Author's Note: Just keep in mind as you read this chapter that all of the scenes are happening simultaneously. That is why you get the repeat of the Wash and Mal comm interaction from part 4.
center Part 5 /center
Kaylee hastily ushered Inara toward her shuttle as the Companion proceded to riddle her with questions, most prominent among them being 'What is going on?' and 'Why is there a man in the cargo bay who looks exactly like the Captain?'
"Not to fret, 'nara," the mechanic reassured her. "It's all real excitin'. Two Cap'ns and two Rivers. They're real funny, too," Kaylee smiled. "Gonna have to find out where she got them clothes," she added quietly, to no one in particular.
"Wait..." Inara resisted Kaylee's push on her arm and came to a stop right outside of the entrance to her shuttle. "What do you mean, 'two Rivers'?"
"Oh? Her?" Kaylee threw a thumb back in the direction of the cargo hold and grinned. "That ain't River."
Inara shook her head at Kaylee, convinced this was all some prank. Perhaps this morning's announcement was part of the ruse as well.
"Mal," they both heard over the comms.
Inara and Kaylee looked back in the direction that they'd just come as Mal's voice echoed over the speaker. "Yes?"
"Badger's on the line," they both heard from the pilot. Inara shook her head and looked to Kaylee again. "Where did he, the other one, come from?" Kaylee shrugged as Inara opened the door to her home.
"On my way."
"Don't know. Came down the back stairs with Wash and Zo. We was all standin' 'round River's door when they come down." Kaylee picked up a pillow from the couch and pulled it to her chest as she sat down. Inara moved to prepare some tea.
"You mean they were just... there?" Inara asked, picking a teapot. Kaylee put the pillow aside and leaned forward.
"Yup."
"Strange," Inara mused as she moved to sit opposite Kaylee. "So, what does Ma- the Captain, think?"
Kaylee shrugged. "Don't know yet. T'other River, she was mighty spooked. Not sure they even know how they got here."
"How did he, the other one, know my name?"
"Oh," Kaylee smiled. "They both know all our names. All kinds a'stuff 'bout us from the sounds of it." For some reason, this bit of information made Inara feel flustered.
"Says they got a friend who looks just like Zo, even." Kaylee was far too entertained by the whole thing for Inara's taste.
"And you're not worried about this?" Inara suddenly found herself snapping at Kaylee and instantly reigned in her voice. "I'm sorry," she apologized at the look of shock on the mechanic's face. "It's just... it's strange that the Captain would allow them to roam about the ship when he, nor anyone else, knows anything about them."
"Don't think they could do us no real harm, 'nara. Anythin', they're 'fraid from us. And it ain't like they were armed or nothin'..."
"I see." Inara rose primly from her chair as the teapot began to whistle and proceeded to prepare it. "Would you care for some tea, Kaylee?" she asked, pulling out a couple of teacups before she'd even received an answer.
Kaylee nodded and leaned back again. "So, how was your visit?"
Inara gave her a polite smile and answered with the usual: "Oh, fine. It's odd that he would head back to Persephone with them still on board," she mused. Kaylee took the offered cup and blew on the surface before sipping.
"Well," she replied after taking a sip and sighing. "Couldn't rightly leave 'em back there."
"Yes, well, the Captain does seem to have a tendency to take on strays..." Inara commented, not realizing just how snobby she sounded. Kaylee didn't notice either, remembering the tone of Summer's voice when she had asked for Jewel.
Kaylee realized that it must've not been fabric, but a person.
A brilliant smile suddenly formed on her lips. "Hey, I think I may have one of them twins too!" she excitedly exclaimed. "Wonder if they're as well along as me an' River..."
"So," Inara sighed, attempting to get the conversation back on track as she refilled her teacup. "How long are we under house arrest?"
"Don't be silly, 'nara," Kaylee guffawed. "Cap'n wouldn't do somethin' like that. He's just bein' cautious is all." Inara simply nodded. "Give 'im some time to process and all'll be shiny. You'll see."
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Jayne wrenched his arm from Zoë's grasp as they cleared the short staircase into the sitting area.
"Why we gotta leave? Sounds like the fun's just startin'," he whined. Zoë raised an eyebrow at him and shook her head as Simon was pushed through the door.
"I'm sure she's fine, Doctor," they heard Book finish. "Let's just respect the Captain's wishes-"
Simon stopped between Zoë and Jayne. The look on his face said that he thought they were all insane, maybe moreso than his sister. "Wishes?" He reared back in a laugh. "We've got two people on board who look exactly like the good Captain," he said, making a face, "and my little sister. Who, if you haven't forgotten, are apparently madly in love!" Simon looked like he was now the one about to have a panic attack. "And, on top of that, my sister is who knows where-"
Zoë placed a hand on his arm. "Doc, I'm sure-"
"Mal?"
The four of them looked to the ceiling automatically. Jayne even leaned over to look through the hatch as they heard a loud "What" coming from the bay, followed by the captain's response of "Yes?" through the comm speakers. Simon rubbed at his temples. What else could possibly go wrong today?
