The wave from Monty wasn't unusual but his offer was. He'd spotted a wreck near Three Hills just begging to be salvaged, but he had a deadline. Monty only wanted two percent if anything worth anything was got off. A fly-by toward Three Hills wouldn't inconvenience the crew of Serenity especially since Inara had a client eager to 'rough it on the frontier of Three Hills.' Zoe waved Monty with an agreement to meet at Beaumonde in a week at the Scrap King's.
Zoe let Jayne in on what they'd discovered when scouting the wreck. "It's a light weight transport, short-range, supply depot and back again for some Company Town. Looks to be supplies for a General Store. Airlock and clamps are damaged but Kaylee rigged a temporary seal."
Mal reminded them, "Be quick and walk light."
"Just keep your eyes on that seal, Mal." Jayne grumbled as he hefted the dolly. "Don't wanna be space trash when I got me a pocket full of coin I had no chance to spend."
"Is there anything I can do?" Shepherd Book crossed the cargo bay, drying his hand on a towel. Since the crew of the wreck had logged the ship abandoned and scrapped, what was inside was in the fuzzy, kneecap area. He pointed his thumb toward the kitchen. "Food's about ready."
"Actually, there is." Mal surprised the Shepherd with his willingness to accept an offer of help. Captain pointed at the thick plastic foam bonding the airlock in several places. "If we loose this foamed seal the wreck starts driftin, ship'll bust up and not do us any good. Kaylee left her squawk box behind. That girl is sinfully greedy when it comes to scrap parts." Mal glared down the brief corridor leading to the other ship.
"What do I watch for?" Book asked, squatting down to examine the yellowish foam.
"You see so much as a bubble, shout out." Mal stepped back as Jayne trundled by with the loaded dolly.
"Will do, Captain." Book called to the Captain's shadow.
--oooo--
Mal was climbing down the ladder to the cramped engine pod below the deck when Wash alerted him. "Zoe wants to know if you want her and Jayne to scrounge the kitchen or quarters?"
"How're the seams lookin?" Mal ducked under a support and spotted Kaylee's flashlight pointed into the chunky older model engine.
"Thin as when we started. Nothing worse but nothing better." Wash answered.
"Tell Zoe and Jayne to stay put." Mal decided. "I'm fetching Kaylee and headin back. I'm itching all over."
"Never ignore the Reynolds itch." Wash snapped off communications but not before Mal heard Zoe's admonishment: Damn Reynolds itch saved her ass more'n once.
Mal stuffed the squawk box in his pocket with a smirk. Wash enjoyed mocking him. Most times, Mal didn't much care but Zoe got tetchy now and then. Mal wasn't above egging it on just to enjoy the sparks. It was just another thing to pass time, like Jayne tending his weapons or Kaylee painting flowers everywhere.
"Kaylee, time to go." Mal squatted next to her leg. Two bags were full and propped near a pile of junk. Kaylee didn't dismiss much as too worthless even for scrap trade. Ship must be in worse shape than he thought.
"Just want this one more thing." Kaylee squirmed out from underneath, a small power board cupped in her hand. She set the board in her bag and tied it up. Her tool bag was slung over her shoulder and across her chest. She took one bag. Mal hefted the other.
"Whassup?" Kaylee knew it was faster to grab crates and supplies than wriggle parts out in one useful piece; it's why she got in the engine pod before anyone else got started. She surely got tired of being fussed at for dawdling though.
"Itchy." Mal stepped back so she could squeeze between him and the beams.
Kaylee looked around like she expected fire to burst forth and consume them. She opened her mouth to suggest they run all the way back to Serenity.
The rush of blood to her extremities squeezed her words away. A grating wail followed by the scream of metal plating ripped free of rivets and supports sucked them and everything not bolted down toward the hatch. Kaylee dropped her bag as her body hurled to the door. She flattened herself against the hatch bar. Using her weight in the disappearing gravity, she slammed the bar down so the hatch shut tight. Released from the drag, she fell to her knees as loose objects crashed to the floor. Gasping for breath, feeling like her chest was being squashed, Kaylee managed to snap the handle home. Her breath caught proper rhythm when she heard the click of the locking mechanism.
