She was the first to wake again, but this time Jo had no trouble remembering where she was and who's arm was clasped firmly around her waist. She listened for a moment, his even breaths telling her he was still asleep, and she turned carefully under his arm, wanting to look at him. Mal's face was relaxed, but it wasn't the peaceful expression most wore while they slept. Carefully, Jo placed a hand over his heart, feeling it beat calmly through the fabric of his t-shirt. Shifting her gaze back to his face, she thought that his lips looked soft and gentle, so unlike the rest of him, and Jo was filled with an overwhelming urge to press her lips to his. She was able to restrain herself, not wanting to wake him, and not even sure if he would want that.
She knew she should leave soon or the inviting man in front of her, with his hair tousled pleasantly, would cause Josephine to embarrass herself more than she already had. She also wasn't overly fond of the idea of any of the other crew seeing her leave their Captain's bunk. It would only lead to more embarrassment and questions. Looking at the clock, she saw the hour was still early and thought the others shouldn't be up yet. Now was the time to make her escape.
Reluctantly, she slid out from under Mal's arm, quickly regretting the lack of warmth, and climbed off the small bed. She adjusted the blanket to cover him completely, it having fallen somewhat in the night, before climbing up the ladder quietly. She managed to pull the hatch shut with only minimal noise and turned to head for her room, but as her eyes fell over the rest of the corridor Jo stopped dead in her tracks.
Kaylee stood a few feet away, mouth open in shock, and Jo immediately felt her cheeks begin to burn. Fleetingly, she wondered if she could just run past the mechanic without any questions, but when she tried to make her legs move she found them rooted to the spot.
"I... I... was just... just," Jo stammered, eyes widening as Kaylee's expression turned from one of shock to a knowing grin. Giving up on explanations, she asked, "What are you doing up so early?"
"Sneaking out of Simon's bunk. Captain can get cranky sometimes, if we flaunt it too much."
Jo was relieved to be talking about anything but what she was doing climbing out of the Captain's bunk early in the morning and tried to keep the conversation on Kaylee and Simon. "Flaunt what?"
"That two of his crew are having sex." Her grin widened. "Though now I'm thinkin' he might not have such a problem with it."
Jo blushed more, though she didn't think it was possible, and looked at the metal grating near her feet. "I'm not sleeping with Mal."
"Why not?"
Kaylee's innocent question caught her off guard and she wasn't sure exactly how to answer. "I hardly know him..."
"What's that got to do with anything," the young mechanic spoke quickly. "Sometimes ya don't have to know someone long to know them, you know." She paused a moment, so many 'knows' close together throwing her off. "It's about two people who make each other happy. Besides, I see the way you two look at each other, I ain't blind."
Now it was Jo's turn for her mouth to fall open in shock. She was fairly certain she had never met anyone like Kaylee, so open and honest. Kaylee walked past her, hesitating at the ladder to her bunk.
"I'm gonna change and get to work on the engine, needs some TLC. We're landing today, to stock up on some stuff and Captain, Zoe and Jayne are gonna be gone for awhile. You should come see me, I'll show you the engine." Jo watched her face light up as she mentioned one of her favorite things. "And we've never really talked, might be nice to get to know each other, seeing as how you're gonna be stickin' around."
Jo couldn't help but smile at the cheerful girl's invitation and nodded quickly. "I'd like that."
"Shiny, I'll see ya later then," Kaylee said before disappearing into her bunk.
Turning towards Mal's bunk again, Jo looked at it thoughtfully before hurrying to her room, not wanting to be caught lingering near it by anymore members of the crew.
River had found them another small moon quickly but as Mal stood on the ramp, absentmindedly tightening his gun belt as he surveyed the landscape, he didn't think they'd be able to find much of anything on the desolate land. He could see the faintest shimmer of civilization in the form of a small town on the horizon, but the rest of the vast space was empty in the dull light and did nothing for his current mood. He was grumpy from the moment he woke up and realized Josephine had snuck out. He knew he had no right to be angry about it, seeing as how he had left before she was awake last time, but it still upset him despite his better judgement.
The pilot stepped up next to him, and Mal turned to her dubiously. "You sure we're gonna be able to find what we're lookin' for here little Albatross?"
