I own nothing. Sorry for the lengthy delay.


River and Jayne remained silent in the face of Mal's tirade. "First, you two go runnin' off; leavin' us high an' dry. Then-then you get hitched an' think it's all just gonna be okay?! We're all just gonna be okay with the two a you bein' married?!"

River kept her eyes on the tea cup in front of her and Jayne kept his eyes trained on her. All River could think of was Wash and how happy he would have been. How he'd seen it before River and Jayne had left. There had been times when River herself wondered if Wash was a reader because sometimes he would see things in his mind, imagine how they would progress and his imaginings were often very accurate or close to. Perhaps it had been his childlike creativity that had made him so observant, so keen to take in every detail of the world around him. River ached with knowing that there were so many things that would only have remained imaginings had he lived. Guilt was beginning to claw its way up into her and River gripped her tea cup. She would not be made to feel guilty for something that was so very important, so very necessary.

"Well, we ain't okay with it an' it's time you two quit playing house!" Mal stepped around the table and pointed at River. "You are comin' back with us, whether you like it or not. You belong with your brother-"

"Mal-"

"Jayne, you can do whatever the hell you want. You ain't comin' with-"

"Why aren't you okay with it," River asked quietly, her voice even despite the swirl of chaotic emotions that were making her heart and head throb painfully. "Is it because we're happy and you aren't? Or is it because of Miranda? Are we just supposed to be miserable for all time?"

Mal opened his mouth to respond and she shook her head. "We aren't backwards like you are. We can't forget and stay contradictory. We weren't wanted."

"River," Zoe started, coming out of her daze for the first time, stopping at the look on River's face. "He loved you very much. Wouldn't want to see you like this. Not Zoe anymore."

Zoe stiffened and leveled River with a blank stare. "We'll give you both a month. We ain't satisfied, you're coming back with us."

"Alright," River agreed with a nod, "no less."

Zoe nodded. "No less."

"Now hold on a minute," Mal snapped, glaring at his first mate. "I ain't agreed ta this. I'm Cap'n, which means you all follow my orders-"

"Captain, we are not on your ship," River argued back. "You are in our house. That means, what either Jayne or I say, goes. If you do not wish to follow the terms of the agreement set forth by myself and Zoe, you may leave."

Jayne smirked at the put out expression on Mal's face and settled back in his chair, crossing his arms. "So Mal, you gonna do as River says, or is ya gonna continue ta be a obstreperous hun dan?"

Mal opened his mouth to argue further and then turned to blink in surprise at his former mercenary. "Obstreperous?"

"Yes, I agree with Jayne. You are being quite obstreperous."

Mal glowered down at River, angry and confused. "I don't know what that means."

"Means yer bein' stubborn in a noisy fashion," Jayne explained. River smiled up at her husband. "Jayne is quite charming when he's obstreperous."

She turned and raised a disapproving eyebrow at Mal. "You aren't."

Mal opened and closed his mouth for a moment before snapping his mouth closed, turning on his heels and slamming out of the house and out onto the porch. River shook her head and sighed. "Evolution cannot be halted, must be accepted. Inevitable."

"Oh, he'll get over it," Jayne said with a wave of his hand. "'Sides, he ain't done gripin' by a long shot. He'll find somethin' ta bitch an' moan about. Raise all kindsa hell when he does, too."

"So true," River murmured as she stood, taking her cup of tea over to the sink to wash it. Jayne rubbed a hand through his hair, mussing it and looked up at the remainder of the crew. "Well, I suppose some of you is gonna be stayin' here to watch us an' whatnot."

Zoe nodded at him and he sighed. "Well, we got a bed in the extra room big enough for two people. An' then there's the couch, but it ain't all that comfortable."

"I would feel more comfortable if it was you who slept on the couch," Simon said curtly, trying hard to stare Jayne down and failing miserably. Jayne rolled his eyes. "I ain't sleeping on the couch so get over it, Doc. Anything you'd deem inapproprit that I could do with River, we've already done."

Simon turned red with rage and then a sickly shade of green as the full meaning of Jayne's statement sank in. "You-you-she's my sister!"

"People's sisters have sex all the time, Simon," River said as she came back from the sink. "I didn't throw a fit when you had sex."

Art burst into a fit of laughter and Delly shot him a look, before smiling sympathetically at Simon. "Ya gotta let go sometime, Mr. Tam."

"I'd rather you did now than later," Jayne muttered. Simon glared at him. "You can't expect me to just accept this!"

