Later. Mal is at the computer screen, checking out a new route. He has a small planet's details pulled up. River looks at him from the co-pilot's seat.
RIVER
You're afraid.
MAL (surprised)
I'm not.
RIVER (Thoughtfully)
No. But you were. Afraid and sad. Why?
Mal doesn't have a chance to answer before Kaylee enters. He quickly closes the screen that he was looking at- the one with the planet's details on it.
MAL
Hey, mei-mei. Somethin' worryin' ya?
KAYLEE
Serenity ain't flyin' right Cap'n. We're missin' the left fuel panel. Fell off when we scraped the asteroid. We can land 'er, but we sure won't get back up again, and the longer we go without one…We gotta replace it Cap'n. Now.
MAL
Whoa now, Kaylee. We ain't got time to stop. We have places to be. We're on the run, or did you forget?
KAYLEE
Cap'n, I ain't jokin'. There's only so much I can do in the black. Our left fuel panel's floatin' out there somewhere. We need a new one.
MAL
No. We got a job on Paquin, and I say we keep flyin' till we get there. We don't have the time, and I ain't got the peace of mind to stop at a planet that I ain't checked out.
KAYLEE
Can't ya check it out now, Cap'n?
MAL
No.
KAYLEE
Captain, this is important!
MAL
You'll keep her runnin', mei-mei. That's your job. Why don't you git back to it?
KAYLEE
But-
MAL
Now.
Kaylee is almost in tears as leaves
MAL
(Muttered) Too many gorram women on my ship.
Zoe enters.
ZOE
What was that about, sir?
MAL
Girl's stuck on the idea that we have time to stop for a new part. Says we need it.
ZOE
Maybe she's right. She is the mechanic.
MAL
We'll be fine. Always are.
ZOE
Do you remember what happened the last time you ignored Kaylee's advice? The ship blew up. You got shot. We almost died from lack of oxygen. I think you ought to pay attention to her, sir.
MAL
If I say we won't be stopping, then we won't be stopping. We can make it to Paquin without the gorram fuel panel. Is that clear?
ZOE
As glass.
The kitchen, later that night. Kaylee and Zoe are speaking in hushed tones, glancing around nervously every few minutes.
ZOE
How badly do we need this fuel panel, Kaylee?
KAYLEE
Real bad, Zoe. The longer we're movin' without it, the less efficient the fuel is used. Next thing we know, there's an explosion that destroys the whole ship, not just the oxygen supply. And we go down with her.
ZOE
But Serenity will keep flying without it?
KAYLEE
Well, yeah, but the captain thinks flyin' means safe. And it ain't. We gotta-
ZOE
Stop this ship before it's too late.
(Kaylee nods)
Captain will never agree to it.
Simon enters, having overheard only the last part.
SIMON
Agree to what?
(Zoe and Kaylee look at each other, wondering whether or not to share their problem with the rest of the crew. Simon looks between the two.)
What's going on?
River enters, apparently following Simon. Whether she heard the conversation or read their minds, she knows what they were talking about.
RIVER
We're going to die.
SIMON
(shocked) River! (he looks at Kaylee, confused.) Kaylee?
KAYLEE
We ain't gonna die! We just gotta land the ship. Soon.
ZOE
And without the Captain's knowledge.
SIMON
You do know that's crazy, right?
KAYLEE
We lost the left fuel panel. It processes and rations the fuel- without it, we could blow, and Mal's decided we ain't stoppin' before Paquin.
RIVER
We're all going to die.
KAYLEE
No, we ain't!
SIMON
Well, that settles it, doesn't it?
The infirmary. Simon is explaining the sleeping drugs to Zoe and Kaylee. River is puttering around in her odd way.
SIMON
These are strong tranquilizing drugs. A large dose can knock out a healthy elephant. A tiny bit in Mal's food will work fine and keep him out for a few hours.
ZOE
So we put it in his breakfast?
KAYLEE
That's too late. We need to get Serenity landed tonight. I don't know how long we have 'til she starts actin' up.
The ship jolts with a spurt of speed. Almost immediately after, it slows down again.
KAYLEE
And she's tellin' me we'd better hurry.
SIMON
Okay, okay. So we put it in his drink, somehow. When he's not looking.
Jayne enters
JAYNE
What? You druggin' someone? (suspicious) You druggin' me?
SIMON
No! Well, if you start annoying me. And what are you doing here, anyway?
JAYNE
Need a bandage. (holds up cut hand) I cut myself.
SIMON
Playing with knives again? Didn't your mother tell you it's dangerous?
Jayne glares.
KAYLEE
Simon, we don't got a lot of time.
