Disclaimer, standard, Mark 1. Joss owns Firefly and her characters.

Damn that Browncoat. Damn him to hell and back.

Just because he was outnumbered 20 to 1, decides to drop his rifle. Leaving this flank open. Recon mission, exploit the gap. Where the hell is Musky and Steve?

Calm down, calm down. Just check it out, see what they got. Where are those guys? I don’t want to do this alone. Damn browncoat, probably gonna outlive me.

Okay, quick peek. Damn! Another one, slumped by the wall. Only two I can see, but the other is facing away. Did he see me? What is he doing? Yes, that’s it boy. Put that rifle down.. You are probably tired, hungry. Move closer, that’s it, use both hands. A few more steps, careful. Not yet, a bit closer. Don’t look up, don’t turn around, keep eating those beans.

Darn. Where did she come from?

FADE TO BLACK

Nandi would not approve, but I just could not resist.

He comes in all bulging muscles and full of himself. Some kind of hired merc, dangerous, but with a girl’s name. Did not give me a glance one way or the other. Helen caught his eye right off though. Guess he only plays with girls. Too bad.

But the next day, watching him swagger back and forth teaching us to shoot, and so much different from the usual customers we get, I had to. I would kick myself if I did not, no matter how it turned out.

So when he said “Next one doesn't hit that board is giving up a special treat, [dong MA?]” I missed. On purpose. By about 10 feet.

He just looked at me good and hard, almost confused. Completely unsure how to handle it. But I didn’t laugh, didn’t smile, just stood ramrod straight like a good soldier.

Nandi wouldn’t approve, but I had to try.