"Yes, just have to know where to look," River said, rolling her eyes.
"And where might that be?"
River put a small hand in front of her and pointed to the town in the distance. "The saloon. Ask for Art at the bar, he has what you need."
Mal nodded swiftly, not surprised that she knew that. "Lots of Alliance here?"
"They're everywhere, but less here."
Nodding again, the Captain turned and pulled River out of the way as he heard Jayne and Zoe drive the mule up behind them.
"We'll be back soon," he said as he climbed in next to his first mate. "Keep her ready to go, just in case."
Tipping her head in consent, River watched them pull away quickly, the mule hovering over the dry terrain.
The town was comprised of about twenty one story wood buildings, all the same dull color, and placed around a single street. Zoe maneuvered the mule in front of a tiny building, the sign swinging over it reading "Saloon," and she was careful not to spook the few horses tethered out front. Jayne's eyes roamed the barren street doubtfully before turning to Mal, mouth open as though to speak.
"Don't say it." The Captain cut him off quickly, making the large man frown. "River says they have what we need."
"She's never steered us wrong before Jayne," Zoe said as she parked the mule.
Jayne still looked as though he didn't believe as the three of them climbed out and made their way to the swinging doors that led into the establishment.
It was dark inside, the only light coming from a few candles scattered over the tables and bar and the small amount that managed to penetrate the dirty windows. From what Mal could see, the saloon, like the town, seemed practically empty and there were only a few customers sitting at the tables. The bar was completely deserted and Mal led the way over to the old sour faced bartender who stood behind it.
"Three whiskeys," the Captain spoke, laying a few notes on the chipped and peeling wooden bar. The bartender eyed them suspiciously before laying three dirty glasses before them, a light amber liquid in each.
"Is that it?" The old man's voice was gruff, his tone indicating that it better be all they wanted.
Mal smiled pleasantly at him. "As a matter of fact, we'd like to speak to Art."
He stared at Mal a moment, eyes wondering over his companions before grumbling under his breath and walking away. He disappeared through a door at the end of the bar and Mal sat on the rickety stool in front of him, taking his first sip of the drink. He immediately regretted it and spit the fowl tasting liquid back into the glass, pushing it away from him. Zoe watched him, one eyebrow arched, and she laid her own untouched drink on the counter next to his. They both turned to Jayne as he finished his own, smacking his lips.
"Mmmm. Tastes like mudder's milk."
"Exactly... disgusting," Mal said, ignoring Jayne's glare as he heard the door at the end of the bar swing open again. The old man reentered, followed closely by a younger, friendly looking man and a short, stocky man. The Captain's eyes lingered on the second man, and he swore he'd seen him somewhere before.
"I'm Art, what can I do for ya?" The first man stepped in front of Mal, forcing him to stop examining the other man, who now stood at his side.
The Captain hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I been told you might be able to help us... ah... procure a few items without calling attention to ourselves."
Art looked over Mal's shoulder at the other patrons in the bar, and leaned towards him before speaking. "Maybe. What is it you're needin'?"
"Fuel cells and food rations for my ship. Enough to keep us flyin' a good long while."
"I'm gonna assume the attention you don't want is the Alliance kind, that right?"
"It is," Mal said, frowning. "That gonna be a problem?"
Breaking into a grin, Art shook his head. "Oh no, no problem at all. You've come to the right place. Got something to get the stuff to your ship?"
Mal nodded his head towards the saloon door. "Got a mule parked out front."
"Good, good. Have someone pull it around back and follow me."
The Captain nodded at Zoe and she walked out the front to get the mule. Jayne and Mal followed Art and the other man through the door behind the bar. As Mal watched the short man fall into step with Art, it dawned on him suddenly who he was. Nash. The man Josephine had arranged to meet in Beaumonde. But what was he doing here, Mal thought. Shouldn't he be on Persephone ripping Rawley off and getting those girls out? Maybe he already tried and failed, Mal mused as they stepped into the drab sunlight behind the saloon. He could see a smallish sort of spaceship not far in the distance and wondered briefly who it belonged to.
