Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon. Mainly because I haven't the courage to stick in a Mary Sue. Also because he is awesome. Will continue to live vicariously through Mal.

This is Chapter 2 of the story that began here:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5474

and is a continuation of Our Co-Pilot Tam, which can be found here:

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5386

It would be very shiny if anyone could tell me how to stick in actual links. Also italics.

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The crew gathered in the cargo bay to welcome Zoe and Jayne back. River had awakened by then and stood by Mal, leaning on his side with her arm around his waist. Across the bay, Simon and Kaylee held hands as Zoe and Jayne wheeled in the truck, a large case resting on it. Zoe stopped the truck, resting her hand on the lid. “Got your cargo,” she said. “Was a bit of an adventure. There were some things that jien hwo didn't mention.”

“Go tsao de whore,” Jayne added.

“What happened?” Mal asked.

“For one,” said Zoe, “Not only did she bugger their ship so it crashed, but it crashed into a gorram ravine. Two, there were two other teams out to get the chest. I don't know if they saw it come down or if they were planning to intercept that ship regardless, but they were ready for some serious shiong-tsan sha-de.”

“Good thing they saw each other first and blew each other ruttin' away,” Jayne put in.

“And the crew hadn't bailed out,” Zoe said. “They weren't all dead neither. The place smelled like Du-Khang in summer, during the siege. Complete with people shooting at us from within the gu-zoeng ship.”

“Most importantly,” Jayne added, “The chest don't open. Ruttin' heavy, but it's locked with some kind of Alliance code.”

“Not shiny,” Mal breathed. “Glad you're home safely, though. Jayne, think you could bust the thing open? 'Cause I really would rather not wake up Yo-saf-bridge and ask her unless I had no other choice.”

Jayne shook his head. “Too hea