So I have a 1h 15min class today that's boring as all get-out, so here's another installment. I hope you all are still enjoying this, and comments and suggestions are appreciated and really really help. Thanks, enjoy!

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"Your crew loves you Mal." Tracey still leaned against the wall, looking extremely exasperated. The conversation had been going in circles for hours now.

"They follow me 'cause they have to."

"Do you seriously believe that go se?" He asked incredulously. "You must be much, much dumber than I thought." Giving the other man a hard stare he added, "Yeah, well, I guess that's not too much of a stretch."

"Hey, I'm not the one who got caught smugglin' organs now, am I?"

Tracey at least had the sense to look chargrined. "I am real sorry about that Cap'n. I didn't mean for that to go the way it did."

" 'Course you didn't."

"And I'm payin' for it! Gotta knock sense inta stubborn hwoon dahns like you for the rest of eternity, remember?"

Mal bit back a chuckle. "That is a mite unfortunate."

"Don't get stuck in the same spot as me then. Realize what you've got 'fore it's too late."

"Love. Right. Got a cache of gold bullion or food stashed anywhere that I could raid instead?"

"Back we go," Tracey cocked his head, nodded, then gestured grandly. Once again they found themselves back in the infirmary observing someone watching over Mal's prone form. Except this person wasn't cute and pretty, but hairy and smelly.

"Jayne?" Mal yelped. "Now that's all matter of unsettlin'."

Jayne sat at his side, a row of guns resting on the bed in front of him in all matter of assemblage, waiting to be cleaned. The mercenary didn't say a word, just hummed a soft tune Mal could have sworn was the gorram folk song from Canton. It was oddly comforting, out of character as it was for the burly man to show any sign of affection whatsoever. A machine gave a random beep, and Jayne's head snapped up so quickly that Mal swore it almost flew off. After anothe