The shuttle locked on and Hank immediately powered her down. In a moment Mal had the door open, gingerly peering around the corner, but there was no-one in sight.

“Mal,” Freya murmured. “I think everyone’s in the ballroom.”

“River and Inara with them?”

She shook her head. “I can’t tell.”

“Well, makes it easier. If we come across anyone, they’re probably bad guys.”

“’Specially if they’re shooting at us,” Hank put in, wiping his hands together then down his pants.

“Yeah, that does kinda take the guesswork out of things.” Mal looked at his crew. “Jethro, you roam with Jayne. Zoe –“

“Aw, Mal, why does he have to come with me?” the big man asked.

“Because I said so.” Mal glared at him. “Zoe, Simon, with me. Hank, you stay here with Frey.”

“Mal?” His pilot stared at him.

“Frey’s staying put, and so are you.”

“But –“

“And I don’t have time to argue.” Mal eased his way out into the other ship. “Come on.”

---

Jones ran his fingers down River’s face. “It would be such a pity to destroy such beauty. But I will if I have to.” His hand continued down her chest, but stopped as he felt her gaze on him. “Yes, well.” He stepped back, going to the com. “But I don’t really have the time to enjoy myself.”

---

Inara listened as the voice, almost like Mal’s in timbre, sounded over the ship’s system.

“Miss Serra. I have your sister. And a pretty little thing she is too. Even with the goosebumps.”

No. Not like Mal’s. There was ice under the banter, a heart frozen with no remorse.

“Course, she won’t stay that way unless you come out.”

“God, no!” Inara screamed, tugging on the door.

“So many things I could do, and not a one of ‘em fatal. Not yet.”

“I'm here!” she shouted, banging on the wood, trying to break it with her bare hands.

“You have five minutes to get to the ballroom, as I'm feeling generous, and you might be hiding.” He laughed and shut the com down.

---

“River?” Simon said. “Does he mean –“

“I reckon he does,” Mal agreed,