“We really want to do that job?” Freya asked, picking up a small vase on one of the stalls, turning it over to see what was written underneath then putting it back, much to the disgust of the bored owner.

“It’s a job. It’s marginally legal.”

“And we’ve got cash saved if we need it.”

Mal knew what she was doing. He'd refused to let her open the package from Alex, saying she’d enjoy it that much more back on the ship, adding that the best was always worth waiting for. He was still limping slightly from the kick she’d given him, and now she was annoying him by dawdling. He was prepared to let her get away with it, at least for a while. “That’s not for now.”

“Besides, Bigsby was ogling.”

“What?”

“He was trying to see down my shirt.”

“Frey, honey, he's too scared of you to do that. Besides, he couldn’t keep his eyes off the women in the bar.”

“Are you saying they’re better looking than I am?” she asked, turning to look at him.

“Is it gonna be one of those days?” he asked in turn. “The kind where no matter what I say I'm wrong?”

She stuck her chin out. “Yes.”

“Fine. Just so’s I know.” He sighed, shaking his head. “So if I say you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and there ain’t a one of those silicone enhanced bodies that claim my attention for even a moment, I'm lying?”

“Are you?”

“You gonna answer a question with a question?”

“What if I am?”

He couldn’t help it. He laughed. Probably not the best thing to do, especially if she really was annoyed with him, but luckily she smiled instead. “Frey, honey, you know I ain’t got eyes for anyone else. And there’s a whole host of men out there who think you’re pretty special, and I include sly ones at that. So don’t go getting yourself all … discombobulated over nothing, dong mah ?”

“I don’t think I’ve ever been combobulated,” she said thoughtfully. “So I'm not sure how I go about being the opposite.”

“Don’t. It’s painful.”

“You’ve had the practice?”

“I surely have. I doubt there’s much