Kaylee had coached him.

She never paid full price if she didn't have to, which he had witnessed on several occasions. So as Colter drove then down the bumpy road, Kaylee explained to him how to talk and act. Soon enough the truck pulled up to a ranch that had to be at least three times the size of New Haven, with a long barn and pastures that contained numerous horses. When they parked in a small lot where other crafts were, the trio got out of the rusted up vehicle as a ranch hand went to tell Boss Tig that there were visitors about.

"Remember, look him straight 'n the eye, be like the Cap'n when he haggles fer supplies." Kaylee offered with a small voice. "Don't hesitate when it comes ta the prices, makes you look weak, he'll take advantage."

"And don't feel overwhelmed." Colter drawled out. "Man sells at a high price and with a flourish, offly proud sell rigs with his ponies. Regardless it's worth all the pomp. Better too than the other horse rancher."

"Why?" Kaylee quizzed.

"His barn is a shanty, he's as drunk as a fish swimmin' in beer and his horses are as sickly as they are cheap." He explained. "Only reason he's in business is 'cause Tig here is so proud 'n pricey that stragglers who don't wrangle end up buying his stock."

"Oh. So... guess we better strike it well with this guy. Huh." She muttered, looking up at Simon nervously.

"Smart conclusion, with his affluence it's best ta have him on yer right side."

Simon briskly nodded his head, blue orbs riveting to where the man he could only assume was Boss Tig was coming from. He was a large man, hefty and round like a pâté goose. Stuffed into a suit that was rich for a Shadow pioneer. He wore a white straw cowboy hat and had a cigar between his teeth, with brown mutton chops hiding fat ruddy cheeks. As he moveded, he favored his left foot while walking with a black cane, and four of his ranch hands trailed behind. Colter Irving began walking himself, the doctor and mechanic followed.

"Colter!" He boomed. "What do I owe the pleasure?"

"Got you a client," stopping, he exchanged a firm handshake with the sausage fingered horseman "This here's Doc Simon," gesturing to the man "Doc's a ranch hand over at that new place New Haven, wants ta barter for some horses and a few rigs."

"Pleased to be of you acquaintance, Boss Tig." Simon took a firm grip and shook the man's hand, glancing over to see a fit man his age, looking rather inappropriately at Kaylee.

Kaylee began to lose some of her sparkle. Appearing to know the man, and not in a positive light. She tucked her hair behind her ears and stayed behind Simon.

"Pleased ta meet you too, boy. Just call me Tig, Boss is for those under mah pay." He gave Simon a once over. The cowpuncher looked a little green, as if he had just taken to ranching. Noticing something was missing Tig chuckled while pulling his cigar out of his mouth. "Where's yer pistol, boy? All decked out 'n ya don't gotta piece."

Simon's lips pulled in. The truth was, Mal had only taught him about the rifle, as it was adequate for defending on the prairie. That and the captain was actually wary of teaching him about pistol whipping. So, he lied. "I'm a rifle man." Simon could not help but watch the strapping ranch eyeing his girl, yet kept a pleasant face.

"Admirable trade, good rifle man is hard to come by. War took many a gunhand with it when it ended." Turning, his hairy jowls gave a smile. "And who is this lupine blossom?" Taking Kaylee's hand, Tig kissed it chivalrously.

"This is my steady," The doctor emphasized to get the point across to the cowhand who surveyed her so "Miss Kaylee Frye."

"The mechanic! Heard so much about ya, Miss Kaylee." He told her in jolly nature. "One of these days I'll be sure ta call on ya when somethin' breaks."

"Well I'd be right pleased ta come out and tinker." She replied, containing her glee that Simon had called her his 'steady'. "However right now we're in need of some horses."

"Came to the right place." Gesturing grandly, Tig led them off towards the large house. "Watcha in the need for? Got all four breeds native ta this rock and three heirloom breeds that came from earth-that-was."

Simon gazed out, remembering what Colter had told him on the way over. "Two Jacks, three Wranglers, preferably at least one mare of each, then three full rigs."

"Quite a tall order." Taking a long drag on his cigar, a thick hand waved off his men to fetch some stock to chose from. Most of them left, save the one still appreciating the little mechanic. "Most ranchers here don't got the silk-stocking ta buy in such a bulk. I've taken ta exporting, seems the core appreciates fine horses fer sport and they don't got the talent ta breed 'em like a Shadow rancher. They'll pay though, through the gorram nose!" He let out a belly laugh, clasping his rotund waist with a free hand.

"Not buy, barter." Feeling Kaylee's hand slip into his own, he looked down to see her uncomfortable face. Understanding, he gave her stalker a rather possessive glare, hooking his arm 'round her waist. "Um... I have something to trade."

