It'd been a long six days and they where still a day ahead of schedule. Mal had set Serenity down along an open dock on New Melbourne and most of the crew had already gotten off to start their days shore leave. He was making his way to the cargo area when he met up with Jordona. She had a nervous look on her face and he stopped when he saw her. She caught the look and asked, "Shah muh?"

"You look worried is all just wondering why. You seemed to think this would be smooth sailing when we first met, you changin' your mind?"

He watched her grit her teeth a moment before giving a shake to her head, "No…just you try putting all your worth on the line and see how you feel."

"Been there, done it…not fun, won't be doin' it again anytime soon."

For that he got a smile, "Yeah…I forgot Mr. Untouchable."

He actually felt his mouth fall open, "Untouchable!" He snapped, "What gives you the right…" The look she gave him made him stop. "You don't know me anymore so don't be actin' like you can judge me cause you can't."

."You have changed Mal, I'll give you that, but under it all…that shell you show the Verse, you still have a heart. You just choose not to show it cause it's too battered, you wouldn't want to take a chance that you might actually recover it, now would you?"

He heard the shake in her voice and just shook his head, "I will never understand women." He muttered continuing down the stairs. He had his back to her that was the first mistake he made, he felt something solid hit him between the shoulder blades. He turned to find one of her shoes lying behind him, he looked up in time to see the other one come flying down at him, he dodged but it nailed him in the arm anyway.

"Son of a whore!" He yelled taking the stairs two at a time back up to her, she gave a small yelp and took off in the opposite direction. "You better run missy!" He yelled as he followed her up a final flight of stairs along a corridor and down through the dining area. She put the length of the table between them and stood panting. She was looking around her in desperation and he gave her a wolfish smile. "Looking for more ammo to throw are we, just you wait…when I get my hands on you, your gonna get the spankin' of a lifetime!"

"You wouldn't lay a hand on me!" She snarled at him darting to the right. He went right and she moved back. They danced like this for a full minute before he charged her, "Time to find out!" He yelled as he took her down before she could make it fully out of the room. He heard her screech as she twisted in his hands. He fought with her as she pummeled at him finally gaining enough of an advantage to get both her wrists trapped in one hand and he put her under him and sat on top of her in a straddle position.

"Get off me you Tah mah duh hwoon dahn!" She yelled trying to buck him off her. He laughed pushing her arms above her head and looked down at her, "What a mouth we have…now I don't think you're momma'd be too proud to hear you talkin' like that now would she? I think a little punishment is in order, first for throwing your shoes at the captain, next for cursing like a banshee and lastly for…possible mutiny, yeah that sounds good."

She was still struggling when he stood and lifted her by her hands, she started to try pulling away but he wrapped his other arm around her waist and putting her in front of him pushed her toward one of the couches in the back of the room. She fought him but he eventually got her over his knees and that's when he felt her go limp, the next thing he heard was "Don't…." She pleaded, "Please, don't…just let me go."

"Say your sorry." He said tightly.

"I'm…I'm sorry, okay? Now let me go Damn you!"

He smacked her behind once and heard her suck in air as she went very still. "Do that again and I'll make you so sorry…" she threatened, her voice shaking unsteadily.

"Are you giving me ultimatums?" He asked her. "Say you're sorry again and maybe I'll let you go with only one more!"

She got quiet for a minute then started to scream. "HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME, HE'S GONE INSANE!"

His second mistake came then, he started to laugh. "There's…no one…left on board sunshine it's just you and me." He continued to laugh hard enough that he didn't hear someone come running until they hit the door. The laughter died on his lips when he spotted Zoe standing in the entryway.

"Zoe…"

"Captain."

"Thought you'd gone ashore with the rest?"

"Didn't need much Sir, I just got back. Sir? Is there a problem?" She said pointing to Jordona.

Jo had stayed silent up until this point, "Tell him…to…put…me…down!" She growled.

Mal saw Zoe bite her lip to keep from laughing, "I think she's probably paid for whatever she did Captain, maybe you should let her go?"

"She threw her shoes at me! And it hurt!"

"Big baby!" Jo snapped wriggling in his grasp. He applied more pressure and heard her squeak.

"Sir?"

"Yes?"

"You really should let her go, I'd hate to have come all this way and then not get paid."

He hadn't thought of that. He let her go and she fell as she pushed away from him. He reached to help her and she shrieked. "Don't you DARE!" He straightened up and watched as she skittered back a little and pushed herself up. He smiled as she rubbed her bottom.

"Now who's the baby?"

She gave an angry growl as she turned to go. He watched her retreat, long blonde hair flying out behind her as she walked away, and then looked back at Zoe. She was watching him with a knowing smile.

"Shah muh?"

"Just thinkin' Kaylee's right."

"About what?" he asked dusting himself off..

"That Jo's good for you." She said before leaving.

"Huh…" He muttered to the now empty room.