Consider the proprieties covered. Not mine, blah, blah, blah.

****

Mal walked back to Serenity thinking hard. Well, that had been an interesting evening, all around. He supposed he’d been guilty of what he’d told Gowan to avoid: making assumptions about what other people might and might not know. But, still, who would have thought Isabel Warrick was capable of shooting two men? It was too bad they had had to be shot, but as she said, now they needn’t concern themselves with them any further.

Zoe let him in.

“You were a while, sir.”

“Isabel was busy shootin’ Bothney and Gerard. Then we had a drink,” Mal answered.

“Isabel? Do you mean Miss Warrick shot those hundans, sir?”

“She did. It was a handy little maneuver, too.” Mal was not going to describe how Isabel Warrick had enticed that pair up close enough to shoot them. He wasn’t sure, himself, what he thought of that business of her leaning her thigh against him – except it had certainly answered the purpose. He shook his head bemusedly.

“I suppose it was better for her to shoot them than you,” observed Zoe. “If we ever want to come back here.”

“Funny, that’s what she said, too.”

“So I suppose she’s not as foolish as she looks, sir.”

“I would say not foolish at all, not foolish a damntall.” Mal said. “Lock it up tight, this day’s over for me.”

“Mal, it’s dawn.”

“So it is, Zoe, so it is.” Mal disappeared in the direction of his bunk, leaving Zoe standing with a distinctly puzzled expression.

***

The crew spent the day waiting for it to be time to leave. Jayne went out for several hours on an errand no one cared to inquire about; although he did come back more or less sober. Mal gave Kaylee part of the platinum from Bothney and Gerard and told her to get Serenity whatever she needed. Zoe was still not herself and spent the day resting, Wash resting with her. Book went out to the local Shepherd chapel and came back with a crate of oranges. Inara spent the day on the Cortex.

About mid-afternoon Isabel Warrick walked up Serenity’s ramp, dressed in neat khaki riding breeches, tall boots and a white shirt. She called in from the cargo door. “Anyone home? Hullo, there, Captain Reynolds. How are my beauties today?”

“Just fine, Miss Warrick. Aldershot’s goin’ to come by this late this afternoon and release us early; we c’n head right out to your place. How far out is it?” Mal asked.

“About two hours. And I thought we were finished with Miss Warrick?”

“Isabel, then.”

“I’ll just walk around and say hello to the girls and dear Fat Ninny, before I give you the coordinates for Elysium. Have you considered the proposal to deliver my beef to Persephone any further?”

“I’m still considerin’ it.”

Isabel walked away to greet her horses as Inara came down the ramp into the cargo bay.

“Good afternoon,” Isabel held out her hand. “I’m Isabel Warrick. You must be the charming Companion Daddy mentioned meeting.”

“Inara Serra. Lovely to meet you,” Inara smiled up at Isabel and gave a graceful half-bow.

Isabel walked on to the horses and Inara came up to Mal.

“Mal, I’ve found transportation core-ward. This is my stop.”

“This? This is mighty damn sudden.”

“You knew I was leaving, Mal. I talked to the dockmaster about anyone who might be headed core-ward and he told me that Emric Davidson was out here. I, I know, well, knew, Emric Davidson. He and his wife have graciously asked me to travel back to Ariel with them.”

“When’re you leaving?” Mal looked away.

“They leave day after tomorrow. They’re out on the property Emric owns and they’ll be leaving from Edgarton first thing day after tomorrow. I suppose I can put my things in some kind of storage and I’ll book a room at the hotel. Do I understand you’re leaving to deliver the horses this evening?”

“Yep, I am. Emric Davidson and his wife. Do they get a discount, there being two of ‘em?” Mal asked. “Or are you takin’ it in trade, they provide transportation and you provide –“

“Mal, please try not to make this terrible. I have found transportation and I will take my things.”

Mal shook his head at her, but did not speak.

