The other gunhands spun round, taking their gaze off Zoe for a split second too long, and she got another shot off to one of the Hunduns still standing over her. She rolled over, and watched Freddie floor the last two.

Patience did not look happy.

“You should know, I work by the same ethos as Captain Reynolds. I do a Job, and I get Paid. The meds are yours, if you give me the Coin.” Zoe said, eyes level with Patience’s.

Patience nodded, and tossed over the Coin, while staring down the barrel of Zoe’s Gun. Zoe grabbed it, and headed back to her Boat, taking Freddie by the arm on her way in, somewhat forcefully.

**********************************************************************************

Zoe frogmarched Freddie to the Galley.

“What’s going on, Captain Alleyne.”

“What in the sphincter hell were you doing, off the boat, on Whitefall, with a Gun!” Replied Zoe, rather upset by the entire experience.

“Like I said, I fought in the war. Got a feelin summat meybehaps was going on. I followed you, saw you take a hit. Thought I may as well help out, as I ain’t likely to be getting back to my oh-so-luvin pile of Go-se Pa if’n the Captain of the Transport Ship I’m on gets killed. Sorry for Helpin.” Replied Freddie in one breath, looking rather upset.

Zoe looked up, “I had it under control. Anyways, where did the Gun come from? I don’t remember seein a gun on you?”

“I had it hid.”

“Where?”

“My Bag”

“Why?”

Freddie shook her head, “Long Story, Captain”

“I got plenty time before we head back to Osiris.” Replied Zoe, in a somewhat defiant manner.

“I ain’t rightly sure if I’ll be leavin Whitefall, if’n I’m honest with you.”

Perplexed, Zoe delved in deeper, “Not leaving Whitefall, now that’s all manner of stupid. Especially after what you just did to a bunch of Patience’s Boys.”

“Better than being with my Pa, or worse...”

“Can’t let you stay on Whitefall. Is there somewhere else I can take you?” said Zoe, after a short pause to think about what had just been said.

“Ain’t got no place else to go. Inara kne