Chapter Five: Shindig

Mal and Jayne play pool with a man they met named Wright. Trinity and Inara sit at the bar.

Inara sips at her drink and eyes Trinity. "So you haven't been by to see me in a while."

Trinity runs a hand through her hair. "Sorry." She says. "You know things have been a little hectic and any free time I get, I usually spend practicing or with…" She trails off.

"She's most comfortable with you. She's calm with you. She likes you." Inara says.

Trinity shakes her head. "I know what you're heading towards and it's not going to happen."

"You have a soft spot for her. No matter what you say, you care for her."

"Yeah, it's called friendship. Something I'm beginning to question whether or not was a good decision with you."

Inara laughs. "Well anytime you need to talk, you know I'm available."

"Yeah, yeah." Trinity sighs as she looks over at the pool game.

"Didn't hardly have to convert the ship even. Six in the corner. Stronger locks, thicker doors, keep everybody where they're supposed to be. Don't even need more rations." Wright tells Jayne and Mal. Suddenly the pool balls begin to flicker as the holograms malfunction. "Way!" He shouts. A bar worker points to the wall. Wright looks at a sign that says 'MANAGEMENT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR BALL FAILURE'.

"You made money, huh?" Jayne asks, bringing Wright's attention back to them.

"Hand over fist, my friend. Water planets need labor; terraforming crews got a prodigious death rate."

"Labor, you mean, uh…slaves." Mal says.

Wright smirks. "Well it wasn't volunteers, for damn sure."

"That why you didn't have to lay in more rations?"

"I didn't hear no complaints."

"How much money, lots?" Jayne asks, capturing Wright's attention.

Seeing Wright thoroughly distracted, Mal walks over to Inara and Trinity. "There's a chance you might want to head back to the ship." He says.

"Oh, I'm all right. This is entertaining, actually." Inara says.

"Yeah? What's entertaining?"

"I like watching the game. As with other situations, the key seems to be giving Jayne a heavy stick and standing back."

"Still, might ought to clear out before too much longer. Seems there's a thief about." Trinity tells her, smirking.

"A thief?" Inara asks.

Mal holds up a wad of cash. "Took this right off him." He hands it to the companion. "Now they earned that with the sweat of their slave-trading brows."

"Mal…" Inara whispers, shocked. She shoves the cash into her bra.

"Aw, terrible shame. Course they won't discover it till they go order their next round of drinks." Just as Mal finishes speaking, a hand lands on his shoulder.

"Way!" Wright says.

"Good drinker, that one." Mal says before turning around and punching the man in the jaw. Soon a bar fight ensues. Mal and Jayne fight off their attackers. A drunken man stumbles towards Inara with a leering grin on his face. He is intercepted by Trinity, who punches him and grabs him by the back of his head, slamming him into the table. The man falls to the ground, unconscious.

Inara looks at Trinity. "Lovely place, I'll tell my friends." She says, sarcastically.

Wash pilot's the ship while Zoe looks out the front port. "Seem to you we cleared out of Santo in a hurry?" He says.

"Seems we do that a lot. Heard tell though, we're going to stay a while on Persephone." Zoe tells him.

"Shiny."

"Yeah? Thought you'd get land crazy that long in port."

"Probably, but I've been sane a long while now, and change is good."

Mal walks in. "Well, ain't that a joyful sight?"

"Gotta love a sunset." Wash says.

"Starting to get familiar too, like a second home." Zoe comments.

"Persephone ain't home. Too many people we got to avoid. Re-supply, look for work, move along. Sniff the air, we don't kiss the dirt." Mall tells them.

"Wasn't planning on the dirt-kissing, sir." Zoe says.

"Besides, I wouldn't stand for it anyway, Captain, jealous man like me." Wash jokes. Just then, an alarm begins to sound. "Closing in."

"Planet's coming up a mite fast."

"That's just 'cause I'm going down too quick. Likely crash and kill us all."

"Well, that happens, let me know." Mal tells him before leaving.

"Okay. Whoa. No, we're good, we're good. It's okay." Wash says, a bit nervous.

Trinity polishes one of her blades when she hears a knock on the door. "Come in." She calls. The door to her bunk opens and small feet appear on the ladder. "Y'know, you come her so much, I might as well give you an open invitation." She tells River once the girl's feet touch the floor. "What do you need?"

"Nothing." The reader says. "Bored."

"And I'm supposed to provide you with some kind of entertainment?" Trinity asks. "We're not playing cards again; you cheat."

"She does not cheat."

Trinity scoffs in disbelief. "Please." She says, continuing to polish her blade. River wonders over to Trinity's open weapon cabinet and reaches for a dagger. The cook sees the movement and sets her blade to the side, quickly going over to River and grabbing her hand before the girl can touch the knife. "Woah. No weapons for you."

River looks away from the dagger and into Trinity's eyes. "She wishes to see your art."

