Usual disclaimers apply: Not mine, not mine, not mine.

This flashback is taking longer than I thought. Hopefully I can get the crew to the Common in one piece (!)

Please comment: critiscm is good, guidance is better.

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The captain was still clearly annoyed by Chase’s presence. “Okay, so no feds.” Just as she heaved a sigh of relief he added “for now. I can’t exactly say I’ve got reason to trust you, if’n your lot is all that you say. And if that wacky Academy is involved, well…that doesn’t bode well for me and mine.”

“Je comprends,” Chase said. “You have family to think about.”

That observation drew more than a few knowing looks. It appeared that the sentiment was shared and well know to this crew, but it was never actually stated out loud. In more ways than one this man reminded her of Nicholas the Elder---for everything he knew, he still had to think first of the whole before himself.

“Reckon that’s so, but still, I’ve got the problem of what-in-the-sphincter-of-hell-do-I-do-with-you?” The captain stood for a moment, his arms crossed over his chest, staring at the floor in thought.

“Well, it’s not like we’re just going to leave her…are we?” piped up the girl who reminded her of sunshine. Looking closer at her, she was a plain sort of beautiful, which made her disposition all the more radiant. She strode over and sat down in the chair on the other side of Chase (the first being taken by River). Putting her arm around her, the girl continued: “Don’t worry. Are ya hungry?”

“Hey!” Chase could see the light going off in the tall man’s---Jayne’s---head. “You’re the one left those dishes last night!” he started to walk over towards the table with a slight menace in his eyes. Chase stood suddenly, not daring to let anyone else intimidate her again if she could help it.

“Mais oui, those were mine. I was a little preoccupied with my end table impersonation to clean up.” She shrugged her shoulder