Chapter 2

Mal, Zoë and Jayne follow Wash back up to the bridge.

After being told the entire story, Wash looks somewhat skeptical. “You’ll get stabbed again, cap’n.”

“Yeah, well, least this time, maybe I’ll see it comin’. Or I could just send a couple o’ you guys to do it for me, how’s that sound?”

“Sure you don’t wanna git your tight pants out again? You know, I’m sure little miss how’d-she-know-I’m-the-pilot would like them.” Wash ducks the swipe from Mal effortlessly. “How did she know I’m the pilot anyway?”

“‘Cause you were the one askin’ bout the destination? How should I know?” Mal folds his arms defensively. “Just ‘cause I’m the captain don’t mean I got all the answers.”

“Still, li’l girlie stole from fancy pants,” Jayne grins, “my kinda woman.”

“Jayne, mouth is talkin’.” Zoë snaps at him. “Sir, summin bout her just don’ add up right.”

Mal sighs, conceding her point. “I know. That aside, she seems to be pretty trustworthy though.”

Zoë isn’t satisfied. “In truth, maybe you should have stopped before trustworthy.”

Mal glares at her. “That is NOT it, ok? I just think she seems decent, is all. At least as decent as a thief can be. Still.” Zoë looks, if possible, even less convinced. “Oh, come on Zo’! Everyone’s running from summat. Can’t we at least give her a chance?”

“Long as I get rights to say I told you so any time it’s appropriate.”

“Done.”

In perfect unison, Jayne and Wash sigh loudly in disappointment.

~*~*~

Jayne, Mal and Zoë enter the dining area where Inara is sitting at the same time as Simon, Book and Kaylee are escorting Juliet in. River is standing in the middle of the floor, watching the doorway through which Juliet and her escorts are entering. Suddenly, as the two girls make eye contact, they both go into identical copies of the same defensive stance, fists raised, feet wide for support. At the exact same time, they attack, moving faster than would seem humanly possible, yet barely touching each other, appearing to know the place the other would land the next blow, dodging a