Disclaimer: This is a derivative work of fiction solely intended for private use and entertainment. The author does not profit or benefit materially in any way from its publishing and distribution and, as such, believes the work constitutes fair use under the Fair Use doctrine of U.S. copyright law. All copyrights in the original work are retained by the original authors/owners.

A/N: This is a short story I wrote for Christmas several years ago. I resurrect it every time the season comes around, maybe make a few tiny edits, and re-post it. It was inspired by another well-known short story about Christmas, although I won't say which one so as not to spoil the surprise for those who might not know. It doesn't particularly matter, but I imagine timeline-wise this takes place somewhere between "Out of Gas" and "Ariel." Hope it gives you a smile and a warm feeling this holiday season. Enjoy!

Kaylee's smile beamed out across the dining room as Serenity's crew found their usual places around the table. She was bubbling with so much excitement that she could hardly keep still. The anticipation had her rocking back and forth on her feet. As far as she could tell, only herself, Mal, and Inara were privy to the surprise. It had just been luck that she had happened to overhear the captain making arrangements for their next job. Straight away, though, she realized what it meant. The idea had followed right on its heels, and she wasted no time in peddling it to Mal. He was all crotchety about it, as usual, but she persisted and managed to strike a deal with him- he would allow it if she could convince Inara. He probably counted on the Companion saying no since Inara usually declined to participate in this sort of thing, but he hadn't counted on Kaylee's determination. It took a goodly amount of begging and pleading but she finally convinced Inara to come around, and Mal was stuck with honoring his word.

"I don't s'ppose there's still any hope of talkin' you outta this, is there?" Mal asked as he hovered next to her by the wall between the galley and dining area. The expression on his face was decidedly less enthusiastic than the one she wore.

"Nope," she answered, unperturbed by his lack of zeal. "I got Inara to go along, and you said you'd let me do it if I did," she flashed a proud smile up at him.

"Yeah, I know," Mal threw an unappreciative look in the Companion's direction. At her seat, Inara lowered her eyes innocently, but could not quite keep the smile from her lips. "All right," Mal sighed. "Let's get this over with, then." He strode towards the head of the table and Kaylee's stomach fluttered with giddy anticipation. This was going to be so much fun!

"Listen up," Mal leaned on the back of his chair while calling the assemblage to order. "So, here's the plan. We're headin' to Persephone. Got a job lined up when we get there. Trick is, it won't be ready for a few days. That means we got some spare time planetside comin' up." A buzz of excitement rippled through the room. "In light of that fact, Kaylee," Mal looked to her, "has somethin' special she'd like to share." The crew's attention shifted to Kaylee, and her eyes twinkled with glee as she took the floor.

"Well," she giggled a little as she started. "Seein' as what time of year it is and that we're actually gonna be planetside for once, I thought it'd be shiny if we had a real Christmas this year, with presents for everyone. Now I know none of us has got a lot of money to spend, so I figured out a way to make it easy. Each of us draws a name from out of here," she held up the pot she had been cradling in the crook of her arm the entire time, "and that's the person you buy a gift for. That way we don't have to spend too much tryin' to buy somethin' for everybody, and everyone has a present to open on Christmas. Shiny?"

"Uhh," Jayne raised his hand slightly in question. "What exactly is it we're doin'?"

"It's a gift exchange, Jayne," Mal clarified with an annoyed glare.

"Yeah. Thank you, Cap'n," said Kaylee, acknowledging him.

"Mmm, that's what I thought you meant," Jayne pursed his lips. "Well, you can count me out," he snuffed, rising from his chair. "No offense, but I don't see no sense in spendin' my hard-earned cash on any o' y'all when there's more important things I could be usin' it for."

"Like what?" Wash blurted out, skeptical.

"Myself," Jayne snorted with contempt. "'Specially if I got a few days of leave to fill."

"It wouldn't kill you to be a little generous once in a while," Zoe countered.

"It might."

"Jayne, you're participatin'. If we gotta do this, we're all gonna do it," Mal ordered.

"Aw, Mal…"

"Even if that means I gotta dock your pay. Dong ma?" Mal raised his eyebrows at his mercenary.

"You ain't serious," Jayne protested, but the captain's gaze held steady. Jayne's face slowly warped into a bitter but futile scowl and he threw himself back in to his chair, muttering.

"Well, I think this is a fine idea," Book intoned from his seat. "Giving gifts is the essence of the Christmas spirit. After all, it's the time we celebrate he greatest gift of all being given to mankind."

"This little event here just happens to take place around Christmas, Shepherd. Don't go bringin' any religiosity into it," Mal warned him.

"Oh, of course not, Captain." Book replied, solemn, but with a twinkle in his eye. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Good. Now that that's settled, Kaylee, how do we do this?" Mal asked, clearly eager to keep things moving.

"Okay… well, we gotta draw names, so I figured I'll go first, and then whoever I pick will draw the next name. Sound fair?" No one dissented. "Here, Cap'n, hold it up for me so I can't see," Kaylee handed the pot to Mal. The captain sighed in a put upon way, but he dutifully held the pot up over her head. Standing on her toes, Kaylee fished around a bit before drawing out a small, folded slip. She opened it and smiled broadly.

"Jayne."

"What?" Jayne grunted, still stewing.

"I picked you."

"So?"

"That means I gotta buy you a present, and you get to pick the next name." She grabbed the pot from Mal and held it out for the big man. Jayne treated it to a glare that said he would rather do anything than stick his hand in there, but Mal caught his eye again with a warning look. Without bothering to sit up, he unceremoniously plopped his hand in and jerked out a name.

"Aw, hell!" he groaned, tossing it on the floor after he read it. Without missing a beat, Kaylee picked up the discarded slip.

