To Quote Inara

Chapter 1

“Well sir…………!!?” The owner of Tally’s Vehicle Overhaul & Universal Flying Parts Shop was saying to the man over the counter.

“ The invoice here says the parts are for a Firefly class spacecraft and that the order was put in by someone named Kaylee!”

“I understand that sir…..” Malcolm Reynolds said looking at the fellow facing him, “….it’s the part that we need to keep our boat flying or she’ll be grounded within a month!”

“ Well young man…..” Tally’s eyes wondered over the rugged looking individual in front of him, “ I usually don’t sell ordered parts to anyone other than the person who put the requested order in……and in my opinion you certainly don’t look like someone called Kaylee!”

Malcolm was becoming a little miffed with this guy……and he knew Tally was lying. These small-time parts dealers and scrap yard owners usually sold anything to the first customer that had the cashy money to pay for their junk so why was he giving him so much grief?

“ Well Kaylee couldn’t make it so she sent me here instead to pick up…….” Mal paused and pulled out a crumpled piece of folded paper from his pocket, “ the 617-55849 regulator trip circuit that she ordered from you four months ago, so……here I am!” He viewed the greasy-dirty, T-shirt wearing older fellow.

Tally looked at him blankly then continued…….. “ Another thing, I’ve been informed by law enforcement to request for information about any Firefly class vehicle that may be receiving parts or equipment from my business.”

That was something Malcolm did believe.

“ Yep, seems they’re on the lookout for some under the radar type folk that have something they want or some other kinda shifty deal thing that may be going on!” Tally continued, “ I’m afraid I can’t sell you anything until I see Miss Kaylee and she provides me with more information……..and proof of identity of course….” Tally added.

The Captain of Serenity was in a fix. How was he going to get what he needed from this guy…..and without questions?

They were here on HARVEST for two days and Kaylee had gone with Wash to pick up some other, bigger engine parts in the midsize town of Betsville while he was sent out here to get this small idem for the ship. Kaylee had had concerns if he could handle the task but Malcolm had silenced her quiz-itations with that captains glance that he had.

Sure, he could handle a simple parts acquiring errand……..really!!

Now It was turning out to be a question of if he really could.

At that moment there came a voice from the front of the store.

“ Ray!” Both Malcolm and the store owner turned in the direction of the door.

There in the opening stood and attractive looking girl-child around Kaylee’s age leaning against the doorjamb scrutinizing Mal for all he was worth. She was dressed in kaki colored rugged pants that clung around a very nice curvy form. The kakis matching her short sleeved shirt over which was worn a darker brown suede vest. On top of her head was a round brimmed western-style hat…..pulled low across her brow, there were drawstrings down the sides. That hat sat atop a clump of strait brownish-blonde hair surrounding a pretty face.

“ Kaylee sends you on a simple chore and you can’t help but befuddle Mr. Tally here!!? Never send a fellow to do a woman’s work I always say!” She smiled at both of them.

“ Miss Leads…..you know this guy? Tally quizzed.

“ Yeah……I know him and I can vouch for him….actually I know Kaylee better. She and I are in a business arrangement together….so we‘re partners. He’s good for the parts sir.” She said.

That seemed to be good enough for Tally, “ Ok Mr. Ray sir, sorry for all the questions. That will be 16 marks, or 2 credits if you prefer….” The business owner said.

Malcolm Reynolds pulled out the cash, paid the man, received the parts in a small box then headed for the door.

“ Thank you.” He said softly as he walked past the girl…….with a wide grin she slapped him on the back.

“ Head for the ship you big lug.” She said.

They were about to go when……

“ Alex……..I mean Miss Leads!” Tally called after her before she could leave his shop. She turned to face him.

“ My son, “ he paused, “ Jonathon says “Hi” and wants to know if you’ll be attending to the Betsville Harvest Dance this month?”

She stopped and smiled at him.

“ Well Mr. Tally……all depends on this current business deal here and if Ray, and Kaylee can keep there end of the bargain.” She stopped and glanced at Mal, “……..but I’d love to go see Jonathon there. He most surely has gotten his good looks from his father….” She winked at the man then looked over at Malcolm. The captain could see the shine in the girls eyes.

The bald, fat bellied owner of Tally’s smiled a happy little smile satisfied at the transaction that had just transpired.

She smiled at Malcolm.

“So she’s talented with a silver tongue” …….the thought zipped through the browncoat captain’s mind.

“Interesting!”

End Part 1

To Quote Inara

Chapter 2

Malcolm Reynolds, captain of a transport vessel walked with a leisurely step back toward shuttle 2 which he’d taken to retrieve a small package for his ship Serenity.

By his side traverse a an ol’ female friend he’d only just met five minutes earlier.

“So Miss Leads……”

“ Alex! “ She stopped him.

“ Alex….., excuse me for being such a limp brain…..,“ He stopped, “……..and heaven knows what a lug I am for not remembering someone that I’ve known for so long but would you kindly explain to me what just happened back there?”

The pretty young girl laughed as they walked.

“Ray…..”

He stopped her.

“ Reynolds…..Malcolm Reynolds.” He said

“ Yes Malcolm “ Ray” Reynolds!” She continued

The captain of Serenity was stunned for a moment. Now “Ray” may…..or may not have been the captain’s middle name, he wouldn’t divulge that information, but it had been a nick-name given to him by a few of the ranch hands that used to work for his mom back on his home planet of Shadow. How in the heck could this girl know this?

“ I know there’s a shuttle moored just beyond the trees of that undergrowth over there and I know that you’re the one that landed it.” She looked over at the captain.

“I also know that that craft belongs to a Firefly class spacecraft and that you have someone named Kaylee, Wash and Jayne in your employee…….You shouldn’t leave papers with such information around the nav controls of your shuttle Mal!”

He was about to say something in his defense but she stopped him with a finger to her lips.

“ Yep…..I was able to figure out the hatch code and get myself inside. You’re lucky………. If I’d been able to figure out the engagement code I’d have started her up and left your ass here to deal with Mr. Tally back there.” She smile at Malcolm.

“ Oh, I think Jonathon would have been very disappointed having me to dance with at the Harvest Dance Festival other than you.” Malcolm Reynolds smiled back at her. “ and besides you’d never gotten off the ground without this.” The captain produced a chip from his back pocket with circuits running across the top.

“ Six seconds after she’d have started……..the engine would have shut down. “ He added.

As the man and woman walked back together toward the shuttle each could tell that the other was a likeable, intelligent, witty, individual that they… were spending time with. Now, the “Trust ” thing was a different issue.

The girl turned to Malcolm and put out her had.

“ My name Alex…..Alex Leads……Alexandria if you must know.”

Malcolm took her hand and shook it.

“ Ray…..Ray Reynolds. Mal or Malcolm if I feel I can trust you!” He said

“Well Malcolm…….Mal!” She said,….. beautiful smile showing. “I think we are about to become good, close friends.”

“ Well Miss Leads…..only time will tell. That‘s what I usually like to think!” He added

End part 2