This is the third in my Wash/Zoe series. This story takes place after Not Poaching and Not Sharing. While it can be read alone, it will make more sense if you have read those stories. It is part of a cycle of stories which shares the back history of The Price Paid series. It’s just the four of them, they haven’t taken on Jayne yet and Inara doesn’t come aboard until eight months before the events in The Train Job.

With grateful thanks to Sarah for her suggestions and supportive beta and to Channain for a very fast second beta. Feedback is always welcome. Please do not archive without permission. All rights belong to Mutant Enemy and Joss Whedon.

Chinese Glossary

dong ma [ understand]

mashong [Fast, on the double]

Shee-niou [shit urine]

Hao de [okay, will do]

Hao ba, hou lai, sui [okay (reluctant)later, afterwards though]

Tong yi [to agree/to consent/to approve]

ben dan [you] idiot]

xiao chou [clown]

Bu yao chou [ Don't worry]

kan shang qu bi ran [ it would appear to be inevitable/ it had to happen]

bu cuo [not bad/pretty good]

Ting hao [very good]

Bai gan jiao ji [all sorts of feelings well up in one's heart]

Bai chi [sentimental idiot]

gu nian zhong de gu nian [A woman among women]

nan ren zhong de nan ren [A man among men]

sha ni zu xian shi ba dai [I will slaughter 18 generations of your ancestors]

SHE WALKS IN BEAUTY

Wash clattered down the gangway between the bridge and the engine room looking for Kaylee. They were on autopilot in orbit around some jerkwater moon he couldn’t be bothered to remember the name of. Mal and Zoe had taken the shuttle down to pick up the cargo. This might be his only chance to talk to Kaylee when he was sure neither would be able to overhear.

"Kaylee? Kaylee?"

"Yeah, Wash? You need somethin'?" Came the muffled reply from beneath Serenity's slowly turning engine.

"I need to ask you to do me a favor."

"Can it w