While Inara and Mal stood silently, Isabel came towards them.

“Excuse me, Captain, Miss Serra. Here are the co-ordinates for Elysium. I’ll meet you there. Miss Serra, I look forward to visiting with you this evening.”

“Oh, thank you, but I’m actually leaving Serenity this afternoon. I’m going to be going in a different direction, but thank you so much for the invitation. I’m staying here in Edgarton until my traveling companions are ready to leave.” Inara bowed gracefully toward Isabel.

“Will it be a long wait, Miss Serra? Because I can tell you that I think you will find the accommodations in Edgarton a little … primitive. If you’re not leaving immediately why don’t you come out with us and leave from there?” Isabel said.

“I’m not sure …” Inara began.

“I didn’t mean to overhear, but I thought I heard you mention Emric Davidson. He’s a lovely person, isn’t he? Are you going back to Ariel with him and Helen? Their place runs with mine; if you’re going with them, it would be very easy for them to collect you from Elysium. Do you have much in the way of baggage?”

“I do, rather.”

“Well, that’s fine. I keep a storage facility in Edgarton. Why don’t we have one of the dockhands move your things over there right now and then we’ll have time for a lovely visit?” Isabel smiled genuinely at Inara. “Do come out, please.”

Inara felt as though she had been rolled out like pie dough. Further protestation would be rude.

“Thank you, I will.” Inara inclined her head toward Isabel.

“So good of you. I’ll call dockmaster Aldershot right now, if I may, Captain? He’ll send someone over for Miss Serra’s things.”

“Go right ahead. It makes no difference to me when she leaves. Her rent’s paid through the end of the month.” Mal turned and walked away. ***

Serenity reached Elysium just before sunset. Wash set them down gently in a flat paddock behind the horse barn. Isabel came directly out from the house and helped Mal and River lead the horses into the barn.

“Captain Reynolds, they look wonderful. I can’t thank you enough for the care you’ve taken,” Isabel said. “I’m expecting all of you for dinner in an hour or so. Why don’t you all come up to the house and get a hot bath? I expect it’s been a while, since there can’t have been much extra water on the trip.”

“Thank you, Isabel, but we don’t need to put you to any trouble” Mal said.

“Nonsense. You know perfectly well how desperate people who live in the country are for company.” Isabel nodded to Mal.

“Isabel, accordin' to you, you’ve done nothin’ but go back and forth to town for more’n a week.”

“That was a bit of an exaggeration on my part, and in any event Alice was not just in town. She will be greatly disappointed if you refuse. Also, we need to talk about my transportation needs.” Isabel smiled at Mal. “Do come along, and don’t be stubborn.”

Zoe walked up just then and Isabel turned to her.

“Mrs. Washburne, don’t you long for a hot bath?”

“I do at that, thank you. Please call me Zoe, no one has ever called me Mrs. Washburne,” Zoe said.

“There. It’s settled. Zoe, I’ve put you and –“

“Wash,” Zoe said.

“—In the guest house next to the hot spring in the creek. It’s bit of a walk from the main house but I thought you might enjoy it. Robin, here, will show you the way and take your things,” Isabel said, smiling at Zoe.

“That sounds very fine. Thank you, ma’am.” Zoe went back into Serenity and re-appeared shortly with Wash and a carryall, presumably full of clean clothes. She and Wash walked away behind one of Isabel’s ranch hands.

“Mr. Cobb, I’ve put you in the bunkhouse. My hands are about to be released to go to town for a few days, since we just finished sending this year’s crop to the packinghouse. If Captain Reynolds agrees, I expect you might like to go with them.” Isabel raised her eyebrows inquiringly at Mal.

“I ain’t made any decision about how long we’re stayin’. Don’t rush me, Isabel.”

“I never cram my fences, Captain. You may take all the time you like, within ten days, of course,” Isabel answered.

