The Zanga village was remarkably quiet. Veronica remarked upon this to her friend.

"Last night we had a celebration and most of the village is sleeping in."

Veronica looked confused, "You never said anything. You always invite me to the celebrations."

Assai colored, "It would not have been the kind of celebration you would have enjoyed Veronica. Please do not be offended."

Veronica saw her friend did not wish to discuss last nights activities, so she nodded and let it go. "We came to trade for supplies."

Assai looked around, "Who are your new friends?"

Veronica had been thinking about what to say about her new house mates. "They are from the future."

"Like Finn?"

"Much further along in the future." she introduced them and at last came to Simon. "Simon is a doctor. I thought perhaps he could see if he could help some of the villagers."

"My people are still wary of strangers, but I am certain the shaman will appreciate any help you can give." The chief's daughter led Simon away, "The village is, as usual, open to you all."

Veronica turned to the others. "Lets get to it."

Marguerite and Jia followed her to the local so called market. Roxton turned to Mal. "What should we do while the ladies are shopping?"

"Don't suppose they have a bar or anything like that?"

John smiled, "Not really."

Mal ran his hand through his hair, "Actually, I really don't know what I'm going to do here. Not exactly the place to drum up business for Serenity."

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The trading was over in a short amount of time and everyone except Simon was gathered and getting ready to go. Veronica went to find Simon and came back alone.

"Simon says he wants to stay and help some people. The problem is we have another stop to make."

Marguerite sighed, "Why?"

"Because we can't get some of the professor's things here. The only ones who have about half of it are two days walk from here. I'll stay here and come back with Simon. You guys go and get supplies for the journey at the tree house and go ahead. I'll give Roxton directions and you can go without me."

Every one agreed-in Marguerite's case grudgingly- and the four set off. Roxton talked of what they would need.

"I would appreciate your coming with us Captain."

Mal looked at him, "Why?"

"I was thinking you would be needed if we come across a t-rex. Last one didn't give you much trouble."

Mal shrugged his shoulders.

Jia asked, "Would you guys mind if I went?"

Mal turned to her, "Why would you want to?"

"Get away from the tree house for a few days."

Mal inwardly groaned. Now she was avoiding Veronica. Maybe those two should have it out, but he wanted to be there to stop any bloodshed when it happened.

"Fine, don't make a nuisance of yourself and you can come."

Jia mocked him behind his back but said nothing.

Roxton gave Marguerite a pleading look and she sighed. "I suppose I have to come along as well."

Roxton smiled at his love's tone. Wisely, he said nothing. He knew if he wanted her along he would have to keep his mouth shut.

Roxton led the group home. As they neared the tree house, they heard a thump and something came shooting out from the direction of the tree house at a high velocity and hit Roxton in the forehead. He fell down, dazed, and Marguerite was instantly by his side. They others hit the floor.

Marguerite was upset, "What was that?"

Mal reached over to it and picked it up. It was a very green mango. River and Ned came running.

Malone was instantly alarmed. "Is everyone ok?"

Roxton started to get up but still had his hand on his head, "No problem."

Marguerite was still upset, "What were you doing?"

"I was teaching River to play baseball. It's all we could find that would stand up to being hit."

River didn't seem to notice anything wrong, "Teach her how to pitch now."

She scampered off with Ned close behind her. Marguerite finally took her eyes from Roxton to see that Mal was trying unsuccessfully to stem his laughter.

She was appalled, "What is so funny?"

"It was a fruiting."

Jia then covered her mouth in an attempt not to laugh. Marguerite herself was having trouble. She couldn't help but add, "World famous hunter killed in fruiting accident."

Now it was not being stemmed. The three were openly laughing uncontrollably. Roxton was not amused.

"I could have been seriously hurt and you find it funny."

That invited another round of laughter. They were now having trouble standing.

Jia couldn't help herself, "I cannot tell Simon his sister almost killed you with fruit. He will never believe me."

Roxton stood very straight and stalked towards the tree house. Marguerite called after him, "Roxton wait we're sorry." Unfortunately she couldn't say it without giggles.

Mal wiped a tear from his eye, "That was a new one on me."

Still smiling and internally laughing, they followed the proud lord inside.