"Well, why don't we just sit on the bed and I'll read you a story or something. You shouldn't be touching these."

River looks like she's about to protest, but after a moment, she nods. "Fine."

Trinity nods and quickly puts away her blade and cleaning supplies before pulling out her cortex. She sits on the bed, her back leaning against the wall. River sits next to her and rests her head on her shoulder. Trinity glances at the girl and remembers Inara's words from the bar. She shakes her head and focuses on the codex. "So what are you in a mood for? Mystery, fantasy, romance?"

"You pick."

Trinity swipes the pad a few times. "I have some from the Earth That Was." She lands on a story. "Here it is. I think you might like it." She tells River before she begins to read. "'There is one mirror in my house. It is behind a sliding panel in the hallway upstairs. Our faction allows me to stand in front of it on the second day of every third month, the day my mother cuts my hair.'" She reads.

In her shuttle, Inara sits in front of the cortex screen. She deletes a few faces before selecting one.

The image of a well-dressed, yet nervous young man enlarges and begins speaking. "I understand your time on our planet is limited, and if you've selected my proposal to hear, then the honor you do me flatters…" He stumbles over his words. "My honor…and I hope that-"

Inara deletes the video and moves onto the next one.

A man smiles at her. "Now there's the smile made of sunlight."

Inara smiles back at him. "Atherton, how wonderful to see you."

"Did you get my message? I was extra appealing." He tells her.

"What a flattering invitation. I had no idea I was arriving in time for the social event of the season."

"So, you'll accompany me? I ask, heart in my throat. There's a certain offer I'm still waiting to hear about."

"Yes, I imagine there is. I'm delighted to say I'll be there. Now, I'm sorry Atherton, but I have to run."

"No, please, I understand. I'll see you soon, bao bei." He says before the video chat ends, leaving a picture of his face on the screen.

Inara hears her shuttle door open and turns seeing Mal walk into her room. "Good afternoon, Captain." She greets.

"Morning. We're downing, and in case that Wash don't kill us all, local time's going to be in the a.m., 10 or so."

"Yes, I saw that."

Mal looks over the companions shoulder and sees Atherton's face on the screen. "Making plans? 'Atherton Wing'. He's a regular, ain't he?"

Inara covers the cortex screen with a drapery. "I've seen him before."

"Oh, I never did. Not what I pictured…young. Must be rich too, to afford your rates."

"I suppose. He has engaged me for several days."

"Days?! Boy must have stamina." Mal says.

"He does." Inara tells him.

"Well…fine." He says, a bit uncomfortable. "Is he letting you out at all?"

"Actually, we're attending a ball tomorrow night."

"Tell me, do all the men there pay for their dates, or just the young rich ones with stamina?"

"Most of the women in there will not be Companions, if that's what you're asking. Perhaps the other men couldn't attract one."

"Hmm. It's sounds like the finest party I can imagine getting paid to go to."

"I don't suppose you'd find it up to standards of your outings. More conversation and somewhat less petty theft and getting hit with pool cues. I understand if you need to go prepare for that 'It's 10 in the morning' issue."

"Yeah. Better go do that. 'Cause I think this is more of an evening look."

Trinity clicks the codex off. "We'll have to continue that later." She says. River sits up, taking her head off of the girl's shoulder. Trinity gets up and slides a vest on. She opens her weapons cabinet and begins sliding small knives into the pockets. "I have to get ready to leave. We're going into town today." She glances back at River. "Maybe I'll pick you up something."

"Like what?" River asks, playing with the ends of her hair.

Trinity shrugs. "I don't know. Anything that catches my eye."

Kaylee, Zoe, Wash, Mal, Trinity, and Jayne walk through the streets carrying luggage.

Kaylee sees a shop window and walks closer, the other's follow behind her. "Oh, look at the pretties!"

"What am I looking at, the girls or the clothes?" Wash asks, seeing the models.

"There's clothes?" Jayne asks, not noticing anything but the women.

"The clothes, please." Zoe says.

Kaylee points to a large, pink, frilly dress. "Say, look at the fluffy one."

"Too much foofaraw. If I'm going to wear a dress, I'd want something with some slink." Zoe says.

Wash looks at her. "You want a slinky dress? I can buy you a slinky dress. Captain, can I have money for a slinky dress?"

"I'll chip in." Jayne says.

"I can hurt you." Zoe tells him.

"The only place I seen somethin' so nice is some of the things Inara has." Kaylee says.

"Well, we best be movin'." Mal tells them.

"I guess she needs all that stuff, the life she leads." Trinity says.

"Well, sure." Kaylee says. "Sometimes the customers buy her things. Some real rich men."

"Come on! These ain't feathers I'm toting here, ya know?" Mal says, not wanting to think of Inara and her customers.

Kaylee looks at him. "I like the ruffles. Inara gets to wear whatever she wants."

