A/N: Not my characters. This series of drabbles is complete, but I'll post them in chapter format as I remember to. Rating for mature subject matter, although there's nothing graphic.

The first time Malcolm Reynolds walked in on his mother, he was too young to understand what was going on. Later, she'd tried to explain that she liked Danny very, very much, which was why she'd invited him up to the main farm house. That was all right, Mal had decided. He liked Danny too. The man always had a treat for him once Mal finished his chores. And Danny always watched Mal real careful when they worked together around the heavy equipment.

Three weeks later, Danny was fired and left the farm. Ma Reynolds wouldn't tell her son why.