The world seems hazy, sliding in and out of focus. Someone's talking, but they seem ways away. The words are reaching him down a long tunnel and echoes obliterate any sense. He tries to shake his muzzy head but then the fire in his chest blazes and all he can do is half-swallow a moan of pain. He's not sure how much time has passed since he opened his eyes, but suddenly the volume seems to have been turned up. Kaylee is in his field of vision, along with some other out-of-focus people that might be Wash, Zoe, Jayne and the Shepard. The mechanic is smiling at him as genuinely as she always does, but he can see the worry round her eyes. “Mornin' Cap'n,” she chirps, “Glad you decided to join us.” “Someone... shot me, I'm thinkin,'” Mal responds, still not quite sure. He can't remember any bullets hitting him but he knows the burning pain too well. “Several someones,” an invisible Simon responds from somewhere behind, “You're lucky to be alive.” Mal coughs, the agony sending him momentarily blind. “Don't feel lucky,” he rasps after a moment, “What happened to the cargo?” “We couldn't take it, sir,” says the Zoe-shaped blob. “Too many of 'em,” Jayne rumbles. Mal digests this; there's little he can say. He'd known it really, back on the surface, but it's still a little shocking to hear the words spoken aloud. “We're almost ready to dock at Beaumonde,” says Wash's voice after a while. Mal thinks the pilot's hand is laid reassuringly on Zoe's arm but he can't be sure. He can imagine Zoe's expression as she admitted failure and envies for a moment the tenderness his first mate can expect in her life. Inara's absence on Serenity is never more obvious to him than at moments like this. Not that he ever looked to her for tenderness, exactly, but – Wash's voice cuts through his thoughts again. “No jobs on the cortex yet, but I'll keep looking.” Mal makes an indistinct noise, clear thinking difficult with a head that feels wadded with cotton wool. “You... do that,” he manages. “I'm going to give you another dose of pain-killer,” Simon says, “You'll probably experience some drowsiness.” “Uh-huh,” responds the captain, barely registering the young man's voice. The world is growing dark and he's not sure if its the drugs or the pain but either way he's glad to be passing out again.

*

This time, the world stays clear when he opens his eyes. Something- maybe the doc's drugs- have dulled the burn of healing bullet wounds. Zoe's sat, looking right at him, slight smile haunting her mouth. “What time is it?” “'Bout seventeen-hundred,” she replies, “Shepard and Kaylee are making some dinner for us all.” “We docked?” “Yes sir. No one's going off ship 'til you give us say-so,” she adds, pre-empting his next question. “Any jobs?” Her smile disappears. “Nothing we're in range of. And we ain't got the money to buy enough fuel to take us where there is work.” “Oh shit,” he murmurs, “There's got to be some-” “Zoe?” Wash's disembodied voice interrupts him, “Sleeping beauty awake?” Zoe grins at Mal's expression. “He is,” she says, punching the comm button, “You got something?” “Inara's sent us a wave. I can send the audio to the infirmary.” “Okay,” she replies, exchanging a puzzled look with the captain. “Mal?” asks the Companion's voice, sounding a little uncertain. “M'here,” he answers, voice a throaty burr that sounds a mite more strained to Zoe's ear than it did a moment ago. “Kaylee said you'd been hurt-” “You been talkin' to Kaylee?” There is a delicate pause. Zoe pointedly stares at her boots. “She sends me letters. I got one half an hour ago, saying you'd been shot and that the crew was short of work.” “I'm going to have words with that girl,” Mal growls, “Look Inara, it's real nice to hear from you -” “I have a job for you Mal,” she cuts in, clearly not in the mood for the type of verbal sparring match they used to enjoy. “If you'd be willing to take it.” Zoe's eyebrows shoot skyward. “For the Academy?” Mal asks, not bothering to keep the incredulity out of his tone. “No,” The smile is audible in her voice. “From... a friend. She heard of my time on Serenity and thought I might have the kind of contacts she's interested in making.” Mal's frown deepens. “A friend? Not a client, then? Because– ” “Hear what the job is before you turn it down, Mal,” Inara says swiftly, cutting off the inevitable insult again, “It's good. I think it could be just what Serenity needs. I'll send you the contact details.” “Right,” Mal returns, somewhat wearily. They need work, and right now he's not got the strength the fight it out with Inara, nor untangle his feelings over the issue of her finding them a job. “Well, I'll take a look at those.” There is another awkward pause. “It was... good to hear your voice, Mal,” Inara manages after a moment, “Tell Kaylee I miss her.” “I will do.” The silence seems very heavy as Wash cuts the wave. “We need a job,” Zoe says after a while. “That we do,” Mal says slowly. Zoe sighs. “Hate to say it, sir, but you aren't exactly in the best shape for meeting a contact.” “No,” he agrees softly, “But... I trust you Zoe. You can handle this.” He sounds almost as if he's convincing himself, and Zoe bristles slightly. “Yes sir,” he says, “I can.”