Chapter 1 and 2: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14567

Chapter 3: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14577

Chapter 4: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14593

Chapter 5: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=14621

*****

Chapter 6

Xing Bayou and Malcolm Reynolds walked slowly through the port of Osiris.

“It’s been a long time.” Xing smiled at Mal, and his teeth made Mal shiver. Xing Bayou was the only man really capable of disturbing the Captain, and there were a lot of people who’d tried. “I heard that you were responsible for that little broadcast.”

“Who told you that?”

“A good friend. I trust him.”

“Good to have those kind of friends.”

“Yes, especially in a time like this.” Xing stopped walking for a moment. “Mal, I need more friends like this. I realize that we have had our arguments, but we were both on the same side. I need to be sure that now we are on the same side.”

“Ain’t that something? Bein’ around all these politicians hasn’t kept you from staying a straight shooter.”

“I’m not a politician, Mal, and I hate them as much as the next browncoat, but in a time like this it is very helpful to have friends with those kind of skills.”

“It’s good to have all of the friends you can get.”

“I’ll take quality over quantity any day, but that’s one of the reasons why I called you.”

“How d’ya mean?”

“I mean that I need good friends. Friends that I can be sure will watch my back. There isn’t much honor left in the Verse, Mal, but I know you’ve got some. That’s why I wanted you here.”

“I’m not a soldier any more Xing.”

“That’s what I told myself, too, but we both know it’s a lie. I’m the same man I was during the war, Mal, the only difference is that I’m better at what I do.”

“Yeah,” Mal chuckled, trying to pretend like he was at ease, “I always wondered what that was.”

“You’ve seen me at work Mal. As much as you would like to forget it, I know you can’t. That’s why you came here, because you would rather be with me than against me.