"Badger's on the line," they heard Wash reply. Zoë sighed as Book stepped past, deciding to return to his bunk as the captain's voice rang out. "On my way."
"Well, I could stand to-" Zoë stopped Jayne's words with the wave a hand and pulled him from the steps again. "Aww," he said, throwing a large, dramatic pout on his face.
"You'll get over it, Jayne," Zoë said, pulling him along. "We'll be on Persephone in a few hours, Doc. River'll turn up. Not many places she can go." With that, she shoved Jayne to the stairs she'd come down not ten minutes before.
Simon glanced back toward the cargo bay and could see the not-Captain move out of his line of sight, and not-River turned as he passed, her arms crossed. Simon could swear it was his sister, if he didn't know better.
Unfortunately, he did.
Jayne clomped up the last few steps. "Why is it all the interestin' stuff always happens and Jayne gets shoved away?"
"You'll get over it," Zoë said with a smile. They moved into the corridor as Mal stepped in past the kitchen's hatch. He looked up at the both of them and nodded to Zoë. Jayne was aghast.
"You left 'em alone?" He stepped through the hatch and looked down the small hallway, half expecting to see them come around the corner.
Zoë shook her head and focused on Mal. "Sir?"
Understanding her unasked question, Mal shook his head. "'tis likely he just wants to be sure we're keepin' schedule," he replied.
Jayne snorted. "God forbid we keep Badger waitin', right?"
Mal simply raised an eyebrow, more in agreement than anything else.
"Mal!" they heard Wash yell from the bridge. Mal stepped away and rubbed at his neck. This day was becoming rather stress-filled.
"So they get free-range?" Jayne asked, shocked.
Mal turned and raised his arms. "Where they gonna go? 'sides, River turned up. She's takin' care of it," he informed them before continuing to head up the steps to the bridge. Jayne turned again and looked through the kitchen.
"Just leave 'em be," Zoë warned. Turning, she moved to join Mal and Wash on the bridge. Jayne watched her until she reached the stairs and stepped toward the hatch. He'd taken about three steps when: "I mean it!" Zoë threw over her shoulder as she reached the top step.
Jayne huffed and made a face.
"Fine! I'll be in my bunk!"
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Mal dropped into the copilot seat and sighed before answering the wave from the annoying little Irishman.
"Sorry to disrupt you're busy schedule there, mate," Badger stated with a cocky grin.
"Well, it's a big ship, Badger. Takes a few steps to get from one end t'other," Mal shot back with a tight smile. "No trouble, I wager?"
"Not if you held up your end, Reynolds. You do have the shipment?" Badger questioned, his cocky grin melting away.
"Have I ever given you a reason to doubt?" Mal asked, slightly heated.
"Aw, hell, Mal," Badger laughed. "Just protectin' the interests, see."
Mal shifted in his seat. "Well, seems to me that if you're callin', there must be some trouble. And I know it ain't on our end, so..."
Badger's face took on a serious expression as he continued, "Seems we got ourselves a bit of a problem. 'liance troops been hangin' about the docks, so I wager a change of plans are in order."
Mal's eyes went to Zoë, who'd just entered the bridge, and then back to Badger. "As I recall, there's always been a presence. Ain't exactly 'under the radar,' now is it?"
"Let's just say I'm not willin' to risk you and yours to make a delivery. Only worried for your well-bein', y'see," Badger laughed.
Mal wasn't amused. "You set this job, Badger. If you're thinkin' to back out-"
"I said no such thing, Malcolm Reynolds. Only informin' that plans are changin' a bit." Mal looked to Zoë, who was leaning against Wash's chair. She raised an eyebrow. Mal sighed and looked back to Badger. "Set up a temporary shop on Whitefall. Made dealin' with a very lovely lady-"
"Patience?" Mal asked, forcing himself not to roll his eyes and groan. He couldn't help, however, noticing Wash holding up three fingers, then pointing to him. Mal made a mental note to smack him later.
"You've met?" Badger smiled.
Mal's expression still hadn't changed. "Fact of which you're well aware." Badger's face dropped and he shifted uncomfortably. "You best be there, in person, when I open that door."
Badger nodded and Mal killed the transmission. Taking a deep breath, he was still looking at the dark monitor.
"Wash?"
"Good to go," the pilot replied. Mal stood and was almost to the hatch when Wash turned. "Ya know, you've got a perfect opportunity here."
"How's that?" Mal asked, turning to face him and leaning against the jamb.
"Well," Wash rested his chin in his palm, his elbow on the armrest. "You could really mess with Badger and Patience. Get 'em back, so to speak."
"Come again?" Mal asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Oh, you know..." A smirk found its way onto Wash's face as he casually continued. "You and... you."
He didn't even blink, but Wash could've sworn he could hear the gears turning in his captain's head.
"Huh," Mal said, before turning and heading toward the kitchen.
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center TBC... /center