"This is Captain Malcolm Reynolds requesting permission to dock."
After a gargled reply that obviously stated "Yes", they docked on the quaint little border planet called Daltin. It was a lovely place with plenty of busy towns. Sure it wasn't like Osiris with the big cities and fancy technologies, but it was still breathtaking and worth stopping to enjoy even if they were there on business.
"Ready to be back on solid ground?" Mal asked.
"Ready to see the sky, feel the wind…" River sighed, shutting her eyes to imagine the feel of the wind catching her hair once again. He watched her go on one of her "trips" as he called them. She'd go off in her head seeing, picturing, who knows what.
They met Zoe and Jayne in the galley to discuss the plan. Jayne, already convinced there would be a shootout of epic proportions, had two guns at his side, one in his holster, Vera in his hands, and enough ammo to supply three battalions.
"Jayne, we ain't fighting a war."
"I remember a time when we was on the mule bein' chased by Reavers and I didn't have no grenades…"
"Lighten the load a little bit. Okay?"
Jayne growled and then set one clip of ammo on the table. Mal rolled his eyes, but didn't make his mercenary leave anything else.
"Zoe, you and River will wait outside while Jayne and I make the deal. Shouldn't be bloody unless they don't wanna play nice."
They piled onto the mule and set out for the next job. For some reason, Mal was feeling a mite protective of his little albatross as they navigated the cobblestone streets. She had been on so many jobs since Miranda, and she always did a great job. Her gift actually helped them get away with only a few scrapes in the past. He knew what she was capable of. Sometimes at night he would remember seeing her helpless on the floor at the Maidenhead, surrounded by all of the men she almost killed…or did. He wondered if even then he knew that he loved her. He wasn't sure why he scooped her up and brought her home, but he was glad that he did. He knew his fears for her safety were irrational. She was strong, agile, intuitive. Yet he was still terrified that something would happen, like a stray bullet finding its way into her flesh. Even if she got as much as a paper cut, he'd feel terrible. He held her hand tightly, like if he let go she'd fly away with the breeze.
The mule came to a halt outside of a shabby cottage. The shutters were hanging by a thread, the windows had been boarded up, and some type of ivy snaked its way up the peeling exterior. Mal and Jayne hopped out while the ladies stayed in the mule. Mal flashed a smile at River before walking up to the front door. Jayne knocked twice heavily with his fist. The door cracked open with a loud cry from the rusted hinges. An odd little man with large green eyes peered out at them. He went by the name of Emerald.
"Reynolds?" he hissed.
"That's me. This is Jayne. We're here to deal."
The door opened further and the man invited them in. They entered the poorly lit dwelling with a tiny bit of apprehension. A few other men sat around the room smoking cigars, drinking, and playing cards. They all stopped what they were doing and looked at Mal and Jayne with piercing gazes.
"So ya want to deal?" Emerald asked. His voice reminded Mal of nails down a bulkhead.
"That's right," Mal nodded.
"We'll give ya a third, right now all pretty 'n shiny. The rest comes with delivery. Dong ma?"
"Wait now. We agreed to half now, half later."
"Things 'ave changed. It's a third now, the rest later. Or ya can take ya business elsewhere 'n be on ya merry."
"We'll be on our merry to the authorities. They'd love to hear 'bout what you're askin' for."
Every man in the room drew a gun from their holsters.
"We didn't want no trouble, Reynolds. One third. Take it or leave it. Or would ya rather 'ave a bullet in b'tween ya eyes?"
"One third it is. We'll be back with your goods. I'd like to be seein' that third right about now."
Emerald motioned to one of the seated men. He handed Mal a briefcase. He quickly checked to make sure it was all there.
"See ya then, Reynolds."
"Let's go Jayne."
They left as quickly as they could. That was tense. If they hadn't have agreed, there probably would have been a shootout like Jayne thought there would be. Mal instantly relaxed when he saw River sitting in the back of the mule, staring at the sky mystically. They climbed back into the mule.
"How'd it go sir?" Zoe asked.
"Not good. They only gave us one third."
"I thought it was supposed to be half!"
"The gorram room was filled with guys with guns! If we hadn't taken that deal when we done, they woulda filled us with bullet holes!" Jayne cried.
"Well, it's better than none I guess…" Zoe sighed.
Mal smiled at River and quickly threaded her fingers with his own. They returned to Serenity after a short ride. They planned to leave after some down time on the planet. Even birds needed time to stand on solid ground. Great, now he was even thinking like River. Well…he kind of liked it, truth be told.
"Would you like to come into town with me, darlin'?" Mal asked with a faint smile.
"Of course."
He put his arm around her shoulders and they started walking down the ramp out into the town. Simon and Kaylee were behind them. Simon burned with rage and frustration at seeing the happy couple ahead of him.
"I think it's great you acceptin' River 'n Mal. They're just so shiny together! River's been a mite better since. So has the cap'in, all smiles and stuff!" Kaylee said happily.
"Yes well…" he paused, watching River and Mal walk away. "They're…something." The last part was more of a growl than anything else. Kaylee didn't know that "something" was not being used as a kind term in this case.
"That they are. And you're taking it so well!"
He forced a smile before taking her hand and walking into the town.
