Sue sat on the arm of Jack's chair her silvery evening gown slit high to display long, shapely dancer's legs elegantly crossed. Her arm was around her employer's neck and her cheek rested on the warm nap of his not quite smooth shaven head as she struggled to keep her eyes open. It had been a very long evening.
Not that this wasn't the cushiest job a girl could possibly have. All she had to do was appear beautifully gowned and coiffed and richly bejeweled on Jack Leland's arm to charm and entertain his guests and watch him play cards. And there lay the rub - for as far as Sue was concerned poker, no matter how high the stakes, was slightly less interesting than watching paint dry. Meaning there were moments - like now - when her new job didn't seem that much better than her old one dancing in a saloon on a away-and-gone rim moon. Except of course for the free room and board, standard crew pay and passage home to the Core!
Jack's remaining opponent had been studying his hand forever, sweating slightly. The other two had already thrown in their cards and were being consoled by Nyota over on the couch. The Companion's dark, perfect face was wreathed in gentle smiles as she poured rice wine for the two men sitting on either side of her, her wonderful skin set off by gold shot vermilion draperies.
Hwa Ling was perched on the edge of the pool table, sleek and glamorous in skin tight indigo satin sheath and matching elbow length gloves, moodily smoking a cigarette in a long black lacquer holder.
Finally the man blew out a resigned sigh and laid his hand face down on the green baize. "I fold."
Sue restrained an urge to cheer.
Jack beamed his warmest smile. "A fine game, Sir BonTriumph. I can't remember the last time I've been so challenged."
The man would have been less than human if he hadn't smiled back. "Nor I, Mr. Leland."
Nyota had her two on their feet and moving to join their friend. Sue was ready at the door with smiles and wraps. The four of them escorted their guests down to the cargo deck and watched as they went out the big doors to their waiting limos.
"Thank God that's over!" Sue said with heartfelt relief as the cars pulled away and Jack laughed.
Hwa Ling snorted gently. "A very pleasant evening. Moderately profitable - and nobody tried to kill us."
There was that. At least these three had been good losers.
"Let us enjoy our good fortune while we may," Nyota advised slipping on arm through Hwa Ling's and the other through Jack's. He in turn linked arms with Sue and the four of them went back up the stairs to crew quarters where they split up each going into his or her own cabin. Sue slipped off her gown, put her jewelry safely away then wrapped herself in a robe, grabbed her nightie and headed for the shower.
She walked into the galley and stopped in her tracks. As usual she wasn't quite sure of the time but it'd been black night outside so she was more than a little surprised to find the entire crew of the 'Aces and Eights' - master, mechanic, medic and pilot - all sitting round the table. Captain Williams was visibly fuming and his right arm lay, plasti-skin peeled back, in front of Joe. The mechanic did something with a probe and three of the four fingers curled making a very rude gesture. Ramona laughed.
"What happened?" Sue asked.
"Ran into a bit of trouble," Rawhide answered, laconic as ever.
"I can see that. What kind of trouble?"
"Nothing you need worry your pretty head about," it was the Captain who answered this time, eyes still on his favorite arm.
Sue turned towards the door. "I'll get Jack."
"No!"
She glanced back startled. There were never any secrets between Jack and the Captain.
Williams took a deep breath and finally looked at her. "It's nothing, just a minor deal gone south. We got all the help we could want and no need to involve your lot. Nor to bother Mr. Leland at this hour. I'll give him a run down in the morning."
"Oh. Okay." Sue knew of course that the Captain had his own business, quite apart from running the Aces and Eights, and so did Jack. Captain Williams hadn't hesitated to ask for help in the past if he didn't want any now it was only because he didn't need it. Just as well. They had a big do to go to tomorrow and Jack just hated to cancel at the last minute.
Sue went into the head for her shower. When she came out, face scrubbed free of make-up, hair washed clean of product and combed straight, it was to find Hwa Ling had joined the crew at the table. She was wearing peach colored pyjamas, embroidered slippers and a slight frown.
"Has it occurred to you this might be a scheme to get your money and keep the cannon?" she was demanding.
"It crossed my mind but I don't buy it," Captain Williams answered firmly. "Reynolds strikes me as a straight crook. He and his first officer are Browncoats which argues a great contempt for law but strong pride in keeping their word."
