“Jayne, people just don’t disappear.”

“I know that, Mal! Either they’re off the moon or people ain’t talkin.” The mercenary looked uncomfortable. Not even being as large and weighed down with weaponry as he was had changed anyone’s mind about giving him useful information.

Mal had come up just as empty-handed. Four hours of searching and not one person had seen or heard a thing. It was as if Ms. Lien had dropped off the edge of the universe. People were usually tight-lipped, expecting trouble, but not so much as this. Even a bit of coin had not loosened any lips. “I’m not liking what this means.”

Jayne checked his holster, fiddling with where it was placed on his hips. His hand seemed to want to stray there. Jayne was simple, if a problem presented itself, bust through it. But busting wasn't working this time.

It wasn’t often Jayne let him down on an assignment like this. Mal searched the open area where they were standing scanning the crowd. Avoiding his eyes, the people on the street just continued about their business.

He knew there was something here that there was to be known, but he could not figure out what it was. He was hoping some sort of clue as to where his fare went would jump out at him.

Fate it seemed wasn’t being kind today. Be a warm day in the black when it did.

---

As the two men walked back into Serenity’s cargo bay, Sebastian met them. Mal didn’t enjoy the look on the man’s face any better than he liked losing his fare.

“Where is she?” The man demanded. Feet set apart and fists balled, he was looking for a fight.

Mal took in the arrogance of the tone and the fact that he was challenging Mal. Jayne was only a step behind him and the two crewmates were obviously armed. Instead of answering, the two men passed the core-worlder by and kept walking into the depths of the ship.

“Captain! I demand an answer! You do not get paid unless Elena makes it to Lampeter. Our contract was very spe…”

Mal spun back on the man, using only a hint of the ‘voice’ he used when putting recruits, and sometimes his crew, into line. “You think we’ve been beatin’ the devil around the stump for the past few hours? I want that money; you’ll get your girl.”

Seemingly satisfied with that response, Sebastian shut his mouth and allowed the men to enter the ship without another word.

Walking up the steps towards the cockpit, Jayne had to get one last comment in. Mal swore it was solely to rile him. “Yeah, ‘sides Mal, we don’t get that girl we ain’t makin’ it to Lampeter anyway. She’s got the cash to pay for the fuel.”

“I wasn’t plannin’ on tellin’ them till it was time to go.”

Jayne’s deep, quiet chuckle was his only reply.