“Couldn’t say how many times I’ve mentioned this,” Mal called, watching Jayne’s daughter scurry hurriedly by, shortly followed by River, and then Kaylee. “This ship ain’t no playground. Someone takes a short trip down some long stairs, I ain’t responsible.” The trio of high-pitched giggles likely drowned out his words in the large cargo bay, and so, rolling his eyes, Mal ascended the nearest staircase to the engine room corridor. *Girls*, he thought. *I swear, they’re a completely different species...* Simon brought him up short. “Captain,” the doctor greeted. “Doc,” Mal replied, then noticed that Simon was not moving to pass him. “What’s on your mind these days?” he redirected. Simon fidgeted slightly, pivoting the toe of one shoe on the metal flooring. “Well,” he began, “I was just thinking... Am I correct in assuming we have no current job lined up?” Mal crossed his arms, expecting a semi-serious conversation. “You would be.” Simon nodded, absently averting his gaze. “Right, I thought so. Well...” He hesitated nervously, then continued haltingly. “Well, I was... thinking... Kaylee and I...” Mal blew atmo out of his nostrils. “Doc, I need you to spit this out for me, or my kneecaps are likely to pop off an’ hit someperson.” Simon nodded, sticking his hands into his pockets. “Right, well...” He heaved a sigh. “Kaylee and I have been talking, and we’re thinking about moving in together. Me into her room, of course,” he detailed. “If that’s all right with you, of course. We’ve been thinking about it, anyway, and well, I thought maybe you’d need to pick up some new passengers tomorrow for extra income, and, well, me moving in with Kaylee would...” He met Mal’s gaze, still appearing to be very nervous. “...free up an extra room.” Mal eyed Simon for a moment, then nodded. “Good. I’ve been thinkin’ on the very same subject. Only got four passenger rooms, an’ with you, River, an’ the Sheppard takin’ up three of them for so long, we haven’t taken on transients in a good spell. You movin’ to a crew quarters would give me room for two again, seein’ as Gabriel’s taken Book’s room.” Simon closed his eyes for an instant, appearing relieved. “Excellent. I didn’t know if you’d have a problem with it or not...” “I had a problem with Zoe and Wash when they first got together,” Mal informed him interjectedly. “Though it didn’t do a whole mess of good. I suspect you or Kaylee would be less likely to stand up to me on an issue like that, but I think it really is for the best.” He winked. “Like I said to you before... ‘What is of use to me’.” He clapped Simon on the shoulder. “Whenever you’re ready, you take care of that for me.” With that, he turned and moved down the corridor and into the common room, where he was brought face-to-face with Gabriel. “Rrgh!” he grunted. “How many times you gonna sneak up on me like that? Last time someone on this ship shot about like such, it turned out very badly.” *Ruttin’ YoSaffBridge...* he thought. “What can I do for ya?” Gabriel frowned, staring at the captain as a scientist may whilst studying a dissected frog. “Don’t want nothin’, Sarge,” he replied, moving past and disappearing through the doorway. Shaking his head, Mal moved through the common room, intent on the cockpit. *Too many extreme weirdos on this boat*, he thought. *What happened to having my normal weirdos?* *************************************************

Jayne set the barbell back on the weight bench and stood, mopping sweat with a towel. *Now, where’d that girl runoff to...* She’d been playing with Kaylee and the crazy girl all morning, and although Jayne still wouldn’t trust River to watch her, he felt comfortable leaving her in Kaylee’s hands. It surprised Jayne how protective he’d become of Janie so quickly. He smiled to himself. *Always shuddered at the thought of bein’ a dad, but it ain’t bad.* He sniffed and moved across the bay to the stairs. *Ain’t bad at all.