The engine room was dark but for the beam of her flashlight pointed toward the ceiling. "Cap'n?" She whispered. "Cap'n? You all right?"
Crawling from the hatch, she paused when she heard a moan. When silence clotted her ears, she felt her way with less caution. "Cap'n? Don't worry, I'll find you. I'll get the light. I'll find you. Don't move. I'll find you-"
"Kaylee!" Mal barked. "Shut the hell up!"
"Shuttin the hell up, Cap'n. I'm gonna crawl over this beam, you ain't under it are ya? I'll step over it, just in case…." She yammered all the way across the engine room to where the flashlight was jammed. She continued to chatter on as the beam of light wavered around the room. It was not because she was scared, she blathered away, but because she couldn't tell where his moaning had come from.
"If you shut up you'd hear me cussin." Mal was sitting a few feet from her, back to the wall, clutching his thigh. He flinched as the beam of light struck him. "This room ain't big enough for me to get lost."
"I found you!" The relief in her voice was brighter than the flashlight. Kaylee drug the bags of parts and dumped them at his side. Unhitching her tools from her shoulder, she knelt to shine the light on his thigh. Blood was dripping between his fingers, running in streams to the floor.
"Oh." She gulped. "That don't look good."
"Don't feel good." Mal rumbled, tearing the fabric to get a closer look with the light she was shining on it. There was a ragged gash about three inches long on the outside of his right thigh. "Something musta nicked me flyin by."
He reared back, hitting his head when she dropped the flashlight. She turned away to unzip her coverall and strip out of her thick undershirt. Tossing the shirt in his lap, she grinned across her naked shoulder at his open mouthed shock. She was laughing as squirmed into her clothes.
"Got no first aid stuff, just tools." She knelt beside him. "Just fold it up for a bandage. I'll make ya a good knot with those." She nodded at the straps from her bag.
"Good plan." Mal sighed and let his eyes droop shut.
"I have 'em now and then." She gulped a deep breath and tucked her shirt over his torn flesh. Her hands shook as she slid the straps under his thigh. The buckling took longer to accomplish, fumbling as her fingers were. She pushed his hair back from above his temple. "You hurt anywhere else beside this knot on your head?"
Mal was beaded with sweat. He didn't make the mistake of shaking his head, "It's just a bump."
His fingers were trying to get the squawk box from his pocket. It kept slipping away. Kaylee snatched it free and placed the box in his bloody hand. She looked around the room, concentrating on what she remembered about what was where. "Gotta be more stuff in here we can use."
Mal's hand gripped her upper arm, easing his hold when she winced. He opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't remember what it was….
"Like ya said, can't go far." Kaylee shrugged his hand arm away, first time he could recall that happening, but her grin softened the action.
Mal frowned as Kaylee progressed around the engine room. Like a bee hunting for nectar, she dipped under the housing and grabbed something to stick in one of her many pockets. She swung over a strut muttering as she snagged a bitty bolt and shoved it deep in another pocket. She hopped over to the far side of the engine. From her dancing hands across a circuit board, two dinky overhead lights glowed. Her sigh of relief gave Mal energy to smile.
She slowly shifted the flashlight to search every nooks and cranny. Mal watched the sweep of the beam until it made him nauseous. He held his stomach, asking, "What are you doin?"
"I'm just looking for … what we do have." Kaylee's eyes followed the light, never glancing at him.
Liar, Mal thought, you're looking for damage that'll suck us out into the black and you think Captain Dummy is too addled to know it.
Mal tugged his eyes from her movements. They were making him dizzy. He called Wash on the squawk box instead of calling Kaylee on her comforting lie.
"Captain, glad to hear your voice. Everything OK?" Zoe inquired like she was wondering how the weather was across the world.
"Bout same as usual." Mal kept a reasonable tone, though he felt like doing some righteous shouting. "Did the seal break?"
"No." Wash answered, his voice revealing the relief Zoe's didn't. "Lost a seam near the kitchen, whole thing went from there. Can't believe you got that hatch shut."
"We got damage?" Mal leaned his head back. Dizziness and nausea were assaulting him with intent to destroy what thread of pride was left under Kaylee's cheerful scavenging.
"Docking clamp is gone…." Wash hesitated so long that Mal thought they'd lost the connection.
