DISCLAIMER: I think Jack is mine. All others: JW & TM
SUMMARY: PG-13 (language!). Serenity welcomes a new pilot. post BDM.
WORDCOUNT: 9x100 120
FEEDBACK: I'd love to hear your thoughts.
A.N.: If you know what book I'm totally stealing from in the last drabble, there's a prize for you. winks

Written for FFfriday Prompt: It ain't the fall that'll kill you.

ROUND PEG
by Leni

now (Mal's pov)

"Nuh-uh." Mal presses his foot more strongly against Jack's thorax, effectively stopping his struggles. "Now, son, this is quite the tight spot you've put me in. Me not likin' the authorities and such, I ain't no wish to wave them and tell them you're here."

"Come, Mal," Jayne speaks from behind him, taking aim between the younger man's eyes. "Let's get this over with. Last thing a man needs is you yammerin' before he's dead."

"Who said anything 'bout dyin'?"

"Dead men don't tattle. You wanted to keep the fugis."

"Jayne isn't wrong, sir."

"See?" Mal glares down. "Tight spot."

x

153 days ago (River's pov)

"Hey, precious."

River knows that he favors blondes, but can't afford them. Pay's been low, the whole Rim staying low now that Reavers aren't campfire stories anymore. He'll quit tomorrow. "Hey, Jack." His smile recedes. Should she call him Brandon? That's his current name - but lies taste silver in her tongue. Straight to business, then, "Here's the deal, you do what I tell you and your pocket sees money again."

He looks surprised. "I think that's my line, doll."

"Actually, it's mine." Mal comes to stand between them. "That him, River?"

River inspects him a little closer. Nods. "He'll do."

x

152 days ago (Jayne's pov)

"So River brought home a puppy." Jayne ignores the outstretched hand and gives the boy a cursory look. "He's all skinny. Probably gets too picky 'bout his meals."

"I prefer to call it lean, maybe athletic-" Jack flexes his arm theatrically. "-and eating little should be an advantage, right?"

Mal laughs and pats his shoulder. "Boy's got spine, I'll say."

"Long as he keeps it outta my way." Jayne smiles nastily. "If he likes his pretty face, that is."

"I do, sir."

Jayne narrows his eyes, "Why's he callin' me 'sir'?"

"It'll pass," Mal says consolingly, smiling wide.

x

129 days ago (Zoë's pov)

"You're avoiding me," says the new kid.

"Ain't he a clever one?" Jayne laughs harshly.

Zoë dips the fabric into the polisher, pays more attention to the boot's heel . "Don't take it personal." Because it's not.

"Kind of difficult not to."

Great. He's insistent. If it weren't River who'd chosen the boy, she'd have long talked Mal into letting him go.

"Look, I'm sorry about your husband and all." Her hand stills. Even Jayne knows better than to make a noise now. "I know it's useless, but-"

"You're right." She stands up; boots forgotten. "It's useless."

And that's that.

x

93 days ago (Kaylee's pov)

"Ain't it beautiful?" The view of snowy peaks steals her breath. "Cap'n? Say we can visit, please."

The captain isn't listening, instead he's busy arguing with Simon. Simon's medicine kit needs restocking, which means he needs to leave the ship. The captain dislikes the idea - loudly.

That's why Kaylee's at the bridge. For moral support.

"Ever gone climbing?" Jack asks from the pilot chair.

"I'd be too scared," she answers sincerely, wincing at the argument behind her. "All that nothin'ness under me."

He chuckles. "It ain't the fall that'll kill you, you know."

"Same difference." Kaylee shrugs. "You're still dead."

x

64 days ago (Simon's pov)

"There's no infection," Simon finally declares, feeling relieved. Between gunshots and stabbings, antibiotics have grown precious to him.

Jack pulls down his sleeve. "Told you, doc. Takes more than a scrape to bring Jackson Dune down."

"Maybe so," Simon allows, already used to the gloating. "But watch your step around the stairs."

"I was just playing with your sis. That girl likes heights."

"And her balance is obviously better than yours."

"Aw doc," - a friendly punch - "Can't blame a man for trying to impress a lady."

"Impress her less," Simon instructs seriously. "Not passing out might help."

Jack winks. "Gotcha!"

x

28 days ago (Inara's pov)

"Jack has a secret?" Mal laughs at her suggestion. "You're just mad he don't go droolin' after you."

"Have you considered he might not like women?"

"Not like..." Mal gapes, glares at her. "'Nara!"

"Actually, I just prefer blondes." The boy opens his eyes and leers at Inara. "Maybe if you tried a wig?"

Inara blushes, not at the lewd suggestion as much as at being caught. "Eavesdropping isn't polite." At least Mal looks like he'll give Jack a bad time for a couple days. Funny how she can count on him for that.

Jack's eyebrow rises. "And gossip is?"

x

12 days ago (River's pov)

"Oh no, no." He's saying it out of obligation. "I promised my doctor I wouldn't play anymore."

See? Obligation. "Kaylee's distracting him." River says matter-of-factly.

"Really? You're dangerous, girl." He laughs. "Grr."

"Grr," she mimics. He suspects, has heard some things. Alliance-funded experiments are difficult to hide. "You have to jump before you get rescued."

"So you said then." He shakes his head. "And a black-out later I was giving Simon my word. Sorry, River."

A Serenity ago his word meant nothing. But Serenity changes people. He's different already. "Males are so stubborn," she complains.

"But aren't we handsome, too?"

x

20 minutes ago (Mal's pov)

"Shit." Mal checks again the picture, reads down the criminal bulletin. "Shit!" He hits his fist against the console, frustrated. Just when things were looking up for them.

After calling Zoë, Jayne and Jack to meet him in the cargo bay, Mal checks the gun in his holster and heads out. "Seems 'Nara was right, huh?" he says to announce his presence. "Hello, 'Brandon'." He waves at Jack. "Jayne, grab him!"

Jayne blinks, but obeys wordlessly

The boy slams his elbow against Jayne's side, hard enough to startle the bigger man and set himself free.

Things go downhill from there.

x

now (Jack's pov)

Jack thanks his lucky stars when River's barefoot steps come down the stairs. "Stubborn male." She kneels beside him, ignoring the others' worried looks. "Jump is a synonym for leap. A leap of faith."

"No way." Jack's mother raised no fool. "You want me to confess?" A happy nod is his answer. Pain in his chest seals the deal. "Fine!" His sins are the usual: thieving, blackmailing, a couple stiffs from a job gone wrong. Eventually the pain lessens and he supports himself on his elbows.

"That was all?" Jayne asks skeptically.

River nods again.

"Alliance always blows things up," Zoë opines.

The captain grins. "Knew I had a reason not to like'em." And he helps Jack to his feet.

The End
08/03/08