“Just droppin’ us off at the most convenient planet would be right nice of ya,” Asha said peering over Wash’s shoulder at the nav console. Wash shifted uncomfortably in his chair, glancing over his shoulder at her, and made a funny face.

Asha caught his look, and sighed. “Didn’t ask for this situation, just seemed to fall into my lap, and now I’ve got ta deal wit’ it, and consequently now so do you.” She straightened up, crossing her arms across her chest. “We all got to deal wit’ it,” she muttered, shaking her head.

Suddenly Mal’s head poked up besides the nav console. He quickly turned a hard stare at Asha. “What’s this I hear about getting’ off? Thoughts we had a deal here.” Mal crossed his arms across his chest, mimicking Asha’s defiant stance.

“Deal’ll be complete, no worries there…you’ll make your money,” she snapped. “Just any old planet’ll do,” she said turning back to Wash. “Don’t forget.” She turned on her heal, storming off to the cargo bay, Mal quick on her heals.

“Oh no, uh-uh, ya don’t walk away from me,” Mal called after her.

“I do whatever I please, cap’n,” she yelled over her shoulder.

For two long weeks, the crew had had to endure these ‘conversations’ between Mal and Asha. None of them had a clue as to what was going on, and had quickly learned to just turn a blind eye to their spats. Inara had at first been pleased that Mal’s snide comments had been turned away from her and now seemed to focus on Asha, but after the first few days it was beginning to grate on her nerves, and her curiosity no matter how much she denied it. None of them was exactly clear on the job they were pulling with Asha and her two men that had popped up. Actually they weren’t even sure they were on a job, or just flying blind on account of what Asha was telling them. The whole deal was so bizarre.

2 weeks ago…

“Jayne I’ve told ya once, and I’m telling ya again…be careful with those gorram crates!” Mal snapped at Jayne who wasn’t really paying attention to what he was doing. “I’ll keep your cut and go celebr