"What are you going to do in that rig? Flounce around the engine room? Be like a sheep walking on its hind legs." He snaps. Kaylee sends him a hurt look before walking off.

Zoe glares at the Captain. "See ya on the ship, Captain." She says. Mal looks down disappointed in himself as Zoe, Wash, and Kaylee board the quad-runner and leave.

Jayne looks at Mal. "Is she mad or something?" He asks.

Trinity rolls her eyes and looks at the men. "I'm gonna look around. See what the shops have to offer." She says before walking off.

Mal sighs when he suddenly hears a gun cock. He turns around and sees a dread-locked man aiming a rifle at him. Another thug aims his gun at them as well. Badger walks up to them. "Badger." Mal greets.

"Captain Reynolds. Heard you was in town." Badger says in a thick cockney accent. "Thought we might have a bit of a sit down."

"Prefer a bit of a piss off."

"I'm very sorry. Did I give you the impression I was asking?"

Trinity walks around the shop and looks at the trinkets. She lets her fingers glide along a scarf and walks deeper into the store. She walks up to the jewelry section and looks at the cases. Her eyes lock on a crystal point pendant with one end held in a heart shaped sterling silver. She looks closer and reads the card below it 'Lapis Lazuli & Moonstone Point Pendant – 50mm'. "Excuse me." She calls.

A store clerk looks up from a book and walks over to her. "See something you like?" The woman smiles.

"How much for this?" Trinity asks, pointing to the necklace.

"Ah. This is a good one. Lapis Lazuli carries good energies in it; love, protection, power, and healing. Moonstone carries the same, but it also carries luck."

"How much is it?"

The woman looks at her, a smile still on her face. "Tell you what; why don't I give you a discount? I can tell it's not for you. You must be giving this to someone very important to you. Two platinum."

Trinity pulls the platinum out of her coin purse and hands it to the woman. "Here you go."

The woman takes the necklace out of the class case and places it into a long velvet box. She puts the box into a small bag and hands it to Trinity. "I hope it all goes well for you."

"Yeah." Trinity says, taking the bag and heading out of the store.

Jayne, Mal and Badger sit around a crate.

"Seems the last time there was a chance for a little palaver we were all manner of unwelcome." Mal says.

Jayne sips from a chipped teacup. "This ain't bad."

"There's a trick to it." Badger tells him. "Wood alcohol."

"Now we're favored guests." Mal says. "Treated to the finest in beverages that make you blind. So what is it you need?"

Jayne reaches for more sandwiches laid out on the crate. "Mmm, 'scuse me."

"There's a local, but the name of Warrick Harrow." Badger tells them. "Got some property he wants to sell off-planet…fetch a high price."

"The local powers won't let him sell off-world."

"It's a conundrum. What my man Harrow needs himself is a smuggler. Willing to cut you in on it."

"Why me? You have access to ships. You could do it yourself."

"He won't deal with me direct. He's taken an irrational dislike."

"What happened? He see your face?" Jayne asks.

"He's a quality gent. Nose in the air like he never wun gwo pee. Don't find me respectable. But you, now I figure you got a chance."

"You backed out of a deal last time. Left us hanging." Mal tells him.

"Hurt our feelings." Jayne tags on.

"You recall why that took place?"

"Had a problem with your attitude is why. Felt you was…what's the word?" Badger asks.

"Pretentious?" Jayne guesses, making Mal look at him in surprise.

Badger snaps his fingers. "Exactly! You think you're better than other people."

"Just the ones I'm better than. And that very quality is the one I think you're placing value on today." Mal says.

"I'm placing value on the fact that stick up your pee goo is about as large as the one Harrow's got."

"How would you set up a meet, man that won't deal with you?"

"I know a place he'll be. Safe place. Using some new-tech gun scans. High-class too. Wouldn't let me in there. You might slip in. Course you couldn't buy an invite with a diamond the size of a testicle, but I got my hands on a couple." Badger explains. Mal and Jayne glance at each other and snicker. "Of invites!" He clarifies. "You want this meeting or not?"

In the grand ballroom, the porter announces the guests as they arrive. "Colonel Cyrus Momsen, and escort. William and Lady Cortland." A translucent grid appears and Cortland hands over a small handgun to a waiting security guard. "Atherton Wing, and Inara Serra."

Inara and Atherton enter the stylish ballroom and look at the people dancing.

"Roberta, it's been too long." Inara greets before turning to and older man. "Lao pung yo, nee can chi lai hun yo jing shen."

"Half the men in this room wish you were on their arm, tonight." Atherton tells her.

"Only half? I must be losing my indefinable allure."

"Oh, it's not that indefinable." He says before putting his lips near her ear. "All of them wish they were in your bed."

Inara swallows and blushes at the crude remark but maintains her composure. "I'm looking for the boy with the shimmerwine."

