Jayne took the buckskin again. Zoe took the black one. That left the doc with the silly-lookin’ yella one. He didn’t seem ta notice, though. He just glared straight ahead, silent as stone.

Jayne almost woulda preferred ta have the doc draw a gun on ‘im. Come flyin’. At least then he coulda’ punched ‘im an’ had it over with. Better th’n havin’ him poutin’ like he was.

Couldn’t help but wonder what the doc was gonna say ta Kaylee. Jayne wasn’t sweet on the idea of her bein’ upset er nothin’. Or gettin’ yelled at.

The doc wouldn’t do nothin’ ta hurt Kaylee. Didn’t seem the type. An’ if he had, Jayne’d likely have ta wait in line behind Mal ta beat the shu ma nyaw outa ‘im.

Weren’t none of the doc’s business. Gorram girl could make decisions fer herself.

Not that’s she’d exactly decided anythin’. She hadn’t come out and said nothin’. She just kept hintin’ an’ goin’ at it backwards.

Gorram girl. Why couldn’t she make a decision?

Zoe’d stopped. Jayne pulled his horse to a stop next ta her The doc was too busy glarin’ ta notice. Kept on ridin’ ahead.

“Simon.”

The doc looked around. Turned his horse back.

“Yes?”

“Best we part ways here. You keep straight ahead. Go inta the compound from the west. We’ll head south ta those hills.” Zoe nodded at some hills in the distance.

“Fine.”

“Got your money?”

The doc nodded. Jayne could see his jaw clenchin’ an unclenchin’.

“Don’t spend it unless you have ta. Stay only as long as you feel comfortable.”

“I’m done, then.”

Zoe half-smiled. “Longer than that.”

“Do I get a safe word? Or do I just have to scream your names when he tries to have his way with me?”

“I’d rather not have my name mentioned, if ya don’t mind.”

The doc didn’t even glance at Jayne.

Zoe shifted in her saddle. “I think I safe word would be best. Got one in mind?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Usurper Seducer. Gun-toting desperate ape-man.”

“Hey!” Jayne didn’t know what the first one meant, but he was ruttin’ positive the last o