Life's Too Short- Part Two

Disclaimer: yeah, yeah, the characters aren't mine.

Author's Note- wow, I'm really on a roll today. I've added a little J/R, for those of you who like that, and set up a job on Whitefall. Adventure, yipee! *Please commment*

“Got a job for us, sir?” Mal swung around to face Zoe, who'd just climbed out of her bunk. He studied her face for a second.

“Yep. We'll be landin' on Whitefall in nine hours.”

“Whitefall, sir? Seems I recall a few bullets chasing us last we left Whitefall.” Her eyes were steady and tired.

“We need the work. 'Sides, she only shot me once.”

“She tried for twice. If that horse hadn't been there-”

“But the horse was there, Zoe. I can handle Patience.” He clapped her on the shoulder. One dark eyebrow rose. Her eyes. The light that used to shine there was down to a mere flicker. Mal wanted to bring it back, just for a moment. Just for a moment.

“I was thinkin', maybe you and me could find a bar on a friendly planet near Whitefall. Ain't lookin' for trouble, I just...”

“A bar, sir?”

“You remember the time Wash dared me to sing the buttercup song?” It was risky, saying the name. He wasn't sure it was wise to mention Wash, but no one else on the gorram boat would. And it wasn't like Mal was ever known for his wisdom, right?

“I surely do,” Zoe replied softly.

“Well, as I recall, we sort of had to leave that bar before I could get drunk enough to carry through.”

“We got thrown out of that bar, sir.”

“True, true,” Mal said, a rambling note in his voice. Then, he straightened and put a hand on her arm. “I intend to follow through with that bet, Zoe, an' I want you to be there. As witness. Wash never woulda believed it otherwise.” A muscle twitched in her jaw, and Mal held his breath.

Then, a faint smile.

“All right.” It wasn't much, but it was more than he'd hoped for.

O' course, now he was stuck with singing the stupid song.

Mal let go of his old friend's arm and moved to continue his search for Inara. What he was going to say to her