* He ascended to the upper deck, intending to clean himself up in his room, but decided against it for the moment. *Could use somethin’ to drink an’ a moment to relax,* he reckoned, and turned the other way to hit up the common room. Zoe, seated at the table, was the only one in the room, and grunting a ‘how ya doin’ noise, Jayne moved to the cupboards for a glass. “Lookin’ forward to seein’ your family?” Zoe inquired, not looking up from the table. Jayne slapped the cupboard shut and filled his glass with water. “Yeah,” he replied simply. “Haven’t seen ‘em in a few years. Last letter I got said my brother, Mattie, had gotten himself in some trouble, again.” He slid heavily into a chair and took a swallow of water. “Boy can’t keep his nose clean.” Zoe finally looked at him, mock astonishment predominant in her features. “What, in *your* family?” She smirked a mite. “I would’ve never guessed.” “Har har.” Jayne drank some more water. “Ma’ll be happy to see me. She got no way of expectin’ me, though. Don’t have Comm at the house, so the few times I’ve talked at her've been arranged meetin’s.” He sighed, looking at the wall. “Wonder what her reaction to all this is gonna be.” “She’ll probably think you’re an idiot,” Zoe murmured. Jayne felt an instant wave of shock, confusion, and anger. “Whaddaya mean?!” he exclaimed, glowering at the first mate and releasing his glass. “Wait a minute. You pissed that I got me a daughter, or that I ain’t gonna take care of her myself?” Zoe met his glower, then relaxed, letting her gaze settle on the table. “Sorry, Jayne, I...” She sighed. “Dumb thing to say. I ain’t mad at you, I just...” She drummed her fingers on the tabletop. “I just got a lot on my mind, is all. Didn’t mean to take it out on you.” Jayne’s anger quickly abated, and he leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table. After a moment’s silence, he said, “Zoe, I know I never said this to ya after... But for what it’s worth, an’ I doubt that’s much, I *am* terrible sorry ‘bout Wash.” Zoe met his gaze again, forcing a small smile. “Thanks, Jayne.” She actually sounded sincere. Jayne gripped his glass again, looking at it, but didn’t bring it to his mouth. “An’ you’d be right about Janie, anyhow. It’s pretty low-down of me to ditch her after what she’s just been through, but ya know I ain’t father material.” He looked back up at her. “She deserves better. Better’n me, an’ my mother can give her that. An’ I’ll definitely visit her every chance I get,” he added, finally taking another swig of water. Zoe gave Jayne a queer look. “You’re really takin’ to her, ain’tcha?” Jayne shrugged. “Jus’ doin’ what I think’s right.” “Like that’s been typical behavior of Jayne Cobb,” Zoe joked. ************************************************

Sitting at his desk, Ray Foster thumbed the Comm switch on the second ring. The suave, collected face of Damian Ritter appeared on the screen. “Doctor,” the soldier greeted. “Yes. What do you have for me?” “Reynolds’ ship is three days out. No mistake; they’re definitely heading here.” Foster smiled. “Excellent. Are we holding to the original plan?” Ritter shook his head. “Can’t. That’s the bad. I’ll give you the good first. I’ve managed to... ‘delay’ any current jobs the crew may be proposed. They’ll be forced to take passengers.” Foster nodded his approval. “Don’t appear too eager for passage, of course...” He hesitated, then smiled. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to tell a professional how to do his job. Tell me the bad.” Ritter’s face turned dangerous. “The rogue operative has been feeding Gabriel Davin information. It’s been impossible to locate him as of yet, however.” Foster leaned back in his chair, intertwining his fingers. “This is, indeed, a serious problem. Davin shouldn’t even know about us, yet. Fortunately, since it is the rogue operative, the Alliance won’t know about us, either.” He gestured dismissively with his hand. “Make it a second priority, however. Acquiring Davin is still the primary issue.” Ritter nodded his agreement. “A secondary problem is that I am not going as a passenger.” Foster frowned. “You are not?” he questioned. Ritter shook his head. “No. From the profiles I’ve read on Reynolds and his first mate, Alleyne Washburne, they’d spot a dangerous man such as myself in an instant, assuming Davin could not.” Foster nodded. “Very likely, he would, as well. And sending Dante would just be too obvious. A child could pick him out as a psycho.” He scratched his goatee, which, distressingly, had more and more streaks of gray in it these days. “So, you’re sending two of your