here!" Jayne shouted and swallowed this entire drink in one shot. The others, with the exception of the good doctor and Inara of course, raised their glasses in unison and took slightly smaller sips of their own. The young girl looked rather annoyed, taking her fork and poking at her potatoes like they were alien spawn. Simon mulled over her, trying to convince her to eat just one more bite.

Kaylee put on her best smile and turned the conversation in a new direction. "So Captain, I hear we're dropping down on Jiangyin tomorrow. Serenity could really use a new…"

"Save it little Kaylee, if it costs anything more then a red cent I reckon it'll have to wait." Kaylee huffed and put down her fork, still full of food.

"But Captain…" She pleaded, flashing the pout that could kill a thousand men in one stand.

"No Kaylee. Don't have the coin to spare." He stopped when the pout increased, and now Zoe and Inara were both looking at him like he'd just kicked a puppy. "Do we wanna eat or do we wanna buy parts that ain't needed just yet?" He addressed this to the entire table. Jayne looked down at his food, smiling at Kaylee's obvious bargaining techniques.

"I vote for eating. Who votes for eating?" Wash raised his hand, leaving the others rolling their eyes at his antics.

"Oh Well honey, I guess you'll be eating tonight instead of…" Zoe began. The Shepherd cleared his throat, trying his best not to listen to the inane conversation going on around him.

"Stop the presses! I hereby change my vote." Wash smacked his hand down on the table for emphasis. He looked over at Mal apologetically. "Sorry Mal. The wife has spoken."

Mal looked around the table, noticing that particular stare that Inara gave him whenever he was being a heartless bastard. Hers was joined with similar stares from the rest of the crew, with the exception of Jayne, who was still smiling fiendishly, and Simon who was preoccupied with cutting up another piece of meat for River. He sighed and sat back.

"Alright Kaylee, one part!" Kaylee bobbed up and down in her chair and clapped her hands.

"Thanks Captain. That was real shiny of ya." She smiled her big grin as Jayne reached over and mussed her hair affectionately.

"Yea yea, real shiny of me." He muttered under his breath, staring at Inara the entire time. She had full control over him and everyone at the table knew it. One stare from her could change his mind in a nanosecond. Simon cleared his throat, effectively breaking the tension and making it clear that he was ready to speak.

" Captain, I could use some more medical supplies too. Will my services be needed on this run or am I free to go as I please?" Mal looked over at him, the boy had become somewhat crew-worthy lately. He and his crazy little sister were fittin' right in with the rest of them .

"Won't be needin' ya this time around doctor, strictly business. Stay close though, never do know when this clan will be needin' a good doctor." He cut up his meat and stuffed one into his mouth.

"Damn right, the way you get us into trouble." Jayne remarked, spitting mashed potatoes out of his mouth as he spoke. His words were followed by gruff chuckle. Mal stared up at him with his usual 'remember that day in the airlock' stare.

"Huh…Don't hear you complainin' when pay day comes around." Mal remarked, taking a bite of his food. "Course if this arrangements too risky for ya…"

"Didn't say that." Jayne remarked immediately, his eyes completely serious and somewhat mean.

Zoe observed the situation. "Don't bite the hand that feeds ya Jayne."

"Right because rabies is awfully contagious, especially when it comes to biting things, right Jayne?" Jayne stood up, on the defense at Wash's comment.

"Say that again, a little bit closer this time. Dong ma?" Wash layed back in his chair, hands out in defense. Inara rolled her eyes at the nonsense going on around her. She did have to agree with River this time around.

"Whoa whoa, I haven't gotten my rabies shot yet sparky!" Simon laughed silently in the corner, he was a big fan of Wash's Jayne jokes. Jayne was fuming though, and everyone knew he was about to snap.

"Gorillas can snap a persons arm in two when they're angry." River commented, causing Simon to laugh all the more. Kaylee just gave her a wide-eyed stare and then looked back at Jayne, standing up next to her.

"Baby, I think that's enough." Zoe warned her husband, who tended to get carried away with the quips. He was a wonderful man as far as she was concerned, but there wasn't a spec of fighter in him.

"Aww but I was just getting…" Wash began. He was interrupted when a loud blaring alarm sounded into the room. He calmed himself down and smiled in embarrassment. "I was just getting down to the bridge to fly this magnificent ship." He raised his hands in a gesture to Serenity and stood to leave. Mal and Zoe followed not too far behind, worried expressions on their faces.

"Should we go with them?" Shephard Book asked, clearly unsure of what was the right thing to do in this situation. Jayne sat back down and leaned back in his chair.

"Naw, ain't nothing to worry 'bout preacher."

"Well, maybe I outta…" Kaylee stood to get up, Jayne put out his arm to stop her.

"Just relax little Kaylee, they've got it covered."

"It's ok. Mal would let us know if there was anything to worry about." Inara took her napkin from her lap and put it on the table neatly, a large contrast to the others.

Suddenly, Mal's voice projected into the room via the com.

"Need everyone down to the bridge on the double. Seems we've found ourselves a spec of trouble."

The six remaining crew looked wide-eyed at each other, all except for Jayne of course.

"Figures. Man can't get a decent dinner on this boat." He grabbed the remaining biscuit off of his plate and stood up. The others followed his lead, heading towards the bridge with mixed emotions.