River glared at her brother. "Why not? What's so wrong with my being with Jayne? You should be glad it's him and not some unevolved cretin!"

"He is an unevolved cretin," Simon cried in exasperation.

Jayne crossed his arms and glared back at Simon. "Well isn't that the pot callin' th'kettle black!"

River crossed her arms in a similar fashion and nodded. "I would agree, but I don't think you are an unevolved cretin."

"Thanks, Baby."

"How am I an unevolved cretin?! He's the one who shot people for a living!"

"Hey now, most times they shot at us first! An' be careful what you say. River's shot some folk a time'er two. You sayin' she's a unevolved cretin?"

Simon let out a puff of air, deflating some. "No, of course not, but-"

"There ain't no 'but' Simon, ya can't go abouts sayin' things about me fer doin' terrible things when River's done them same things." Jayne fought hard not to laugh at Simon's sullen expression as he continued. "Now, I get that there ain't gonna be no one good enough fer her in yer eyes, but she's done made her choice an' you just gotta accept it. What's more, you oughta be focusin' on the fact that she's safe an' healthy an' happy. As her brother, that should be what's more important to ya."

Having said his piece, he ignored Inara and Kaylee's astonished expressions and looked down at River. "Gonna go finish up some work in the barn. You gonna be okay?"

River nodded. "I'll be fine."

"Alright." Jayne bent down and gave her a quick kiss. "I'll be back in a little while."

"We'll be out by the stream. The boys want to fish."

Jayne nodded and left through the back door. River smiled at everyone. "So, who's up for some fishing?"

Jayne looked up from sanding down one of the runners for the rocking chair he was building to find Mal standing in the doorway to the barn. Wolf got up from his place under the work table, placing himself in between Jayne and Mal. He lowered his head as he stared at Mal. Mal leaned back slightly and pointed at the large animal. "That dog is all manner of creepifyin' an' big."

Jayne smiled and went back to what he was doing. "Ain't a dog."

"Well, he's still big."

Having sensed no danger, wolf settled back down under the table, yawning widely. Mal watched him curiously. "Never figured you ta be the type a man ta be playin' house with wild animals."

Jayne shrugged. "I ain't."

"Well, if that ain't no overgrown dog, then that must be a wolf, so what made you decide ta keep him around?"

Jayne ran his hand down one side of the runner. Satisfied with the smoothness of it, her turned it over and began to sand down the other end. "River wanted to keep him. Makes her happy. An' he looks out for me an' her, so, I figure he ain't all that bad. Kinda grown on me anyways."

Mal came to stand next to the table, leaning on it with one hand. "Speakin' on River, you happy?"

"Am I happy?" Jayne looked up from what he was doing again. "Why wouldn't I be happy?"

"Well, Jayne," Mal said slowly as he ran a hand through his hair, "you weren't ever one fer bein' tied down to somethin' an' now yer married an' buildin' a-…whatever that is. What is that?"

Jayne cracked a grin. "S'a rockin' chair. Makin' it fer River. She likes to sit and knit an' sew an' do all kinds of things. Figure it'll come in handy for'er."

"I didn't know she could knit."

Jayne smirked. "Ain't much in the 'verse she can't do....well I suppose she can't piss standing up, but ya know..."

"Vulgar as ever I see," Mal said wryly and Jayne shrugged. "Ain't got no use for manners 'round you. Never have."

"No, I suppose you haven't." Mal smiled and Jayne grinned back. Mal looked around the barn. There was a stack of cut wood in one corner. "You make a lot of stuff?"

Jayne nodded. "Yeah, some we keep. Some I sell in town. Made the chairs out on the porch an' the little table that goes with it-porch swing, too. Made a spare bed an' I made us a new kitchen table. Old one was kinda small."

"One ya got now's awful big for just the two a you."

Jayne nodded and set down the runner and wiped his forearm across his brow. "Wilkerson's eat over here a lot. So does Isaiah Johnson."

"Yeah, you mentioned you made some friends."

Jayne raised an eyebrow at Mal's amused tone, but didn't respond. "Tree Gap's small an' it may not be all that fancy, but it's a good place."

Mal crossed his arms across his chest and looked around nonchalantly. "Ya mentioned River ain't been havin' any fits. You know what it was that kept her calm?"

Jayne watched Mal intently for a moment before he tugged off his work gloves and shrugged. "Just ain't been havin' 'em. Still does'er funny talk every once in a while, but it ain't nothin' we worry on."

