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 fan-fiction. No copyright infringement is intended.

“No such thing as too careful. We need to know what we’re going into,” Mal said, staring into the endless black dominating the view from the bridge.

“Sir, this meeting with Pedrof has you spooked and I’m wondering why. All our sources say he’s a fair dealer, doesn’t like complications. Something you’re not telling me?” Zoe leaned back against the console, arms crossed.

“Not sure.”

“About which part?”

Mal glanced distractedly out into the black as a luminous blue planet orbited into view.

“I got nothing, Zo. No nudge, no twist, nothing. Either my gut‘s broken or I’m reading this thing all wrong. Look, my right eye hasn’t even twitched.” Mal poked a finger in his eye.

“Broken, Sir?”

“Don’t look at me like that, Zoe.”

"Like what, Sir?" Zoe blinked and tried to wipe the smirk off her face.

"Like that...like I'm crazy."

“Sorry, Sir. Habit. I’m just glad it’s nothing serious.” Zoe rose to leave.

“Nothing serious? Did you hear what I said? I got nothing. River’s worried about the meet and I'm getting nothing."

“Sir, she’s a reader and a precog.”

“I look peaked, right? I feel flushed,” he fanned himself.

“Sir, I’ll take care of it. We just need to do some recon. River and I can be planet-side and back in less than 7 hours.”

“No, River stays on board,” Mal checked the glands under his chin.

“Sir.”

“We need our pilot on the ship.”

“…Sir.”

“Forget it, Zo.”

“She’s going to have sex one day."

"Well, it won't be today."

"You can’t keep her on the ship forever, Sir.”

“Why not?”

“Sir, you sound…”

“Don’t call me crazy.“

“…OK, but that won't stop me from thinking it.”

“That little girl—“

“She’s a woman, Sir.”

“She skips; she’s a girl.”

Zoe chuckled, “That’s your gauge?"

“When was the last tim