Mal sat at the table with his head in his hands. Feet away from him Jia was making breakfast. He thought about how he had been rudely awakened last night. Serenity had never had to deal with things like this before the Tams came aboard. Kaylee was the only one who had ever discussed her sex life before this. Never had he had to worry about it. He did now. River was strong and very stealthy. Jayne wasn't exactly the pinnacle of morality. It was possible that should River offer herself again, Jayne would overlook the risks and take her up on her offer. He sighed, it wasn't going to be easy the next few weeks.

Jia smiled at her husband's sigh. He worried too much. Talking to River was not something she would enjoy, but it had to be done.

Jayne peeked his head in the room, "Crazy girl her?"

Jia looked at him with a scowl, "Don't call her that."

Jayne walked in and sat down, "What would you call it? Girl comes in and just offers herself to a man who don't like her. If that ain't crazy what is?"

The captain looked up quickly, "I don't wanna hear any more about it. Ever."

His order went unheeded as Wash walked in, "Morning all." He had a big smile on his face. "Morning Jayne."

Jayne glowered at him, "Shut up Wash."

Mal never looked up, "Shut up Wash."

Wash put his hand to his chest as if wounded. "All I said was good morning. Man, you'd think stuff like River sexing up Jayne didn't happen every day."

Now it came from both at the same time, "Shut up Wash!"

He still sat there with a silly smile on his face. His wife soon came in with John. When she saw the expressions at the table she sighed.

"I see this is going to be a lovely morning."

Kaylee came in leading a reluctant Simon. Behind them was Shepherd Book with River. Jayne tensed at their entrance.

When everyone was seated Jia brought the food to the table. No one spoke throughout the entire meal. Jayne sent nervous glances at River. Wash had a goofy smile on his face. Mal stared at his food. Jayne finished quickly and left, as did Simon. Kaylee quickly followed with River. Mal mumbled something about needing Wash on the bridge and he left followed by a reluctant Wash.

Jia looked at Zoe, "Ready for this?"

"Nope."

"Wanna go ahead anyway?"

"Might as well."

Both the ladies got up and moved towards River's bunk. Shepherd book sat at the table and waited in case they needed his help. River seemed to come to him for confession. Perhaps she would later. He wasn't looking forward to that conversation with the young lady.

Zoe knocked on River's door and got permission to come in. When the door was opened she sat alone on her bed. She looked up and smiled at her guests. They both came in and stood by the wall. Zoe gave up and sat by River.

"River honey, you can't just...do what you did."

"I know now."

"Good. Jayne ain't the kinda man you should get involved with."

"What 's wrong with Jayne?"

Zoe looked distant for a moment.

"Zoe?"

"Sorry, just thinking about the question. He's had a little too much experience for a girl like you."

River gestured to Jia, "Daddy had more experience than Mommy and she greatly enjoys..."

Jia interrupted her, "River! Please don't... talk about such things."

Zoe suppressed a smile. Kaylee calls her a prude but she had nothing on the maidenly blushes of the resident cook. "River, Jayne's experience is not the same as that. He isn't the kinda man who cares about who he...is with. Do you understand?"

River clearly didn't, "What does it matter who he was with before me? I'm not asking for a permanent arrangement, just a physical act."

Zoe sighed, "There is much more to it than just a physical act River. It's supposed to be special." Zoe looked at Jia and saw no help was coming. "You just can't go around doing that River ok? Please just tell me you won't do it again."

She nodded. Zoe sighed with relief and looked annoyed at Jia, "You were a lot of help."

Jia put up her hands in surrender, "You did a good job all by yourself. What exactly was I supposed to add?"

The two women walked out of River's room bickering light heartedly. River smiled at their retreating forms.

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Having left Jia to talk to the Shepherd in the galley, Zoe went ahead to the bridge. Her husband sat with their son in the pilot's seat. Their son was six weeks old, but he was already getting pilot's lessons. The Captain sat in the far chair looking very uninterested. Zoe wasn't fooled. She knew that he looked at John as his nephew and loved the little guy. Especially since the wedding, she had seen Mal sneaking glances at her son. She hoped he and Jia were planning children of their own.

She cleared her throat to get the boy's attention.

Mal grimaced, "How'd it go?"

"She says never again. We'll see."

Mal grunted his response and left.

Wash watched him go, "Is it just me or is this really creeping him out?"

Zoe smiled and put her hand on her husband's shoulder, "It's not just you." She turned serious, "Your little jabs at Jayne ain't helpin sweetie."

"Come on. I can not be the only one who thinks this is funny."

"You're not. Trust me. But if'n you don't let up this is just gonna get worse. Jia was on her way to loosening him up."

Wash looked up at her with a raised eyebrow, "Jia loosening up Jayne?"

Zoe shuttered, "NO. Jia loosening up the Captain."

Wash laughed, "I forgot to tell you about what Jayne said on our little cattle drive..."

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Shepherd Book was talking intently to Jia when Mal walked into the galley.

"What's up?"

They both looked at him. Book spoke, "We were discussing young River."

Mal backed out of the room with his hands up.

Jia shook her head. Shepherd Book turned back to her, "I have been meaning to ask after your marriage."

"Fine and dandy Shepherd."

"I'm glad. How did your family take the news?"

Jia grimaced, "Weren't to happy about my getting married without them, but they were happy for me. They really want to meet him so I suppose I'll have to drag him there when we get to Persephone."

"I had forgotten they have never met the Captain."

Jia shrugged, "Dad told us all so much about him so it almost feels like they have. Anna was really happy for me. Anna was the..."

He interrupted, "I remember Miss Anna."

"I waved her and she said she knew it and a lot of stuff like that. I've always felt so close to Anna. I guess it's cause I never got along with my mom." She looked intently at Book, "Every time I talk to you I end up telling you something I don't usually tell anyone. How do you do that?"

He chuckled, "All part of the Shepherd package. Must be able to drag confessions out. Says it right on the job description."

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Simon walked into the engine room with his hands in his pockets, "Kaylee?"

She came out from under the engine with grease covering her from head to toe. "Lookin for me Simon?"

He smiled, " I was wondering if I could ask your advice... or help I guess."

She smiled and walked towards him, "With what?"

He took a deep breath, "River has never been given a talk about sex and I was wondering if you could... talk to her. I just...can't."

She stood in front of him, "She's your sis and all. I can see how that'd be odd."

Simon gave her an awkward smile, "Could you talk to her?"

Kaylee thought about it a bit, "I could Simon, but maybe I ain't the best person for that."

He was confused, "She trusts you. You ...know about..."

Kaylee giggled, "Simon I was talkin bout Inara."

He started, "You want me to send my eighteen year old sister to talk to a companion about sex."

"She trusts Inara. Nara has more experience with gentlemen types. She can talk to River in a way River will understand. I love River but we are from two different sides of the 'verse Simon."

Simon looked deep in thought, "I guess I could ask her. No harm in asking. At least I don't think so."

Kaylee giggled again, "Course there ain't silly." She almost put her hand on his shoulder but pulled it back when she noticed the grime, "Sorry."

Simon slowly approached her and embraced her, "I once told you that you look beautiful when you're covered in grease. I meant it."

He leaned in and kissed her quickly. He started to back off when she grabbed his head and brought him back for more.