"Think maybe it's somethin' worth tellin' the Doc about?"

Jayne frowned at him. "Doc don't live with'er no more. 'Sides, I think mebbe he oughta just accept that she's doin' better an' move on with his life."

"He's her brother."

"She's my wife."

The two stared at each other for a few tense moments before Mal finally relented and looked down at his boots, kicking at the ground. "So, you happy or not?"

Jayne leaned back against the barn stall, shifting to the side when Big Grey stuck his muzzle out to nose at his shoulder. He patted Big Grey's neck absently and nodded. "Yeah, happy as I'll ever get."

Jayne looked down at his own boots, avoiding Mal's scrutinizing stare as he spoke. "You know, I was born on farm in a town a lot bigger'n this one, but I didn't much care for it. Weren't as nice as this one. I always wanted ta go out an' become a spacer. Thought it was awful borin' livin' on a farm. When I left you all, I was gonna make my way 'cross world, get myself on another crew. Ended up gettin' sa drunk at the bar I couldn't hardly walk right an' River came an' got me an' we ended up here. I ain't sayin' I'm sorry for it- not leavin' here, I mean- hell, endin' up here's been right shiny. Think I'm most sorry fer the way things went on a'fore me an' River left. Things wasn't right 'tween all a us. An' Zoe..." Jayne gestured out toward the house and shook his head. "I wish I could tell ya I wish everythin' was back the way it was...Wash an' Book still around, but..."

"But what?" Mals asked when Jayne made no move to answer. Jayne shrugged tensely and sighed. "Nothin' Mal. Don't think you'd rightly understand."

Mal's eyebrows knit in thought as he watched Jayne turn back to the rocking chair parts laid out on the table. He watched Jayne work silently for a few minutes before he asked, "Need any help?"

Jayne looked up at him, studying his expression and then smiled. "Sure, Mal. Thanks."

River clapped and cheered happily as Jacob held up the small fish he had caught. Travis huffed and glared as he held up his own. "Mine's bigger!"

"No it ain't!"

"Yes, it is!"

"No, it ain't!"

"It is, too!"

"Boys, they're the same size," Delly laughed, patting them both on the head. River nodded in agreement. "And they're both bigger than any fish I've ever caught."

The twins puffed up their chests proudly.

"Auntie River, Auntie River, Momma," Susie called as she came bursting through some bushes followed by Sam. She stopped in front of River, breathing heavily. "I fount a bush! One a them ones with them berries on it!"

"You didn't eat any did you," Delly asked worriedly. Susie shook her head, causing her blond curls to bounce. "Nuh-uh, Momma."

Delly sighed with relief and River stood up slowly. Susie jumped from foot to foot and held out her clenched fists. River bent down and grabbed one up in her hand and Susie unclenched it, revealing purple-stained skin and several crushed Blackberries. "These berries is the ones you said was okay ta eat right, Auntie River?"

"Yes, these are edible."

"Can we go pick 'em an' make somethin'?"

"Of course," River said as she took one of Susie's hands and followed her to the Blackberry bush. Kaylee jumped up from her place under a beach tree, tugging on Inara as she stood. "C'mon, let's go with 'em."

"Alright, alright," Inara laughed. Zoe rolled her eyes, but stood as well. River and Susie were already standing at the bush. River was holding out the skirt of her dress as Susie piled a handful of berries into it.

"Unky Jayne likes Blackberries. They's his fav'rit. He tol' me when we was eaten them apple tarts."

"Blackberries are very good."

"'Sat why you all got married. 'Cause you both like Blackberries?"

River laughed slightly. "What do you think?"

Susie's eyes slit in thought as she stared up at her. "I ain't so sure. I heard Momma an' Daddy talkin' on it once. They said they didn't know what ta make of it when they first met ya. Daddy says Unky Jayne was moon-eyed an' you was scared a what that meant.

"Unky Jayne's still moon-eyed."

"You think so," River asked as she followed Susie to the other side of the bush. Susie nodded enthusiastically. "He looks at you funny."

"I'm sure I look at him funny sometimes, too."

"Yup. You gonna bake 'em a pie with these?"

"Yes."

Susie sighed in a long suffering manner. "He'll look at ya funny."

"I like it when he looks at me like that."

Susie bit her lip as she grinned, scrunching up her nose happily. "I do, too."

