The next morning, they arrived at Persephone. Mal had turned the ship around after learning of the reason for the trash pickup. They docked and decided on the best course of action. Jia was insisting on going out to buy food. She was arguing with Mal.

"We need supplies."

"Tell Jayne what you need and we will get it for you."

"You don't know where I go for these things."

"You ain't going."

"I'll just wait till you leave and go myself then."

"Not if I tie you to the ship."

"You wouldn't."

"Tempt me woman!"

Zoe stepped in, "Wash and me will take her, she will be safe, and we can take the mule so she don't have to walk."

Mal looked at her with an indignant look on his face, then faced Jia again, "Fine, but you remember your promise to Simon, if you screw up you are grounded."

Jia rolled her eyes, "Fine."

Mal handed her their usual food allowance. "Here."

Jia's eyes went wide, "Am I buying for a year?"

"No, about two months."

"Am I supposed to use all of it."

"Use all, half, whatever, as long as we can eat for two months. Go woman before I change my mind."

"Ok."

Zoe, Wash and Jia left on the mule and Mal gaped after them, confused again. He gestured for Jayne to follow him and went to find a job.

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When he returned he was already unhappy, having not gotten cargo, but was incensed by the sight that met him. Zoe was there supervising the delivery of many boxes into an almost full cargo hold.

"What are you doing?"

Zoe turned towards him, "Shopping, sir."

"You don't look like you're shopping, you look like you're building an ark."

Before Zoe could speak to explain Wash and Jia rode up with a full mule and trailer. They were laughing. Wash rode up to Mal and shut off the Mule. He could hardly talk he was laughing so hard.

"Mal you should have seen it, it was brilliant. Jia is the best negotiator I have ever heard of. She actually made a grown man cry."

"Well, he was charging four times what his worthless chickens were worth her should have been ashamed of himself."

Mal was still not happy, "I have a gun and if someone doesn't explain this soon I will get my answer the hard way."

Jia was the first to say something, "You were the one who gave me so much money I just assumed..."

"What do you mean? That's what it costs for two months worth of protein."

Jia stopped laughing, "Please tell me you don't pay for a wholesaler."

"Where else?"

Wash spoke up, "Apparently there are these little specialty shops everywhere."

"I go to each one and negotiate for what they have. It's about five times cheaper."

Mal looked around, "And why haven't I heard about this?"

Jia smiled, "They only sell to restaurants, and, just having opened my own little place, I thought they could supply us."

Mal understood, "You cheated them."

"I did not. I simply told people I had known for years I was on my own now. They never asked where or what."

"What did you get?"

Wash broke in, "The question isn't what did we get it's what didn't we get."

"I got fruits, vegetables, protein, some meat, not much because that's still expensive, and flour and sugar, and other baking things I needed. Or, wanted would be a better term."

"You got all that for the money I gave you?"

"I didn't spend it all. I was wondering if anyone had any requests."

River slid up to her and whispered in her ear. Jia nodded and said, "Anyone else?"

When no one said anything she turned towards the mule and put her hand on a crate at the top, "Kaylee."

Kaylee came forward.

"This is yours."

Kaylee squealed and picked up the small crate and headed towards the galley. Mal looked at Jia and she said, "Strawberries, what else?"

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Jia and Zoe had left with the promise to be back soon. It only took a half hour for them to return, with a very large crate on the back of the mule. Mal came forward to help Zoe place it on the cargo bay floor.

Jia told Zoe thank you then turned to Mal, "I ran into someone who knew you while we were out getting River's things."

Zoe turned toward the conversation, "I don't remember that."

"He talked to me while you were loading the crate. Said his name was...I don't exactly remember. It was weasel, or beaver or something."

Zoe sighed, "Badger?"

Mal grimaced, "No, she was right the first time. What did Weasel want?"

"Said he wants to see you, something about a job. I couldn't really understand him. He said that and then I told him what I thought. Then he said something about me and cheeky or something. Then he said something I wish I hadn't understood."

