The Bequest – Part XI

“Sir.” Zoe stood over him, the soft grey top she was wearing moving in the breeze enough so that he could see the brown swell of her belly underneath. “Not dead yet?”

“Seems not, Zo,” Mal said, his gaze transfixed for a moment until he had the grace to look away. “Ain't for want of trying, though.”

“I'm sure Freya’ll be happy to hear that.” Her tone was dry, and she was perfectly well aware of the direction of his stare.

“She is.” He pulled himself into a sitting position. “Where are the others?”

“Waiting to hear that you’re okay.” She pulled the com out of her pocket, thumbing the switch.

“No!” Mal said quickly. “Don’t.”

Zoe released the button slowly. “Sir?”

“Someone told them.”

“Someone?” Jayne looked sideways at him. “You ain't thinking it’s one of us, are ya?”

“No. Strange to say, I ain't.” Mal rested his arms on his knees. “But I've got a fair notion of who it was.”

“Sir?” Zoe asked.

River was nodding. “I think you’re right,” she murmured. She held out her hand to help him to his feet.

“I can get up by myself, little one,” Mal said shortly, doing just that. “ Tzao gao , why the gorram hell does it have to hurt almost as much as getting shot?” he complained, holding his side.

“So now what?” Jayne asked, standing more easily. “Back to Serenity? Only if they’re watching …”

“No, not there. Well, we’re not, but the girls are.”

“To do what?” Zoe asked, letting his suggestion that she was a ‘girl’ slide for the moment.

“Tell Freya I'm dead.”

“Is that a good idea, sir?”

“It’s okay, she knows I'm not, but … did they get your half of the papers?”

“No sir.”

“Then they’ll be pissed, and want the rest. Except we have to make it on our terms, the way we want it.” Mal eased the wet shirt away from his body, biting back a curse as it pulled.

“Are you planning?” Jayne asked, his face falling. “Only you know what happens sometimes with your plans.”

“Only when people don’t do what they’re supposed to.