"Oh, she blushes. Not many in your line of work do that. You are a very singular woman. And I find…I find I admire you more and more."

Kaylee works in the engine room when Mal walks in.

"Kaylee?" He asks but she doesn't answer. "Kaylee!"

"I'm not speaking to you, Captain." She says, not looking at him.

"Got no need to speak. Come on. Got a job for you." He tells her.

Kaylee grumbles under her breath as she goes to follow the Captain.

Trinity knocks on the door of River's dorm. "River? You there?" After a moment the door opens. River steps back and lets Trinity into the room, closing the door behind her. "So I said I was going to bring you something and I did."

"What?" River asks, taking a seat on her bed.

Trinity reaches into her vest and pulls out the velvet box. "Surprise." River takes the box and opens it, seeing the crystal pendant inside. She runs her fingers over the necklace in awe. "The lady said it carries good energies; love, protection, power, healing, and luck." River continues to look at the necklace, not saying anything. Trinity squirms uncomfortably. "If you don't like it, you don't have to take it."

"I do!" River says, realizing Trinity mistook her silence. "It's beautiful." She looks at Trinity. "Put it on me?"

"Sure." Trinity nods, taking the necklace out of the case. River turns around and lifts her hair up. Trinity unclasps the silver necklace places it around River's neck before clasping it.

River turns to face Trinity. "How does it look?"

Trinity looks at River with new eyes. Once again, Inara's words ring in her hand. "Beautiful." She says softly.

Atherton and Inara dance around the ballroom. "I'm trying to offer you something you know. A life." He says.

"Atherton…" Inara trails off. He's one of the many men to offer her something more than her job, thinking that she doesn't love it.

"You can live here on Persephone, as my personal companion."

"You are a generous man."

"That is not a 'yes'."

"It's not a 'no', either." She says before addressing a woman nearby. "You look gorgeous, dear."

"You belong here, Inara, not on that flying piece of gos se. You see that, don't you?"

"Atherton, language." Inara says, slightly appalled at his attitude.

"What? Piece of gos se?" He asks. "But it is a piece of gos se."

"Miss Kaywinnit Lee Frye and escort." The portor's voice ring's through the ballroom.

Inara turns at the name. "Kaylee?" She sees Mall and Kaylee walk into the ballroom. Kaylee wears the pink dress she was admiring earlier. "Oh, gos se." Inara says, knowing that if Mal is here, the evening will not go smoothly.

"Does…um…does this seem kind of tight?" Mal asks, gesturing to his suit.

"Shows off your backside." Kaylee smiles, her eyes darting around the room. "Did you see the chandelier? It's hovering!"

"What's the point of that, I wonder?"

Kaylee's attention strays to the buffet table. "Oh! Mangoes!"

"I mean, I see how they did it. I just ain't getting the why." Mal says, still stuck on the chandelier.

"These girls have the most beautiful dresses. And so do I; how about that?"

"Yeah, well, just be careful. We cheated Badger out of good money to buy that frippery, and you're supposed to make me look respectable."

"Yes, sir, Captain Tightpants." The mechanic teases.

"Okay, I'm looking for our guy Harrow."

"And Inara. We should look for Inara, right?" Kaylee asks. "Just to say hello at her."

"If we see her. I think she's wearing gold. Okay, help me find our man. He's supposed to be old, kinda stocky, wears a red sash crossways." Mal explains.

"Why does he do that?"

"Maybe he won the Miss Persephone Pageant. Just help me look."

"Is that him?" Kaylee asks, her eyes stuck on the fruit at the buffet table.

Mal follows her gaze. "That's the buffet table."

"Well how can we be sure, unless we question it?" She asks, still gazing longingly at the table.

Mal sighs. "Fine. Don't make yourself sick."

"Oh, sheh-sheh, Captain." She smiles before heading towards the table.

In her bunk, Trinity twirls a dagger in her hands. Her brow furrows in conflicting thought about River. She wonders what to do now, and how to keep her thoughts from the reader.

In the common area, Jayne, Simon and Book play cards using scraps of paper instead of chips. River skulks around the room.

"Ante up, gentlemen." Simon says, dealing the cards. "Dishes."

"Dishes. Could do with less of them." Book says.

"Garbage." Jayne grunts.

Simon turns a card over. "Tall card…plum. Plums are tall."

"I'll take…two." Book decides.

"Two. No tall card claim."

"Speaking of garbage, I'll take three." Jayne speaks up.

"Three. Dealer forced to claim the tall." The doctor says. They don't notice River muttering over cans of food, growing agitated.

"What do you supposed the Captain and Kaylee are doing now?" Book asks. "Septic vat."

"Eating steaks off of plates made of solid money, like as anything." Jayne guesses. "I fold." River starts to rip labels off of the cans.

"Me too." Simon sighs. "Tall card's around my neck like a weight. Take it Shepherd."

"That's a nice pile of things I don't have to do." Book smiles.

