Still Flying - Part III

Disclaimer: Firefly, Serenity, and all related characters are copyright 2002-2005 Mutant Enemy, Inc., Universal Pictures, and 20th Century Fox. This is a work of fanfiction. No copyright infringement is intended.

***

“Well,” River said, mimicking Badger’s accent flawlessly. “Look who finally went and decided to show up.” She turned to Badger, who was staring at her with a large smile on his face. “Told you they’d be here.”

“That you did, Love. That you did.” He said, fondly. “Captain Reynolds, so good of you to show. I was starting to think that you’d forgotten all about me.” He stood and moved around the desk, trailing a few fingers down one of River’s bared arms. “Luckily your charmin’ little passenger hadn’t. She’s a right pretty peach, ain’t she?” River gave a girlish giggle and flashed a radiant smile up at Badger.

“Yeah,” Mal deadpanned. “She’s really something.”

“Do you have work for us or is this just a social call?” Zoe asked.

“I’ve got a buyer for some artwork done by a local artist here on Persephone. Buyer lives on the Bellephron estates and can’t make the trip here for some reason or another. What I need is for you to haul these bits of precious to her estate, collect the payment, and bring it back.”

“Are they pretty?” River asked Badger.

“Not half as pretty as you, Love.” Bader smiled.

This was seriously starting to creep Mal out. He had no idea why River was acting like this. She knew that he didn’t like Badger and she knew that Badger was a low-life. So why in the seven blue levels of hell was River in his place of business, flirting up a storm?

“So, Reynolds…do you want the job or not?” He asked.

“Bellephron Estates, you said?” Mal asked.

“What are you, deaf?” River laughed. “He didn’t stutter!”

“Yeah, we’ll take the job. Just give us the specs and we’ll get everything loaded up.” Mal said, working to control his irritation at River, Badger, and the entire situation.