men in your stead. And what of the psychic on the lam from the Alliance programs? Certainly, she is a concern.” Ritter nodded his admittance. “I’ve read the reports. In my opinion, she may be more of a danger than the boy in just about every way possible. However, when all is in position, this should go quickly enough that her reader abilities won’t become an issue.” “‘Should,’” Foster repeated. “I don’t like this word, ‘should’. Ensure that it becomes a ‘will’.” Ritter nodded. “Will do, Doctor,” he assured, glancing down to end the transmission. “Oh,” Foster added, halting him. “And one last thing. Whatever the dosage of tranquilizer you plan to use on Davin... double it.” Ritter frowned. “We’re already using one hundred and twenty milligrams of Lerotine. Won’t two forty kill him?” “No,” Foster told him. “And make sure they subdue him at the earliest possible convenience. You’ve seen from the Alliance Academy footage I acquired of what, exactly, this man is capable. We will not make the same mistakes the Alliance did.” “Will do, Doctor,” Ritter repeated, and ended the transmission. *************************************************

Gabriel slipped silently past the closed doors of the crew quarters. Everyone had been asleep for three and a half hours, which Gabriel had opted would be the time least likely that someone would be wandering about. They were nearing a planet, and he needed information. Ascending the stairs, Gabriel moved to the pilot seat and keyed the Comm. A moment later, a calm, dark face appeared on the screen. “Gabriel,” The Operative greeted. “How ya doin’, Jim?” Gabriel returned. The Operative frowned. “My friend, I simply must know. Why is it that you insist on calling me, ‘Jim’?” Gabriel shrugged. “Same answer as the last three times you asked. I feel more comfortable talking to someone who has a name. And I *ain’t* your friend.” He paused for a moment to reassure himself that, indeed, the ship remained silent and sleeping. “Now, what do you have for me?” “The Agency has a team stationed within your destination city,” The Operative informed him. “It is responsible for Serenity’s lack of work opportunities as of late. One or two agents may attempt to pose as passengers to gain access to your ship.” “If threats board the ship, I’ll recognize them,” Gabriel spoke pointedly. “Can’t just kill any passengers that happen to appear. Anything else for me?” The Operative smiled. “Gabriel, do you believe in coincidence?” Gabriel frowned. “Jim, I ain’t got time for chit-chat-” “I don’t,” the man interrupted, continuing with his point. “I believe that everything happens for a reason.” Gabriel nodded impatiently. “Okay, so what’s your point?” The Operative studied him for a moment in silence. “When I first met you after your escape, I said to myself, ‘How is it that this man just happens to have fought, in his youth, with Malcolm Reynolds, the man who changed almost every facet of my life’. Now, however, you’ve actually managed to find yourself onboard his ship.” “Fei-oo happens?” Gabriel guessed. “I do believe in coincidence, so I really can’t help you here.” “Portions of my previous information for you were inaccurate,” The Operative revealed, apparently changing the subject. “The Agency that pursues you is *not* interested in River Tam.” Gabriel’s eyes widened. “Well, why the hell *not?!* Assuming she could actually manage to land a blow powerful enough to affect me, she’d tear *me* limb from limb.” “River is not programmable, nor is she *stable*,” the Operative returned. “It is not a matter of ability, it is a matter of usefulness, and usefulness is not present without the ability of control.” Gabriel shook his head. “It don’t matter, anyhow. There is no way a member of this crew will be harmed on account of me.” The Operative sat back, watching him. Then, he smiled. “That is all I have for you.” “Okay, then.” “You are an honorable man, Gabriel Davin,” the Operative informed him. “No, I ain’t.” Gabriel reached for the switch. “I ain’t any more of a hero than you are.” As soon as he shut the screen off, he noticed the presence behind him and winced. *Go se, go se, go se!!* He turned to see River standing in the room. *She knows it all...* “*You can trust me*,” River whispered, hands clasped in front of her. Gabriel stared at her for a moment, then blew out a sigh. *Thank God*. “No one else can know I talk to this man, dong ma? And assuming Mal decides to pick up passengers, let me take care of ‘em. They ain’t here for you, an’ I swear to *God*, River, I never would’ve stayed on the ship had I known that.” River took a step forward and reached down to touch his hands. “Don’t get kicked off this ship,” she told him. “Please be careful with the captain.” Gabriel stood. “Don’t need to tell me twice.” *************************************************

