The Return Home – Part 5

Mal was used to surprises, with them piling on top of each other in rapid succession in the last month and half more than at any other time in his life. But to see Badger’s smiling face grinning at him through a Cortex screen, well, that took the cake as far as surprises went. Serenity, AKA Calypso, was still parked at the spaceport of New Shanghai on Taos Moon, Kaylee’s home world. All the crew was aboard, including Simon and Kaylee since Mal wasn’t sure Simon would be safe outside the boat with the Alliance wanted notice still on the Cortex for him and his sister. Kaylee had wanted to spend another night at her father’s place but had seen the wisdom of Mal’s order and relented.

Mal had just left Inara’s shuttle to check out the boat before finally going back to her warm arms when the wave came through while he was on the bridge. He had spent the last few hours earning some more well-deserved relaxation with Inara, meaning a nice long massage with her gentle hands finding all his tender and not so tender spots and then a final sexual consummation of their growing relationship. It was all both of them had imagined it would be and Mal ignored the still slight pain he felt in his wound as he let Inara be in charge of the love making, acknowledging her expertise in this area. His mind was still dizzy from the heat the two had generated as he felt Inara abandon all her reserve and let loose a lot of pent up sexual desire. Mal was tired in a happy way now and his surprise at seeing a wave from Badger quickly ended his happiness as all his senses were alive to danger.

“Hello, Malcolm, old mate,” Badger said with a big grin. “Let’s do some business, shall we?”

And Mal just stared at him for a long moment and smiled and then said, “Let’s, old chum.”

Danger was present, for sure. In all the years Mal had known Badger never once was he so pleasant, even when he wanted something. Mal could see beads of sweat on Badger’s forehead and almost a hint of fear in his eyes and instantly knew