Chapter 7

The Mule came to a stop in Serenity’s hull and its occupants jump down.

“Is Zoe okay?” Kaylee asked as she made her way down the stairs.

“She’ll be fine. She’s being treated for smoke inhalation, should be out of the hospital by tomorrow,” Simon responded as Jayne and Inara entered the bay.

“Thank goodness,” Inara said.

“What?” Jayne asked noticing Mal looking his direction with a none too happy face.

“I’m wondering what the rutting hell you were thinking taking people hostage aboard my boat?” Mal said angrily.

Kaylee responded. “We couldn’t just leave them sitting out there.”

“Wasn’t my gorram idea, it was the doc’s,” Jayne huffed.

Mal replied, “Was it the doctor’s idea to call the Tang and advertise you had their men?”

“Mal, it was all of us, not just Jayne,” Inara interrupted.

“Yah Cap’ we just wanted to make sure everyone could get back on board the ship,” Kaylee explained.

“Guess I could’ve just been wondering around like you and Zoe,” Jayne shot back.

“ Ta ma de, Nimen de bizui ,” Mal erupted. “You all were told to sit tight but instead decided to muck things up. You’ll don’t think me and Zoe can see an ambush comin’?” Mal shook his head angrily and turned towards that door to the common area.

“What are we going to do now, Mal?” Inara asked sternly.

Mal stopped at the doorway. He turned around slowly pinching the bridge of his nose. “Zoe’s going to be stuck in the hospital until they release her. Not to mention she going to get question by a fed regarding how she got shot. We don’t know where quay River and Aleksander are and have no means of finding them. We sit tight until River finds a way to contact us and Zoe gets out.”

“If the feds are questioning Zoe you think they are watching Serenity?” Kaylee asked.

Jyane huffed, “More than likely.”

“If River tries to contact the ship the authorities could intercept the wave,” Simon added.

“We’ll cross that bridge when it comes,” Mal said and turned.

“Mal,” Inara called.

“