Under the Radar

Mal unstrapped himself, glancing over to River, who was proudly displaying a smile. "Erm, good…job," he said standing up and turning around. River knew he was trying to be sincere, but sighed nonetheless.

"Little bird needs practice. Like they say, perfection take practice," she said, standing up and floating to the door. She turned, giving a smile and leaving a confused Mal.

"What?" Mal shook his head, looking up to see Zoe. She crossed her arms, sighing inwardly.

"Sir. Your right, we do need supplies, but are you sure this is the best place to be? Do you remember the last time we were here?"

"The Doctor and his sister tried to light themselves on fire, the Shepherd was shot, and we didn't make any friends," he replied, walking past her and down the steps.

"Exactly Sir."

"Zoe, I'm sure everyone has forgotten by now. Ain't no one gonna remember, or bother us."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, yeah."

"Oh ya, this will be fun."

"That's the spirit." Mal rose his brows, looking at her expectantly. Zoe gave a sigh and sauntered off, most unsatisfied with the discussion. "Today just aint my day," he sighed, slipping on his jacket. So far, he managed to upset everyone, though to be realistic, he always upset people. Whether it was for no reason at all, or because he just felt like it.

As he reached the cargo bay, Jayne had the door open, and was peering out, weapon up to his shoulder. Kaylee stood behind him, glancing back at the captain with a glare. Mal ignored her, walking up to Jaynes side, "Somethin wrong?"

"Too quiet here."

"That's because it is nowhere, Jayne." Jayne glared at Mal, and slowly lowered his firearm. He harrumphed, looking over to Kaylee, and to Zoe who had just arrived. Backing up, he leaned against a a wall.

"Now what?"

"We wait," Mal responded, cupping a hand over his eyes and staring out into the vast meadow before them. He glanced back at the group, each one with a solemn look stitched into their faces. "What?" No one spoke a word, just exchanged glances. He sighed, stepping out of Serenity and down the ramp. The meadow was lush, and reminded him of his home back on Shadow. Zoe came up beside him, narrowing her hazel eyes.

"We may have trouble Sir," she began, looking sideways at him, "Looks like you landed on private property," she sighed, touching her holster lightly. Mal didn't reply, only took a deep breath. He let the silence sink in for a good minute before finally answering her statement.

"Really now?"

"Think we should check things out. May have waved a red flag, called the Feds," she replied, walking down the ramp beside him. Mal kept silent, admiring the lazy daises that lolled along the hillsides.

"Well, Jayne, you and I can go check things out, Kaylee will stay with the crew, just in cse. Little River knows the emergency plans…I think," he said nonchalantly. Zoe nodded, glancing back to the crew.

"Jayne, lets go," she said, gesturing out towards a small house sitting atop a hillside. Jayne immeadiently picked up his weapon.

"See Rosie, ya wait long enough, there'll be fun," he said, sauntering out to the Captain and Co-captain. "Whats going on?"

"Gonna check things out."

"Shiny."

"Calm down Margaret, and explain yourself child," Sage's voice replied, firm and demanding. Meg took a long breath, palming her gun anxiously.

"There is a ship, out yonder on the hill," she exhaled, pointing a finger out the screen door. Aunt Sage took a deep breath and smiled lightly.

"Maybe we should greet these travelers, perhaps with a bit of kindness and humility?" Meg scowled, setting the gun gently on the table. Aunt Sage nodded, rubbing her shoulder lightly. Meg stood aside, letting her aunt hover out the door. She followed suit excitedly, trying to imagine the situation properly. Though her mind frayed. A shootout? Were they thieves? Oh, how exciting! Her Aunt paused at the steps to the porch, looking out upon the Firefly-class ship with a warm smile. "Remember Margaret, please remember your manners my child." Meg sneered slightly, before composing herself. She looked down at her outfit. It was a wonder Sage hasn't noticed what she was wearing already. "Don't think I don't know your wearing that hideous outfit Margaret. In front of company no less. There will be reprimand child, I will not forget." Damn. Meg seethed, crossing her arms defiantly. Aunt Sage looked down her nose, glancing to her niece. "Ah, here they are." Meg looked up, seeing three silhouettes on the hill side. She fidgeted uncomfortably. It wasn't often they had company, and when they did, it was their Shepherd, a businessman or someone from the town. Once a very intoxicated man wandered onto their property, singing of cheap floozeys and sunsets. The law wasn't far off, but it was quiet hilarious nonetheless.

