INT. SERENITY INFIRMARY

Paul passes by the infirmary and intercepts Zoe as she enters from the cargo bay.

ZOE: Settling in, Sifu?

PAUL: Yes, thank you. Very well. I have a small request, though.

ZOE: Shoot.

PAUL: Is it too much trouble if I hang a piece of training equipment from one of the flights of stairs in the cargo bay? If it gets in the way at all, I'll take it down again.

ZOE: No problem at all. Just secure it well. Occasionally the need arises for some... creative maneuvering.

Paul smiles at this and bows his head in thanks. As he proceeds up the short flight of steps to the cargo bay entrance, Zoe stops a couple steps up the aft passage stairs.

ZOE(cont'd):(without a hint of malice, almost friendly) One more thing, Sifu. I put my neck out for you in a big way. Turns out I judged wrong, won't hesitate to put a bullet to you myself.

Paul nods with a small smile.

PAUL: I would expect nothing less.

He continues into the cargo bay and Zoe continues upward to...

INT. SERENITY AFT PASSAGE

Kaylee passes Zoe as she enters the passage.

KAYLEE: Hey, Zoe. Dinner's at 1800. Got somethin' special planned.

ZOE: A surprise, huh? Can't wait.

KAYLEE: It's an old recipe ma gave me. I've been waitin' for the proper occasion. I figure a new guest on board qualifies.

ZOE: Especially a respectful one who can pay his own way and appears to not have any psychotic tendencies.

Kaylee laughs and bounds into her engine room, humming as she goes. Zoe proceeds down the passage to the dining area. Jayne is munching on a protein bar, clearly unhappy.

ZOE: Dinner's at 1800, per the master chef.

Jayne replies with a snort, which Zoe ignores. She proceeds through the dining area without breaking stride, up the steps and into the fore passage.

Mal is pushing on the ladder to his bunk and glances up at Zoe as she approaches.

MAL: Gonna catch a few winks 'fore supper.

ZOE: Feel you need some rest to prepare for Kaylee's cookin', sir? I doubt it'll put up too much