Firefly, Serenity, and the original characters are not mine. This was written for fun, not profit. All standard disclaimers apply. Two new characters introduced in this series are mine, but Joss can have them if he wants, because they'd really like to come out and play.

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PG rating for this installment is for mild swearing only.

Pairings: Simom/Kaylee implied

CARGO BAY INTERIOR

LATE AFTERNOON

Mal, Zoë, and Jayne are loading fancy cargo crates onto a flatbed transport vehicle piloted by a uniformed man. An authoritative figure in business attire stands nearby going over a manifest with Simon, counting containers, running a portable x-ray type scanner over them, and then checking them off on the list. The crew is dressed in clothing they normally wouldn’t wear for work. They haven’t done laundry in a week, and haven’t had more than a sponge bath due to circumstances in a previous story. The cargo is loaded.

AUTHORITATIVE FIGURE: It's all here. I thank you for that.

Mal looks up, pissed. Simon eyes him and Mal backs off.

SIMON: (Slightly annoyed, cold, and formal) We are a business. You made us a fair deal, and we accepted it. I expect you chose this ship for a reason, so there is no cause to act as if you are surprised your cargo hasn’t been tampered with.

AUTHORITATIVE FIGURE: I am sorry. You are correct. We chose this ship (he looks around the cargo bay with disdain) very carefully. There have been many thefts from art shipments in this sector lately. (Slight condescension) The ships our regular carrier uses look as if they are transporting something of value. Yours, not so much.... I’m sorry to hear about your mechanical troubles, though I am glad they didn’t slow you at all. We will just deduct the price of the water and parts from your fee.

SIMON: Fair enough.

He hands Simon an envelope full of credits, Simon counts carefully as the transport is leaving the ship. Zoë hits the buttons to close the ramp and the airlock. Simon