Just then, Simon stumbled into the small clearing, brushing at his pant leg with a disgusted look on his face. "River, did you know there's a homemade distillery nearby?"

River continued to smile down at Susie as she answered. "It's Jayne's."

"So he's still a drunk," Simon snorted. River whipped around to shoot him a dark look. Susie glared as she tossed a handful of berries into River's skirts. River sniffed in annoyance at her brother. "Jayne doesn't drink often and when he does, he has a glass. The rest he sells to the bar in town or trades to some of the townspeople."

"Oh, please," Simon spat as he batted a low hanging branch out of his way. River rolled her eyes and turned away from him, ignoring her former crewmates as they stood around near a large Ash tree. Susie whirled around, hands on her hips and scowled at Simon angrily. "If you ain't got nothin' nice ta say, don't say nothin'!"

Simon opened and closed his mouth several times, flustered and outraged at having been chastised by a small child. River nudged the small girl's shoulder. "I think we have enough, berries. Would you like to come back with me or stay with your brothers and your mother?"

"I'ma stay out here," Susie replied, already moving off toward the direction they'd come down. River turned to the others. "Will you be coming with me, or staying out here?"

"I'll come," Kaylee exclaimed, raising her hand. "I ain't baked a pie in ages."

"Me either," Zoe said in a neutral tone as she pushed off the tree she'd been leaning on and Inara nodded.

When they reached the house, Jayne and Mal were sitting on the porch talking amiably. Mal had a jug of moonshine in hand and Jayne had a glass of tea in his own hand. River smirked over at her brother. Simon had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed. Jayne set his glace on the floor and stood, clomping down the steps to meet them. "Whatcha got, Babydoll?"

"Have a look."

Jayne clapped his hands together and a bright grin lit up his face. "Blackberries. I ain't had me a Blackberry pie in ages!"

"Well, you're in luck. You can have some tonight."

Jayne popped a couple of the berries into his mouth and let out a happy grunt as he chewed.

Kaylee was practically bouncing as she said, "River's gonna let me help her bake it!"

Jayne smiled. "Best pay close attention, Kaylee, River's an excellent cook an' she's an even better baker."

River beamed at his praise. She raised up on tiptoe and popped a kiss on his scruffy cheek. Jayne smiled back dopily and placed a gentle hand on her side, curving his fingers into the hollow of her back. Zoe watched the two with stiff posture and hard eyes, assessing them shrewdly. Sensing her ill ease, the two broke away in an almost nonchalant manner and Zoe found herself to be more than a tad bit surprised by the amount of true understanding and sympathy emanating from them. Kaylee and Inara followed River into the house with Simon trailing the three with a sour look on his face. Zoe moved to settle down on the porch planks and Jayne grunted out "Huh-uh, Zo'. Take my chair."

He pointed to his chair before disappearing inside and then reappearing with a chair from the kitchen table. He watched with a neutral expression as Zoe pulled the moonshine jug from Mal's hand and chugged a large mouthful.

Inside, River hummed to herself as she instructed Inara and Kaylee on the correct way to pinch the edges of the dough. Simon reached into the bowl of blackberries, as he crowded the three at the counter, looking on raptly for signs of a relapse or possible mistreatment. River slapped his hand away with unreckoned force when he reached into the bowl of blackberries and Simon yelped. River regarded her brother with a dark expression. "Those are not for you. Wishing ill of others is a terrible thing to do and you will not be getting any dessert in my house."

Simon shrank back from his sister's accusing stare and watched sullenly as she continued to guide Inara and Kaylee. Once the pie was safely in the oven, she took the remainder of the blackberries and peppered them with a large helping of sugar and then took the large bowl outside.

Jayne had left the porch and was watching Susie and the twins chase each other back and forth with Sam hot on their heels. He grabbed Susie when she got close enough and held her up over his head, spinning them around making airplane noises until she screeched with laughter. When he set her down, she gave him a quick hug and took off after her brothers. River approached him and gently poked his side. "I brought you a snack, but you must promise to share with the children."

Jayne took the bowl from her and let out a happy little noise that made her grin. He brought a hand up to the nape of her neck and began to rub the tension out of her as he yelled, "Travis, Jacob, Susie, want some Blackberries?"

The three children squealed and rushed him, reaching up at the bowl. He held it up loftily, "Nu-uh, go wash your hands and come back and say please and tell your aunt 'thank-you'."

"You need to wash your hands, too, so you go and supervise."

