Hat cleaned off the tiny camera on the bridge comm. with a hanky.

“*Tzao gao*! Do you mind?” She turned to the others, “can’t say I’m gonna do this all that convincingly if I got you guys all staring over my shoulder!”

“Uh, ok we’ll leave you alone”, Mal motioned to the others. They all made various murmuring noises of disappointment and trooped off. Mal, the last, stood at the top of the bridge steps to listen.

“Governor! This is a delight!” Hat practically purred at the screen, Mal was impressed – hadn’t quite realised Hat could be so disingenuous, Inara maybe, but . . . was enough to make a man a little nervous . . .

“Well, I got yer message, young lady,” the Governor was brisk, but obviously charmed, “what can I do for ya?”

***

Hat turned off the camera and sat back. The sound of slow clapping came from the stairwell where Mal had obviously been eavesdropping.

“Well, well, well, Ms Blake, I had no idea you could be quite so nefarious, you put yer mind to it!”

“Captain,” Hat got up and curtsied, “I’m flattered! Praise from a man of such deceptive skill is praise indeed!” Mal paused and then shrugged, unable to make out if Hat had just complimented or insulted him.

“Well, when yer’ve finished wooin’ and lyin’ to yer man, wonder whether you might take a shot at supper?”

“Why I’d be delighted!” Hat’s voice dripped sarcasm. “You may not be aware a this but we women can multitask. Supper’s been in the oven for the last hour!” She smiled sweetly at him and flounced from the bridge.

***

“OK so,” Mal leaned his elbows on the table, strewn with the remnants of a mighty dinner, “Hat’s done her thing and the Governor’s well and truly hooked - as who wouldn’t be?” he dimpled sarcastically at Hat, who, now looking less than glamorous, was stuffing apple tart into her gaping maw. She wrinkled her nose in acknowledgment – all she could do under the circumstances. Having swallowed, she stuck out her tongue, but Mal had already moved on. “How we doin’ on the rest a the caper? Kayl