As River set Serenity down lightly on the ground, she listened to the thoughts and speech of everyone onboard. Jayne was speaking with Janie about the family and assuring her that she would be happy here, Mal and Zoe were preparing the ship for a short stop, Inara was sending a wave to someone, and Kaylee was preparing the engine for a complete cool-down. However long Serenity would be parked would be a good opportunity for her to perform some tune-ups on the ship’s power plant. The only two who were doing things unexpected were Gabriel and Simon. Rather than prepare for their trip, Simon was watching Gabriel warily from across the cargo bay. This, in itself, was not uncommon, since Gabriel had saved him gruesomely from Lucius Droyher’s men. The unexpected part was that, as cautious as he was of the younger man, Simon observed him with not fear or disgust, but with admiration. *If he’s nothing more, he’s a survivor*, she thought in comment to Simon’s thoughts. *Perhaps even more of one than I am.* The real surprise came from Gabriel, however. Sitting on one of the sets of stairs, Gabriel was doing the last thing River would expect from him. He was worrying. If Gabriel Davin were worrying, then River knew that they were really in trouble. The drive to Jayne’s mother’s home was a bit of a trip, and having prepared the mule for travel, Mal opened the airlock and lowered the ramp. At the same time, River powered down the instruments and exited the cockpit. She knew that, if and when this ‘Agency’ sprung their men on Gabriel, the captain would be *quite* upset about his secrecy. River understood why Gabriel was being so non-disclusive. *He knows that Mal cannot handle these people, and even knowing that, Mal would try, anyway.* Gabriel was protecting his old friend, even at the possible cost of their quiet friendship. Particularly, but not solely, because of her psychic abilities, River knew that she trusted Gabriel. She would help him any way she could, even if he did not want her help. *The Alliance aren’t the only bad men in the ‘Verse...* River had made it to the cargo bay, where everyone else was already assembled. Janie hugged Kaylee, then River, in farewell, while Mal turned to Jayne. “Okay, Jayne. It’s your show from here.” Jayne nodded his thanks. “I know how to get there.” “Better than how you got us to the machinery shop?” Zoe inquired, grinning not-so-discreetly. “That gets ya nothin’,” Jayne replied, hoisting Janie into the Mule. Mal turned to Kaylee. “Kaylee, she’s you’re ship ‘til we get back. I’ll get in contact with you when we hit up Mrs. Cobb’s place.” As he climbed into the mule, he looked back over his shoulder and pointed at Gabriel. “No smashing heads while we’re gone, dong ma?” he joked. “I’ll see what I can do, Sarge,” Gabriel replied. He didn’t smile. Janie waved a goodbye to Simon, Gabriel, and Inara as the mule took off down the ramp. *************************************************

Jayne walked to the door to his mother’s small, five-room house, his daughter’s tiny hand enveloped in his massive one. The building was in far worse disrepair since his last visit; even with what he sent home when he could, there simply wasn’t enough money to keep everything going. *Can’t believe Mattie ain’t puttin’ more effort into this*, Jayne thought, not a little angry. This was not the same home in which Robert and Darcy Cobb had lived together, nor was it the domicile in which Jayne had grown up. When his father was killed in a factory accident, the family had been forced to move to a smaller house to suit their new financial situation. Jayne was ten years old, and so he still had memories of his father. Matthew, having been four at the time, had fewer memories, and had grown with little in the way of paternal influence besides Jayne himself. *Boy doesn’t seem to care ‘bout nothin’ beyond his hoodlum buddies...