A/T: None of these characters, nor the ‘verse are mine and I get no monetary gain for fic writing…just fun…lots and lots of fun.

Chapter 7

River swayed back and forth with her eyes closed as if she could hear music and said in a sing songy voice, "Full pockets and an empty heart. Bodies couldn’t fight it…too weak…too soon. It's too soon to know..." As River suddenly halted her movements and opened her eyes she saw a body silhouetted in the doorway. "And too late for you..."

*********

Mal looked at Wash expectantly as he and Book rushed into the bridge to meet him, Zoe, and Jayne who were already gathered there, staring out into a not so empty space.

“Someone wanna tell me what the hell is goin’ on?” Mal spoke with concern but still radiated his ire from before.

“Looks to be stranded.” Wash explained and looked up at Mal while flipping switches and adjusting controls. He sounded surprised as he said, “It’s a later model med-ship, maybe a 62-10. I’m reading no people onboard and no aux life support.” Wash paused and then offered, “Med-ships don‘t get stranded. There‘s way too much cash just built right into ‘em.”

They all looked to Mal, waiting for instructions. Several moments passed and Wash started to make a comical face and urge Mal on with his expression. Zoe merely swatted his arm and opened her mouth to speak.

Then suddenly from the back of the room Jayne spoke.

“I’ll be a liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze fuh ur-tze, before we play this tune again. Mal, we ain’t like to get no boon outta this, same as last time. S’right time we cut our losses before we…” Jayne searched for how to finish the sentence. “…lose ‘em.”

Everyone stared blankly at Jayne for a full three seconds, unmoving.

“Sir, I think Jayne’s right.” Zoe stood to full height as she said this, in complete seriousness.

“Did you really just say that?” Wash asked incredulously.

Zoe twisted her face up as if she smelled something rancid, and then considered his question before looking at him and plopping back down t