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Marguerite came from Roxton's room with a sigh. Malone, River, Mal and Jia were all sitting around the table.

"He's not really hurt, just had his massive pride dinged. He will be fine."

Mal still smiled. Jia looked concerned, "Is he really that upset?"

Ned added, "Maybe I should apologize, it was my idea to play baseball."

Marguerite sighed again, "No Ned, just forget it. He bothers me all the time about not taking a joke so he should definitely be able to take one. Anyway, he said to be ready to leave for the other village in an hour."

Malone nodded, "I'll stay with River and the professor again. Try to keep her occupied without hurting anyone this time."

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They had been walking for two hours in silence. Roxton wasn't saying but two words to anyone. Marguerite was upset at his attitude. Jia kept silent because of the tension. Mal simply rolled his eyes and traveled on.

Jia couldn't stand it anymore. She caught up to Marguerite. "What do you know about these people?"

Marguerite turned to her and glanced at Roxton as she spoke. "Not much. Veronica said they were alright. Welcoming and all that. Traders, so we shouldn't have any trouble getting what we want."

Roxton scoffed but didn't say anything. Marguerite glared at him but continued on, "Most of the tribes on this plateau have tried something with us at one time or another, so I am surprised I have never been to this one."

Roxton spoke for the first time, "That is because Challenger always goes alone with Veronica to this village. No gems there so you wouldn't be interested."

Marguerite's anger came out, "So, the benevolent Lord decides to grace his subjects with his useless comments. Anything else for us my liege?"

Jia faded back by Mal.

Roxton stopped and faced his lady, "I have a whole bunch of things to say Marguerite. However, I doubt you would hear them or even pay attention since it is not what you want to hear."

Mal just kept walking, right on by. Jia followed.

"I would pay attention if it wasn't just your ego talking. Since it always is it's hard to pay attention when you speak."

"My ego couldn't even begin to compete with yours."

"My ego is not the one not letting go of a simple joke. I swear, sometimes Roxton..."

"What Marguerite? Sometimes what?"

"Sometimes you are an..."

"HEY!" Mal shouted from about forty feet ahead.

The two turned in his direction.

"Wanna save it? Getting dark and I don't wanna hear it. Both of you get over it."

They both squared their shoulders and went to help make camp.

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An hour later Mal, Jia and Roxton sat around a small fire. Two tents had been set up for the night. Roxton cursed himself. If things had ended up better he could be sharing a tent with Marguerite and not with the captain. So much for winning an argument.

Roxton got up and walked over to where Marguerite was standing, some distance from the fire. She was leaning on a tree facing away from him. He came up behind her and didn't know what to say.

He finally sighed, "I'm sorry Marguerite. I said some things in anger I didn't mean."

"You seem to do that a lot."

He knew she was referring to his outburst in the cave some months ago. He had never forgiven himself for that. "I know. You were right, I made something out of nothing."

Marguerite sighed, "You know Roxton, when you make a mistake I'm supposed to forgive you with a simple I'm sorry. If I make a mistake I pay for it forever. That doesn't seem fair to me. You tell me to tell you my secrets. You wonder why I don't Roxton? Because I'm afraid that some day in anger you will throw what I've done back in my face. You want me to trust you, marry you? You don't make yourself very trust worthy. You may save my life, but you stamp all over my heart."

She said all this without turning. Roxton swallowed hard, "I know. I have never met anyone like you who could get to me the way you do. It's not an excuse. I love you more than I ever thought it possible to love another person. It isn't fair to demand so many things from you and not earn them." He put his hand on her shoulder, "I'm not perfect Marguerite. I never will be. And I don't expect it from you. I will try from now on to earn your trust instead of demand. Never doubt that I trust you Marguerite. I would put my everything in your hands in an instant. I am now, because if you don't forgive me, I don't know what I will do without you."

She turned now and he could see the tears in her eyes. "I love you too."

He took her hand and led her even farther away from the fire, out of sight. He let her come to him. She put her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. The kiss soon became more passionate and Roxton broke it off.

"We are not alone tonight. You will be sharing a tent with Jia. I doubt she would just move over to make room for me."

Marguerite silently laughed, "I don't think that is a good idea John."

He sighed in mock exasperation. "We will just have to wait."

"I guess so."