"Wondered if you noticed that," Rawhide said, sipping at a mug of coffee.
"'Course I did. And no doubt Reynold's noticed I'm ex-Alliance Military. But the war's long over and right now we got ourselves a common problem that needs solving."
...
"Alliance military!" Wash's eyes popped as wide as they would go and his bristly blond hair all but stood on end.
"Ex-military," Mal corrected taking a big mug of tea from Kaylee's hand. "Wouldn't have been in that alley if he weren't thoroughly crooked."
Serenity's regular crew sat round the galley table discussing this latest crisis while their passengers slept.
"Crooked enough to try for the goods without paying?" Jayne growled.
Mal shook his head, oddly sure of himself. "Don't think so. I read him as honest - in the same backhanded sort way we are our ownselves."
"I agree," said Zoe. "Besides I don't think any man'd have the guts and gall to stand straight and tall like that knowing a hail of gunfire's going to come out of nowhere any second."
"That too," said Mal.
Kaylee clasped her hands around her mug. "What did you find in the yard?"
"Naught but a whole lot of empty casings," Mal admitted ruefully.
"House's been abandoned for years by the look of it," Zoe added.
"Which Tweed-suit might have known," Wash said thoughtfully. "Could he have set up the double-cross and then been double-crossed himself?"
Zoe frowned. "I doubt it."
Mal agreed. "If he'd been plotting we'd have seen him twitching."
"If'n you got no clues where're we supposed to start?" Jayne wanted to know.
"At Rick's place. We meet Captain Williams and his crew there bright and early tomorrow noon and start asking some probing type questions of the regulars."
"Sounds good." said Jayne with his nastiest grin.
...
The passengers found out about the trouble next morning at breakfast. All wisely held their peace at that time but it didn't keep them from discussing it amongst themselves in the lounge after.
"Things never do go smooth for our Captain Reynolds do they?" Margot said, ruefully shaking her head over her needlework.
"You can say that again." Simon agreed from the yellow couch. "Something always goes wrong."
River knelt on the rug at his feet, rolling a handful of ball bearings around the coffee table and grinned under cover of her fall of hair.
Shepard smiled too but wryly. "Still he's got a knack for fishing a kind of success out of disaster. Just hope he's read this Williams right."
"He has," Margot said. "Django and I crossed paths with Maxx Williams not so many years ago. He wouldn't have survived the encounter if he wasn't straight - in his way."
River looked up, interested. "Your Django is a bad man?"
Margot smiled. "Depends on who you ask, sweetheart. He's what I call a good bad man. Not unlike our Captain."
"More dangerous," said Shepard.
"Only to some, Derrial. Only to some."
That made Book grimace. Margot and River understood why, Simon didn't even see.
River abruptly changed the subject, turning accusingly on her brother. "You're hiding from Kaylee."
"I am not!" he said defensively.
"Yes you are," said Margot calmly.
Simon flushed. "I don't want to lead the girl on. Nothing wrong with that is there?"
"Everything wrong!" River said flatly. "Kaylee's nice. She likes you and you like her. You could make each other happy. Instead you're both all roiled and miserable!"
Her brother blushed even hotter. "You don't understand, Mei Mei."
"Yes I do." she said darkly.
...
Kaylee sat on the edge of Inara's big bed watching her carefully pack an exquisite bejeweled gown in a lacquered case. "Another big, fancy shindig, huh?"
"That's right," Inara shot her a mischievous sidelong glance. "And if you decide to attend Miss Kaywinnet Lee Frye don't you dare bring Malcolm Reynolds as your escort!"
That got a smile. "Never again. Can't take that man anywhere." Kaylee turned wistful. "Know who I'd like to take."
Inara closed the case and sat down putting an arm around the girl's shoulders. "You've got to be patient with Simon, honey."
Kaylee blinked rapidly, tears threatening. "I haven't seen him save at meals for days!"
"I know," Inara gave her a quick hug. "He's scared, Kaylee. You heard River, he's never been in love before. He must be feeling very overwhelmed and confused."
"He's confused!" still that got a shaky smile. "Poor Simon."
"Poor Simon indeed. You'll have to be patient with him, honey. Patient and gentle. You're much more mature and experienced in love matters then he is."
"Guess I am at that." Kaylee said on a note of surprise.