Hearing the familiar engine of the mule, Mal turned his head in time to see Zoe drive it around the side of the bar. When he turned back, Jayne was helping Art pull up a piece of what he had thought was sandy earth, but it turned out to be a hidden storage room. They worked for a few moments, hauling up boxes quietly and loading them on the mule. When they were finished, Art pushed the trap door that was made to resemble the ground back into place and Zoe tossed Mal the small leather pouch with the money.
Art's eyes widened as Mal handed a substantial amount of the money to him. "This is... more than enough."
"I know. I'd appreciate it if you'd keep quiet 'bout this."
"Of course, of course. Thank you Mr...?" He held out his hand for Mal to shake.
"Captain," Mal corrected him. "Captain Reynolds." He took his hand and shook it briefly, but his eyes turned to Nash who's own had widened when he said his name. He knows who I am too, Mal thought.
"Sir?" Zoe waited for him to turn to her before continuing. "Doesn't look like there's enough room for you and Jayne now," she said, gesturing to the overcrowded mule.
"That's fine Zoe, we ain't that far away by mule. Take it back and get the Doc to help you unload it. We'll wait here for you," Mal said, glancing at Nash again, hoping to ask him what exactly he was doing here. It seemed Nash sensed this too and he nodded at the Captain, walking off a little ways and leaving Mal to follow.
Mal heard Zoe fire up the mule as he stepped next to the shorter man. He extended his hand, like Art had done a few moments before. "Malcolm Reynolds."
"Nash." He shook his hand eagerly and Mal arched an eyebrow.
"No last name?"
"Nope."
"Fair enough." Mal paused. "Long way from Beaumonde... and Persephone."
Nash's eyes widened at the Captain's directness. "She told you huh? Of course she would." He sighed deeply before continuing. "He's my brother." Nash nodded his head at Art, who seemed deep in conversation with Jayne. "I'm here for the same reasons you are, stocking up on stuff for the... job."
"So you're still planning on going through with it?"
"Got to. You've only ever seen Jo right?" He waited for Mal to nod. "Well I've seen 'em all. Feel kinda obligated ya know?"
"I might know the feeling," Mal answered. Know it too gorram well actually, he thought to himself.
Nash grinned. "And the payload's not to bad too. Rawley's a rich son of a bitch."
They stood in silence for a moment, and Mal glanced at the ship he'd seen in the distance. "That yours?"
"Nah, not really. I'm no captain, it's borrowed," he said, looking behind him. When he turned back to Mal his face was serious again. "Listen, tell her it's gonna go down in about a week, and I'll get in touch with her when it's done. It ok if I wave your ship?"
"She'd want to know," Mal nodded his consent.
"Great," Nash could see Art waving to him. "I've gotta go, it was nice meetin' you."
"Same here," Mal said, as he watched the small man bounce away on the balls of his feet. From all Josephine had told him about Rawley he didn't think Nash seemed like much of a match for him. He might surprise you, Mal thought to himself. Gotta have faith. The Captain smiled as he remembered Kaylee's words, and rejoined Jayne at the back door to the saloon.
"What are we doin'?"
"Waitin' for Zoe. Lets go back in and sit down." Mal walked back through the door.
"Shiny, I want some more of that drink," Jayne said as he followed the Captain.
Rolling his eyes, Mal entered the dimly lit room again, but stopped suddenly, causing Jayne to bump into him.
"What are...?"
"Shh." Jayne fell quiet, but looked over Mal's shoulder to see what had halted him. The saloon was completely empty now, except for two Alliance Feds sitting at the bar. They hadn't looked up at Mal and Jayne, and the Captain motioned for him to ignore them as he walked to a table at the back of the room.
Mal sat facing the officers, leaving Jayne with his back to them. The mercenary kept looking over his shoulder and then back to Mal.
"They lookin' at us?" Jayne's voice almost sounded eager, as though he were looking for a fight.
Mal glanced past Jayne at the Feds. "No... wait, yes. Gorramit Jayne, stop fidgeting," he hissed as he saw them slide off their stools and come towards them. Mal forced his face into a pleasant smile as they approached.
"Afternoon officers. Buy you a drink?"
They ignored Mal's offer as they stood next to the table. "Haven't seen you around here, what's your business?"
"Business? No business, just visitin'," the Captain said pleasantly. He was surprised to hear one of them snort at his statement.
