“Let’s get this over with,” Zoe suggested, “so we can get some sleep in before the fight.”

“Or,” Jayne countered, “we could say nuts to the plan an’ go into town an’ kick some butt.”

“Ever heard it said that simple is usually best?” Zoe inquired as she brought her horse to a halt before the farmhouse.

Jayne stopped his own horse along-side and dismounted with his companion. “The more movin’ parts ya put into a gun, the more can go wrong with it,” he conceded.

Zoe strolled to the stairs and ascended to the front porch. “I honestly think River has the best possible plan to solve our problem,” she admitted. “And where the hell did her an’ Gab run off to, anyway?”

Jayne arched an eyebrow. “Ya really need ta ask that question? They been actin’ akin to rabbits ever since we got here.”

Zoe sighed as she turned to gaze into the horizon. “I just don’t get how they can go through with it at a time like this. Don’t you think that’s a bit selfish?”

Jayne shrugged. “They’re kids. What more can ya ask from ‘em? Time like this, I might be tempted to get some trim myself, were there suitable company.”

*************************************************************************

“No, no!” River insisted. “You’re going about it all wrong!”

Sweat dripping from his nose, Gabriel heaved a breath. “Whaddaya mean? This is all I got!”

Sighing in exasperation, River straightened her clothing. “You’re stronger than me, Gabriel. You’re *much* stronger, but you’re also slow.” Her hand sliced out to cuff him sternly in the abs. “Do you really want to admit that your girlfriend can beat you up?”

Gabriel dodged the next blow, which was aimed for a nerve cluster in his leg. “Ya ain’t jus’ my girlfriend, Hon,” he joked, “ yer also my bodyguard!” He dropped to the forest floor, spinning and sweeping his leg out to trip River. The girl leapt over the sweep with ease, descending on her victim and sitting on his stomach.

Her nose touching Gabriel’s, River whispered, “*They didn’t train you at *all* at the Academy, did they?*”