They all let out a small whine, but did as they were told. As they wandered up toward the house, the three children had managed to finagle Jayne into carrying them all at once and Susie was slung up onto Jayne's shoulders while Jacob latched onto his waist on one side and Travis latched onto the other side.

Just as Jayne and the children emerged from the house, Mal and Zoe watching them with a startled look, the sound of a wagon approaching broke through the cacophony of laughter and giggling.

"Isaiah," they all three screamed excitedly. Susie yelled as loudly as possible. "We gots blackberries!"

Jayne grinned and unwound an arm from around Travis to pat her on the back. Travis dropped down off of Jayne and raced toward River. He held up his hands for her inspection. When she nodded, he took a handful. "Thanks, Aunt River!"

"Don't take 'em all," Isaiah bellowed as he started to climb out of his wagon, shotgun in hand. "An' who the hell're all these strange folk?!"

"Evenin' Isaiah," Jayne greeted as he, Susie, and Jacob held out their hands toward River. Jayne and Isaiah paused in amusement to watch as Susie carefully navigated her way down Jayne's back to his free side, shimmying as she went, toes searching for purchase on his belt. Then, she bent forward to reach into the bowl. When she wasn't close enough, Jayne bent a tad closer to the bowl so she could swipe out a few berries and she shoved them in her mouth with a triumphant look on her face. "They gots sugar on 'em! Fanks, Auntie Riffer!"

"Mouth closed, Squirt," jayne instructed before shoving some in his mouth as well. River handed over some berries to the old man and he popped them into his mouth one at a time. "So, what trouble you got yerself inta this time?"

"Ain't our fault!" Jayne cried, pouting slightly. "They just showed up ta ruin our fun."

"They's doin' a good job of it, too," Travis agreed. He loved to be a part of any conversation his Uncle Jayne and Isaiah were having. "Made Aunt River and Susie cry somethin' fierce! They was yellin' about takin' her off-world, too."

Susie's face crumpled in tears and worry. Her mother had covered her ears through all the yelling and she hadn't been able to hear over her own tears. "I don't want her ta le-e-e-eave," she wailed, mouth falling open as she leaned back to cry.

"Whoa!" Jayne quickly threw his arm back around her and she pressed her berry-stained face into his shoulder. He shot Travis a look. "What'd we all tell you 'bout eavesdroppin'?"

"Mama was doin' it, too," he defended. Jayne frowned slightly and continued to console the little girl. "She ain't leavin'. Thing's'll be fine an' we'll all be alright."

Jacob leaned further into the small circle and whispered. "We ain't ta mention th'babies in front of 'em."

Jayne dropped his voice and nodded. "Then they'd really want her outta here."

"They's too dumb ta see, she ain't crazy," Travis grumbled, crossing his arms and his belligerent manner passed on to Isaiah, Jayne, and Jacob. Susie dropped down from her uncle to hide her tear smudged face in her aunt's skirts as they all crossed their arms and scowled. River was trying not to laugh at their expressions. They all looked so very put out and outraged at the situation.

"She ain't crazy," Jayne griped, his voice bordering on a whine, "she's a pitcher'a health! Ain't done one thing that'd make her seem crazy…well, 'cept maybe put up with me-but she ain't crazy."

"No, I am perfectly lucid; crowded, but lucid."

"See," Jayne sighed, "sharp as ever an' not crazy."

"The longer we stay, the more unsettlin' things we're gonna see," Mal warned his first mate. He gestured to the small group on the lawn, where all the males were posturing in the same manner; arms crossed and scowling grumpily in a very Jaynelike manner. "Like'at! Think someone took their fav'rit toy!"

"Tryin' ta take River may not have been the way to go about things, Captain. It seems they've grown quite attached to one another."

"But gettin' married," he muttered, crossing his own arms and glaring at the worn wood of the porch, "weren't no call fer that."

"Still…"

Mal looked up at her with a suspicious expression. "You don't approve do you?"

"Don't know, just seein' things, Sir."

"Well, maybe he's puttin' on a show an' he talked her inta it."

"Doubtful, but that may be so."

"Tonight, you and Inara will stay with th'Doc." Mal had a thoughtful expression on his face. "Kaylee's always seein' the good in situations, has a tendency not to catch when bad things pop up."

"So, you think there's good in this?"

"They seem happy, but as I said it could be a act." Mal rubbed his chin as he mulled over all he'd seen that day and sighed through his nose slowly. "Had a chat with Jayne in the barn."