"It's more than enough." Colter added to alleviate the suspicion he saw come upon old Tig. "Somethin' yer rich blood'll fancy."

"You don't say? Well then we best sit and talk business, my hands'll bring merchandise for ya ta inspect 'n choose." Plodding up the steps to his wrap around porch, he turned to the man who had been following. "Bailey, tell the help we got clients." Limping over, he took a seat in a hunter green deck chair. "One of my sons, others are out 'n the back field. Come, come, I like ta talk business properly. Find core men appreciate the extra mile, so do folk bringing me somethin' worth five horses and three rigs."

"Well, I was told you were a man of quality." Simon sank into a chair with the others, still feeling uneasy about doing something he was certainly not adept at. The porch overlooked a particularly beautiful pasture that was lined with trees and had rather stunning horses grazing whilst the sun sprayed light on the brisk day. Nonetheless he hardly glimpsed at the view.

"From his horses ta his saddlers." Bailey returned and sat next to his father. He was a man taller than the Doc, a crop of wheat golden hair and green eyes that had a carnal tone to them when they fell upon Kaylee. "Best 'n the verse right here." Just as he sank into the chair, a maidservant came out with a tray that held a bottle of New Canaan brandy, a pitcher of water, snifters, glasses, and a metal box.

"Thank you Poppy." Tig took the bottle of amber liquid and poured himself a snifter. "Doc, Colter, Miss Kaylee may I offer you some of the finest brandy in the system? I also have cigars rolled in Londinium and lemon water if'n nothin' suits yer taste or it's too early to indulge."

"I'll have some New Canaan." Simon thrummed his fingers on the chair's arm. He was getting impatient, as they needed to buy the horses and get back to the ranch. However, he hadn't had decent alcohol since fleeing Osiris, so some was welcome. Then again, as he accepted the snifter, gently swirled the glass and lifted it to his nose to enjoy the rich smell, New Canaan brandy was his father's favorite drink. That particular reminder made his current position suddenly all the more bittersweet.

"Just some water, please." Kaylee wasn't one for strong alcohol. Well, she drank it occasionally, however she couldn't per day hold it well. Canton was a perfect example, and she didn't want to even be a might fuzzy so earyl in the day, it never helped her work.

"Hell you know me." The older man told Tig, accepting a snifter and a cigar. Pulling out his own lighter, he lit up.

After he had settled the drinks, Tig turned to Simon as horses were being led out for his 'clients' viewing. "Now, I must ask ta see what we're bartering on."

"Of course." Taking out the pouch Doc gave it to the well fed rancher. As soon as it fell in his palm he began his pitch. "It's a pocketwatch brought from the exodus, over four hundred years old, 24 carat gold, laser driven gear work. Piece of art."

Tig's eyes widened. He loved fine things, had since he had struck it rich right after the war, and this seemed to be the finest of them all. "And how did you acquire this?" Inspecting it crucially, he opened it to read the name.

"My father took it off a soldier in the war, Serenity Valley actually." He took a sip of the good brandy to steady his nerves.

Tig gave the young man a sideways look. "If this is what you say this is, why would ya give it up for some meager horses and saddles?"

"In hard times we have to sacrifice what we may treasure." The surgeon confessed. "And we're in a middle of a very difficult period."

"Still, this may be a fine piece but how do I know you're not talkin' up?" He quizzed shrewdly. "Wouldn't want the wool o'r my eyes."

"Are you saying it's not worth what I'm asking?"

"I'm saying it's mighty hard to confirm whether or not it is. Can't be authenticated." Puffing on his cigar he gave a shrewd expression. "And my horses are the best, popular in the core and worth a hefty sum. Especially two Jacks and three Wranglers. Wouldn't want ta lose money on this transaction."

Simon feigned frustration, setting his snifter down rather forcefully. "I suppose our business isn't worth your time then." Plucking the watch out of Boss Tig's chubby hand, he rose up."Let's go, Kaylee."

"It's a fine watch, Boy. Sit and finish yer drink." Flicking ashes into an ashtray, he waited until the greenhorn sat back down. "Even if it ain't historical, might be worth a horse and a rig."

"Four horses, all three rigs."

"Lu-e-duo! Two horses, one rig."

"Three horses, three rigs."

"Three horses, two rigs."

"Deal." Simon passed the watch over, a certain ache in his eyes as his favorite possession was suddenly lost to him. "Guess I'll just have to take the Wranglers."

As he shook hands with Boss Tig, a thin woman in a rather fine dress and skirt came out. Her greying her was in a bun, and she was wiping her hands on a towel. "Son, you're the Doc?"

