Mal waited until the Golden Dragon’s shuttle launched to take Flynn and Simon back to Serenity. Jayne, a capable pilot, had carried the stricken man on board, then stuck his head out of the airlock once more.

“You sure you don’t want me to come back?”

“No. I don’t think there’s any fight left in them, and if there is, I’m sure your wife can deal with it.”

Jayne grinned. “Yeah. My moonbrain ain’t to be trifled with.”

“You really are expanding your vocabulary, aren’t you?” Mal shook his head in good humour.

“She does me word lists, like Frey does with the kids. Makes me learn ‘em. Then we practice using ‘em. Sometimes all night.” The chuckle he gave was about as dirty as a man could get, and considering just who this particular man was, it was downright filthy.

Mal looked pained. “You know, I really think I didn’t need to know that.”

Jayne ducked back but appeared again almost immediately. “Hey, remember when I nearly had to deliver Ethan ‘cause the shuttle went down? That was a day and a half. Think you’re ever gonna get her knocked up again?”

“Jayne. Go.”

Jayne grinned and disappeared, the shuttle door closing immediately. In just a couple of minutes Mal felt the shudder that announced they had successfully disengaged, and he turned towards the bay door. The figure of a woman had him drawing up short in surprise.

“Zoe.” His first mate stood gazing at him, smiling slightly. “You planning on giving me another heart attack?” he asked, his hand on his chest.

“Not particularly, sir.”

“Good.” He glanced behind her. “Where’s Kaylee?”

“Well, since the Empress isn’t gonna be blown up any time soon, she’s working with the liner’s engineers to get their power back up and running.”

“We sure about the not being blown up part?”

“Pretty much. I think the timer getting to zero and nothing happening is a damn good indication.”

“I conjure you’re right.” Mal nodded. “So I’m figuring she wouldn’t leave.”

“Nope. She insisted.”

“That girl’ll do anything to wo