"Yeah right," the snorter said. "No one worth visiting on this rock." He turned to his fellow officer. "Can't believe we got stationed here for our first assignment."
Ahh, a rookie, Mal thought. That explains the snort.
The officer turned back to him, clearly itching for any kind of action. "Lets see some I.D."
Mal looked at Jayne, trying to communicate the need for violence. He knew that if they saw his identification, even his fake ones, they'd be able to link him back to Serenity and then to Josephine. Lucky for the Captain, violence was the one thing the merc had no trouble communicating.
Jayne pushed his chair back quickly, right into the knees of the officer that was standing behind him. It knocked the Fed off balance and he fell to his back as Jayne jumped up, raising the chair above his head as he went. This left Mal to deal with Snorty, and the young officer grabbed his arm to stop him from going for his gun before landing a punch to the Captain's jaw.
Ok, maybe not quite a rookie, Mal thought as shook off the punch and blocked the next one. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jayne hit the other man, who still lay on the ground, in the face with the chair, but he quickly turned his attention back to his own problem. Snorty was getting wise and finally reached for his own gun, aiming at Mal, but the Captain lunged out, grabbing his arm and making the shot go wide. The officer used this to his advantage and while Mal was holding onto his right arm, he brought his left up and connected with Mal's cheek, sending the Captain back into the table.
A second gun shoot rang out suddenly, and Mal looked down, half expecting to see that he'd been shot. When he looked back up he saw Snorty fall to the ground and Nash was standing behind him, a gun held steady in both hands. Mal vaguely wondered where he'd been concealing it, but turned to Jayne when he heard him curse. The large man was leaning against the counter, supporting most of his weight on it, and Mal could see blood starting to drip below his knee. It looked like the shot Mal had managed to divert from himself had gone straight to Jayne.
Zoe chose that moment to come back, her tall frame standing in the doorway, silently taking in the two Feds on the floor before going to the bleeding Jayne. Mal turned to Nash, his mouth open, but the short man just shook his head.
"Just go, we'll take care of this."
Mal nodded his thanks and helped Zoe get Jayne to the mule.
"Honestly, I can't leave you alone for a second," Zoe muttered and Mal started to laugh despite the situation. His eyes were still twinkling as they settled Jayne into the back of the mule and as he climbed into the front next to Zoe he turned to the large man, grinning.
"Try not to bleed to much on those seats."
Josephine had gone to the engine room around noon, bringing a small snack and a pitcher of tea with her, which Kaylee gratefully accepted. They sat cross legged on the floor next to the hammock, enjoying the food and each other's company. Kaylee pointed out parts of the engine and told Jo, with great enthusiasm, what they did for a while, but soon the conversation turned to the past. Jo found herself speaking openly with the young mechanic, telling her about her parents death and moving to Sydney, much like she had Mal. Kaylee never once mentioned Rawley, however, and for this she was grateful.
Kaylee told Jo about her family, especially her strict daddy, and she had more than a few amusing anecdotes involving being caught with boys by her father. Jo laughed heartily with Kaylee at each story, inwardly amazed at how carefree the young woman was.
"And that was just my daddy," Kaylee giggled, her eyes shiny. "Wait till I tell you how I got this job..."
"I already know," Jo smiled. "Mal told me."
Kaylee couldn't hide her shock. "He did? I thought he was mighty embarrased by that."
"Oh I'm sure he was, but I asked," she explained.
"You asked?"
Jo nodded. "It was one of the first days here, well one of them where I wasn't confined to the infirmary. But he told me about all the crew, even... well even the ones that aren't here anymore."
Kaylee's eyes widened and she became thoughtful.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up sad memories," Jo apologized.
"No, it's not that. I mean... If he told you about Inara I think I might just die of shock."
Jo tilted her head, obviously confused at the name. "He never mentioned an Inara."
"Well," Kaylee began, taking a big breath. "She was, I mean is, a companion..." Jo's eyes widened as she remembered the companion Mal had mentioned briefly that night in the kitchen, and the bitterness and hurt that was in his voice.
