“Monty’s been meaning to do this for a long time,” Inara said, looking at Magdalene coming up towards them. “We make the delivery, and then we all get paid.”

“Good.” Jayne nodded approvingly. “Could do with some extra coin.”

“I wonder if it’ll be enough for the de-oxidiser?” Kaylee considered idly, Bethany holding her hand.

“Well, Cap ain’t getting a share,” the big man replied. “He’s too busy with Freya, getting his –“

“Jayne.”

“Uncle Mal ’n’ Auntie Freya?” Bethany asked, her eyes wide. “What they doing?”

“Resting, honey,” Kaylee said, swinging her daughter up into her arms and glaring at Jayne. “They’re having a nice rest. So we’re gonna do the work instead.”

“Beth’ny can help.”

“You gonna lug them crates outside, eh, short stub?” Jayne asked, his face softening as he looked at the little girl.

“Strong.” She held out an arm, bent at the elbow as she’d seen Jayne do more than once.

Jayne felt her little muscles. “Hell, you could take me any day,” he agreed.

“Hell, yes,” she said, and giggled.

“It wouldn’t be so bad if she didn’t know in what context to use language like that,” Simon said, stepping onto the bridge and sighing heavily.

“Hey, ain’t my fault she picks up everything,” Jayne said, hitching his thumbs in his belt. “Man can’t go round watchin’ every word he says.”

“Some thought would be good.”

“Doc, I could teach her words’d make even your hair curl.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

Hank turned from where he was making final course corrections. “So who are we delivering to?”

“Someone called O’Malley. Monty said he was glad to take these particular items off him. And for a good price.” Inara smiled, feeling amazingly self-satisfied.

“He’s gonna be waiting for us?”

“He has an office at the docks. All we have to do is go there, tell him we’ve arrived, and get paid.”

Simon stirred uneasily. “You know, he sounds very similar to Badger.”

“Then we’ll go armed.”

“Weren’t planning on leaving home without one of the girls,” Jayne sa