Her Pa was sitting on a large rocking chair on his large porch. He looked about 50, grey hair and wizened face. He looked grumpy and unhappy. The girl he had called a Prairie Harpy was standing beside her Pa. His gun was across his lap as Mal approached the house. Mal had to suppress the urge to raise his hands in surrender. He knew he had to show this man strength in order to get his daughter on Serenity.
"I hear you offerin' my Little Kaylee a job on your ship." The man said; his voice was strong and suspicious.
"That is correct sir. My name is Captain Malcolm Reynolds, I run a Firefly called Serenity, and I'm in desperate need for a good Mechanic." Mal said. The man's lips and nose twitched thoughtfully, but his steely glare remained unchanged. "And your Daughter is the best I've seen."
"That's right fine of you to say Captain. What kind of work you do on your ship?" The girls Pa asked.
"Serenity is a transport ship sir, freelance. We're also known to take passengers to where they're goin'" Mal replied. Kaylee was staring at Mal excitedly which he took to be a good sign. The man narrowed his eyes.
"Go inside Kaylee, I'll talk with you in a minute." Kaylee looked crestfallen and she walked inside and closed the door sharply behind her. "Come here Captain Reynolds." Mal stepped carefully onto the porch and the man stood up and quicker than Mal had thought possible. The old man had him by the collar and he was holding the gun to Mals head with one hand. His eyes were a tempest of silent fury.
Mal did not flinch despite the strong desire to crap his pants.
"Ifn' I let my Dear Sweet innocent Daughter on your boat, you gotta promise me you'll take care of her. That means keepin' the hands of the unsavoury characters you deal with off of her. I'm not a complete Back Birth Captain Reynolds. I know what kind of work you do out there in the black, and I don't want to see my little girl hurt. I know I ain't gonna stop her from runnin' off this rock with you, but I want you goin' with the knowledge if she comes back hurt or if she don't come back at all, I'm a gonna come after you and find all manner of unsavoury things to do to you." He said. Mal swallowed hard but did not back away.
"I believe we've reached an Understanding Sir." Mal said calmly. The man smirked and let go of Mals collar, lowering the gun.
"You go Prepare your ship and Kaylee will be there shortly." He said holding out his hand. Mal shook the mans hand and smiled. His smile faded when his grip began to crush his hand. "All manner of unsavoury things." the Man whispered. Mal nodded and let go.
"It was nice to meet you sir." Mal said. The man grunted and walked inside the house and closed the door behind him. As Mal walked through the garden gate he heard the girl scream in delight. He smirked and wondered what he was getting himself into.