Kaylee flew across the room to grab the box from Mal and demand an answer of Wash, "You popped her port balance pin tryin to hang on, didn't ya?"
"Fried the pin control board too. I got less than half the maneuvering radius and she's heating up righteously." Wash sighed. Kaylee would understand even if no one else did.
"I got a spare pins there, new ones, and Wash, two practically new boards were over here, don't fret." Kaylee soothed Wash with an eager grin he was bound to hear even if he couldn't see it.
"Yeah, but you're over there and-"
"Have a plan for that." Kaylee grinned at Mal. His head was nodding forward; snapping back. His eyes watered with the effort to stay open. Unkindly, in his opinion, Kaylee prattled on, "Cap'n is hurt. Got himself a nasty gash on his leg and an egg comin out on his head. But, I found suits. I'll tie the best parts on him, kick him out the door and Jayne can catch him."
"Jayne can what?" Zoe was sure she'd heard wrong.
"Jayne can lasso the Cap'n like a cow." Kaylee snickered as Mal tried to snatch the box from her. Kaylee had two good legs and remained beyond his reach. "It'll be thrillin heroics."
"Captain, are you conscious?" Zoe wondered.
"He's sittin here madder than ever you could imagine, Zoe. But, he's too botched up to do a thing about it." Kaylee smirked before tossing the box to him.
"Devil woman!" Mal snarled at her.
"That's bout the nicest thing you ever said to me." Kaylee stepped over the pile of junk and stretched to reach the suits and helmets from a locker. "Ooh, look! Blankets and rations! Eeew! Something gnawed on that." She threw something over her shoulder into the shadows, continuing to gasp with delight and disgust, depending on what she discovered. "Wonder what other treasure I missed cause folks was rushin me?" She glared over her shoulder at Cap'n don't dawdle, just grab and go. "Sure hope whatever gnawed this is dead or got sucked out …."
"Kaylee?" Zoe's insistent voice squawked in Mal's lap.
"Kaylee's diggin for treasure. Her greed is astoundin in the current situation." Mal complained and glowered at the woman dragging every blessed thing from two lockers like junk and left behinds was sure to contain the secrets of the 'verse.
"That hatch is below the deck, sir. You'll have to come above the deck for Jayne to grab you. Wash says he'll need time to maneuver through the debris. It's a mess out there." Zoe made it sound like Mal was responsible for that. "Wash will get us closer and Jayne can do his … cowboy thing."
"Fine. Let us know when you're ready. Least it'll give Kaylee time to find more treasure." Mal tossed the box on top of Kaylee's tool bag and closed his eyes, for just a moment….
--oooo--
Mal's eyes snapped open when he felt hands groping up his right leg. His fist shot out but Kaylee ducked it. Her face was pale in the dim light but a smile was plastered on, looking more scared than if she'd screamed. His gun belt was resting on the wrong side of him, discarded on the deck like a pile of junk. Mal reached for it but Kaylee snatched his hand and flung his arm over her shoulder.
"Help me get you in this thing." Kaylee slid under his arm and heaved him upright. "Sorry. Take a breath. Kay?"
He could feel her trembling with the effort to keep him upright and drag the suit on him at the same time. Mal shifted his weight against the wall. At least she'd quit the chatter.
"Remind me to stick you in the hold for a month when this is over." Mal sucked air between his teeth as she tugged the suit over his thigh. "I know I don't wanna listen to you gloat."
"Yes, sir." He could hear the tears even if he couldn't see them. He'd rather she yammer than cry.
"Why's it so gorram cold in here?" He obediently hobbled around to face the wall so she could do the backside for him. The wall disappeared before his eyes in a flash of light then steadied again. He tried to remember what the objective was. Hadn't the Lieutenant sent the orders yet? ….
"No heat is why." Kaylee sniffed. "Just got atmo and lights for now. That crappy engine puts off a little heat. Need to save fuel. Ain't likely to get a refill."
"Better not need one. Ow! You're killin me here!" Mal leaned his forehead on the wall and wished she'd hurry up before he buckled to the floor, puked, or both.
His brain was floating in the black…Objective… Just hold, ya just gotta hold on. Angels is on their way, just hold on. No. That's not right. It's Captain, not Sergeant. It's Kaylee, not angels…. independence taken… not won. Never be under the heel of nobody … just get a little further… and find … treasures?