"What?"

"He told me he wants me to come with you when you come to see him."

Mal was upset, "Why? You're the cook."

Jia shrugged, "I don't know I couldn't understand a word he said."

Zoe was grinning, "Maybe he likes her sir."

Now Mal was really upset, "I don't care who that little weasel thinks he is, she ain't going."

Jia added, "Said he wouldn't let you in without me."

"Then we won't go."

Zoe put in, "Sir, we could use the work."

Mal turned to her, "The last time I took a job from him, I ended up stabbed and my cargo bay covered..."

"I know sir, but we could use the work. His jobs are always profitable."

"Besides the time he sent us to Whitefall, or the time our doctor got kidnaped."

"It's up to you sir."

"Damn right it is."

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An hour later Mal, Zoe, Jayne and Jia stood outside Badger's headquarters. Mal was grumbling. They were let in by Badger's usual entourage of losers and in moments they were in front of the small time crook, who had a smile on his face.

"Well, well, well, I see I still have some influence over you" He faced Jia, "Hello love. You still look stunning."

"Hello Beaver, Why did you want me here?"

"Wanted to see you again. Always in the mood for a pretty face."

Jia turned to Mal, "I didn't understand a word."

Mal smiled, "Just nod like we all do."

Jia smiled and nodded at Badger. Mal continued, "Anyway 'Beaver' what's the job?"

Badger narrowed his eyes at Mal, "Usual crime. Still interested?"

"Maybe, What's the cargo?"

"Salvage from a ship that disappeared over a week ago. I fortunately have the coordinates."

"Well, isn't that lucky."

"Convinced the crew their ship was broken down, not going anywhere. Unfortunately the crew I had to gather my cargo fell into an Alliance patrol. All coincidence that I found out he was skimmin from me of course."

"Of course, never met a more honest man then you Beaver."

Badger looked taken aback. "I didn't kill no one, just moved them to a new location. Crew of the derelict is on Whitefall, you remember Whitefall right?"Badger smiled. "You interested?"

Mal sighed, "What's the cut?"

"Twenty percent."

"Jia must not be the only person having trouble understanding you, because the usual is fifty."

"Situations change."

"They sure do." Mal turned and gestured for his crew to leave.

Jia stepped forward, "Sixty percent, and not a cent less."

Mal stopped and turned to look at his bolder than brass cook. Badger was actually taken aback now. "What did you say love?"

"I said sixty percent, not a penny less. Did I stutter?"

Badger grinned, "Thirty."

"Sixty."

"Forty."

"Sixty."

"Forty five!"

Jia narrowed her eyes. "Seventy!"

Badger stopped a second and then laughed, "Sixty."

Jia turned to Mal, "Sir?"

Badger turned to him too as Mal said, "Done. We will be back in no time. Transfer the coordinates to my ship."

Badger nodded and went up to Jia. He kissed her hand, "Nice doing business with you, Darling."

"Whatever, you just said, let go of my hand."

He dropped her hand and laughed again. "Cheeky."

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When the foursome had returned to Serenity the coordinates of the derelict craft had indeed been delivered along with a note from Badger for Jia. The delivery man had stayed to deliver it to her personally, as he had been ordered. He gave it to Jia in the cargo bay as she came aboard. She opened it, she almost immediately started giggling, and at the end she was red as she refolded the note. She then noticed that everyone was watching her, "What?"

Kaylee had a big smile on her face, "What did he say?"

Mal, Jayne and Zoe all grimaced. Jia shook her head, "Later Kaylee."

Kaylee grinned larger and nodded in a knowing way at her.

Kaylee, Jia, River and Zoe all walked off together towards the infirmary. Mal and Jayne looked at each other. Jayne was the first to speak, "There's something wrong with that."

"Many, many things Jayne. Wash, get us out of here before Badger shows up with roses and a ring."

"Gladly."