"Oh?" Zoe continued to watch as the men spoke heatedly; even the twin boys seemed a mite techy at whatever they were discussing. "What'd he say?"

"Hun dan said he's as happy as he'll ever get." Mal stretched out his legs and rolled his neck. "But with th'mood swings that man goes through, ain't no way to gage that."

"True, Sir."

There was a long pause and then Zoe said in a quiet voice. "The mantle-didn't think I'd ever see those damn things again."

Mal turned to take a good look at his firstmate. "Zoe?"

Zoe shook her head. "Just surpised me s'all. Didn't think either of 'em thought on Wash that much?"

"Whatcha mean?"

"They put them on their mantle, Mal," she answered quietly, watching as Jayne draped his arm around River's shoulders in a casual manner and brushed his fingers through her hair absently as he spoke to Isaiah. "A place of honor."

"When did this crisis turn into a shindig," Delly blew out as she helped Inara wash dishes. She shook her head as she watched her husband and Jayne Cobb engage Isaiah in a shooting competition on a bale of hay through the kitchen window.

"Men thrive on conflict more than women I believe," Inara snorted. "And Jayne and Mal. Those two love it."

Delly looked at the companion skeptically. "Don't know about that. Jayne's been careful to keep out of it since comin' here. Don't do nothin he thinks would put any a us in harm's way."

Inara just nodded. She was here to pump for information and get a read on exactly just how legit Jayne and River's relationship was. Kaylee had caved quickly and as much as declared her feelings on the whole matter. In fact, she had begun to hint that maybe a change of scenery was best for all of them. It seemed the Golden Age of Serenity was coming to an end.

"He does seem different."

"It's hard to believe," Delly said slowly, setting down her dish towel, "what they been through. I believe 'em, but sometimes I wonder how it was they got ta accept it."

Inara froze beside her, but Delly continued on, speaking mostly to herself as she finished up the dishes. "Losin' close friends, feelin' you let down ev'ryone what meant the most in the world ta ya down an' thinkin' you ain't worth much to no one...they got a understanding 'bout that. Not often you find someone who knows just how yer feelin' 'er thinkin', knows what kinda hurt yer in or what yer really meanin' ta say, but they got that an' it's a real good thing they do."

"They told you about everything?"

Delly nodded though she paused for a moment. She leaned against the counter for a long moment. "I promised River and I promised Jayne that I wouldn't be overly hostile."

She glanced up at Inara with a surprisingly hard look in her eyes. "But they mean the world to us. And I see it in 'em. What happened out in the black hit them hard-just like you all. It ain't fair what yer askin' of them. Just to give up somethin' good to suit you and yours and make you feel a little more at ease out their on your lonesome. They worked damn hard to get here."

"Mrs. Wilkerson..." Inara watched her. Delly looked back out the window. "They told us about them, you know."

Delly drained the sink and dried off the last dish. "Think we oughta join the others now."

"That is the shiniest dollie I ever seen," Kaylee exclaimed, "she looks just like ya!"

Susan hugged her dollie to her chest proudly and beamed as she pointed toward Jayne. "Unky Jayne got'er for me for my Berfday!"

"Well, that was awful nice of'em."

Susie nodded her head up and down furiously. "He's the nicest Unktle in th'verse. Auntie River says he's only nice ta me an' her though because he has a awful big soft spot for us." She made a face. "I don't think he does. I runned inta him one time cause I weren't payin' no 'tention an' I hit 'is leg an' it was awful hard. An' then there was'at other time when I climbed up him to see if I could an' I didn't find no soft spots then neither." Her face scrunched up further. "Asked Auntie River an' she says it was mefferical what she said, but I don't know what that means."

Kaylee grinned at the little girl sunnily and glanced up to find Zoe watching them with a keen eye like she didn't know what to make of them. She looked back down at Susie. "Sounds like you have an awful lot of fun with your Uncle Jayne. Susie nodded as she smoothed out her dollie's dress. "He plays with me all the time."

"What about Aunt River?"

"Auntie River lets me cook with her an' help her feed th' ducks an' ride Big Grey." Her eyes widened. "He's really tall an' it was scary the firs' time, but he's a nice pony."

"I bet."

Susie became very quiet for a moment and she picked at her grass stained dress, her lower lip poking out slightly. "Travis tol' me you're all gonna take 'er away."