"Inara!" she announced.

"Well, at least I know I'll be surprised," Inara responded gamely." Jayne just fixed his sour gaze down the rear hallway and proceeded to ignore everyone.

"All right, that means you're next, Inara," Kaylee held the pot in front of the Companion. Inara averted her eyes and dug in.

"Simon," she turned to the doctor with an smile as she read off his name.

"Oh, um… well… that's great," Simon stammered, not sure what to make of her selection. "I guess that means it's my turn, then?" he looked to Kaylee. She presented him with the pot and a glowing smile. Simon reached inside and peered at the name he pulled out. "Mal," he read, staring at the paper and then at the captain, his expression growing even more bemused.

"Good luck with that, Doc," chuckled Wash.

"Yes. Thank you," Simon replied without humor.

"You're up, Cap," Kaylee said, spinning to Mal. Mal felt about the pot for a slip in the quickly dwindling collection of names.

"Wash," he read with a slow, deliberate glance at his pilot. Wash's face tinged a shade closer to the color of his hair.

"Heh, I was just kidding about that, Cap'n. I mean, I'm sure it'll be a cinch to find somethin' for you." He turned to Simon. "He really is a great guy, honestly. I mean it. The best captain I've ever had. In fact…"

"Honey, just pick a name," Zoe laid a hand on his arm and stopped him before he could dig himself any deeper.

"Oh, right." He reached across the table as Kaylee held the pot out for him. "Maybe I'll luck out and pick you," he grinned back at his wife, trying to change the subject. His grin swiftly faded, however, when he read the name on his piece of paper. "River," he pronounced. "Huh… wow, uh…" his glance fell somewhere between amused and worried as he looked toward the girl. She did not acknowledge him, eyes cast down at the surface of the table, sitting just as quietly as she had since she arrived. "That's, uh… I guess that'll be interesting," Wash finished, falling back into his seat.

"It's your turn, River," Kaylee brought the pot over to her next. "Go ahead. Pick one," she encouraged with a smile. River looked up, eyeing the pot suspiciously. Then her hand darted out, snatching a piece of paper from the dish like it was a trap that might ensnare her. Her dark eyes darted briefly over the name written on it, and then it disappeared into her palm.

"Who is it, River?" Simon asked gently. River glanced up without speaking, her eyes alighting on Book.

"The Shepherd?" Kaylee guessed, following her look.

"Me? Oh my," Book commented.

"I can get her something for you…" Simon started apologetically, but the preacher waved it off.

"Nonsense. I'd be thrilled to get a gift from River. I'm sure she's got something special in mind for me already, don't you, dear?" he smiled warmly at her. River gave no response, her gaze once again fixed steadily on the tabletop.

"Only two names left, and one of 'em's mine," Kaylee grinned, offering the pot to Book. The Shepherd reached in.

"Zoe," he read aloud.

"Hey, no worries, Shepherd. I'll just switch with ya," Wash leaped at the opportunity to take his wife's name instead.

"Actually, I was thinking maybe I should switch with you," Simon interjected to Wash. "It might just be easier if I get something for River."

"Well, how 'bout Book gets yours, I give you River, and then I get Zoe," Wash suggested. "Works for me."

"Sure," Simon readily agreed.

"No," Kaylee brought their dealings to a halt with a stern look.

"Why not?" Wash asked.

"'Cause it ain't fair for everyone else if you get to swap just to make it easier for you. You gotta buy for who you picked. That's the whole point of drawin' names in the first place."

"But…" Wash stammered. Kaylee glowered at him and crossed her arms, daring him to defy her. He turned to his wife for backup.

"Sorry, husband," Zoe sided with Kaylee. "She put this together, she gets to make the rules."

"Can we at least ask the person what they want?" whined Wash, slouching deeper into his chair in defeat.

"Sure," Kaylee nodded. "Would be pretty hard to get somethin' for someone if you didn't know what they wanted. But," she added with seriousness, "whatever you get has to be kept secret. Everyone should get a surprise on Christmas."

"Not to worry," Book assured. "I'm certain I can come up with something suitable," he smiled at Wash and Zoe.

"Lookin' forward to it, preacher," Zoe returned good-naturedly. "Guess that means there's only one person left for me," she smiled at Kaylee, pulling the last name from the pot.

"Well, that's it," Kaylee fidgeted with the empty pot, not to sure how to wrap things up. "So…. I guess it's time to go out there and… get good presents!" she pumped her arm like a coach charging up her team.

"Can I go now?" Jayne grumbled, sounding more like a petulant child than a hard-bitten soldier of fortune.

"Yes, Jayne. You can go now," Mal dismissed him wearily.

"Good. Gorram stupid, ruttin' Christmas gou shi…" he ranted under his breath as he jerked himself out of his chair and slunk towards the foredeck.

The rest of the group began break up slowly as well, meandering towards various parts of the ship. No one else was complaining like Jayne was, but neither did they look all that eager. Kaylee began to feel a little disheartened at their overall lukewarm response. She hoped everyone would do their part. It would be awful come Christmas day if somebody didn't get a present, or even worse, that no one got anyone anything. That wasn't going to happen, though, she resolved. Even if she had to shoulder the burden of buying presents for everyone, she was going to make sure they had a good Christmas this year. Bolstered by that thought, she turned to her next challenge. She was going to have a hard time finding something for Jayne, especially since he probably wasn't going to offer a whole lot of suggestions. That just meant she had to think of something extra special, something that would make him forget all about being grumpy when he opened it. It was a tall order, but ideas were already whirling in her head. Cutting across the emptying dining area, she made for her bunk, the excitement swelling in her once more. It was time to get to work.