I am SOOO sorry. So much has happened in the last few months! I meant to update much sooner than this, and I hope to finish the story SOON!

But here's a quick filler update—just to last until a little more action happens!

Nothing belongs to me(except for the idea)

Please enjoy!

Mal, made sure Inara was sleeping peacefully before slipping out of her shuttle and heading towards the bridge. "We need to get to Paquin by daybreak Wash, is that gunna be possible?" He asked as he climbed the stairs.

"Of course Cap, but I don't see why we're stopping there!" Wash muttered looking at Zoe who looked just as confused as he did. "It's nothing but a carnie planet."

"It's a carnie planet with a very large junkyard." Mal added. "And a coupla ole Abbeys and such."

"Abbeys?" Zoe raised an eyebrow. "Gettin' religious on us Captain?"

Mal chuckled and shook his head. "Not today Zo. Just gettin' a bit more resourceful is all." He gave them a small wave before leaving.

"Uh oh…Something tells me he has a plan…" Wash muttered nervously.

/

Eve sat at the table in the galley with an untouched mug of tea nestled in her hands. She had never been a fan of Space. Ever since her early retirement (due to pregnancy) from the Guild, she was much keener on keeping her feet on the ground.

But as her eyes roamed the ivy painted on the steel walls and the giant orange pillows that covered the couches, she couldn't help but feel at home in Serenity.

Even if she did want to get back to her mansion as soon as possible.

"I thought I heard someone in here." A voice startled her out of her thoughts. She turned to see the man with a dark complexion and white hair—the Shepard?—coming into the dining area.

"Good evening." Eve smiled at the man. "I guess I'm not the only early riser aboard." She gestured the seat in front of her. Book returned her smile and sat down.

"Believe it or not, there aren't a lot of places to have quiet time aboard this ship." He said with false cynicism. "So I have found that the best time to achieve peace is before the others—namely Jayne—awaken."

Eve laughed and nodded, "I must say, this is a very interesting group of people." She observed. "I never would have imagined my girl with such a crew, but I cannot say I am disappointed with her company."

"As you shouldn't be." Book said earnestly. "I've been aboard Serenity for a little over three years, and I have to say that these people are the best family anyone could ask for. Besides their own of course!" He added quickly, remembering who he was speaking to.

"In the case of Inara, that might be so." Eve's calm voice assured him that she took no offense. "But in some situations, it would be nice to find a family to call your own. And I'm glad my daughter is a part of that." She took a sip of her tea as a peaceful silence came over them.

Book casually observed the woman across from him. She looked worried, naturally. But besides that, he could see a hint of something else in her crystal blue eyes—something that looked very much like guilt. "Ms. Serra, I hope you don't think of me as too forward." He waited for her to look up at him before clearing his throat and continuing. "But I have to ask…that canon…"

Eve giggled and sat back in her seat. "Oh dear," She ran a hand across her face. "I know it was terribly unladylike of me to shoot so close to my guests, but those things…"

"No, please don't apologize! That's not what I meant at all, we are all very grateful for your help!" He leaned forward onto his elbows as he pondered how to continue. "I was just curious as to where a woman of your status would have acquired such a powerful weapon, let alone learn how to fire it."

Eve's face darkened slightly, before she quickly ducked her head to stare at her tea. "My dear Shepherd, I mean no disrespect, but the life of a Companion is very secretive. Even if said Companion has been retired for over two and a half decades." She made eye contact with him, willing him not to question her anymore.

"Say no more." Book waved a hand, pretending not to be bothered by her clandestine manner. "I think I'll go try to lift some weights before Mr. Cobb commandeers them. I'll see you at breakfast?"

Eve nodded with a kind smile, which slowly vanished as she watched him go.

/

"Mother, I have to go or I will miss my transport!" The teenager called as she made sure the last of her many trunks were secured on the cart before the servants wheeled it outside.

"Listen to my daughter, so eager to leave her mother." Eve sighed, only half serious, as she descended the stairs while putting on her earrings. "One would think that she was treated so terribly here seeing that she is in such a hurry to leave."

Inara giggled and looped her arm through her mother's. "You know that's not true mother." She soothed. "I actually shed a couple of tears last night when I realized I would be my last time sleeping there."

"Oh how touching." Eve teased as she tucked a few stray curls back into her daughter's otherwise perfect up do.

"Go look at my pillow if you don't believe me!" Inara pointed in the direction of her bedroom window as they approached the shuttle that would be taking her to the ship bound for Madrassa.

"I believe you my angel. In fact, I'm sure my pillow is just as damp as yours." Eve took both of the girl's hands into her own as she suddenly grew very solemn. "I will miss you my precious little girl." She choked.

Inara smiled sadly before embracing her mother tightly. "I'll miss you too mommy."

/

"'Nara! Tell your mama 'bout the time where you locked Captain's wife in a dumpster!" Kaylee exclaimed with a mouth full of protein. The dinner table had gotten quite crowded with the addition of Eve, but no one seemed to mind having another beautiful Serra in their presence.

"I'm sorry…his wife?" Eve stared at Mal with a raised eyebrow.

"I…well….we…she was nothin'…really…" The Captain stammered not taking his eyes off of his plate.

"Mal was conned into marriage by a foul little creature on some border planet." Inara explained as though it were an everyday occurrence. "As it turned out, all she wanted was his ship."

"I can understand that, this is a lovely vessel Captain Reynolds." Eve replied, setting down her fork and dabbing at her mouth demurely with the corner of her napkin.

Mal watched her, trying to determine whether or not she was being cynical. "Thank you ma'am." He said slowly.

"So you locked this woman in a dumpster Niu?" Eve asked Inara who was beginning to clear dishes from the table—but Simon stopped her and forced her to sit back down. He was not in the mood to stitch her up again.

"Oh, it's a rather long story mother, I'm sure you have better things to do than to listen to it."

Eve chuckled. "Dearest, we're floating through space. I very well can't go horseback riding, and I would surely listen to your long story rather than watch another display of this hairy creature's weight lifting." She gestured Jayne who tried not to look too offended.

"She asked how I was, so I showed her…" He murmured as he bit into another roll.

"Nobody in their right mind would have asked to see that darling." Eve waved him off before turning back to the rest of the crew with a bright smile. "Now, tell me some of your delightful tales in crime!"

Translations:

Niu—Little Girl