Mal an’ Kaylee was both leanin’ up against the mule when Jayne came toward ‘em. Mal straightened up as they neared. Jayne could see his hand stray toward his gun.

“It’s alright, Sir. Everything’s clear.”

Mal turned toward Zoe. “Then what’re these?” He tipped his head toward Stella an’ Marie.

“These are Marie an’ Stella Johnston, elite gentleman’s escorts. This one’s Marie.” Marie ambled over ta Mal. “You an elite gentleman?”

Mall looked at Jayne. “These your whores?”

Jayne nodded. “Them’s my whores.”

Marie was eyein’ Mal like she was starvin’. “Can we pretend you’re an elite gentleman?”

“This is Stella. That one’s Marie.” Jayne gestured at Marie with Vera.

Mal was tryin’ ta ignore her. “Gathered that.”

Jayne turned ta Stella an’ nodded in Mal’s direction. “That’s Mal.”

“Mal. Bad. Have you been bad, Mal?”

Mal looked at Marie. Then he turned ta Zoe.

“I know, Sir.”

Kaylee was lookin’ at Jayne from behind Mal like she was afraid ta come out.

Stella spied her anyway.

“Kaylee!”

Kaylee backed up against the mule as Stella lunged toward her an’ threw her arms around ‘er. She let out a nervous kinda laugh an’ gave Jayne a look.

Jayne just smiled.

Stella pulled back an’ held Kaylee at arm’s length. She turned ta Jayne. “I like ‘er. She’s got a good face, Zeek.”

“Jayne.”

“I like Zeek better.”

“Oh! Look at that smile!” Marie left Mal alone an’ joined Stella in appreciatin’ Kaylee. She turned ta Jayne. “I could just spread ‘er on a buiscuit an’ gobble ‘er up.”

“Thanks.” Kaylee sent Jayne another look.

“Ya know, if you weren’t sa gorram cute, I reckon I’d have ta kill you.”

Kaylee’s eyes got real big.

“I thought we were here for platinum.”

Stella turned ta Mal. “Right! Follow me.”

Marie grinned an’ pulled Mal along by the hand. “Reckon you should be up front with us, should somethin’ happen.”

Jayne wated Stella an’ Marie herdin’ the captain toward one of he outbuildings. Zoe followed with her gun.

Kaylee came up beside Jayne. Jayne looked down at ‘er.

“She threatened ta kill me.”

“Nah. She said she WEREN’T gonna kill ya.”

Kaylee nodded slow an’ stared forward, pressin’ her lips together.

“I’d snap ‘em in half if I thought they was a treat. Just got ya. Ain’t even sick’ve ya yet.”

Kaylee smiled up at him. “That’s sweet.”

***

There was a bunch of crates in the buildin’ with Chinese labels sayin’ suff like “ginger” an’ “beans.” Zoe, Mal, an’ the girls was standin’ in front’ve a case labled “corn seed.”

Jayne ain’t never seen platinum corn seed before.

There was a stack’ve guns next ta Zoe. Jayne reckoned they’d come from the guards he’d stepped over at the door.

“All these crates full of platinum?” Mal nodded toward the crates linin’ the far wall.

Jayne caught the look Stella gave Marie. “Well… we… ain’t sure.” Stella offered a weak smile.

Mal turned ta her. Her smile flickered, then went out all together.

Marie stepped in. “We ain’t ever allowed in here. It’s Pink’s men who come in an’ out.”

“Sometimes they come out with platinum, sometimes they come out with…” Stella gestured at the crate. “Corn seed.”

Marie turned ta Stella. “What is corn seed?”

“It’s like plantin’ corn.”

“Oooh.” Marie nodded.

Jayne could see Mal’s jaw tense. “So we’re going to have to open all these crates and check what’s in them?”

Stella nodded.

“And move them out.”

Marie nodded.

“Before the guards wake up and kill us.”

Stella nodded again.

Mal nodded. Then he turned ta Jayne. “This may just be the best plan ever.”

Zoe cleared her throat. “We can always back down, Sir.”

“And not get paid.”

“There is that chance.”

Kaylee stepped forward. “Maybe I could go back to the ship an’ get the rest to come help us.”

“And leave the ship lyin’ there empty for anyone to come steal?”

“We could bring the ship here, Sir.”

Mal stood with his hands on his hips, lookin’ at Zoe. He nodded after a while. “Fine. Kaylee, Zoe, go get the ship. Put it down about twenty meters north of this building.” He turned to Jayne. “If I lose my ship, I will sell your ass to buy myself a new one.”

Zoe turned around at the door. “Sir, you couldn’t even get another firefly for that mangy hide. Sell his guns.”

Jayne tightened his grip on Vera.

“Jayne.”

Jayne turned toward Mal, clutchin’ Vera ta his chest.

Mal gestured at the boxes.