The trip to Whitefall was going to take the best part of nine days but it didn’t even take nine hours for almost everyone on the crew to try and talk Mal out of dealing again with Patience.

“Hasn’t she shot you? More’n once?” Hank asked as he negotiated a small asteroid field.

Mal crossed his arms, standing in his usual position behind the pilot‘s seat. “Only a bit, and the last time not at all.”

“Could be you’re due.”

“Just fly my damn boat.”

Simon was more direct. “I suggest you ask her to make it a flesh wound,” he said, counting swabs. “If it’s anything more I don’t really have the supplies.”

“She’s not going to shoot me. Didn’t last time.”

“Only because she was too busy laughing at you for being a reluctant actor,” the doctor pointed out, referring to the time they‘d hosted the Hawkins Troupe.

“Nor the time before. In fact, I might even go so far as to say the old harridan’s mellowing.”

Simon just shook his head and shooed Mal out of the infirmary.

“She isn’t to be trusted, sir,” was Zoe’s opinion, given as she poured them each a coffee in the galley.

“I know it. And it means we can trust her to try and gyp us in some way,” her captain replied.

“It won’t stop her shooting you.”

He grinned. “Zoe, that’s what I keep you around for.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Stopping her shooting you, or doing it myself, sir?”

His gunhand and mechanic tried together in the cargo bay.

“It ain't like we need the work that much,” Jayne commented. “’N’ River ‘n’ me got some cash put by in case of emergencies if‘n you need it.”

Mal half-smiled. “That’s very magnanimous of you. Now go ask River what it means, and you keep your money.”

“You sure it ain't a trap, Cap?” Kaylee asked, just a little nervously. “Knowing how she likes to spring ‘em on you.”

“Nope. But forewarned is forearmed.”

“I hate those sayings.”

“Not too keen on ‘em myself, xiao mei-mei , but at least this one’s right. I don’t intend on anyone getting shot this time.”

“Well, you and pla