(Untitled)

[tightpantscapn]

Mal was goin' t' be a father.

Oh, he trusted Chase jus' fine, which meant that, like it 'r not, what the doc said was true: River was goin' t' have a baby.

There were goin' t' be tiny combat boots pitterin' n' patterin' 'bout on Serenity sooner'n Mal'd e'er be ready for. But, he reckoned he ought t' at least be grateful for gettin' a few

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[crazyspacegirl]

While River was glad that she didn't feel as constantly sick as she had for a while, the smells of some things still set her off. Just now the smell of cooking fish was her enemy, and she was annoyed about the fact that she lived on an island, where it seemed every room of every structure had at some point been used to cook or consume seafood, and the scent of it would linger forever. It was better to stay outdoors. She felt okay out in the fresh air.

Simon Chicago barked at the sight of Mal, tail wagging proudly as though he'd had to hunt him.

River shook her head fondly and followed after the dog to where Mal sat in the shade. "What are you making?"

[tightpantscapn]

Lost in his own thoughts, Mal hadn't e'en noticed when a shadow began t' blot out the sun. He'd been too busy thinkin' on babies n' how Serenity was goin' t' be turned upside down n' rightside out in a matter o' months -- n' it was all his gorram fault.

River startled him, so much that he made a squawking sound n' his arms flailed some. The knife went flyin' one way n' the thin' he'd been whittlin' whirled the other, nearly hittin' Simon Chicago in the head.

A beat, n' then he 'ttempted t' look calm, cool, n' collected. "Ni hao," he said real casual-like.

[crazyspacegirl]

Simon Chicago thought this was an excellent twist on the game of fetch. He leapt in the air to catch the block of wood and then tore off into the trees, clearly expecting to be followed.

River though her dog was just going to have to learn to live with disapointment sometimes, or else find someone else to chase him. She bent down to pick up MalS knife, and hefted it thoughtfully in her hand, considering his response to her appearance. She knew she wasn't that girl anymore, but she didn't doubt that she might yet make an apearance sometime.

"Am I that scary still?" she asked, sure of a true answer from Mal.

[tightpantscapn]

"No," Mal said automatically, truth written all o'er his face.

But when his gaze dropped t' River's midsection, he reconsidered a touch. "Yes." Realizin' how she might take that, he quickly lit on, "Because part o' that's y' n' part o' that's me 'n we're goin' t' be the gorram end o' this island, y' n' me n'...'specially the Tam-Reynolds situatin' him 'r herself in there."

[apinkrose]

The day seemed to call for a walk along the beach, and so she made her way, her bare feet gently brushing the water as she walked through. She noticed the man in the distance, and it seemed like he was making something. She became quite interested and quickly made her way to him.

He may have been concentrating, but he looked rather upset about something. "Are you alright, sir?" She asked with a gentle smile.

[tightpantscapn]

Not recognizin' the voice, Mal made n' effort t' smile real polite-like up at the young lady. "Sun's shinin', water's wet, got m' health," he returned. "Shouldn't complain 'bout nothin', I reckon."

'tweren't like he wanted t' complain. Blamin' the baby for it's 'xistence would be jus' plain wrong; t'weren't his 'r her fault that Mal'd been a gorram idiot, now was it?

[apinkrose]

"What one should do, and what one does are often the opposite," Cecily remarked, cocking her head towards the man while taking a step closer.

[tightpantscapn]

He couldn't help but t' snort at that. Seemed t' be words his crew lived by.

"Ain't that the truth," he muttered. Though she was 'pproachin', she weren't so tall as t' block out all the sun from Mal's eyes. He squinted, holdin' a hand up so's t' be able t' see her better.

She looked young, mayhap 'round River's age. Although Mal didn't recognize her, he weren't jus' goin' t' 'ssume she was new.

"Are y' like that? Do the opposite o' what y' should?"

[gorramcheerful]

The day was pretty warm, too hot to sit out in the direct sun 'lest you wanted a burn, often was here, but finding proper shade made it just nice. Still Kaylee liked to wander a bit, when she'd done all was left for her aboard Serenity. She'd brought an orange along with her, but not yet touched it.

Scuffing her bare feet in the sand some distance on, Kaylee happened to spot a familiar face taking the shade and the view all at once, though looking none too happy 'bout it. Kaylee invited herself over, to sit under the tree and smiled a little as she sat neatly, digging out the fruit from her jumpsuit pocket. "Guessin' you got plenty on your mind, huh Captain?" She asked, worried but almost hopeful to coax talk from him.

[tightpantscapn]

"That's m' Kaylee," Ma murmured, droppin' the wood n' the knife t' his lap. He gave her a quick, fond sort o' smile. Nothin' seemed to pass her by none. Would do no good lyin' n' sayin', "No, I don't have much o' anythin' on m' mind." She'd see right through him, read him as plainly as she did Serenity's engine.

"Y' lookin' for somethin' else broken t' fix?" he questioned. "Serenity ain't 'nough for y' these days, that it?"