"These are the ones that take you." River says, still ripping off labels. "They're the ones reaching and doing. They're the ones…"

The men turn, finally noticing River. Simon and Book move towards her in concern. "River." Simon calmly calls.

"Is she hurt?" Book asks.

"You better see to her. Bad habit for a fugitive." Jayne says, rearranging the scraps of paper on the table while the men are distracted. "She's going to do that in public and get herself hauled off."

"Everywhere." River says. "And the hands go everywhere…"

Simon gently wraps his arms around the girl, restraining her. "Shhh, its ok."

"When you brush your teeth and…"

"It's ok, she didn't harm much." Book says.

"…and nobody said anything…"

"We'll have a few mystery meals."

"It's ok. Shh, shh, shh, shh." Simon says, trying to calm her down a bit.

After a few moments it begins to work. "…and then they come." She finishes.

"So we gonna play cards, or screw around?" Jayne asks, now happy with his manipulation of the game.

Simon notices River's necklace. "Where'd you get that?" He asks.

"It was a gift." River says.

"From who?"

"Are we gonna play or what?" Jayne asks.

Simon sighs before walking back over to the table.

River grips the crystal as she watches him walk away.

Zoe and Wash lie in bed, basking in the afterglow of their love.

"I thought you wanted to spend more time off-ship this visit." Zoe pants.

"Out there is seems like it's all fancy parties. I like our party better. The dress code is easier and I know all the steps." Wash tells her.

"I'd say you do at that." His wife says, her eyes drifting closed.

"Don't fall asleep now. Sleepiness is weakness of character. Ask anyone. You're acting captain. Know what happens you fall asleep now?"

"Jayne slits my throat and takes over." She says.

"That's right."

"And we can't stop it."

"Well, I wash my hands of it. It's a hopeless case. I'll read a nice poem at the funeral. Something with imagery."

"You could lock the door and keep the power-hungry maniac at bay. Or call Trinity and warn her of the mutiny."

Wash shakes his head. "Oh, no, I'm starting to like this poetry idea now." He says before sighing dramatically. "'Here lies my beloved Zoe, my autumn flower, somewhat less attractive now she's all corpsified and gross-'"

Zoe stops the poem by smacking him in the face with a pillow.

Kaylee watches the dancing couples and turns to a gentleman standing by her. "Aren't they something. They're like butterflies, or little pieces of wrapping paper blowing around." She says. The young man bows and walks off. Kaylee frowns before walking over to a group of women. "Hello." She greets.

The women turn and look down their noses at her. "I don't…um…have we been introduced?"

Kaylee shakes the woman's hand. "Oh, I'm Kaylee."

"Banning. And this is Destra, Cabott and Zelle." She introduces.

Kaylee beams at her. "Don't you just love this party? Everything's so fancy, and there's some kind of hot cheese over there."

"It's not as good as last year." Cabott says.

"Oh really? What'd they have last year?"

"Standards." She smirks at the mechanics crestfallen face.

"Who made your dress, Kaylee?" Banning asks.

"Oh, do you like it?" Kaylee asks, looking down at her dress. "When I saw the ruffles, I just couldn't resist."

"You ought to see to your girl."

Kaylee looks at her in confusion. "Shah muh?"

"Your girl. She's not very good. She made you a dress that looks like you bought it in a store."

"Oh, I didn't know." She says, looking down in sadness at the girl's taunting her.

An older gentleman overhears the exchange and walks up to Kaylee's side. "Why Banning Miller. What a vision you are in your fine dress. It must have taken a dozen slaves a dozen days to get you into that getup." He says. Banning smiles at the compliment. "'Course your daddy tells me it takes the space of a schoolboy's wink to get you out of it again." He finishes. Banning's face falls before she huffs, stalking off. The rest of the women following after her. The man turns to look at Kaylee's smiling face. "Forgive my rudeness. I cannot abide useless people."

Mal sees the person he's here for and walks over to him.

"Oh, no, thank you very much." Harrow says.

"Beg pardon, but would you be Warrick Harrow?" Mal asks.

Harrow turns to face him. "Sir Warrick Harrow. The sash."

"The sash." Mall nods.

"It indicates lordship."

"And it's…it's doing a great job." He says. Harrow sighs and moves away. Mal follows after him. "Sir, my name is Malcolm Reynolds. I captain a ship, name of Serenity. I mention this because I've been led to believe you want to move some property off-world…" He trails off as he sees Inara dancing with Atherton. He turns back to Harrow. "Some property you want to move off-world discreetly."

Warrick looks at the Captain. "You're mistaken sir. I'm an honest man."

"It seems to me there's nothing dishonest to getting your goods to people what need them."

"Whom do you represent?"

"'Represent' isn't exactly the-"

"Don't waste my time."

"Fellow called Badger." Mal tells him.

"I know him. And I think he's a psychotic low-life."