Kaylee didn't know what to say and looked up to Zoe pleadingly. Zoe looked away and crossed her arms. Susie stood up, her eyes firmly planted on the springy green grass. "Think I'm gonna go play for a bit."

Susie took off toward her family and plopped down next to Sam, who leaned toward her and whined as he licked her cheek. She batted him away sullenly. "No, Sammy, I don't wanna play."

Jayne forked his last bit of pie into his mouth and crouched down beside her. "S'wrong, Squirt?"

"Nothin'."

Jayne fell back onto the ground heavily and poked Susie with the tines of his fork. "That's a lie. Somethin's got you all twisted up."

She ripped a chunk of grass out of the ground and hurled it down, causing Jayne to raise his eyebrows in surprise. She ripped at annother chunk and refused to look up. "I don't want Auntie River to go 'way."

Jayne looked over to where River and Delly were talking. With so many people around, she had begun to talk funny again, but she was trying and Delly was trying to keep up. River started to put her hand over her stomach and stopped herself. Jayne studied her carefully. She was so happy about the babies; they were both over the moon about it.

"I don't want 'er ta go either, Squirt," Jayne mumbled and pulled up his own chunk of earth. Susie crawled up into Jayne's lap and hug him tightly. He hooked an arm around her and patted her arm. "It'll be okay, right Unky Jayne?"

Jayne smiled slightly and hugged her closer. "A'course, Squirt. She ain't goin' nowhere."

Jayne's smile grew when he felt two slender arms snake around his neck. "Got room for three more," River whispered in his ear. He turned to grin up at her. "You bet, Baby."

In less than a second River was cuddled up to his chest. She kissed the underside of his scruffy jaw. "We'll be okay."

She yawned into his shoulder. Jayne ruffled her hair and she batted his hand away. He grinned. "Oughta go t'bed."

She shook her head at him. "Not without you."

Jayne looked around. Travis and Jacob had passed out by their father who was talking quietly with Isaiah and Delly was looking mighty worn out herself. "Think maybe you're not the only one ready for bed."

Susie frowned. "I'm not sleepy," she crowed indignantly. River laughed and Jayne snorted. "Didn't say you was tired."

"Oh."

Art whistled over at them as he pushed up out of his chair and hauled up the twins, who moaned and groaned at being moved. "C'mon, sweet pea, time t'go home. Yer brothers 'er wore out."

"I don't wanna! The bad folks is gonna take Auntie River an' I won't get'ta say goodbye!"

"Oh, sweetie, I'll still be here in the morning," River soothed, cupping the small girl's face in her hands. Susie sighed and watched her, looking for any signs of deceit. "You promise."

"I surely do," River replied, tapping her on the tip of her nose. Susie wounder her arms around the pair. "I love you, Auntie River. I love you Unky Jayne."

"Oh, we love you, too, Susie," River said as she kissed her on the cheek. Susie kissed her on the cheek and then kissed Jayne on the cheek. "I said I love you, Unky Jayne."

"Love you, too, Squirt," Jayne grumbled out. He gave her an especially wet kiss on the cheek and swatted her on the butt. "Now get outta here."

Susie scampered over to her mother and raised her arms. "Up, please, Momma."

Delly picked her daughter up and smiled at the pair. "Night, you two."

Art opted for just a wave and they smiled and waved back. Isaiah tipped a nod at them and then paused. "You workin' tomorrow boy?"

"Yep."

Isaiah cut his eyes over to the crew of Serenity, who were barely within earshot and his eyes slit suspiciously. "You think that's wise with that sneaky lot 'round?"

At his words both River and Jayne frowned worriedly. Jayne chanced a glance back at the group. They were all staring. Isaiah raised an eyebrow at them as if to say, "Can I help you?" and they all looked away as politely as possible, though they took up staring just a moment later.

"Tell you what, figger since you c'n play sherriff an' do an' aw'right job, I c'n do jus' as good...if not better." He removed his hat and wiped at his brow. "If you want, I'll sit in for ya."

He smashed his hat back down over his head and shifted from side to side. Jayne tried not to smile. "Well, since they hijacked my day off I could use a bit of a break. Got things need done that can't get done when I'm in town."

"Aw'right don't bother goin' in." That said, he turned around and started off toward his wagon, waving his hand in the air dismissively. Jayne chuckled and stood before helping River up. "I'd a said thank you, but I think it woulda made him mad."

"It would have."

"I'll get all the chairs."

"I'll get all the dishes."

