This is the standard fanfic disclaimer bit.

*****

(Copia. Night. Kitchen. Mal and Jazmine are up late talking)

JAZ: Might want to go easy on that brew.

MAL: Tasty stuff.

JAZ: You’re getting restless and it’s not just what’s in your mug.

MAL: Feel pretty well rested.

JAZ: You’ll be leaving again soon. I’d love to go with you, but I have to play spider in the web a little longer.

MAL: Howzat?

JAZ: I’ve been in touch with some old acquaintances of yours. They were hoping to come calling.

MAL: What’d they have to say?

JAZ: War dogs are barking.

MAL: Dog’s busy barking, can’t bite.

JAZ: They will come for you, you realize.

MAL: Belike.

JAZ: People will want to parade you around like a trick pony.

MAL: They can want all they want. I’m in a fight, it ain’t for show.

JAZ: They may not understand that.

MAL: Better learn quick like, then, hadn’t they?

JAZ: You step back into that fight, you’d best win it, Bamboo. They won’t give you a third chance.

MAL: Damn fools oughtn’tve given me a second if they were worried so much.

JAZ: They’re good people, good friends, don’t misunderstand me. I’m just asking you to give due consideration before committing yourself again.

MAL: Lotus Flower I intend to ponder the matter to the bones of it ‘fore I jump.

JAZ: I think we both know you’re going to jump, my froggy fellow. Just make sure there’s a lilly pad waiting.

MAL: Thought every lotus had a pad.

JAZ: So long as they don’t drain the pond and dredge what’s left behind.

MAL: That ain’t gonna happen.

JAZ: Then you’ve got at least one place to land.

*****

(Copia. Afternoon. Farmhouse garden)

ZOE: You ever gonna put that book down?

JAYNE: I’m just readin’.

ZOE: You manage to make that seem like a dirty habit.

JAYNE: Ought to try it yourself some.

ZOE: “Lusty Wenches of Planet Zeta”? I don’t think so. Come on, put the book down, we’ve got some work to do on the ship.

JAYNE: Just gonna finish the page.

ZOE: I don’t even want to know what you use for a bookmark.

****

(Cop