"Turn to me, Cap'n. The suit ought to keep you warmer and bind you, slow the bleedin some. Simon said for me not to mess with it, just to keep ya warm." Kaylee eased him back to the floor landing next to him; her energy spent. Her cheeks were splotched with tears and grease that resisted cleansing.
Mal felt like his head was going to explode but he managed to ask, "OK?"
"I'm fine. Blubberin will stop in a minute."
He snorted and held out his arm. Kaylee slid in close. He wrapped his arms around her. Tears splashed on his shiny suit and dribbled down to his belly.
His voice was a husky whisper though he meant it to be firm. "You're doin fine, bâo bèi. Got the hatch sealed, patched me up, fixed lights and came up with a plan while I lounged like a passenger on this … fine ship."
Kaylee scrubbed at her face but said nothing. He felt her shiver and tried to pull her closer but his arms weren't obeying him.
"Shepherd had a meal bout ready. Doc'll do his sewing on me and you'll be warm and fed before I wake up." Mal felt his head sliding toward her, heard the shout for a medic from far away, as the darkness washed over him again.
--oooo--
Kaylee had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders and one across him when he woke again. His head was cradled in her lap and she was fingering his hair with icy fingers. The smile she showered on him was warmer than sunshine.
"Found some juice." She told him, fiddling around in a box. He tried to sit up but she stopped him by propping a straw against his lips. "Better than room service, huh?"
She grinned and chattered on while he re-hydrated. "Wash'll be ready soon. He's gotta nudge some of the larger debris out of the way so's Jayne don't get tangled on nothing. They're gonna use a tow line since you're likely to be, well, never mind that part."
"Dead weight?" Mal regretted his tone when she flinched.
Somber faced, she nodded.
Mal swallowed. "Don't worry. I won't mess up Jayne's thrillin heroics."
"No warm food but there's some crackers." She held up a foil package.
Mal rubbed at his lumpy head and grimaced. "How long's it been?"
Kaylee shrugged, "Most of an hour. Wash has to compensate for the balance pin and overheatin. It's tricky but he'll get it done."
"How long can he fly like that fore the overheatin screws up other stuff?" Mal closed his eyes, welcoming the cool of her fingers.
"Bout three hours, He'll have to let her cool down with some driftin. Don't dare hit atmo without that pin and board replaced." Kaylee's hand faltered just once, then resumed its soothing rhythm through his hair.
"Good thing you was greedy and got those parts." Mal sighed.
"Yes …." She whispered but Mal was driftin his own self.
--oooo--
"Zoe, get the Cap'n and-" Mal was flailing against his dream.
"Easy." Kaylee held the heel of her hand against his shoulder. "War's over."
"Kaylee?" Mal blinked a couple times. She saw the moment he remembered where he was and what had happened. The creases on his forehead and the setting of his jaw reassured her.
She leaned back, allowing her eyes to rest a moment. "Just me."
"How the hell long-"
"Just a few minutes. Relax." She crossed her arms around her stomach, trying not to shiver. It seemed like forever they'd been sitting there in the dim light waiting for Wash's signal.
Mal reached up and brushed her cheek. She'd taken the elastic out of her hair and let it fall loose.
She opened her eyes to share a secret he probably already knew. "I'm no good at sittin and waitin. Need to do things."
Mal chuckled and tugged the blanket around her shoulders closer together, hiding her clenched hands. "Not partial to it my own self."
"Zoe's good at it. Seems to me she could be still as stone for however long need be, but she can be on her feet and movin in a blink." Kaylee grinned when Mal rolled his eyes.
"Ain't that true." He laughed as a memory tickled across his mind but he didn't share it.
Kaylee wasn't bothered none by that. A pleasant memory was sometimes precious and needed to be held private. Speaking it might take the shiny away. She felt the tension ease from her shoulders. He'd been dreaming and afraid when she disturbed his rest. Now he was smiling and drifting. Laughing from deep in his chest about some gorram idiot with no gorram underwear and holes in his pants flashin his everything at the gorram Alliance…. They were mighty, he mumbled, and the mighty, naked ass, holey pants, empty bellies of independence will never be broken….