Inferno – Chapter Twenty-one

No rights are claimed in regard to Firefly, nor infringements intended. All in fun.

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Companion limped into the fueling station on fumes. Had it been another hour away, they’d probably not made it, River had told him after landing.

Jayne had briefed Zoe every day, but had resisted discussing his plans to stay or go. He was too tired to think clearly, and he and River hadn’t really had a chance to discuss things.

Jayne drifted outside, and found the same tech who’d helped them before. The man smiled as he saw Jayne.

“See you made it,” he said jovially. “I’m glad.”

“Thanks,” Jayne nodded. “Still a backlog?”

“Yeah, but I can. . .” Jayne held up a hand.

“No, we don’t need it this trip, and we got some shoppin’ to do, anyway.” He palmed the man another fifty coin, just the same.

“Owe you, friend,” Jayne said softly. “Not for your warning, we’d’a been in a world o’ trouble. And had you not helped us, folks woulda died. Them few hours made the difference for more’n one.”

“You ain’t gotta. . .”

“But I want to,” Jayne told him plainly. “You’re a good man. Married?”

“Yeah,” the tech nodded. “Gotta baby on the way.” Jayne nodded, and slipped him another fifty.

“Take your woman out to dinner,” he ordered. “Or save it for the young’un. You earned it.” The man beamed at that, the words meaning more than the coin.

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“I want to see what they have in the store,” River told Jayne, leading Chelsa down the ramp. “Chelsa needs some things,” she added, giving Jayne a knowing look.

“Okay,” he nodded. “Carry a. . .” He broke off as River showed him her comm unit, then lifted her shirt slightly to show him the bulge of her pistol.

“And I’m wearing my armor, Zhang fu,” she smiled. Jayne grinned.

“Okay, okay,” he raised his hands. “Have fun. We’ll be here a while, but I’d appreciate it if you checked in, happen you’re gonna be a while.”

“I will,” she smiled, standing on her toes to kiss him. She led the girl away, hand in hand, talking a