“That’s him,” said the woman outside, pointing directly at him. “That’s my husband.”

Mal stared at the red-head in front of him. “Saffron?” His mouth dropped. “What the diyu –“

“Captain Malcolm Reynolds?” asked one of the men standing behind her, not seeing the smile on her face.

“What?” He stared at him. “Yes. Look, what –“

“You are bound by law and ordered to stand down.” The man, whom Mal now realised was in a Federal uniform, stepped forward and produced a set of handcuffs.

Mal backed up. “Whoa, there. What for?”

“It may be fine on some of the border moons, sir, but bigamy is still illegal on Boros.”

“Big …” Mal felt his jaw drop again.

“Mal?” Freya was beside him, a sheet wrapped around her. “What’s going on?”

“Not rightly sure,” he managed to say. “Saffron …”

“And that’s her,” the young woman, sniffing most sorrowfully, said. “The one who took him from me.”

“Mal?” Freya looked from one to the other, a murderous gleam starting to appear in her eye. “Is this who I think it is?”

“We ain’t married!” he insisted.

“No, sir, I should say you’re not,” the Fed said, reaching to take hold of Mal’s wrists.

“No,” Mal said, moving back. “Not me and her,” he pointed to Freya. “Me and her!” He pointed to Saffron.

“Well, that will be for a court to decide. I imagine they’re going to enjoy this.” He smiled, but with no humour in it. “Particularly with what we’ve found on board your ship.”

---

“What is it?” Zoe asked, looking round at River who was clinging to Jayne.

“Intruders.”

Zoe’s hand slapped to her thigh, but she was unarmed. “ Gao yang jong duh goo yang ,” she muttered. “Should never go anywhere without it.”

Hank walked a few paces ahead, able to see Serenity’s cargo bay doors were open.

“Get back here, little man,” Jayne whispered loudly.

“Looks like they’re Feds,” Hank said, ducking behind the corner of a building.

“Feds?” Zoe joined him. “What would they be doing breaking into our ship?”

Jayne was suddenly a