River landed Serenity at the docks on the outside of Jonquil's capital city. Reaching overhead she expertly shut down all the flight systems.
Jayne stuck his head into the helm, "Mal cargo's loaded."
Nodding Mal waved Jayne off, he glanced at the young woman who handled the helm, he hooked his thumbs in his belt and said in an offhand manner, "So your goin with Nara and Kaylee ta do some shoppin I hear."
"Yes Captain," River rose to stand in front of Mal, "Nara has graciously offered to loan me some credits so that I may purchase some things that I require."
"Yeah well, bout that," Mal reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small leather bag, he held it out to River. "Here ya go, this should get you what ya need, just don't be goin crazy and buyin presents for anyone."
River's smile lit up the whole room, "Xièxie (thanks) Captain", she clasped the bag to her as if it contained the most precious jewels.
"No need to thank me girl, it's simply your share. Now scat, I'm sure Kaylee's bouncin."
Inara smiled at the younger woman's enthusiasm, Kaylee was excited as if she were the one who was getting new outfits pulled River along. Hiding a smile, Inara watched River's face as Kaylee tried to convince her that purple sheath was just what she needed.
Inara left them to introduce herself to the shops owner and outline what they were looking for, bowing the proprietor, Madame Ling, gestured the companion to an elegantly upholstered chair.
River browsed through the racks of the elegant clothing and made appropriate noises when Kaylee waved various garments at her for her opinion. She moved slowly around the shop occasionally fingering a sleeve, caressing a sweater, allowing the scent and feel of the rich clothing to permeate her being.
Finally River found herself standing near where the companion and Madame Ling were sipping tea. River waited for a break in the conversation before she spoke, "Everything is beautiful, but too delicate for what I require." Her voice held regret.
Putting down her teacup, Madame Ling smiled, "Ms Serra has informed me that you pilot a small firefly class transport ship. I understand your concerns my dear, however Ms Serra did not bring you to my shop for dresses, rather for what goes under them." Rising she led the way to a large cabinet that rose to the ceiling, the cabinet held many small drawers; none more than a few inches high.
Gesturing Madame Ling had River step up onto a small dais, where shetook River's measurements. "My dear, I do believe that I have something that has been waiting for you," with an enigmatic smile Madame Ling, used a ladder to open one of the very top shelves.
"I made this two years ago, however I have not found anyone who was, suitable." As Madame Ling spok she laid out an antique gold peignoir set made out of the sheerest silk.
"Shiny" Kaylee breathed, her eyes the size of saucers, she reached out a hand stopping short of just touching the fabric.
"Go ahead my dear" Madame Ling smiled, "Clothes need to be admired and loved, otherwise they are never fulfilled." Turning the woman loaded up the counter with more lingerie. The satin, cotton and silk glowed like a piles of jewels in the soft lighting of the shop.
Inara studied the garments, "Spoken like a true designer." Turning to River she continued, "Meimei, if you don't by anything else, I would encourage you to get this." Inara placed her hand on the peignoir set.
River slowly reached out and lifted the jacket; she carefully examined the design, cut and sewing. She replaced the garment back down with the reverence one would use with a priceless piece of art.
"Madam Ling, you are an artist, nay a master of your art."
Madame Ling blushed at the compliment and stammered her thanks; Inara used this reaction to bargain a reasonable price for the peignoir set and a few other things that had caught River's eye.
Zoë met them at the next shop on their list, where she helped River to pick out several pairs of denim and canvas pants. The women laughed and teased each other as River modeled them, finally River decided on a pair of black denims and a chocolate brown canvas pair. After paying for her purchase, River turned to the other women, "I am hungry."
"So'm I" Kaylee agreed, "There was a coupla places in the market where we could eat."
Balancing various packages the women sat down at an outdoor stall that served grilled vegetables over steamed rice.
Zoë looked at the women who had become family, in all ways but blood her sisters. Taking a deep breath, she announced, "I'm four and a half months pregnant."
Kaylee squealed in excitement and hopped out of her chair to hug the older woman.
Inara studied Zoë's body language; it showed that Zoë was very happy but the reactions of those around her were important, "Congratulations" she managed to tell her friend, ignoring the pang she felt.
Zoë realized that though River was happy and congratulatory, she was unsurprised, "You knew" it was a statement not a question.
Nodding River sat back in her chair, "the signs were unmistakable, your hair has grown 4.8 inches, your bust has increased by nine percent and you have been glowing." River sipped at her tea, "my apologies Zoë but Captain Daddy and Jayne have become aware."
