Having come to a decision about their relationship the next two days went by without much in the way of fanfare. Mal and Jia sat and talked about the war, her father, the crew, basically anything that came to mind. At night she still said goodnight and went to her own room. His injury still precluded any activity besides walking. He was getting stronger.

Jia had mended his old clothes instead of the new ones Anna had. Jia knew he would be much more comfortable.

Anna never mentioned anything about the relationship to anyone. She knew Jia was not interested in talking about it. The girl had no qualms about telling her so when she did try to talk about it.

When Anna brought the news that some of the crew was here Mal was in Jia's room sitting on the side of his bed. When she entered she noticed them move away from each other but tried not to notice. Jia ran to get them.

By the time Jia brought them up Mal had time to get angry about his crew's lack of presence. So when they came in he was upset.

"What the Gorram Hell took you so long?"

Shepherd Book simply raised his eyebrows in answer. Simon rushed in to see if the captain was alright. Jayne leaned against the door frame.

Mal waved off any answer forth coming. "Never mind." He slowly got up off the bed and brushed Simon away. "I'm fine. They got a doctor for me."

Goodbyes and thank yous were said to Anna as they slowly made their way downstairs and into the awaiting mule. It was a tight fit but they all made it. The trip back was silent but the arrival back was not.

The mule slid into the cargo bay and Kaylee immediately came up and hugged Jia, as did River.

Zoe greeted her boss, "Good to have you back sir."

"Want to tell me why this didn't happen a week ago?"

"Trouble tracking you sir. That and we didn't want to raise any Alliance eyebrows."

Mal sighed and limped past her, "I'll be in my bunk."

Simon blocked his way, "I really should check your injuries sir."

Mal smiled, "Sure."

Simon walked towards the infirmary. Mal followed. As they reached it Simon went inside. Mal walked right past and went up the stairs. He was in his bunk before Simon could catch up to him.

Back in the cargo bay Jayne sauntered up to Jia, "What was you doin in a whore house?"

Jia turned to him, "I know the owner."

"Unless you was whorin I don't see how."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "She was a childhood friend of my father thank you very much. Not that it's any of your business."

He leaned closer, "Who's business was it?"

Kaylee grabbed Jia's arm and dragged her away, "Jayne, that's disgusting."

Jayne called after them, "Just askin."

He looked over at Zoe who was giving him a nasty look.

"What?"

Zoe shook her head and left to go to the bridge.

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Simon and Kaylee now took meals together, although seated apart. Neither talked much, nor did River. The strangeness about took it's toll, but slowly returned to normal. Mal directed Wash to take them to Persephone for refueling and job hunting.

Wash had noticed Zoe getting less comfortable. She told him it was normal late pregnancy stuff, as did Simon, but he was still worried. She was his lambitoes after all.

Jayne was getting tired of the atmosphere of Serenity. Too many feelings runnin about. It was enough to get a man unsettled. His leg had healed nicely, but he needed some time off ship. When they reached Persephone he asked Mal what they were going to do and Mal shrugged him off, he asked for an hour to himself. The captain rolled his eyes and told him he could do whatever he wanted as long as he never told him about it. That was fine by Jayne.

He left with some money in his pocket to go to a favorite hangout of his. A seedy little bar downtown that he wasn't sure of the name. The second he walked in he knew something was different. Not one of the ladies looked in any way appealing. Some he had before, the others held no interest. It struck him strange since he never had any problems before. He decided alcohol was in order. He went to the bar and ordered the strongest drink they had. He sat there nursing it instead of downing it as he would usually do. Too many things on his mind.

He was struck that he actually hadn't even thought about taking control of the ship when Mal was gone. He had been so focused on getting them back safe. Another thing that had never happened before. Jayne Cobb had cared whether someone lived or died. He had felt concern over the welfare of the crew before, but had been able to tell himself he was just worried about their death impacting him. This time it wasn't so simple.

He care about his sisters and protected them. He loved his mother. That was it. That was the limit of emotion that Jayne Cobb was allowed to have. Emotions were girly. They were weak.

He slammed down his money and stormed back to the ship. He ignored the questions and comments he got when returning early, and went to his bunk. He laid on his bed and closed his eyes. Even his guns and the girls by his bed didn't interest him. He laid there and cursed whoever came up with thinking.

His comments to Jia had been cover. He wouldn't lie to himself about that. He had really wanted to ask about her and Mal's welfare. Gross comments overruled that quite nicely, but didn't erase the truth. Gorram family thing Kaylee kept talkin about was getting to him.

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Wash asked Mal to come up to the bridge over the intercom. When he got there Wash was laughing hysterically at the vid screen.

Wash reined in his laughter , "You got a wave."

"Sounds like you got a wave."

A voice came from the screen, "Always take the opportunity to talk to a friend Captain."

Mal looked at the face of Wash's long time friends, Jonah and Moses Rogers. Known everywhere as the Rogers boys. "Something on your mind?"

"Got a job if your interested."

"From where to where?"

"Ion to Persephone."

That gave Mal pause, "Ion ain't exactly a safe place to land."

"Won't be landing. Ship will be around there. Close to the surface but not landing. Ship to ship transfer. Still won't be easy so we'll pay hazard rates."

"Give us a minute."

Mal pressed mute and turned to Wash. "Can you do it?"

Wash considered it. "With the storms around there it won't be easy. We'd need to shut off all unnecessary compartments just in case. Bridge will be safe if lightning hit us, and the engine room, but not much else."

Mal took a deep breath, "Think you can convince your wife to stay on Persephone?"

"Your kidding right."