“I’ve put Kaylee and River in the pink room together; and Shepherd Book and Simon together in mother’s old room, and I put Gowan in the bunkhouse, because I wonder if he might not like to stay on as barn help; after all, Daddy did promise me a stable hand. Inara is in the yellow room, and you –“

“—I’m staying on Serenity, Isabel.”

“—That’s totally unnecessary. You’d be much more comfortable indoors.”

“I wouldn’t, neither.”

“Well, all right, if that’s what you prefer. In that case I’ll separate Shepherd Book and Simon. Would you like to come in and bathe, at any rate? We have a lovely long, deep wooden bathtub that my grandfather installed years ago,” Isabel said.

“I would, thank you,” Mal’s answer startled Isabel. She had almost expected him to refuse any hospitality beyond dinner. What she didn’t know, however, was something that Mal was unlikely to tell her or anyone else. He longed to be able to stretch out in hot water – it was something of a substitute for any other kind of pleasurable physical contact. Even when there was hot water, it was a rare bathtub that was long enough or deep enough for him. Mal knew where every respectable bathhouse could be found on every little backwater moon he’d ever visited; he wasn’t about to turn down Isabel’s offer.

“Before I come in, let’s settle this business about this beef you need delivered.”

“It’s frozen sides, packed in cyrochambers. I’ll pay the going rate and I need it delivered to Persephone as soon as the processing is finished. Daddy handles the distribution from there,” Isabel answered crisply.

“Platinum?”

“Certainly. Out here we prefer it, too.” Isabel said.

Mal looked away, then looked down at the ground, massaged the bridge of his nose with his right hand, and looked at Isabel.

“And you’ll put up any a’ my crew as wants to stay here until the shipment’s ready to go?”

“I’d be delighted to.”

Mal looked away again for a few seconds and then looked Isabel straight in the eye.

“Done.” Mal put out his hand and Isabel took it. Mal was startled again by her calluses and the strength of her grip.

“I’m so glad. That’s truly a weight off my mind. Now everyone can enjoy the next few days,” Isabel said, smiling warmly at Mal.

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Mal said, with a sudden, genuine smile.

***

Before he got his bath, Mal went around and let everyone know that they would take a week’s vacation before they started back to Persephone. Wash and Zoe were ensconced in a tiny cottage next to the creek; Mal stood and shouted from the edge of the porch, uneager to walk in on whatever they were up to. It turned out they were soaking in the hot spring at the side of the creek and were delighted to hear that they could stay there for the next week, if they liked.

River had already attached herself to Isabel’s barn manager.

“She’s going to let me ride every day, twice if I want, as long as we’re here,” River said ecstatically. “And Gowan, too. He’s going to learn how to be a real horse handler.”

“That’s just shiny. Whyn’t you come on inside, now, and get cleaned up for dinner? You c’n come back out after, if you want,” Mal said.

Mal turned Jayne loose to go into town with the ranch hands, with strict orders to be back in a week and sober when he arrived.

“And I don’t aim to haveta come into town and bail you out, neither. Don’t pick a fight with the local boys. Try not to spend every dime you earned and don’t get married; get drunk, get a tattoo if you gotta, but for god’s sake don’t get married.”

“I ain’t getting married. You gotta kiss ‘em on the mouth to get married and I ain’t studyin’ kissin’ no woman on the mouth,” Jayne said

Shepherd Book told Mal that he thought that the next morning he would go visit the local Abbey for his week off Serenity.

“It’s been awhile since I spent much time in silence,” Book said. “It’s good to take the time to listen –“

“Don’t be talkin’ to me about what or who you listen to. Have a big time, but don’t start talkin’ to me about it,” Mal interrupted.

“I understand, son,” Book said.

“I doubt it.”

Kaylee was glad to hear that she would have time to install the new parts she had bought in Edgarton. Simon had already had a look at the library Isabel’s grandparents had amassed and was happy to imagine a week’s peaceful reading.

*End of part 17*