And the Horse You Rode In On

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based on the world of Firefly by Joss Whedon

"You know I hate horses." 'Ski complained as Cat checked the saddle on the black stallion she had chosen. His feathered hooves were as big as dinner plates and the red eyes looked warily at 'Ski. "I thought that's why we had the Mule."

"The Mule can't travel through the mountains and that is where the first entrance is. Zoe will meet us at the docking bay when we gain entry." She turned to him, her chains resting by her feet. "If they bother you so much, ride in the Mule and I'll get Jayne to go with Mal and I."

"Damn it, Woman, one day soon, you will be the death of me." Her partner continued to cuss, walking over to the buckskin chosen for his mount, the horse snickered at him, but 'Ski just huffed at it. "What are you looking at? You all are on her side."

The black and white paint stirred next to his nodding his head and scratching his foot on the ground raising dirt. Mal walked over and patted the gelding's neck, his hand filled with a pick of fresh grass. "Horses are like people, 'Ski. Just got to treat them decent."

"There's a reason why they were replaced by the motor." 'Ski grumbled, but stopped to stare at Cat, as she mounted the large stallion. It shifted its weight under her as the long chains seemed to wrap her in their protection. The view of her scantly clothed body bending to mount the stallion had been reason enough for him to be riding this stubborn animal and he made sure Cat knew exactly what he was thinking when she turned to give him a dirty look. He smiled then and reached into his pocket for a smoke. As much as he figured, if she wanted a puff, well, Cat would just have to come and get one, off the horse.

The Mule revved up it motor as it descended from Serenity, Zoe at its wheel. Tuck followed after it as well as Kaylee, Inara, and Simon, River and Jayne taking up there positions in the Mule. "You sure you don't want me to come?" Simon called as Cat wa