'Ski Comes to Serenity ------------------------------------------ based on the world of Firefly by Joss Whedon

"So this is where ya been." Ski looked over the scene of Serenity and the bodies being burned in a makeshift pit. Kaylee sat rocking herself by the entrance to her life, casting a glance here and there just out of paranoia. "We taking her too, i suspect."

"I'll worry about her. I just need your talents for flying."

"And when we get there, you just gonna leave me wait in a gorram ship while you lay waste to the entire complex. You're good, Babe, but not that good." His callused fingers drew a cigarette to his mouth as he blew the smoke toward the fire. Cat had known him for about five years. Favors traded hands and it seemed that was how things went.

"Well, if you feel like lending a hand or a gun, I won't stop you. Haven't heard you complain about being shot at." She smiled at him taking the cigarette and sucking in a good drag. Her lips parted as the smoke escaped before handing it back. "Think our occupations will kill us before these do."

'Ski just grinned and took another drag. "What's wrong with this ship?"

"No crew. Full of blood. Not sure what else."

"Bullet pierced the catalyst and without it, we're dead in the water," Kaylee muttered.

"Could be easier than stealing a ship. Wouldn't need a crew, 'sides you and me and girl."

"Bay's loaded with blood. It'd take a few days to clean up."

"So. Ain't nuttin' you and I haven't been round before. Give you something to do while I fly."

"Funny." Cat turned to Serenity. "Make Mal happy to see we brought her."

"Ya think they're still breathin'?"

"Kinda have to. For both of us." Cat inclined her head toward Kaylee.

"Never seen you like this, Babe. Bad for business."

"You're just jealous because it ain't you."

"You know I like my women a bit darker." He smiled at her and snuffed the dead smoke dusting her fingers off and walking over to Kaylee. "So how do we go about gettin' this catalyst?"

"There's a graveyard for ship's on the outskirts of town, south of here. Guy don't like Mal none, said he wouldn't deal with no Independent nuttin'."

'Ski tossed a glance at Cat, who smiled, "Sounds like our kinda people."

"Ones we don't feel bad 'bout stealin' from." Cat replied. "I need to go into town and get my stuff. Need anything?"

"Might as well ride with you. I got the horse i rented to get out here. Might as well get my money's worth." He walked over to his roan and also grabbed Coyote's reins.

"Kaylee, you ride with me. Serenity will be fine. No one here is going into a ship covered in that much blood."

"Can't say I'm lookin' forward to it." 'Ski smiled. "Girl might feel more comfortable on my horse. You don't have a saddle."

"I can ride either way." Kaylee smiled for the first time since the incident. "I know why she's doing this, but why are you?"

'Ski looked at Kaylee. "She asked me to."

"That's it."

"Pretty much. Now let's get goin' before I change my mind."