Jayne hefted up two of the chairs and sauntered off toward the house, whistling lowly to himself. River smiled sadly after him. He was scared, literally scared that they would take her back. He was scared that they would take her back andhe wouldn't ever see her again-never see their children at all. She gathered up the plates and followed after him, highly aware of the crew taking that as their cue to head in. The entire situation was beginning to feel very invasive. She picked up her pace slightly and her nerves settled a bit once inside.

Her abdomen hummed with confusion and she put a hand to her stomach and rubbed in calming circular motions. It wasn't good to be overreacting, but she could feel the beginnings of a blow up occurring between jayne and either the Captain or Zoe in the very near future. She took a deep breathe and began to slowly and methodically wash what little dishes were leftover from dessert. A large and warm hand settled on her shoulder and squeezed gently. "Want help?"

River rocked back into the comforting and familiar warmth of Jayne's chest. "I wouldn't be adverse to it."

He wrapped his arms around her momentarily and kissed the top of her head and then broke away from her to stand at the ready to dry the dishes. In an effort to keep some semblance of normalcy, they tried in vain to ignore the five pairs of eyes boring into their backs. Jayne noticed the slight tremor run through her out of the corner of his eye and fought the urge to turn around and beat each and every one of them senseless in a fit of justifiable rage. But antagonizing any single one of Serenity's crew would be desasterous. Sensing his annoyance at the intrusion as well, River laid her head on his bicep briefly to convey her understanding. She felt a portion of built up tension slip out of his body when he turned and smiled at her softly. She smiled back shyly; sometimes, she got shy and Jayne understood that. He supposed she wasn't used to dealing with strong feelings aimed towards herself at all times.

A light blush spread over her cheeks and Jayne smirked at the cute look on her face. She elbowed him and her cheeks burned.

"Stop it!" she hissed. Jayne's smirk grew in smugness. "Why would I do that? You like it."

River rolled her eyes as her blush began to recede. "You are incorrigable."

"I thought you liked it when I think on ya," he pouted and River rolled her eyes. He wasn't at all hurt by her comment. "I do."

"'Sides, it's hard not to think things with you lookin' so pretty an' warm an' soft," he muttered to himself more so than her.

"Well," Mal called out, shattering the illusion of privacy they had managed to create effectively, "think I done had 'bout enough of these here festivities an' myself an' Kaylee are gonna be headin' out now."

Without waiting for a response, Mal jerked open the front door and ushered Kaylee out, giving Jayne an especially nasty look as he went. Jayne merely raised a dubious eyebrow and settled back against the countered as the screen door slammed shut a second after the actual door. "Just as I said, someone's always pitchin' a Gorramn fit."

"That was very intuitive of you."

Jayne snapped the dish towel at his wife and shrugged. River sighed and turned to look at the three remaining guests. "Zoe, I'll help you and Inara settle into the guest room as soon as we're done with the dishes."

"Naw," Jayne shook his head, "I'll take care a the dishes an' you just go on an' help them right quick."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I already carried their stuff in there an' I figger they might wanna girl talk 'er somethin' 'er whatever," he replied with a shrug and swatted her on the bottom. She looked uncertain. He gave hera smile of assurance and bent to whisper in her ear, "Don't worry, Baby. Thing's get hairy, I'm only a room away."

River nodded and turned to kiss his cheek quickly and then ventured off to help Inara and Zoe settle down for the night. As the door closed behind them, Simon said acidly, "Nice to see how comfortable you are with one another."

Jayne just looked at Simon blankly for a moment and then shook his head before turning back to do the dishes. His patience with his old crewmates was beginning to wear terribly thin.

A/N: So, besides having a wicked case of writer's block, a lot of traumatizing things happened recently. Such as the internet going out in my dorm room, my computer crashing, and then my room flooding. Then there's the fact that i have several series fics going on at once. It's a bit to keep up with and I have to be in a certain mood to write for certain ones.

This chapter's pretty self explanatory. The crew setting up for interaction with the OC's and Jayne and River. Some of the sections are kind of short but it took forever trying to figure out how to get every single one of them to interact at once. And then I realized that I didn't have to have them all interact right away, so I just included a couple small instances, Delly with Inara and Kaylee with Susie. Also, I felt those little moments worked to convey how important River and Jayne were to everyone.

Anyway, I hope this chapter didn't suck and that you enjoy it and I'm sorry for the delay. Reviews would be nice.