* Jayne mused. *Might hafta whup ‘im again this visit; try an’ straighten him out...* Glancing over his shoulder at Mal and Zoe, Jayne closed his eyes, heaved a sigh, and rang the doorbell. When there was no apparent response after a long moment, Jayne pounded on the door nervously. Finally, the door swung open to reveal his mother. An aged woman of sixty three, Darcy Cobb was still remarkably fit. Her eyes widened in shocked surprise as she locked onto her son. “Jayne!” she exclaimed, wrapping him in a hug. She pulled back after a moment, gripping his upper arms and studying him. “My, but you look well. You’re such a naughty boy for surprising me like this!” She beamed, then her gaze settled on Janie. “And who is this little one?” Jayne tensed his jaw, and Janie answered first. “I’m Janie.” Darcy frowned. "That a fact?" she inquired, her gaze returning to Jayne questioningly. “This’s my little girl,” Jayne explained. Darcy’s frown deepened. “Your little... as in, you mean...” “Yep,” Jayne confirmed edgily. After a moment of silence, Darcy gestured toward the open door. “Why don’t you all come inside,” she suggested. *************************************************

The clean, tidy interior of the home was a sharp contrast to its dilapidated appearance from the outside; if she was nothing more, Darcy had always been a fantastic housekeeper. After the introductions of the captain and first mate, of which Darcy had heard little from her son, the four visitors sat around the small kitchen table as Jayne’s mother fixed them some tea. Jayne couldn’t help but feel a sense of déja vu at the entire situation. Himself, Janie, Mal, and Zoe seated around a table while a woman he hadn’t seen in years brewed them some tea was uncomfortably familiar. Finishing her work, Darcy produced the teapot and poured each of the adults a cup. She then pulled up an additional chair and seated herself behind her own cup. “Is she from out of wedlock?” she inquired. Jayne nodded somberly. “Mother’s no longer with us, an’ so I took the girl under my wing. Lookin’ for a place for her, though; my line of work, it just ain’t proper for a girl of her age.” Darcy nodded. “And you came here hoping I could raise her for you, because you don’t want to put her in an orphanage or an adoptive family.” Again, Jayne nodded. Still addressing her son, Darcy arched an eyebrow in Mal’s direction. “I do hope your operation doesn’t involve... ‘less than legal’ activities.” Jayne scoffed. “C’mon, Ma. Mal here’s got a legitimate cargo-transportin’ enterprise goin’. Yanno I’ve been tryin’ ta stay clean these past few years.” Darcy’s gaze again returned to her son. “Know how I could always tell you were lyin’ Jayne? You show your teeth in the most peculiar manner.” She sipped her tea. “Get that from your father.” She turned to Janie, smiling and stroking the little girl’s hair. “Her grandmother would be more than happy to take care of her.” Jayne heaved a sigh of relief, finally taking a drink of his own tea. He suddenly wished, after the conversation he’d just survived, that it were alcoholic. “How long you fixin’ on stayin’?” Darcy inquired. “Not rightly sure,” Mal replied. “Work’s been scarce the past few weeks. Last job we had was a week ago, shippin’ stationary supplies to a missionary school on Fayton. Payoff wasn’t too good.” Looking to Mal, Jayne suggested, “I was hopin’ we could stick around for a week or so. Mebbe I could help fix this place up a bit; mebbe even help Mattie outta this crap he’s gotten himself into. That is, if it's okay with you an' the captain, of course.” Mal nodded to him discreetly, and Darcy smiled. “That’s good to hear,” she admitted, a strong woman. “I’d be glad to have you sit for a spell.” She looked to Mal and Zoe. “I’m afraid I don’t have enough room for your friends, however...” “We’ll be fine stayin’ on the ship,” Mal interjected. “”No problem at all.” Darcy nodded, then leaned forward to embrace her son. She kissed him on the cheek. “It’s good to have you home again, Jayne.” Jayne smiled a bit. “It’s good to *be* home again, Ma.”