"They had a thing," Kaylee continued eagerly. "I mean they wanted each other bad, and everybody knew it. They didn't act on it at first, they're both too proud and stubborn. Anyway, Mal didn't care for her profession if you know what I mean and there was no way she was gonna give it up. When they finally did get together it was already too late and Captain acted like a hundan..."
"He hurt her..." Jo said softly.
"Not physically or nothing, Captain would never do that." Kaylee paused for a moment. "Except for that time when he hit Saffron, but she had it coming. Anyway," Kaylee shook her hands in front of her, "that's another story. To be fair, they hurt each other. I think I just side with 'Nara more cause we're both girls. Does that make sense? Female solidarity or something..."
Jo raised her glass of tea and smiled at the young mechanic. "Hear, hear."
The engine started turning suddenly, startling Jo and making her spill a bit of tea. Kaylee looked curiously at the engine and then Jo before jumping up.
"I guess we're leavin'."
"They must be back then," Jo said, standing up next to Kaylee. The mechanic nodded and together they made their way to the cargo bay. As they got closer they could hear someone shouting.
"Simon!"
Jo looked at Kaylee sharply. "Was that Mal?"
Kaylee nodded and they quickened their pace. "Calling for the Doc as soon as you get back is never a good sign."
As they arrived in the cargo bay and began to hurry down the stairs, Jo could see the boxes they must have gotten piled up in the corner. The others were not there, however, and Kaylee nodded her head towards the noises coming from the infirmary.
Mal and Zoe were helping Jayne onto the table while Simon flitted back and forth, gathering what he needed. Kaylee winced as she came into the doorway and saw the blood on Jayne's leg.
"Ow. Is it bad?"
"I'll be fine," Jayne grunted as Simon readied an injection. "As soon as I get something for the pain, lets go!" Simon rolled his eyes and continued his steady pace.
Mal stepped back after getting Jayne on the table, and was observing him with some amusement, before he noticed Jo in the doorway. He walked over to her and put a hand on her arm.
She looked from his hand to his face curiously. "Can I help?"
Mal shook his head. "I need to talk to you." He led her to the cargo bay before he let go of her arm, and crossed his own over his chest as he regarded her.
"Well?"
"I met your buddy Nash today."
Her eyes widened, but her face was one of confusion, not shock. "What? What's he doing here?"
Mal shook his head. "That's not important." He paused slightly, before continuing. "He wanted me to tell you something."
"Go on."
"He says they'll be ready in about a week and he's gonna wave the ship when it's done."
She nodded thoughtfully. "I'll wish him luck and hope to here from him soon then..." She trailed off as she looked down, realizing that if she didn't hear from him it was going to mean he was dead.
They stood there a few moments in silence before Jo looked back up at Mal, eyes moving to his cheek. "Did you get in a fight too?"
"It's nothing," Mal answered.
"Doesn't look like nothing," she said as she stepped closer to him and placed her hand lightly on the bruised tissue of his cheek. "Looks like it hurt..." She inhaled sharply as Mal turned his face into her palm, eyes closing, and she tried to pull it away but he caught her wrist in his hand. Turning it over so that the palm was facing up, he traced his fingers over it before moving it to his mouth and pressing his lips to it gently.
Jo felt her breathing increase as she watched him, no longer wanting to pull her hand away.
"Sir?" Zoe's voice came from around the corner and Mal dropped Jo's hand before his first mate actually came into view. She looked at them both, noting the blush on Jo's cheeks and how close they were standing before turning back to the Captain, her eyebrows raised.
"Just came to see if you wanted to start putting that stuff away." She gestured to the numerous boxes piled just inside the cargo bay doors.
"Yeah," Mal said, glancing at Josephine quickly. "We should get on that."
"Can I help?" Jo repeated her question from earlier.
Mal looked at her a moment. "Yeah. Get Kaylee and you too can take the food up to the kitchen while Zoe and I put the other stuff away."
She smiled at him, happy to finally be given something to do, and went to collect Kaylee from the infirmary. Mal stared at her thoughtfully as she went, not surprised to find Zoe staring at him in amusement when he turned back around. She opened her mouth to speak but Mal held up a hand to stop her.
"Don't start, please. Not today."
Zoe closed her mouth, still smirking at him as they began to store the supplies that they hoped would keep them in the air for some time.