Mal strapped on his holsters in the galley of Serenity. He was already late and needed to get a shift on to join Monty outside the facility. This job was setting off all kinds of alarm bells in his head, but so far it had all gone like clockwork. This could be a whole lot more trouble than the Takoma job though, then again that was one of the reasons he had hired Bane in the first place. Of course there were other aspects of this job that had been downright pleasing, and he doubted he would have the opportunity to take more advantage of a certain mechanic’s wiles, but it had certainly cleared some clouds from of his mind. Mal looked up as Zoe spoke.

“I know I ain’t had your back for a while now an’ you’ve been alright. But you take care tonight, won’t you, sir?” Zoe said, sipping some water. He gave her a reassuring smile, thoughts of the wild Katya disappearing, as thoughts of the job took over.

“I’ll be fine. I’m not the one going –“ Zoe dropped the cup and leant forward groaning. “Zoe!” he said coming around the table. He looked briefly at the pool of liquid at her feet, before she grasped for his arm.

“Help me to my bunk.”

“Maybe I should get the doc first,” he queried. Zoe gave him a look that said if he did not do what she said she would rip out his heart. He brought his other arm around her back and helped her out of the galley, towards her quarters.

“You go down first,” she ordered and then groaned again, using the bulkhead to brace herself. Mal obeyed without question. He jumped down the last few steps and waited for her to descend. Zoe paused once to deal with the contraction assaulting her and then got to the bottom of the ladder. Mal helped her over to the bed and Zoe hit the alarm. Nothing happened except for a small fizzing sound. Gorram it, he thought heading for the ladder with the intention of going for Simon. Then he heard a sound he knew well; a gun cocking, and he turned slowly. “You’re not leavin’ me on my own, sir.”

“But I gotta get the doc, Zo’,” he explain