Author: Tinadoll (aka Tina- That’s me!)

Setting: After BDM

Rating: PG-13 to NC-17.

This chapter is PG-13,adult content.

Spoilers: Yes.

Author’s note:New Beta: BlueEyedBrigadeer.Thanks Alun.

Disclaimer: Firefly is the brainchild of Joss Whedon-I'm just playing around with it.

Chapter 9: That ain’t the way to have fun.

The next day, Serenity was still on course to the border world of New Nebraska, with Maria in tow. They had already dropped off the cargo of mint they had been carrying and had gotten paid. And they were fortunate to already have another job lined up. In her case,she was only hitching a ride. The city they were landing in was called Dodge. Dodge was a dusty backwater kind of place and a good place to do business. Its heart still belonged to the Independents.

But first she had more pressing matters….

She stood in the shower and welcomed the bliss of hot water. It massaged her aching back and the steam awakened her lungs. She was so much engrossed in relaxation that she didn’t hear Mal’s approaching foot steps coming down the corridor.

He pounded on the door.

“Tzao-gao! (Damnit) You are using all my hot water!!!” he exclaimed. Heating water used up precious energy and precious water, and she was abusing the privilege.

She announced annoyingly but in a saccharin sweet voice. “Wuo dway-nee boo woon, boo jen” (I neither see nor hear you).

She heard the pounding again. “My ship, my rules!” he said as he stalked off.

“Ok ok, I’ll come out” she rolled her eyes and she stepped out from the shower and wrapped a towel around her body. She did not want to make him mad, so she didn’t curse back…but she would have liked to stay in a little longer. However, he had been so kind to her considering the fact that she nearly killed River and that now she was a marked woman. She had nearly forgotten her place in the ‘Verse. She had just woken up from her nap/coma about three hours ago and all she wanted a nice shower to regain composure. It had worked