Anything good about this is Joss'. The rest is mine.

QUICK RECAP: River was triggered but failed to assassinate peacemaker Noe. Jakey Stone retrieved the gun she was using (Mal's) from the scene. Meanwhile Monty persuaded Inara that the Browncoat cause would be served by her injecting Wash with a serum that would restore his true personality – that of a hero. Monty failed to tell her that Wash was an Alliance pilot during the war not an Independent one. Inara's attempt to use the serum was interrupted by Jayne who threw her off Serenity but concealed the fact from Mal. Inara has fled to the safety of Monty's base on Three Hills. Meanwhile Serenity and her crew are on Xenos carrying out a job for Badger, which they couldn't turn down because Badger paid Mal's bail after a 'misunderstanding' in a bar.

* * * * *

CHECK MATE: En prise.

* * * * *

“Who'd've thought it, Sir?” Zoe asks as Jayne hangs over the side of the mule retching loudly. “Jayne having such a delicate stomach?”

“'S gorram barbaric!” Jayne protests, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “Leaving a man to rot like that.”

Mal gives a little snort of astonishment. “Thought you was all for rough justice, Jayne?”

Jayne shifts in his seat and avoids the Captain's eye. “Yeah. But when a man's had his punishment, things should move on. Forgive and forget. He shou'n't be hung out to dry.” He's thinking back to Ariel and the extra hold it's given Mal over him ever since.

And the Captain knows it. “Hope you ain't sayin' I've been hangin' you...”

“I ain't sayin' nothin',” Jayne replies hastily. Best not let Zoe in on their nasty little secret. “I'm jus' sayin'...”

Mal gives him the same uncomprehending stare he often uses on River. “Well, I'm glad you've made that clear.” Then he turns to Zoe. “An' how're you doin'? Dead bodies never made you sick before but now you're...” He hesitates. Almost like it's indelicate of him to mention Zoe's pregnancy. “You know, I'm surprised that husband of yours agreed to let you come o