"Ah, yes ma'm?" He was suddenly confused as she fixated sternly on the portly man. It was safe to assume she was his wife, for no hired help would speak out of place.

"Boy, you fix his foot I'll make sure you git your Jacks." She announced.

Tig turned and scowled at her. "My foot don't need ta be looked at!"

"Gong-niu la-shi! I don't care if that cane makes ya look fancy, you're as lame as a three legged dog and you've never had anyone look at that gorram foot."

Simon and Kaylee exchanged expressions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mal almost wanted to throw himself in the river.

After the slim one was swept away by the merciless water, unable to even attempt to swim for his life, his frame stood there above the Switch Fork and his blue eyes just stared down at his work. Finally, the captain drove the hovercraft back over to River and Zoe, who were standing stalk still in disbelief. Pulling up to them, the captain parked and leapt out. "Best we take the harness and leave."

"Sir," Zoe walked over, clearly distrubed as River simply turned to gaze down at the dead horse "You wanna tell me what that was all about?"

"Takin' care of horse theives." He stooped down and began to take off the mud caked harness.

"Didn't have ta do it so cold..."

"Life's cold."

"They were tied up." She pressed through clenched teeth.

"What does that mean to you?!" Anger making his hands become more violent as they fumbled with the collar. Skipping with the mud. He was so irate from the loss of the horse, he didn't notice how cold he felt, how the mud hardened to his skin and sucked the heat away from his core.

"When I kill you, you'll be facing me, and you'll be armed." River quoted morbidly. "Didn't keep it, like pushing dodos off a cliff."

"You two either help or git back IN THE MULE."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Simon had gone and fetched his med kit which was tucked in Amos' saddle bag, Amos being in Colter's hover trailer.

They had gone inside to work on Tig's foot, which left Kaylee outside with Colter and Bailey Tig. Colter went off to inspect the horses lined up as choices, and she hurried off to catch him.

"Miss Kaylee, look prettier than I ever seen ya b'fore."

Turning around, she saw the large, dashing cowboy and gave a wary smile. He didn't seem to carry a lick of his father's genes when it came to looks.

"How come you don't say hi?" Bailey asked sorely.

"Well, wasn't a gap in the conversation between my fella and your pa." Biting her lower lip, she didn't like the way he gazed at her, like a conquest yet to be had. She had heard alot of things regarding Bailey Tig, and none of them were good. Still, Kaylee acted politely. "More about business then badinage. Simon's gotta git the horses and we gotta go back home."

His face twinged to the thought of the Doc being her beau. "He ain't much, looks green, like he done belongs somewhere fancy."

"He's a good man," Her voice turned sharp "doctor, surgeon on his home world...."

"Don't sound like that ranch is much though. Surely he ain't all too favorable seeing he cowboys more than he plays sawbones." Bailey sidled up to get closer, licking his bottom lip.

Kaylee's tone came out protective. "He's saved my life...." Not liking his nearness, she took a step back when he cut her off.

"Bully for him. You know though if'n you hired on here my Pa would have you on his transport ship, head engineer. Wouldn't be fixin' crap crafts fer groceries...."

"Bailey." Colter Irving growled as he took a few steps. Body language creating a way for Kaylee to come over for sanctuary. "You best keep mum 'round company or learn how ta speak right, otherwise ya sound like a feculant cur. Dong-ma?"

Bailey scowled and moseyed off to do something else.

"Thanks." Kaylee voice appreciatively. "He just don't sit right with me, spooks even."

"He's bad business," Steering her back over to the horses, he exhaled. "Specially when it comes ta treatin' women."

"That's what I heard..." Looking at the row of equines, all tied to pickets, she singled out the little palimino. Like a flipped coin, her demeanor changed as she went over to pet the beast. "Oo, I like this one."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (If you need a voice for Colter, channel Sam Elliot) *** *** *** TRANSLATIONS/DEFINITIONS

Jack Draft: Breed of horse developed in Shadow, short for 'Jack Of All Trades'. The breed was made to be fast enough to hunt in the morning, strong enough toil on a yolk in front of a plow at noon, and still have enough energy to pull the family's wagon to church on Sunday.

Shadow Prairie Wranglers: Breed of horse developed on Shadow specifically for ranching. Hardy, built for speed, agility and intelligence, they are rumored to be the fastest horses in the system.

Lu-e-duo!: Robbery!

Gong-niu la-shi: Bull shit!

Sawbones: Derogatory slang for surgeon.

Dong-ma?: Understand?

**** **As always, the writer appreciates all comments whether they be positive, negative, or suggestions.**