Chapter 4

Feels strange waking up in a different room, she and Kaylee had talked half the night away. Maggie got dressed and wandered out to the kitchen where she finds all the men having breakfast. “Not as good as yours, but it’s filling. Figured it will be safe for you to leave soon. Thinking Zoe might ride over with you and we can pick her up in the shuttle. Want to thank you for all your help yesterday.” “You’re very welcome, I enjoyed making a fool out of Marco. Wanted to say good-bye to Kaylee, is she around?” “She and Inara went into town to do some shopping.” “Who went with them?” looking around and seeing all the men she started to get very worried. “With them? They’re big girls, they can shop alone.” “No, No, not in Hoquiam they can’t. They are unmarried women and they need escorts. Oh Mal you got to find them.” “What kind of backwater town is this?” Getting up with the rest of the men and heading towards the cargo door “What will happen if they are picked up?” “Well depends” running to keep up with them “They can have them declared unguarded and place them in the maiden house.” “Been a longtime since anyone thought of Inara as a maiden.” Mal chuckled to himself. “What do you mean, she’s an unmarried women right?” “She’s a companion, nothing maidenly about her.” Reaching the street they all head different ways. “Mal you have to find her, they’ll stone her if they find out.” As they came around the corner they came across Marco “Morning Folks.” “Don’t have time for you.” Mal snarled as he ran past. “Better make time, I got two of your crew locked-up.” “Well you better unlock them.” Drawing his gun and aiming it at Marco’s head. By now the rest of the search party is surrounding Marco, most with their guns out. “Might want to think twice about that Captain, seems Mr. Weir is sheriff here.” Book points to the badge on Marco’s shirt. Taking a step back Mal growls “What will it take to get my people back?” “You’re not a proper guardian, letting them wander around unescorted. Might take the younger one for myself, now that Maggie’s married.” Maggie can feel Jayne tense up behind her and she can hear Mal gasp. “They didn’t know the law Marco and when was the last time you enforced it?” “Still the law Maggie.” “What do you want Marco?” the Captain asked again. “Tell you what I’ll do” Marco says walking towards Maggie “You sign over your property and I’ll let them go.” “Told you the last time you asked, you’re not getting my land. What’s your second choice?” “Want that property.” “No.” With that Maggie walks back towards the ship and starts to harness Sadie. Marco follows her “Well if you won’t sign, I’ll just ask your husband.” “What!” Maggie turns around and faces the group with Betty in her hand. “He’s your husband, He can sign.” Marco replied, taking satisfaction with the terror in Maggie’s eyes, but leery of what she can do with that frying pan. Jayne looks from Maggie to Mal to Marco “Not gonna do that” “The hell your not! This is Kaylee we’re talking about. You want her married to some scum like this?” Mal explodes. “Just sign here.” Marco smiles walking towards Jayne. Still not sure what to do Jayne backs up as Marco shoves papers at him. “Mal you can’t be serious?” Maggie looking from one angry man to the other. “Yeah Mal, you can’t take her home away from her.” Jayne said not sure what was going on, but wishing he could just shoot someone. “She ain’t crew Jayne, we take care of our own first. Just sign it!” “WE’RE NOT MARRIED!!!”