INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY CATWALK

Mal and Simon meet mid-stride on the starboard catwalk. Simon was clearly in a hurry as well.

MAL: Doctor, we need to talk.

SIMON: I know, I know. Get my luny sister off the roof before there's hell to pay.

MAL: Fortunately, she's managing that all by her lonesome. Through the upper airlock, praise whoever ya like, not via the trusty law of gravity. (Simon looks relieved) Now,I can't help but be curious as to why I saw a separate set of footprints outside, aimed directly at the fore airlock.

SIMON: That... that will take some explaining.

Mal gives him a look that demands the explanation.

Inara appears at the door leading to the Infirmary, Paul directly behind her.

Mal hears their footsteps and looks their way. He does a double take.

MAL: Wasn't aware we were takin' on any new passengers. Who are you and what are you doin' on my gorram ship? (to Inara) Client?

INARA: No, Mal, he is not a client. You may not even believe me when I tell you who he is.

MAL: Worth a shot, any time now... PAUL: (politely) I'll explain for myself, Inara.(to Mal) Captain Reynolds, my name is Paul Gibson. I was in...

MAL: Well, now that we got the formalities out of the way, you can exit my boat forthwith.

INARA: (appalled) Mal...

MAL: I'm not keen on folk just showin' up at the doorstep and walkin' in like they got a spot rented.

PAUL: Neither am I, Captain. I was invited onto your ship by your crew, and made no assumptions as to the duration of that invitation.

MAL: I been meanin' to post a sign for my crew, (raises his voice for all to hear) remindin' them of who's boat this is and who has the final say on all passengers.

Paul raises a hand as a gesture of acquiescence. PAUL: Of course, Captain. Please forgive the intrusion, such as it was.

Paul crosses the cargo bay deck and heads toward the fore airlock.

River darts through the door from the Infirmary.

Paul pauses at the door. He turns to River as she runs up to meet him.

PAUL: It appears I'm not as welcome as others would have liked, nian qing de.

RIVER: Sifu, please don't go. Not yet.

MAL:(descending stairs) Seafood? What kind of pet name is that? INARA:(mild exasperation) Sifu. It means master, among many other things. Paul was River's instructor at the Academy.

MAL:(approaching Paul) And am I supposed to just... Wait a sec. Did you say Academy? As in Alliance Academy.

Jayne's hand creeps toward the pistol on his hip. Zoe stiffens.

PAUL: Formerly of the Alliance Academy, yes. I was an elite combat instructor.

MAL: Formerly. As in not no more. As in you've renounced your imperical ways and resigned yourself to a life of poverty and holiness. Quite a load for us to believe. Trust ain't asked for, Seafood. It's earned.

PAUL: (calm and Zen-like)I never asked for your trust, Captain

MAL: You did the moment you stepped onto this boat.

INARA: And he's done nothing to violate that trust, only explained his history as it relates to River. Mal, why are you being so hostile?

River steps closer to Paul, her eyes pleading.

RIVER: Sifu, you need to come with us.

MAL: He don't “need” to do nothin', child, but make his exit.

River turns on Mal, her brow furrowed in anger.

Simon steps forward.

SIMON: Captain, perhaps you're forgetting my sister's other “qualification...” She would know if he was lying. (looks at River to see the look of gratitude there)

MAL: And I can't help but wonder if her judgment ain't clouded by their history.

RIVER:(quiet, ominous) It's not a matter of judgment. It's a matter of knowledge. I know what he thinks and how he feels... And I know how you feel. You're afraid...

Mal is taken aback by River's bold statement. He steps close to her.

MAL:(quiet, intense) You're askin' for a lot of faith, little one. And that ain't somethin' I got in hefty supply.

PAUL: Honestly, Captain, I hadn't yet decided whether or not to inquire as to passage aboard your ship. Your people, on the other hand, have been trying to recruit me for nearly an hour.

MAL: Well, we're off this dust ball of a planet in ten minutes, one way or the other.

Zoe appears by Paul's side and places a firm hand on his shoulder.

ZOE: We'd be happy to have you aboard, Paul. Or should I call you Sifu?

Mal slowly turns an appalled stare on Zoe.

ZOE: If River thinks the world of you, then that should be good enough for all of us.(Mal's mouth opens to protest) You trust her to pilot this ship. I think it's time to expand on that trust. Paul, there's a couple of empty bunks, if you want one. One'll just need to be cleaned out. And, of course, you have to pitch in like everyone else.

Paul's gaze shifts back and forth between Mal and Zoe. Pan around to the expectant and hopeful faces of the crew.

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