"And I think calling him that is an insult to the psychotic low-life community. But the deal is solid."

Just then, Atherton and Inara walk up. "Sorry to interrupt, Sir Warrick, I know you from the club, I believe." He says.

Inara looks at Mal. "Captain, this is Atherton Wing, Atherton, this is Captain Mal Reynolds."

Mal nods at the young man. "Pleased to meet ya." He looks back to the companion. "Inara, I didn't realize you were going to this party."

"It's the only party."

"And I can see why. How about that floating chandelier?" He says before looking to Atherton. "Almost outshines our girl here." He notices Atherton tighten his possessive grip on Inara's upper arm after her says that. "Ath? Can I call you Ath? Inara has spoken of you to me. She made a point of mentioning your generosity. Given that, I'm sure you won't mind if I ask Inara the favor of a dance?"

"Of course." Atherton agrees, obviously unhappy. Mal takes Inara's hand and leads her onto the dance floor.

Harrow turns to Atherton. "You're a brave man."

"I know what's mine."

Mal and Inara begin to dance. "This dance I think I actually know."

"Why are you here?" Inara asks, cutting to the chase.

"Business. Same as you. I was talking to a contact about a smuggling job and you came over to me."

"You were staring at me."

"I saw you is all. You stand out."

"In this company, Captain, I believe you're the one who stands out."

"Well then, maybe I just wanted to see a professional at work. Is this the hardest part, would you say, or does that come later?"

"You have no call to try to make me ashamed of my job. What I do is legal. And how's that smuggling coming?"

"My work's illegal, but at least it's honest."

"What?!"

"Well this, the lie of it. That man parading you around on his arm as if he actually won you, as if he loves you, and everyone here actually going along with it."

"These people like me and I like them. I like Atherton too by the way."

"Well sure, what's not to like. I'm liable to sleep with him myself."

"And he likes me, whether you see it or not. He's made me an offer. You may think he doesn't honor me, but he wants me to live here. I'd be his personal companion. I could belong here. Call me pretentious but there is some appeal in that."

"You're right. Got no call to stop you. You've got the right to a decent life." He tells her.

Inara looks at him for a moment before changing the subject. "I see Kaylee's here."

"Yeah, crying Cinderella tears. You should have seen her when I told her she could have that layer cake she's wearing."

"I think she looks adorable."

"Yeah, but I never said it."

A group of older men stand around Kaylee, listening intently as she speaks. "I'm not saying the 80-04's hard to repair, it just ain't worth it." She says.

"It's a fine machine, you just keep it tuned." A man tells her.

Kaylee shakes her head. "Tsai boo shr. The extenders ain't braced."

"I've been telling him to buy the 80-10 for years." Murphy says.

"Those 'tenders snap off, don't matter how good the engine's cycling." She explains.

"Miss Kaylee, I wonder if I could request the honor of-" A younger man asks but Murphy interrupts him.

"Wait a minute. Let her talk. She's talking. Dance later." He says.

"By the way, the 80-10's the same machine, they just changed the plating and hope no one noticed." Kaylee chuckles. The men around her laugh, charmed by the mechanic.

Atherton glares at the Captain and Inara as they dance.

Mal missteps while dancing, him and Inara laugh. "It's possible you were right, and this ain't my kind of party." He says.

Fed up at how comfortable they seem together, Atherton storms over to them and roughly takes Inara by the arm, pulling her away from the dance floor.

"Whoa now. Watch yourself. Ain't no need for hands on." Mal cautions the man, following after them.

Atherton glares at him. "Excuse me, she's not here with you, Captain. She's mine."

"Yours? She don't belong to nobody."

"Money changed hands, which makes her mine tonight. And no matter how you dress her up she's still-" Mal cuts him off by slugging him in the face. Atherton falls to the floor. People turn to look at the commotion.

The Captain turns to Inara. "Turns out this is my kind of party."

"Oh, Mal." Inara sighs, knowing that the man doesn't realize what he's just done.

"What? Man was out of line."

Atherton glares at him from his spot on the floor. "I accept." He spits.

Mal looks at him. "That's great. What?"

"There has been a challenge." A gentleman announces.

Atherton finally makes his way back to his feet. "I hope you're prepared, Captain."

"What? You all talking about a fight? That's fine." Mal says, taking his jacket off. "Let's get out of here."

"It's not a fist fight, Mal." Inara tries to explain.

"The duel will be met tomorrow morning at Cadrie Pond." The gentleman informs them.

"Well, why wait? Where's that guard?" Mal asks. "He collected a whole mess of pistols."

"If you require it, any gentleman here can give you use of a sword."

"Use of a swo-what?"

Kaylee walks over to them. "What's going on?"

"I'm not rightly sure. What's going on?"

