Infection Rising

"Look, Captain, I don't know how many times I have to tell you, but I'll be fine."

"An' I don't know how many times I have to tell you, but as long as you're in the family way you'll mind the ship every time we go out on business."

Zoe and Mal stared each other down angrily. This wasn't the first time they'd had this discussion in the past couple of weeks, but now that they were at their destination it would have to be the last time. Standing on the catwalk above Serenity's cargo room, with the Mule already fully loaded with their cargo, this time the gloves were coming off.

"Does the term 'first trimester' mean anything at all to you? Nothing's getting in the way of me doing my job yet except you!"

"Does it make a difference if you get hurt during the first or last trimester? Uh-un, there ain't no way you're going anywhere but wrapped in cotton for the next six months."

"You picked a hell of a time to for that speck of chivalry to show up, Mal."

"Why, thank you."

"It's no compliment, you gorram caveman-"

"Hey, call me what you want, but you ain't going. It's final."

"So you're just going to trust Jayne to watch your back?"

"Hey, he not nowhere near half as shifty as he was when we first picked him up!"

"That's not what I'm saying! Jayne's great for blasting our way out of messes, but he's not too good at avoiding them in the first place! There's a reason we always go in with at least three, two people just can't cover all angles!"

"Now look here-"

"Hey guys?" Jayne's voice drifted up tentatively, interrupting the steadily escalating pitch of voices.

"WHAT?" Mal and Zoe screamed back in unison.

"I hate to interrupt ya'll, but I think the third person's already been decided."

"What?" Mal and Zoe were still in sync, but with puzzlement replacing a fraction of the anger.

"See for yourself." Jayne said. His voice was not one of a man happy with the situation he finds himself in.

Mal and Zoe looked over the catwalk's railing. Sitting in