Author's Notes: First off, I want to thank everyone for the reviews! I'm glad people have liked the story so far, and it is turning out to be more than two parts, though I'm pretty sure it will be finished up within three. I'm still undecided on whether or not to keep it gen or end it with Mal/Simon--but if you have a preference and could let me know, it might make it easier to decide.

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"This it?" Tarlin Banks glared over at Captain Reynolds. "This don't look like much." He opened up the last case and sneered into it.

Zoe watched Banks, unblinkingly, a slight frown marring her pretty features. Beside her, Mal was smiling, but it was a far cry from friendly. He was missing two of his own, and if he wasn't waiting on his payment, he would have shot Banks straight through his forehead. "I'm just the cargo hauler, Banks, you gotta problem with the merchandise you take that up with Badger."

Banks eyes narrowed, and three armed men appeared behind him. Resignedly, Zoe and Mal both raised their hands. "Why don't you just head on off and leave this here with me, we'll call it even," Banks said.

Mal rolled his eyes. "I really don't have the time for this kind of complication."

Banks smirked. "I am real sorry to inconvenience you, Reynolds, but you know the way things go."

"I do actually," Mal said, giving a slight nod. "That's why I took a few precautions of my own."

He had barely finished speaking and three shots rang out. Banks' men dropped one after the other—but not before the last down fired a glancing shot off Mal's shoulder. He grabbed it with a wince, and a thin trickle of blood slipped through his fingers. When he looked up Banks men were all dead, and any other day, Mal might have wasted thirty seconds feeling guilty. "The money, Tarlin," he snapped.

Banks glared but threw him the small bag of coins and he caught it with his uninjured arm. Behind Tarlin, barely in sight, Jayne threw him a grin and ho