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Chapter Two: Little Talk of This And That

Wash and Raptor broke apart and looked that the table, "This is Adam. Adam, this is Malcolm Reynolds, Jayne Cobb and," He grinned, "Zoe Washburne."

Adam grinned as he and Wash sat down, "Washburne?" He asked Zoe. "Don't tell me that a beautiful woman like you actually married my ugly brother." He leaned over and put his arm around Zoe's shoulder, "Now why would you do that?"

Zoe raised her eyebrows, "Wonder that myself sometimes." She looked at Adam, "Brother, huh?" She looked away from Adam and then at Wash. "And most people can't tell you two apart, right?"

"If I ever get mistaken for this ugly HOE-tze duh PEE-goo…" Adam started to say.

"Then you'll be luckier than you've ever been in your life," Wash said. "Besides I seem to remember you using my name at Venus."

"Right," Adam said. "Because I was trying to track down that stripper you got so friendly with on your first visit, remember? You couldn't stop talking about her."

"Stripper?" Zoe said, eying Wash.

"I was 16," Wash protested. He looked at Adam, "And you're the one who dragged me there in the first place."

Adam shrugged, "Wanted you to have a memorable birthday. Besides I only took you there the one time. You're the one who kept wanting to go back." Adam grinned, "How many times did I have to sneak you in and out of…" His voice trailed off as Wash shot him a look, clearly telling him to shut up.

The look was not lost on everyone else. Mal glanced at Zoe, wondering what was going on. Zoe shook her head slightly. She had no idea what they were talking about. She actually knew very little about Wash's past and was surprised as anyone that he had a brother.

"What place is that?" Jayne asked. The mention of strippers had peaked his interest.

"Little dive back home," Adam said. "Called the Venus Club. For the right place you could get all the women and drinks you wanted."

Wash shook his head and grinned, "That place had the best drinks I've ever had. I'd go back to that hunk of rock anytime if it meant getting a bottle from there."

"It'd be wasted on you, Hoban," Adam said. "You never could hold your liquor."

"Right, and I seem to remember many nights dragging your sorry…" Was started to say.

"Alright," Mal said, breaking in. "We'll walk down memory lane later. Right now we got a job." He looked at Adam, "I guess you're willing to work with us then."

Adam nodded, "Sure, I'll hire you. If Hoban's on your crew, then that's good enough for me."

Jayne looked at Adam and then at Wash, "Hoban? What kind of dumb ass name is that?"

Wash rolled his eyes, "I don't know, Jayne."

"Hey," Jayne said. "That's the name my Ma picked. Not my fault your folks were probably high on something when…"

"Jayne," Mal said, in a warning tone. At Jayne's mention of his parents, Wash's jaw had clenched and a rare look of anger had crossed his face. Adam's face had also gotten tight at Jayne's words.

"What?" Jayne asked, annoyed but he shut up at Mal's look.

"What kind of cargo are you lookin' to ship?" Zoe asked, trying to divert the subject.

"Some crates," Adam said. "And myself. It's stuff that I need to deliver personally on Beaumonde."

"Then why aren't you flying it yourself?" Mal asked, suspiciously. "Badger said that you used to be a pilot."

"I am a pilot," Adam said. "But right now I don’t have a ship. That's where you come in. I pay for passage and the fee to ship the crates."

"Anyone we need to avoid?" Mal asked. "What exactly is in those crates?"

"It's all above board, if that's what you're asking," Adam said, his voice becoming more formal. "I assure you that I am no threat to you or your crew."

"I'd hope not," Mal said. "Being that if there's trouble, your brother'll be right in the middle of it."

"Mal," Wash said.

"Just making sure of a few things," Mal said, ignoring Wash and looking at Adam. Something seemed off. He couldn't place it but it just didn't seem right.

"No trouble," Adam said, his voice still formal. "I have my cargo ready for whenever you plan to leave."

"We'll leave as soon as you get it onboard," Mal said standing.

"I'll have it there within the hour," Adam said.

Mal signaled to Zoe, Jayne and Wash that they should leave. Zoe and Jayne followed him but Wash stayed behind.

"Good to see you," Wash said. "I thought you were…"

"I'm not that easy to kill, remember?" Adam said, his face relaxing. He glanced over his shoulder and then back at Wash. "I'll meet you on the ship, okay. We've got a few days to get caught up."

"Yeah," Wash grinned. "Lots to tell you." "Right," Adam said. "Starting with how you persuaded that beautiful creature to marry you."

"And where you've been all this time, " Wash said. His face turned serious, "At least you're…."

"Hey," Adam warned. "Don't get soft on me. Remember, as long as I've got your back and you've got mine, nothing can hurt us."

Wash grinned, "Gonna be like old times again," He said as he started walking after the others.

"Right..." Adam said as he watched Wash walk away. "Exactly like old times."

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