Act VI – The Black

It took Mal a while to be able to have a word alone with Theo, and it was only when most of the crew and passengers got bored enough to start playing games that he was able to corner him.

Jayne had got out the hoop and suspended it from the ceiling while the others cleared as much of the stuff cluttering the cargo bay as possible. He tossed the ball from hand to hand. “Teams?”

There was a general kerfuffle as everyone split so it was virtually Serenity versus the Hawkins Troupe, with Jayne, Zoe, Freya, Kaylee and Hank representing the honour of the Firefly, and Toby, George, Victor, Chang and Riley representing the theatre. Simon sat on the side, his medical kit ready for any and all eventualities, while Inara had taken one look at what was about to happen and taken Noni to the kitchen to prepare half-time treats.

Ethan and Bethany stood in the doorway to the common area, watching intently, but River wanted to join in.

“Nope,” Jayne said firmly. “You ain’t gonna.”

“But I –“

“You’re pregnant, River. You can sit and watch with your bro, but you ain't gonna risk yourself none. And it ain't gonna work you looking at me like that.” Her look could have scorched metal.

“He’s right, xiao nu ,” Freya said, putting her arm around the young woman’s shoulders. “And we do need someone to keep score.”

River sighed loudly. “I suppose.”

“Good girl.”

“Only we gotta win,” Jayne put in.

“I shall be scrupulously honest,” River said, lifting her nose at him and going to sit on the stairs half way up.

“Just so long as we win.”

“You are so going down,” Toby crowed, his arm slung around Chang’s shoulders.

“Yeah?” Jayne drew himself up to his full height and bulk. “Shrimp.”

Toby laughed and grabbed the ball from him, tossing it with unnerving accuracy towards the metal hoop. Only Zoe’s long arms saved it from scoring.

“Hey!” the young actor complained before being tackled to the ground by Hank.

“Not going to join in?” Mal asked, coming up