He always kind of thought about it, back of his mind mostly. Not when they were out in the black, of course, but when they were down on the surface somewhere, and littleun's are running around everywhere. Especially out in some of the outer rim planets, with the kids running around, covered in dust and not giving a damn. They reminded him of life back on the ranch, and that nice little feeling of home.

But even if he found the right woman, being some little one's baba was more then games. It would mean giving up Serenity, abandoning the crew, trying to settle into life under the Alliance. Rebels and outlaws have no business bringing children into their messes. His own ma's life may have been hectic, but it was legal, and all stayed in one place. A ship's no place for baby feet.

"The stars are very angry today. If they stopped being angry, they would lose all their fire and turn into comets. Then the skies would rain ice cream. And blood."

"Well, that's a charming image. Nothing like some sanguine dairy products from heaven."

"Can someone shut her up, how's a man supposed to eat with her babbling on 'bout bloody ice cream?"

Course, maybe he didn't need to have a baby. He was basically taking care of children anyway.