SIMON
Right. Bandage. Over there. (points)
JAYNE
What, I don't get no doctorin'?
SIMON
There are more important things right now.
Serenity lurches again.
JAYNE
Like that?
ZOE
Exactly like that.
Inara enters
INARA
I didn't know everybody was gathering in here. Except Mal. Where's Mal?
ZOE
Do you need anything, Inara?
INARA
Yes, actually. Kaylee, is something wrong with the ship? Serenity has pitched more in the past five minutes than she has since the day I boarded.
KAYLEE
The left fuel panel!
INARA
The what?
ZOE
Long story short, we have to land. And Mal can't know it.
JAYNE
So we're druggin' Mal?
SIMON (to Jayne)
Shut up.
INARA (to Zoe)
Excuse me?
JAYNE
I'm likin' this plan.
ZOE
We'll explain it later. We don't really have time to waste.
Serenity lurches again.
INARA
I believe you. I'll let you get back to work (Inara begins to exit, but pauses at the door) I'm making coffee if you would like some.
Simon, Kaylee, and Zoe share a significant look .
The bridge. Mal is staring at the Coretex again. Zoe enters.
ZOE
Sir, Inara brewed a pot of coffee. Thought you might like a cup.
MAL
Why, thank you, Zoë.
ZOE
Don't get used to it.
Serenity lurches.
ZOE
The ride's getting rough, Mal.
MAL
(glancing at the screen)
No.
ZOE
You're the captain.
MAL
Damn right.
Zoë leaves. Mal takes a big gulp of coffee. He sits for a while, then picks up the Stego and T Rex.
MAL
Never thought I'd be sittin' here with you guys. (playing with dinos) "And we shall call it…This Land." (he makes a choked half-laugh)
Mal puts down dinos. River peeks in the door, makes some noise so he actually notices her.
MAL
Hey, li'l albatross. You've done some nice flyin'. But we're gonna be gittin' a new pilot soon. Hopefully it won't kill Zoë.
River comes all the way in, carrying a large bucket. Mal is confused
RIVER
You shouldn't have made her angry. It's very dangerous.
MAL
Not you, too.
RIVER
You shouldn't have eaten, either. But you did, so you'll need this.
She gives him the bucket. Mal looks between River and bucket a couple of times.
RIVER
It always makes you sick.
MAL
Well, I've mourned Wash as much as anyone, but I ain't worked myself up that much.
RIVER
Not that.
She starts to leave.
MAL
You're always pretty when you move. I'm gonna hafta start fendin' off the boys. You sorta…float. Flyin' 'round the room…like a fairy.
RIVER
Simon!
Mal vomits in the bucket. Simon runs in.
SIMON
Is everything all right? (On seeing Mal) Ah.
MAL
She likes to walk on the ceiling, your sister does…lots of friendly ghosts to keep her company.
Mal passes out.
RIVER
The sleeping drugs always make him sick.
One by one, the crew enters and looks at Mal.
INARA
(looking at the bucket distastefully) What's this?
SIMON
Side effects.
INARA
Ah.
ZOE
Nice job, Doc. He won't wake up 'til we've landed?
SIMON
No.
ZOE
And Kaylee, you're sure this is absolutely necessary?
KAYLEE
Positive, Zoë.
JAYNE
Shiny. I wanna be in charge.
EVERYONE BUT JAYNE AND MAL
No!
KAYLEE
Zoë's in charge when the Cap'n's….incapacitated.
RIVER
And I could kill you.
ZOE
All right, let's take care of Mal and then see what the closest planet is.
They all move to help with Mal, except Jayne. Cut to the bridge. Mal is gone, and everyone is clustered around the Coretex. Zoe is sitting, in charge.
KAYLEE
(pointing) There. Pull that one up, Zoe
Zoe touches the screen and a picture of a small planet pops up.
ZOE
Shadow. We can't stop here.
KAYLEE
Why not? It's terraformed, it's inhabited, and it's less than ten minutes away. It's the closest planet, Zoe. We hafta stop there. I'm tellin' ya, that's our left fuel panel we lost. We need to land.
ZOE
The captain won't be happy.
SIMON
Zoe, we drugged the man and commandeered his ship. He won't be happy no matter what we do now.
JAYNE
Dunno which I like better: you druggin' Mal or Mal beatin' you up when he comes to.
SIMON
Would you shut up?
JAYNE
Captain's out, Doctor. Nothin' he can do to stop me.
ZOE
That makes me in charge, not you. You know that.
RIVER
There are knives in the kitchen. (Jayne backs down)
KAYLEE
Zoe, you know we don't got a choice now. You're in charge, like you said. You gotta make the decision.
ZOE
(sighing) All right. Take us down, River.