"First off, you'll be put up in lodgings for the night, so you don't disappear. I wouldn't blame you, incidentally. Wing may be a spoiled dandy, but he's an expert swordsman. He's killed a dozen men with a longblade. You're the only one gave him a reason." Harrow explains.

"Oh this is a joke." Mal scoffs, exasperated.

"He'll need a second." Inara tells Harrow.

Mal looks at her. "What's that?"

"I'll take on the job." Harrow tells Mal.

"He fights if you refuse." Inara explains.

Atherton moves towards the exit. "Inara, come with me, please."

"You taking on this job…being my second…does this mean we're in business?" Mal asks.

"It means you're in mortal danger. But you mussed up Atherton's face, and that has endeared you to me somewhat. You might even give him a fight, before he guts you." Harrow says.

"Inara!" Atherton calls sharply.

"Up until the punching, it was a real nice party." Kaylee says.

In the cargo bay, Jayne does pull-ups while Trinity practices her katas. They hear a banging noise. Jayne grabs the rifle and walks over to the entrance.

Badge stands outside. "The captain's gone and gotten himself in trouble."

The crew stand in the cargo bay. Jayne and River are nowhere to be seen.

"A duel?" Trinity asks.

"With swords?" Wash asks.

"Captain's a good fighter; he must know how to handle a sword." Simon says.

"I think he knows which end to hold." Zoe tells him.

Simon looks at Trinity. "I've seen you use a sword all the time. Surely you must've taught him something."

Trinity shakes her head. "Captain's a gun man. He was never interested in blades."

Simon sighs. "All right, so we just need to figure out how to get him out of there."

Book looks at Badger. "We have until the morning, correct? Do you know what lodging he's in?"

"This is embarrassing. Some of you seem to be misapprehending my purpose in being here." Badger says.

Zoe looks at him. "You're here to make sure that we don't do what these men are keen on doing."

Badger nods at her. "Penny for the smart lady. Persephone's my home. I got to do business with the people here. I don't want it known I brought someone in caused this kind of ruckus. We'll just settle in, till this blows over, one way or the other."

A rifle cocks and the group turns at the sound. They see Jayne standing on the catwalk, his gun aimed at Badger.

"Jayne, I wouldn't." Trinity says.

"Why not?" He asks.

She nods over to the entrance. Kaylee walks in with an unhappy look on her face, Badger's thugs behind her. "Hi." The mechanic greets.

Inara walks through the halls of the mansion before stopping at a door. She attaches a device the handle, causing it to open. She walks in, finding Mal practicing with a sword. "Mal?"

The sound of her voice startles him, causing him to swing his sword into a pillar, accidentally getting it stuck there. "Whoa!" He turns and sees Inara. "What are you doing here?"

"Atherton's a heavy sleeper the night before a big day. He's got that killing in the morning, and a haircut later." She explains.

"Such a comfort, having friends visit at a time like this."

"I knew the accommodations would be nice. Atherton doesn't skimp."

Mal pulls the sword from the pillar. "I don't suppose I like being kept by him as much as others do. So, how come you're still attached to him?"

"Because it's my decision, not yours."

"I thought he made it pretty clear he has no regard for you."

"You did manage to push him into saying something, yes. Made a nice justification for the punch."

"Well, he insulted you. I hit him. Seemed like the thing to do. Why'd this get so complicated?"

"Well, it's about to get simpler." She says. "There's a back door. Desk clerk is on alert. He'll let us out."

"Whoa, whoa, I'm not running off. I don't know what you got in your head, but I didn't do this to prove some kind of point to you. I thought I was defending your honor. And I never back down from a fight." He says.

"Yes, you do! You do all the time!"

"Well, yeah… but, I'm not backing down from this one."

"He's an expert swordsman, Mal. You had trouble with the pillar. How will your death help my honor?"

"Well, see, I plan on having it be his death. That's why I need lessons. I figure you know how, being such an educated woman, and all." He says, tossing a sword to Inara.

She catches it. "Mind you, Trinity and I like to do some light sparring every now and then."

The crew sits around the cargo bay, playing cards while Badger and his thugs stand guard. Badger slices an apple up and begins eating it.

"He said not to do anything. He'll join us after he wins the duel." Kaylee whispers.

"It doesn't hurt to have a contingency plan, Kaylee." Zoe says.

"I'm thinking, since we're unarmed…" Simon looks at Trinity, knowing the girl always has a weapon somewhere on her. "Most of us anyway, we should take them by surprise."

"Not necessarily. We can lure one or two of them away. Say infirmary? Take 'em out, be on Badger before he knows what happens." Zoe explains.

"Only if his attention's elsewhere. What we need's a diversion. I say Zoe gets nekkid." Jayne says.

"Nope." Wash says into his knees from his spot on the floor.

"I could get nekkid." The mercenary suggests.

"No!" The crew quietly hiss.

