About ten minutes later Jia was cleaning and arranging the kitchen like she wanted. She bent down behind the counter to clean the bottom cupboard when she heard a faint noise that came from the dining portion of the room. She froze because she had not heard anyone come in. Seconds later she heard the unmistakable sound of booted feet. Something made her stay down. She peered around the corner of the island and quickly hid again when she saw three pairs of legs she didn't recognize. They hadn't seen her yet. She did all she could to stay silent and peeked around the other corner of the island. When she saw they had gone towards the engine room, Jia went around the other side.

She snuck as silently as possible towards the bridge. Her heart felt like it could be heard all over the ship, but they didn't turn as they crept towards the engine. Jia made it out of the galley and quickly rested on the other side of the wall when she heard a sound that made her change her mind.

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Kaylee was humming as she knelt by her engine. She was deep in thought when she was grabbed from behind and a hand put over her mouth.

"Look at what we got here."

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Jia's mind was racing. Until then she had forgotten Kaylee was in the engine room. It made her stop and think. She knew nothing about ships. Even if she got to the bridge, she had no idea how to signal anyone, or how to do anything else. From the rumbling she had heard one thing was certain, Kaylee was in serious trouble. Jia couldn't take the time to figure it out. Before they could find her, she would deal with them her way. She was a soldier's daughter, after all.

Kaylee was her friend, and that meant something.

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"Foreman said to take the ship, didn't say nothing bout the crew."

"Exactly, so they're up for grabs."

"What are we gonna do with her?"

"Take her to town when we're done here and sell her. Easy."

All three turned when they heard from the doorway, "I hope ya'll don't think you're going anywhere with her. Because you are sorely mistaken."

Jia stood there with her fists loosely at her sides. Kaylee whimpered and gave her a look that told her to run, but leaving was not an option. All three men chuckled and one made a move towards her. He got close, and then got a hit that made him fall back and hit his head on the wall. He crumpled to the floor. Jia raised her fists to ready stance and braced her feet shoulder length apart.

"Alright," said the second man. "I see you wanna play rough."

He took a swing at her, but left his chin unguarded. A quick uppercut and he had slammed his tongue between his teeth. Blood came pouring out and he was in intense pain, and no longer concerned with Jia.

The third man was not so careless. He had been holding Kaylee, so he threw her to the floor. He came at Jia like he knew what he was doing, but Jia's trained eye knew better. She approached him so they were on level ground. She took three punches with a slight stagger, but had blocked herself well. Finally, she saw the opportunity she wanted, he had left his side momentarily unguarded. Jia slammed her hand into his side. He went to protect his mid-section by dropping his hands. Big mistake. Jia punched his jaw and he went down in a heap, unconscious.

Kaylee saw all this from her position on the floor with a stunned expression. The it quickly turned to understanding, "Your dad was a boxer, that's right!"

Jia smiled.

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About two miles away, Mal walked into his business meeting, having just received a message from Kaylee, detailing the plot against them. He had sent Zoe back to oversee the three thieves.

"Ah, Mal Reynolds, my old friend."

Foreman was a pig of a man both in appearance and demeanor. He had introduced himself as the Foreman years ago and Mal had never asked his real name. He now noticed Foreman had a smugger than usual look on his face. Mal smiled back.

"Hey Foreman, what's this job you got for me?"

He motioned for the three to approach and they found themselves in front of an oversized but hideous desk.

"I'm afraid it's not up to your usual standard, but I know you will jump at the opportunity."

"Really, didn't know I had standards. I deal with you after all."

Foreman smirked, "You are now in my exclusive employ."

"Wow, that was fast."

"Indeed it was, I have a nice little shipment of servants for you to take to a client for me."

"Slaves, you mean."

"Whatever."

"See Foreman, the problem is, that does happen to be a sore point with me."

"You will soon come to find you have no choice."

"You mean the three thugs you sent to take my ship?"

Foreman's face fell so completely it was comical. He sputtered for a few seconds before Mal relieved him of his duty to reply.

"Seems I have a secret weapon even I didn't know I had. My little five-foot-six cook took all three out. Neet huh?"

Foreman was still speechless.

"Way I see it is you got one choice if'n you wanna survive the next two minutes," Jayne and him both drew their guns. "Never contact me again."

Foreman's men went to surround them, but he shook his head and motioned for them to leave. Above all, he was about self preservation.

"Smart, sorta."

All three backed out of the room and went back towards the ship that thanks to Zoe and Kaylee, was juts outside the building. The quickly climbed in and Mal gave one last salute to Foreman, who was now standing in the doorway, and shut the cargo bay doors.

"See Jayne, told ya he'd see reason."

"Didn't say he wouldn't, said I wish he wouldn't."

"Back to business," He faced two unconscious men, a conscious one with blood still running down his chin, his mechanic, cook, doctor and first mate. "Take us about ten miles from town and drop them off."

River went to the bridge to fulfill his order and Mal went up to Kaylee and Jia who were standing next to each other. "You two are the most unlikely rescuers I have even laid eyes on." Both smiled, "But if you ever do it again I'll tan both your hides, dong ma?"

Unison nods from both had him satisfied. He motioned for Jia to follow him and went a few feet away from everyone. "Any other skills you'd like to tell me about?"

"Fencing."

"Fen-what?"

"Fencing. Dad used it as a tool to teach footwork and balance for his boxing. He taught me that too."

"Could have used that about nine months ago."

He left Jia wondering as he went on his way to the bridge.

They broke atmo after dropping off the would be thieves and went towards their next job.