Zoë gasped, "Mal knows", suddenly she started to chuckle at the others questioning looks, she explained about the men's odd behaviour. Zoë was lost in thought for a moment before an evil grin appeared on her face, "Don't say anything" she instructed the other women, "I want to see what else those two come up with to try and let me know."
The women tried to control their laughter as Simon walked up to the table; he glanced around before kissing Kaylee on the cheek. "What has given River the giggles, but looking at the three of you I think I may be better off not knowing."
Kaylee spotted the packages that Simon was carrying, "Oooh, what did you buy?"
Simon fended her off and rose, "Later ài rén (sweetheart), right now I have to go, another appointment. He left a blushing Kaylee as he strode off down the market.
"That boy has definitely grown up," Zoë observed.
"Yes, my brother is not such a boob."
Laughing the women gathered their packages and made their way into the open-air market.
Simon breathed a sigh of relief, he didn't thing that he would see Kaylee before they were scheduled to meet at Serenity later that day. His plans had almost been disrupted before they even begun.
He started toward a fresh fruit stall that he had seen earlier on his way through, Simon could see his sister and Kaylee browsing a stall that held a variety of tops, Inara and Zoë were looking over a jeweller's selection.
The women were calling back and forth across the alley, telling each other to look at this or that, a movement caught Simon's attention. What in the world was Jayne doing?
Simon moved up beside the large man, and examined the calico dress that Jayne holding loosely in his hand. "Hmm, yes I think that will be a good colour for you?"
"Tāmāde" (motherfucker) Jayne exclaimed as he spun around, his hand immediately going to the gun on his hip. "bèn dàn (you idiot!), don't you know no better than sneakin up on a man." Jayne peered over Simon's head making sure that the women were still in sight.
"Jayne, I know I am going to regret this, but what exactly are you doing?"
"Watchin the women"
"I can see that you are stalking the women, my question is why?" Simon asked, curious now as to what prompted the merc, usually onceJayne was down on planet side he was off into the nearest bar.
"Are they in danger?" Simon looked around to see if he could see any alliance.
"Nah," Jayne pushed past Simon as he moved down to the next booth keeping the women in sight, he knew he had to keep out of sight of Zoë and River, the other two would never spot him even in the middle of a bald prairie. "They're up ta somethin"
"They're up to something," Simon repeated dubiously, "They are out shopping for clothes for River, how does that constitute being up to something."
With a sigh Jayne turned to look at Simon, "Those women are up to somethin, and I want to know what it is. Specially that feung lei (moonbrained/crazy) sister of yours."
Unknown to either man River had led all the women back to where they were standing. Zoe cleared her throat, Simon watched as Jayne's face first went white then red, stepping around the bigger man, he said, "Well I'm just going to continue with my shopping."
Jayne turned around as Simon left; he knew that the younger man would leave him to hang alone, "hey, so have you finished all your shoppin?"
Jayne could feel himself wither under the combined glare of the four women, he double-checked to make sure that neither Zoë or River had any weapons out and trained at him.
River moved so that she stood, nose to chest with Jayne, "You covet,"
Ignoring Jayne's confused "huh" she continued, "You want, you don't know what you want but you do." She patted Jayne's arm before turning away, "No more following today, you must leave us to plan."
Zoo mouthed, 'leave us alone', then she turned and went back to the jewellers stall.
Kaylee, shook her head and told him "Sometimes Jayne, dāì ruò mù jī (dumb as a wooden chicken)" prior to catching up with River to look at some shirts.
Jayne stomped his way back to Serenity, grumbling as he strode up the ramp. Mal stood in the doorway, "Jayne, Simon tells me you think that there is goin ta be a mutiny?"
"Mal those women are up ta somethin," Jayne glared at Mal daring him to contradict his statement.
"Yup, they are up to something." Jayne's mouth dropped open as Mal agreed with him, "and I think it would be best for your health to leave them to it." Mal turned and walked into the cargo bay, "I need you to watch Serenity Jayne"
"Ahh, Mal I want,"
"Jayne, you will be watching Serenity, and the Doc's sister tonight. Zoë and I have to go and meet with someone" Mal held up his hand, "before you even, ask, Nara is taking Kaylee and Simon out somewhere, and they can't take River with them."
"I ain't no babysitter Mal," Jayne groused, "This is the last time, I better be gettin to go, visitin them whores tomorrow."
Jayne watched in confusion as Mal went up the stairs whistling.