Not my ‘verse, I stole it. Not my story, I stole it to. Just wanted to tweak things my way for fun. I believe the only original line is “Simon says”.

You can take the boy out of Hera…

By: Jailbird

Chapter Six “Salvage Rights”

On the bridge Mal is flying out of the cloud with Jayne and Zoë standing over him in his old spot. “There!” Zoë points to a large piece of wreckage above and to her right.

Jayne was really nervous about running in to Reavers again. “Why do we care about a cruisers command deck, anyhow!”

Mal points out. “Do you know what they got in a Admirals mess.”

“No, not really.” Jayne absently replies.

“Me neither, but I am betting its good.” Mal says with conviction as he rubs his palms together.

“So, Sir why so interested in real foods all of a sudden?” Zoë wonders since the fuel or weapons would be worth more.

“Just tired of the same old protein day in and day out. I’d guess.” Mal states with a shrug.

Jayne says with certain regret. “That’s nice as soon as this ships galley starts serving real food you’re throwing everyone off.”

“Don’t worry you get you fair share.” Mal assures his mercenary.

***

In the airlock at the front of the cargo bay Mal is dressing in a pressure suit when Jayne runs up to him.

Jayne reports to Mal. “Mal we’re missing a suit.”

“What do you mean?” Mal replies with a furrowed brow.

“Zoë suit is gone.” Jayne states again.

Mal walks over and hits the comm. “Zoë!”

From the box comes the reply. “Sir?”

“Where is you suit?” Mal inquires of his first mate.

The box calls back to him. “In the locker, sir, where else.”

Mal looks over to his large mercenary, who shakes his head.

“No, it’s not, see who’s not on board.” Mal asked although he already knew.

“Yes sir.” Zoë acknowledges.

“Come on Jayne lets get this thing done.” Says Mal as he is in no mood to deviate from the plan.

***

Mal and Jayne are removing some large crates out of an Alliance ship’s hold.

“Mal!” Zoë comes in over the radio.

“Yeah, Zoë.” Is the Captain’s reply.

“It must be River, no one seen her since dinner night before last.” Comes the report over the comm.

“Probably thinks your ready to toss her brother out the air lock.” Jayne adds.

Mal holds up his hand to get Jayne to shut up. “Little Albatross, are you out here.”

“Yes, Captain.” River replies over the radio.

“Why!” Mal asked completely confused.

“Salvage…right.” River answers back like it’s a part of the plan.

Mal can even hear her boob look over the comm. “Salvage… what…salvage little one?”

“Spare parts.” River states coldly.

“What spare parts?” Mal wonders out loud.

“A new nav computer.” River says again with the boob tone.

“We have a nav computer.” Mal can’t even speculate what the girl is up to.

“Yes, but we need an upgrade.” River informs the Captain.

Mal says not expecting a straight reply. “Why?”

Jayne says not the least bit interested. “Why does moon brain do anything?”

Mal cocks his head and shrugs. “Well, you almost done?”

“Will be before you, that’s why I had to get an early start.” River states almost cheerfully.

“Fine, but no sightseeing let’s all be getting back to the ship.” Mal commands.

***

Inara is in the crew lounge sipping tea when Mal comes up the stairs from the cargo bay.

Inara asks of the Captain. “Do any good crime?”

“Yeah, have to say we made out good today.” Mal retorts with cheer.

Inara coves her mouth to sniffle a very un-companion like giggle.

“No…not like that.” Mal says as his face turns a slight shade of pink.

Inara was suddenly serious. “You’re not throwing everyone off.”

“Yes I am. What’s it to you?” Mal says with self-confidence.

“Why would do such a thing?” Inara asked.

Mal with a little more anger than he meant. “You know how many men I have lost under my command.”

“Well…no.” Inara admits.

“Tracey, Book, and Wash are only the tip of the iceberg...” Malcolm replies. “…in Serenity there were thousands all died their in front of me.” He takes a breath to steady himself. “I don’t want to lose anymore.”

Inara says as she set her tea delicately on the table. “Well I’m not leaving.”

“You haven’t paid rent around here in a very long time, Inara.” Mal points out.

“You know, I never hade to pay anything to stay.” Inara retorts.

Mal admits. “Well no, I guess not.”

“What would you do with out your ship. Every ship needs its’ Captain and every Captain needs a ship.” Inara says as she turns on the grace.

Mal sees that she is trying to manipulate him. “Whoa, you can put you wiles away woman. Your not change my mind about this.”

“Well, I see your mind is set.” Inara says as she crosses her arm across her chest.

“Yes it is.’ Something inside him is saying that he wasn’t going to win this one that easy.

“Well then, I do need to return to the training house.” Inara states trying to hurt him.

“Any particular reason why?” Mal asked as casualty as possible.

“What dose it matter, I thought we were all getting ‘off the boat’.” Inara says while trying to imitate Mal with just the last part.

“I guess it don’t…really.” He says as he looks at his feet kicking at some imaginary thing on the floor.

She thinks he was always kind of cute when he got that pout. “I need to pick up some stuff. When I left their last it was in a bit of a hurry.”

“Yeah right…I remember. I will have you back to your girls in a flash.” Mal now trying to sound like a hero.

“What if I don’t want to go back to ‘my girls’.” Even Inara wasn’t sure where this would go.

Mal was tiring a bit of this line of questioning. “You can go where ever you want; you just can’t stay here.” The last half of that sentence was thrown over his shoulder as he walked to bridge.

***

TBC