"My dear Mrs. Washburne," the man greeted from the doorway. "You surprise me. I would have thought your daughter meant more to you."

"Don't recall inviting you in my shop," Zoë responded, wiping down the counter one last time. "And I ain't your dear anything."

"All it takes is one little signature," he went on, ignoring Zoë's comments. "We could become partners. I treat my business partners quite well, Mrs. Washburne."

"Right up until you have them killed," Zoë pointed out. She put aside the cloth and faced the intruder. "Give me my daughter and leave us alone."

"I could burn down your vineyards," he went on. "I've already revoked your license for the inn, as well as your license to serve alcohol on these premises. Yet you prevail. All it would take is your name on the correct papers, naming me as your partner and it can all disappear. Yet you refuse. I have taken your daughter from you as you are, obviously, an unfit mother but you still--" His words were cut off when Zoë's fist made firm contact with his jaw.

"Get out of my shop," she ground out slowly. "Or magistrate or not, you will need to be carried out by medical experts. I will not sign anything over to you."

"You will regret this," he snarled, his calm finally broken. "You still don't know who you're messing with, do you? I own this sector! No one makes a move without my say-so! You should be grateful I have taken an interest in this worthless plot of yours, you miserable, washed-up old crone!"

Zoë watched him storm off to his private transport as she flexed her fingers, ignoring the sting along her knuckles. She would have to work harder at finding where Kya was placed now - he wouldn't just let that go. She allowed herself a quick glance at the sky, hoping for a miracle...

***

"If Zoë were here, she'd tell you it would never work," Kaylee said, once the plan had been explained.

"If Zoë were here," Mal responded. "We wouldn't need to break Jayne out of a high-security prison to help fetch Zoë's daughter."

"How mu