note: this is the second in my series (my first being here: http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=9639), but you really dont have to read the first episode if you dont want to, itll still make perfect sense! i have all the characters (cos i cant bear not to) and it doesnt take place at any particular time in the series or bdm... oh and zoes pregnant =D

this is just the teaser and acts i-iii will come afterwards!

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The bar sat at the edge of a small town situated in the middle of a sparse desert. It was on the verge of disrepair, shabby and worn beneath the blazing sun that shone fiercely down on the sign reading ‘Th Gold n Pl n t’. Within sat a fair few locals, despite it being barely lunchtime. Unemployment rates were high leading to many drowning their sorrows and spending their dwindling coin in this place of refuge. Heat radiated from the surfaces and there was a strong smell of sweat mingled with the sickly stench of alcohol. In the darkest corner was a small table surrounded by men lent forwards in secrecy.

“We were expecting more…” one said reluctantly. He was young, wore his long blonde hair, now turned brown by dirt, over his tanned face, his deep blue eyes peering at the Captain Malcolm Reynolds with a mixed look of desperation and distrust.

“Well, you shouldn’t have,” Mal replied firmly. “Now do you want the goods or not?”

The man’s eyes flickered from Mal to the piece of folded paper that was gripped between the Captain’s finger and thumb, to the bulky figure of his oaf, Jayne. Finally, his eyes came to rest on his associate who shrugged, handing him the bag of coin. He sighed. They really couldn’t afford this.

Mal glanced at Jayne, sensing trouble. He had suspected this would not run smoothly. Although hopeless people gave them more power, desperate times led to desperate actions.

It was a swift movement with which the man grabbed the piece of paper, leaping from the table in a dash to the door, the money still