Jayne took the buckskin again. Zoe took the black one. That left the doc with the silly-lookin’ yella one. He didn’t seem ta notice, though. He just glared straight ahead, silent as stone.

Jayne almost woulda preferred ta have the doc draw a gun on ‘im. Come flyin’. At least then he coulda’ punched ‘im an’ had it over with. Better th’n havin’ him poutin’ like he was.

Couldn’t help but wonder what the doc was gonna say ta Kaylee. Jayne wasn’t sweet on the idea of her bein’ upset er nothin’. Or gettin’ yelled at.

The doc wouldn’t do nothin’ ta hurt Kaylee. Didn’t seem the type. An’ if he had, Jayne’d likely have ta wait in line behind Mal ta beat the shu ma nyaw outa ‘im.

Weren’t none of the doc’s business. Gorram girl could make decisions fer herself.

Not that’s she’d exactly decided anythin’. She hadn’t come out and said nothin’. She just kept hintin’ an’ goin’ at it backwards.

Gorram girl. Why couldn’t she make a decision?

Zoe’d stopped. Jayne pulled his horse to a stop next ta her The doc was too busy glarin’ ta notice. Kept on ridin’ ahead.

“Simon.”

The doc looked around. Turned his horse back.

“Yes?”

“Best we part ways here. You keep straight ahead. Go inta the compound from the west. We’ll head south ta those hills.” Zoe nodded at some hills in the distance.

“Fine.”

“Got your money?”

The doc nodded. Jayne could see his jaw clenchin’ an unclenchin’.

“Don’t spend it unless you have ta. Stay only as long as you feel comfortable.”

“I’m done, then.”

Zoe half-smiled. “Longer than that.”

“Do I get a safe word? Or do I just have to scream your names when he tries to have his way with me?”

“I’d rather not have my name mentioned, if ya don’t mind.”

The doc didn’t even glance at Jayne.

Zoe shifted in her saddle. “I think I safe word would be best. Got one in mind?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Usurper Seducer. Gun-toting desperate ape-man.”

“Hey!” Jayne didn’t know what the first one meant, but he was ruttin’ positive the last one was aimed at him. “You got somethin’ ta say to me, little man?”

The doc finally looked at ‘im. “Nothing you’d understand.”

“You two wanna fight ta the death, do it on your own time.”

Jayne tore his eyes away from the doc an’ looked at Zoe. She gave him a sharp look an’ turned ta the doc.

“How ‘bout turtle?”

“Or turtle.”

He gave Zoe a little smirk that made Jayne wanna knock ‘im over the head. Then he turned around an’ kept ridin’ straight.

Zoe turned her horse South. Jayne followed.

Jayne ground his teeth. “Huh choo-sang tza-jiao duh tzang-huo.”

“I can hear you.”

Gorram transmitter.

“Good! I meant for ya ta hear!”

“Of course. How silly of me.”

Jayne whipped his horse around.

“Boys, it ain’t none of my business what either of ya do in your own time. But we’re on a job right now. Jayne, turn your horse around.”

Jayne glared after the doc. Took a lot’ve effort ta turn his horse back toward Zoe.

“Yeah, Jayne.”

Ruttin’—

“Simon, I know plenty of blows that can hurt ya without markin’ up that face of yours. Dong ma?”

The doc was silent.

Ha.

Jayne smiled at Zoe. She just turned her horse back toward the hills.

The rest of the trip was silent, ‘cept fer the sounds the horses made. Simon got ta the compound before him an’ Zoe reached the hills. Jayne could hear the girls by the door cooin’ at ‘im. Wondered if it was the same ones.

“I’m—I’m looking for Mr. Pink. Could you—Oh! Yes, hello.”

Jayne chuckled. Sounded like the girls were givin’ him the once-over. Or twice-over.

They reached the hills an’ found a little clump of trees that they could see the compound from. Jayne could see the yella horse tied up outside the main house.

“I’m looking for Mr. Pink. Excuse me! That’s my—is Mr. Pink even here?”

Jayne was shakin’, he was tryin’ so hard not ta laugh out loud.

From the looks of Zoe, she was doin’ the same.

“Who wants ta know?”

Sounded like the dark-haired one. Marie.

“My name is… uh…”

Jayne looked over at Zoe. She wasn’t laughin’ now.

They’d forgot ta give Simon a name.

Jayne hoped he wasn’t dumb enough ta give his real name.

“Jayne. Jayne… Hanson.”

What the hell?!

“Jayne?”

“I was named after my mother.”

Jayne tightened his grip on Vera.

“What the hell are you doin’?!”

Jayne looked over at Zoe. “What the hell is he doin?!”

She had her face in her hands.

“Right this way, Mr. Hanson.”

“Please. Call me Jayne.”