A/N: Sorry it took so long to get this up. I worked hard. Just remember to click the review button!
Disclaimer: I have no money. The only thing I own is the new Evanescence CD and my computer. Don't sue me, as I have a fear of lawyers.
Boom! The sound came at night when the whole crew was asleep. Didn't everything? Early came at night. They ran out of air in the late evening. No one on Serenity ever got any sleep.
Mal ran to the engine. "Kaylee! What the ruttin' hell is going on here?"
Kaylee was in the engine room and quick to answer back. "Little problem with the engine sequence."
"Don't tell me we lost another panel."
"Can't tell Cap'n."
"You need to be checking up on the engine more often, and be spending less time with that doctor."
"Uhh. . . ." Mal heard a pause. "Ya might need to get River at the helm Captain."
"Wo de ma."
XxxXXx
The next morning at breakfast Mal gathered the crew in the dining hall. They were seven of them now. They'd been at that number for three months, since the passing of Wash and Shepard Book.
Zoe, fairly new at being a widow, sat at the table looking into her food. She did a lot of staring lately. Not much doing anymore. Zoe hardly ever did anything anymore. She hardly ever smiled anymore. That'd been Wash's job. To make her smile.
River was staring too. At her food, a bowl of protein. She was looking at it in wonder, thinking of what it could be, not what it was. That was the way River had been looking at life lately.
Kaylee and the doc were seated next to each other, giving each other significant glances every once in awhile. They occasionally spoke in hushed voices, but mostly they enjoyed one other's company. And playing footsies under the table.
Jayne was eating furiously, shooting death glares at the other crew members every few seconds. It was his morning routine.
Inara was glancing at Mal when he wasn't looking. And he was glancing at her. It was a game they played. Whoever looked the most at the other without getting caught won. Every once in awhile they'd catch each other in the act and quickly look back down at their food.
After awhile Mal stood up, cleared his throat and spoke: "Seems we have some engine troubles. They can't exactly be fixed out in the black, so we'll be planetside by this evening. We'll be grounded in Haverford for up to a week, replacing parts and such. Maybe we'll find work, but this is a good chance for y'all to watch. This won't be interfering with your schedule, will it 'Nara?"
"No," Inara said. "I have no jobs lined up at the moment."
"Good," Mal said. "Any concerns?"
"Cap'n? Where exactly on Haverford we gon' be staying?" Jayne asked.
"Shortridge. We'll be in the northern part. Be staying on Serenity though."
"Mal. . .I, uh. . . you sure this is a good idea? Should we really be going planetside for a week?"
"You got something you need to tell me, Jayne?"
"I grew up on Shortridge."
"Okay. Be good to meet the people who raised you. Try and find out where exactly they went wrong. Give 'em wave," Mal smiled and began to walk away.
"Mal, you don't wanna meet my ma. Ya see that hat she knitted me? That's who she is. And my brothers, ain't they a sight. My younger sister too. We're an embarrassing family. You don't wanna get mixed up with us."
"Well I guess we are."
XxxXXx
They landed on Haverford just as daylight was escaping. Jayne had sent a wave to his Ma and they were eating dinner with his family.
"It looks the same," Jayne said as stepped out of the ship. "Gorram planet looks the same."
"Good, you'll be able to get us there right," Mal said.
"Mal that ain't right. Something's wrong. Don't think the girl got all them reavers, do ya?"
"Jayne, everything's fine"
"Doesn't look dangerous," Zoe observed.
"Not taking any chances," Jayne held his gun out.
They through a small town and past several farms. When Jayne stopped they found themselves in front of a small, white house with a large field behind it. The house had paint chipped and shutters missing in places. Its yard was covered in weeds and the porch looked as if it was about to fall down.
"This is it," Jayne said.
"It's quaint," Zoe said.
"Well kept," Simon added.
"You kidding? They let the gorram place go!"
"Jayne Cobb! Language!" A plump woman stood in the doorway.
"Hello mother," Jayne said.
Now just click the button that says review! It's not that hard. . .