“ Zhang fu , are you okay?” Freya asked, somewhat anxiously given the state of Mal’s clothing.

“I’m shiny, ai ren . Armour worked a treat.” He tapped it lightly. “So, d’you think Simon can get the blood out and fix the bullet holes?” he asked, looking down at his chest. “He’s real good at that.”

“I’ve never really cared for that shirt as much as the others.” She wrinkled her nose a little. “It makes you look too … thin.”

“Then I won’t worry.” He smiled at her, and the warmth he felt from the one he received in return far outreached the pain above his ribs. “The kids?”

“Safe with Dillon. I think Callum’s teaching Ethan how to fly the hover.”

“Good skill to have.”

Becca was staring, open-mouthed, then gathered herself enough to spit, “You … you’re alive?”

He turned his cobalt glare onto her. “Looks that way.”

“But I shot you.”

“Believe me, I’m well aware of that. Knocked all the air out of me,” he said fervently, easing the armour away from his skin a little, and grimacing as it rubbed on the sore spots. “You know, they don’t tell you getting a couple of bullets at point blank in one of these hurts almost as much as the real thing.” He looked thoughtful. “You think I could get the manufacturers to put a warning on ‘em, or something?”

“So this was a set-up?” Becca’s voice was almost accusatory, ignoring his banter.

“Pretty much.” He almost looked sad. “I just wanted to see how far you’d go. Guess now I know.” He nodded towards the gun still in her hand. “And you’d better put that away ‘fore Frey takes it into her mind to let her jealousy get loose again and shoot you.”

Becca didn’t move for a moment, but the expression in his eyes made her realise he wasn’t joking. Carefully, making no sharp movements, she flicked the safety back on and slid the gun into her holster. Her holster. Only it wasn’t. And he’d made a joke about hoping it wasn’t Jayne’s … Something clicked, and she cursed herself for being so blind. “Wait a minute. I saw Jayne … how