DISCLAIMER: All characters and whatnot belong to Joss Whedon, any bizarre reference belongs to other owners of other rights. It's just something stupid-i-hope-fun that i wrote...try to just laugh and enjoy.

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Mal had opted to skip the shower until they were safely away from the Rincewind's crew. He returned to the hold as the last of the boxes were handed to Jayne and Wash and bid his farewells to Desorna. Wash headed up to the bridge and did his part in making sure the farewells were not only for show. As soon as the ships were separated and away, Mal turned to help put the cargo into the little niches where they belonged.

He noticed Jayne sweating. Then he noticed Jayne looking around at his surroundings with a strange look in his eye.

"Jayne?" Mal called, not in the mood for more stomach contents to be shared with his ship's floor. "You all right?"

"That's odd," Jayne said softly. "I thought I heard...Joker...?"

"This ain't no joke, Jayne," Mal said, starting to get extremely annoyed. "If you ain't feelin' right, you go on to your bunk. I'll send the doc in to check on ya."

"Why'd...I don't wanna be a rabid buffalo..." Jayne started to sway on his feet and blinked at Mal, uncomprehending.

"Jayne," Zoë said, taking her cue from Mal, "I think we'd better get you to your bunk."

"No," Jayne said, backing away from Zoë. "I'm not...you can't just..." He blinked and saw Zoë, it seemed, for the first time.

"That was unsettlin,'" he grunted.

"No arguements here," Kaylee whispered.

"Jayne," Mal said firmly, "Go to your bunk." Jayne blinked at him a few times before turning and stumbling as he walked out. Mal took a deep breath and held it as he counted to ten. Zoë and Kaylee continued putting the crates away, slightly unsettled themselves.

"Sir," Zoë said casually, "If this is spreadin' as quickly as it seems, I think we might want to get this job done with quickly. So's we can all have a day or two to ourselves before Inara re