Chapter 2: Old Mates

"Ouch! Watch there, will ya doc?!" Jayne slammed his head against the back of the infirmary bed."

"Well if you would just lie still for a second, it wouldn't hurt so much." Simon struggled to put in some stitches.

Inara and Kaylee both let out a small chuckle.

Mal stomped into the room. "What the hell happened?"

"What are you blind? I've been shot!"

Simon cut the thick thread. "The bullet grazed his big toe. It was just deep enough to require a couple of stitches. I think your floor felt most of it though."

"Oh, Jayne. I'm sorry. You know what, I think you should skip this trip and just rest today." Mal said sympathetically.

Jayne looked with hopefully eyes, "Really?"

"No." Mal said poking out his lower lip. "Come on everyone, we've got some business to take care of. Kaylee, go make sure the engine's coolin' off good."

"Yes sir." She skipped off.

Zoe walked out of the door. "I'm gonna go check on my husband."

Mal moved over to Simon, "I don't mind if you two get off with us, but mind you this: keep River in your sight at all times; you understand?"

Jayne had fallen asleep and had begun to snore loudly.

"I will, I always do." Simon said confidently.

"Yeah, well this time, you better do it more. These folks take kindly to outsiders."

"Well that's a good thing right?"

"No; a little too kindly. So kindly enough that they're willin' to invite you in. So kindly that if you follow one, you're likely to get swept up into all kinds of messes. Now you watch her. Okay?"

"Okay…I will." Simon nodded.

"Good. " Mal moved over to the bed. "Jayne, get yourself up and come on!" Jayne abruptly awoke and limped over to Mal. "Keep an eye on her." Mal looked over at River, shook his head and he and Jayne left.

"Watch over River. Of course, I'll course I will." Simon turned around.

River sat Indian-styled on the floor tangled up in the stitching thread.

"It tried to eat me." River stared back, wide-eyed at Simon.

The Planet of Taumun was cloudy and windy all year round. The only things that withstood the torrid winds were the massive 30 feet tall, 10 feet wide Taum trees that only grew on Taumun. Its continuous climate was prone to heavy winds and rainstorms. This day was no exception. As the main door lowered open, Mal stepped out and "greeted" the Taumun atmosphere. A rough gust of wind nearly knocked Mal off of his feet.

"Malcolm Reynolds?" A raspy mixture of Southern and British accents called out to him. Mal's entrance was broken by a grasp from a gruff man of about 5'2 wearing a brown jacket and a plaid scarf.

"Jest! Buddy how are you man?" Mal hugged his friend back.

"Well, I've been doin' alright. This here yer' ship?"

"Yup, this is Serenity."

"That's amazin', mighty sophis'cated if you ask me. I thought I'd never see you again mate. They told me after the war you'd gone off to the edge of space somewheres and went crazy."

"Well, that's almost true…I did go crazy…" Mal let out an unusual laugh, as did Jest. Another gust of wind blew, swirling leaves around their ankles.

"Wow, this is nothin' short of a rare sight." Kaylee said in disbelief as she walked down the ramp. "Look Inara, the captain's actually got a friend! Besides us at least."

"Huh, would you look at that?" Inara said standing beside Kaylee.

Jest caught sight of Inara, "Oy, did she come with the ship?" he whispered to Mal. Mal looked at him sternly. Jest put his hands up and backed up, "Olright, olright, I get it. So, Mal, does this thing have a crew?"

Inara called out, "Hey Mal, this you're only friend?" she asked.

Mal tried to put on a smile, "This is one of my friends. One of many…this is…"

"Jest!" Zoe rushed past them and gave Jest a hug. "I haven't seen you since…forever! Look at you! You haven't changed a bit!"

Wash stepped out with Book. "Who's that?" Wash asked. Book shrugged his shoulders.

"Zoe darling, That's one of my best qualities! You're lookin' more gorgeous than ever." Jest said with a laugh. Simon and River walked off the ship; followed by a limping Jayne.

Mal stepped in, "Uh, Crew, this is Jester K. Grant; we fought together in the war. Jest, this is my crew. My proud…"

"These trees are naked." River said in a rather loud voice.

Jayne stood in the main entryway, "Hey, does this place have any gorram med-pills?"

Mal said lower, "My proud…crew." Another giant blow of wind sent a ton of leaves sailing through the air and into Serenity's main opening.