They walked back to camp holding hands, until they came in sight of the camp and they broke off. Neither of the other occupants even looked up. They all went to their separate tents for the night.

Jia could sense something had happened in the woods. It wasn't hard to tell. They had gone in the woods apart and had come back together. She thought about a way to give them a little privacy. She laid down and tried to get some sleep, but the ideas kept coming an being shot down. She suddenly sat up. Marguerite was asleep. She wrapped the blanket around herself and snuck out of the tent. She crossed camp to the other tent. She stopped before entering to put on her irritated face. She bust in to the tent.

Both men instantly sat up.

Mal asked, "What's wrong?"

Jia pushed them both over and laid down between them, "Marguerite snores."

Roxton was quick to defend his lady, "She does not."

"Then you explain the lumberjack noises coming from the other tent."

Roxton looked around. They were all three squished in a two person tent. Mal was up against one side. Jia lay in the middle, scrunched between them and he was pushed up against the other side.

"We cannot sleep like this."

Jia looked at him, "Then one of you is going to have to leave because I am not going back there to spend the night with an engine."

Roxton got up and took his blanket with him. He left the tent and made his way to Marguerite, smiling.

Jia grinned, "I thought he would never leave." She turned to look at Mal. She realized what she had not foreseen. If Marguerite and Roxton had one tent, then she and Mal had the other. Right now she was pushed up against a man with whom she had a very odd relationship. The way he was looking at her now left no room for doubt as to where he wanted the relationship to lean.

She quickly shifted her focus to the roof of the tent. She then scooted over as much as she could, which wasn't much.

He put his hand on her chin and pushed her head to face him. He lowered his lips to hers. She responded instantly. His hand moved to her waist. It then started to travel upwards. She ran her fingers through his hair and simply let herself feel.

He shifted his body to be mostly on top of hers. His hand teased the side of her breast and she gasped. A surge of possessiveness that he had never felt before rushed through Mal. He nuzzled her neck, kissed behind her ear. She moaned and he knew this was right. Nothing had ever felt more comfortable.

He shifted over her completely. His hand went down to the waistband of her pants. Jia's mind snapped to attention.

She grabbed his hand, "Mal, we can't do this."

He looked up at her, "Why not?"

She looked around, "It doesn't feel right. On the ground in some jungle. Two people twenty feet away with not much between us and them."

Mal sighed and buried his face into her neck.

"I'm sorry Mal. I just can't. Not here."

"Then where?"

Jia smiled. "Serenity."

He pulled back to look at her, "Wait till we get back?"

"When we get back come to my room. When we do this I don't want regrets."

Mal pushed up so he was at arms length from her, "You know, those other two are not having these problems."

Jia smiled, "It's also not their first time together."

Mal sighed and rolled over onto his back, "Gorram it, you're right. I hate it when you are right."

Jia snuggled into the crook of his arm, "I know. I know." She kissed his cheek, "Thank you for understanding."

"I didn't say I agreed, but yeah I do understand. May not want to... but I do." He looked at her, "What if we don't get back?"

Jia thought for a second, "Two months. If we are not back in two months, we take a little trip together, just you and me."

Mal looked back at the roof of the tent. He thought it would be the longest two months of his life. "Sounds good." He prayed they would quickly get back to Serenity.

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Roxton quietly snuck into the tent with Marguerite. He snuggled up behind her and kissed the back of her neck. She smiled and sighed. Suddenly she sat up and looked around the tent.

"Where is Jia?"

"In the other tent. She said you snore."

Marguerite looked offended, "I do not." She paused, "In the other tent?"

"Yes."

"What about Mal?"

"He is with her."

Marguerite wasn't happy, "We can't just leave her there."

"She went over there of her own free will Marguerite."

"Just to give us some privacy. She shouldn't be alone with him."

Roxton sighed, "She's an adult Marguerite. She can make her own decisions."

"But..."

"The Captain may be a stubborn ass sometimes, but a lecher he is not. He would never force her."

"I know that but..."

"But what?"

She sighed heavily, "It just doesn't seem right."

Roxton chuckled and kissed his lady. "Don't worry so. She will be fine. She can handle herself."

She kissed him passionately, "I did notice."

They very quietly made love. They never heard so much as a sound from the other tent. Marguerite took this as a good thing.