"What if they're not safe."

"Don't be foolish Margaret, the law is only a call away. They'd be fools to think we were easy targets child." She did have a point. Aunt Sage was 99 of the time right. And this time was no exception.

"What if they're them hill folk, like last time Mal. I aint gonna be burned alive, or splashed with holy water-"

"Jayne, aint no one in their right mind gonna splash you with damn water," Mal retorted, giving him a quizzical stare. Zoe smirked, glancing to Mal.

"Hell, we'd be lucky if it was just water-Hey! Maybe it's a whore house," he began again, coaxing a roll of the eyes from both of his superiors. "Think they'd be willin to give me a free round?"

"Hell no."

"Why not?"

"Jayne, why are we having this conversation?" Mal finally said, stopping and looking back at the gunman. He sighed, walking on again. "Alright, we don't want to attract attention. Stay calm, and be yourselves…which is decent people looking to stay here a good while, just to repair the ship. Zoe, you're my wife, and Jayne is-"

"Looking for sex."

"Jayne!" Zoe said tersely, giving him a stare. He shrugged, mumbling to himself.

Mal sighed, glancing to him, "Our extra hand." Soon, they were at the foot of the hill, looking up at the two figures. "Evening Ma'am," Mal began, smiling falsely. They walked up to the porch, a mere ten foot away. The two women on the porch stood quietly, composed with dignity, unlike the other folk in town. One was older, and obviously the head woman of the house. "Could your husband be around by any chance?"

The woman stirred, "I'm sorry, I never married." Mal swallowed a lump.

"I see. So, if I were looking to stay here a while, who would I talk to."

"Me, presumably," the woman replied, offering a kindling smile. "Please, come inside," she said, gesturing an arm to the quaint house. Mal nodded.

"Thank ya ma'am." The three approached quietly, passing the two figures. Mal and Zoe nodded another thanks, and passed both, finally seeing their faces. The younger one was a pretty thing, though she seemed quite flustered. The older must be her guardian, maybe aunt. Jayne eyed the younger woman lustfully, smirking in his own way. The woman looked away, and waited for them to pass.

Once inside the house, Mal was surprised to see a room full of vibrant colors and patterns. Quilts and rugs hung neatly on the wall, and kettle boiled noisily on the stove. "Please site," the older of the woman said, offering a chair. The crew sat down at the wooden table, followed by the older woman. The younger of the two went to work on getting cups and tea ready. "What can I help you with now Mister…"

"Uh, Reynolds."

"Mr. Reynolds, tea. This must be your…."

"Please, this is my wife, Zoe, and our extra hand, Jayne."

"Pleasant to meet you."

"Likewise."

"I am Sage Harrison, I own this land, after my father passed on. And this is my niece, Margaret." The woman explained, smiling as she nodded in Margaret's direction. The younger offered a meek smile. Mal nodded, glancing back to Jayne, who's head was filled with all matter of perversion. Margaret walked up with a platter, setting the cups out.

"You may call me Meg," she said quietly, smiling brightly. Mal smiled in returned, Zoe as well.

"A lovely name," Zoe said, glancing to Sage who was obviously disgruntled. She fidgeted, feeling all sorts of uncomfortable. Meg sat down, taking her own cup.

"Why would you like to stay here?" she said, quirking a brow and addressing Mal. The Captain shifted.

"Well, we are looking to settle down, raise some cattle," he replied, quite taken with the brunettes smile. He glanced to Jayne, who was staring. He moved his leg, tapping the gunmans leg. Jayne quickly composed himself, and took his tea in hand. "We don't like the city much, never really one for busy streets."

Yes, out here, gives one peace of mind," Meg said silkily, looking out the window at the rolling hills. Mal nodded in agreement, thoughts of his own ranch reappearing.

"We want to raise children here as well." Zoe said, nodding with a warm smile. At this, Mal coughed, choking slightly on his drink. Everyone glanced at him.

"Yes, children," he managed to spit out, smiling awkwardly.

"Ah yes, children do well on farms," Sage spoke up, offering a platter of sweets. "Margaret here, just recently moved in with me. Her parents live on Persephone, and sent her here to be of use to me, and to pick up a few trades," she said, glancing to Meg with a smile. Meg shifted, offering her own smug smile.