College has started again, so fair warning that things will not be posted so promptly.

Disclaimer: Serenity Firefly is the product of Fox (whom I have an ongoing love/hate relationship with) and Joss Whedon (whom I talk about waaay too much when I get into conversations regarding the writing/film industry). This applies to any and all of my firefly fictions. Therefore don't slap me with a lawsuit.

A/N: In memory of the show, I thought I would try to break up the series with some lighter 'episodes' (should I call these that?) in the likening of... well, whichever you thought was the most comedic. Just don't judge when I say comedic....

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"Whoa, whoa." Mal murmured as he raised a hand to signal his party to stop. The horses braked, restlessly treading their feet as they sensed something was afoot, pointed ears swiveling about. He looked well worn from travel, complete with muzzle from lack of razor. Turning around in his saddle, eyes on Zoe and Simon, a calloused finger reached to his lips to signal silence.

Zoe had her Winchester Randall out and ready, the placid mask of a veteran soldier adorning her face. And equally stubbled Simon had the only thing he could shoot moderately well, a Remington bolt action, but seemed edgy as he swallowed and fixated on Mal carefully dismounting.

Captain Malcolm Reynolds, gently resting his well traveled boots on the soil, kept one hand on the tang of his pistol as he heedfully prowled onward. Gaze searching the thick forest, the sun but a filter in the fronds of the trees as the air was chilled. The pines were evergreen, yet the oaks, cottonwoods, maples and dogwoods were as yellow and red with fall as the sunset itself. Their leaves already beginning to drift in the wind and cushion the treading of any that stepped. With the skill of a soldier and hunter of the land, his footsteps were soft and calculated on the leaf covered path. Skimming, making sure the trail was clear for the forest was too quiet, minutes elapsed. Letting ou