EXT. SERENITY CARGO RAMP

Simon stares at Paul, his eyes still wide.

SIMON: How...there's no way...

PAUL: I admit the odds of us meeting at all were strikingly low. Yet, here we stand.

Inara steps forward.

INARA: We purposely landed a good distance from town. How did you even know we were here?

PAUL: Since my youth I've had a keen eye and ear for craft, land as well as air. The moment your Firefly broke atmo, I picked it up. I'd heard recently through a closely-guarded channel that River had taken refuge aboard a Firefly-class vessel. Logic and curiosity led me here.

River pushes past Simon to stand near Paul again. Paul's face softens a bit when she draws near.

PAUL: I'm not prone to worry. You know that better than anyone...

RIVER: But you worried for me.

PAUL: Yes.

RIVER: (whispering) Xie-xie, Sifu.

KAYLEE: Sifu?

PAUL: I was River's primary hand-to-hand combat instructor.

INARA: Then I think we all owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude.

Paul's left eyebrow raises.

SIMON: I have...questions... a lot of questions.

PAUL: And I will answer every last one to the best of my ability. In the mean time, we really should keep an eye out for other folk from town. If I can find you, other can as well. I can't say their intentions would be as good-natured as my own.

SIMON: You're right. River,it might be a good

idea to run a scan of the area,just to be safe.

River gives Simon “the look.” She has read his true intentions.

Kaylee steps forward.

KAYLEE: I'll run the scan. Simon,you need to downgrade your threat level.

Kaylee disappears into the cargo bay. Paul approaches Simon with a meaningful look.

PAUL: I'm sure your position has been an exhausting one, Simon. I wish I could have done more than simply relay information, but I was closely watched, for many reasons.

Inara offers a hand to Paul.

INARA: Please, Paul,come aboard so we can continue this conversation in a more civil manner.

Simon does not look happy with the idea, but he