Mal cursed, "I'll think of something." He returned to the screen, "Not a problem gentlemen. See you in two days."

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They all gathered in the mess hall to discuss the job.

"Only me, Kaylee and Wash are going on this one."

The entire table started to protest.

"Shut up! It's not open for discussion."

Zoe was upset, "What if something goes wrong?"

"Then we will handle it to the best of our abilities. Only the engine room and bridge will be safe. Rest of the ship will be closed off. Less people the better."

"Where do we go sir?"

Mal shrugged, "Take a vacation, we will only be gone two days at the most."

Simon interrupted, "I should be here in case of injuries."

"Unless you found a way to help someone been barbequed by lighting there ain't nothing you can do."

"That makes me feel better."

Mal sighed, "I said the engine room and bridge will be fine. Do something. I don't care what but find something to do."

Mal left to cut off any argument. At almost eight months pregnant Zoe couldn't follow very quickly to argue. Kaylee went back to the engine room for preparations.

Simon sighed, "Don't exactly know what River and I will do. It's not like we can check into a fancy hotel or anything."

Jia spoke up, "I'm going to visit my family if you want to came along. We'd be glad to have you two."

Simon looked hopeful, "You wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not. Won't be there long anyway. Your welcome too Zoe."

She sighed, "I guess there's not much else I can do like this." She gestured to her curvy frame.

Jia turned her focus, "You too Jayne."

Jayne looked up, "Me too what?"

"If your schedule isn't too full with nothing I'm sure my Aunt has room."

Jayne got up, "Don't see why not. Cap'n's gonna assign me that anyway when he finds out your all going." He got up and sulked out of the room to him bunk.

Zoe smirked, "I think that means he wants to come Jia."

Jia looked at the one remaining crew member, "What about you Shepherd?"

He smiled, "I would be delighted, but I really should go spend the night at a temple."

Zoe waved him off, "Can do that anytime Preacher. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

He chuckled, "I suppose I should take advantage then."

Jia got up and went towards the bridge, "I'll tell them we are coming."

Zoe turned to her husband. He was smiling at her, "Guess you get some time off sweetie."

Zoe narrowed her eyes but said in a teasing tone, "I know you had something to do with this so don't play all innocent on me."

Wash looked like he had been struck.

"Don't give me that 'who me' look."

Wash smiled innocently.

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They left that night with good byes and a promise to be safe all around. Jia's Aunt's transport had just arrived when Jia grabbed Jayne's collar and hauled him down to her level.

"My little sister is only sixteen. If you so much as look at her wrong I will neuter you dong ma?"

Jayne nodded, a little frightened at her tone. She released him and immediately smiled and walked to the transport and got in. She said hello to her aunt's driver and they all were on their way to the Mason household.

The drive took about a half hour and went into a upscale part of the city. The crew looked around confused.

Jia sighed, "My Aunt owns a very successful business on Persephone. She sells dried goods."

Zoe looked at her, confused, "She must do very well."

They arrived at a house and all filed out. The doors opened and a well dressed woman with red hair with streaks of grey came down the stairs.

"Hello, Jia Li. These must be your friends."

Before Jia could announce them a slender teenage girl with blond hair and brown eyes came running past. She grabbed Jia in a ferocious hug.

The girls both laughed. Zoe smiled. Her attention was taken by movement at the top of the stairs. She couldn't breath when she saw who was there.

It was a younger version of the man she had known as James Mason, down to the same smirk he always wore. Zoe watched in silence as he came down the stairs and hugged Jia.

Jia finally introduced them, "This is my Aunt Gwen, sister Lisa, and brother Jim." She introduced her family to the crew.

Jim looked at Zoe's astonished expression and laughed, "You must have served with my father."

Zoe nodded, "I'm sorry but the resemblance is..."

"I know it's almost exact. Everyone tells me."

Zoe smiled, "I just wasn't prepared."

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Dinner was a lively affair for all. Even Jayne couldn't help but cheer up. There was talk of Lisa's school and Jim's job, of Serenity and it's work. But mostly it was about nothing in particular at all. Zoe sat back and smiled. This she remembered as if she had been there before. Mason had always talked of his family. She could almost feel him there describing it to her.

River was in heaven. This was what she had always asked for as a little girl but never gotten. A real family. No talk of obligation or awkward silences. No duties or structure. Just family and love. She soaked it in all around her. She could feel it all. The happiness, the nostalgia, the warmth. She looked at Simon. She berated herself for her failures recently. She also thought of her brother's new found determination to win his fair lady back. That made her smile. She knew the unhappiness would end sometime, and that what she wanted for Simon would be there. She just had to be patient.

She looked at the woman she had come to think of as a mother figure. Jia was happy. She was relaxed and somehow determined herself. River smiled again. That too would come to pass. She had time. Jia would become what and who she was meant to be. River had no doubt.

She found her attention shifting to Jayne. It had a lot lately. He was at a crossroads himself. She cocked her head. She had never considered him a player in the script she was writing ,but she had begun to reconsider. Maybe his lines had yet to be written, but she was now sure they were there. She just didn't know what they would possibly be.

Wanting to get off her confusion she shifted herself to the Shepherd. Calling him Grandpa Book had never seemed quite right before recently. The words just didn't fit. Now she saw they did. He was the elder, the adviser. He needed to voice himself more, but he was always there if needed. That was an important trait. Especially in the uncertain times to come.

River sighed, so much to see happen, so little time left to see it done. She smiled again and rejoined her attention to the discussion.

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I know, but it's just a necessary part of writing. I promise something interesting will happen in the next installment. Anyone who guesses what will happen gets, well...I guess nothing. But review anyway please.