Book stands off to the side, reading the Bible. He notices movement out of the corner of his eye and sees River walk quietly into the room. He moves to Simon's side and lays a hand on his shoulder. The crew follows his gaze and see River.

Simon quietly rushes to his sister's side and tries to get her to leave the room. "River, you can't be here." He whispers.

The reader laughs and resists her brother's pushing. "There are tiny-"

"River, please."

"Pull!" She says, louder, gaining Badger's attention.

The man walks over to them. "Who's that then? Here, look at me." He tells River. Trinity folds her arms across her chest, her hand resting on one of her hidden pockets. She slowly moves her fingers, ready to grab a blade at a moment's notice. "What's your story, love?"

"She's…just a…just a passenger." Simon tells him.

"Yeah? Why ain't she talking? She got a secret?" Badger asks.

"Sure, I got a secret." River says in a cockney accent. The crew looks at her in surprise. "More than one. Don't seem likely I'd tell 'em to you now, do it? Anyone off Dyton Colony knows better than to talk to strangers." She notices a shiny bird shaped pin on Badger's lapel and goes to touch it. She instead runs a finger down his lapel before pulling back. "You're talking loud enough for the both of us though, ain'tcha? I've known a dozen like you. Skipped off home early, running graft jobs here and there. Spent some time in the lock down, but less than you claim. And you're what? Petty thief with delusions of standing? Sad, little king of a sad, little hill." She says.

"Nice to see someone from the old homestead." Badger smiles.

"Not really." The reader turns to Simon. "Call me if anyone interesting shows up." She says before leaving.

"I like her." Badger grins.

"That there…" Jayne motions to where River left. "Exactly the kind of diversion we could have used."

"Attack." Inara orders. Mal lunges at Inara with his sword. She easily side-steps him, and whacks his behind with her sword as he goes by. "How did I avoid that?"

"By being fast like a freak?" Mal pants.

"No, because you always attack the same way, swinging from the shoulder like you were chopping wood. You have to thrust with the point sometimes, or swing from the elbow."

"Swinging from the shoulder feels stronger."

"It's also slower, Mal. You don't need strength as much as speed. We're fragile creatures. It takes less than a pound of pressure to cut skin."

"You know that? They teach you that in whore academy?"

Inara glares at him. "You have a strange sense of nobility Captain. You'll lay a man out for calling me a whore, and yet you keep calling me one to my face."

"I might not show respect to your job, but he didn't respect you. That's the difference. Inara, he doesn't even see you."

"Well I guess death will solve the issue to everyone's satisfaction."

"This yu bun duh duel is the result of the rules of your society, not mine." Mal says.

"You are always breaking the rules, no matter what society you're in! You don't get along with ordinary criminals either, which is why you're constantly getting in trouble."

"You think following the rules will buy you a nice life, even if the rules make you a slave." He says. Inara shakes her head and turns to leave. "Don't take his offer."

Inara turns to face him. "What?"

"Don't do it. Because in the case it happens it means he's the fella that killed me and I don't like fellas that kill me, just in general. I said before I don't have call to stop you, and that's true, but anyways, don't."

She stares at him for a moment before speaking "I need to get back. He'll be up early."

"Right. He's got that big day."

That morning, at Cadrie Pond, many people gather to watch the duel. Inara and Harrow stand at the front of the crowd as Mal and Atherton face off.

Mal parries Atherton's strike and gets in a lucky swipe at the man's chest, drawing first blood. He grins, pleased with himself. "Best be careful, Ath. Hear these things are sharp."

"He thinks he's doing well, doesn't he?" Harrow asks, an incredulous look on his face.

Inara watches the duel with a horrified look on her face. "He's being toyed with."

It becomes harder and harder for Mal to keep up with Atherton's strikes. Atherton slashes his sword, cutting Mal's arm. Mal attacks Atherton, swinging from his shoulder. Atherton smiles and steps back, his arms behind his back.

"What's he doing?" Harrow asks.

"Don't fall for that!" Inara calls.

Mal rushes towards Atherton, who spins, stabbing the Captain in his abdomen.

"Well, this isn't going to take long, is it?" Harrow asks, disappointed.

Mal wobbles on his feet, keeping a hand over his wound. Atherton smirks at he continues to fight the poorly skilled man.

"We're coming up on the end, Miss. You might not want to watch." Harrow whispers to Inara.

Just then, Atherton knocks Mal to his knees, and snaps his sword blade off at the hilt. He holds his sword at the Captain's throat with a triumphant look on his face. "

Inara steps forward. "Atherton, wait! I'll stay here, exclusive to you. Just let him live."

Atherton looks towards Inara at her words. Mal takes his chance and knocks Atherton's sword out of his hands. He hits him across the jaw with the hilt of the broken sword. He quickly kicks up the freed sword and throws it at Atherton, stabbing him through the chest. Atherton manages to pull the blade out, only for Mal to strike him across the face again. Mal picks up the bloody sword, and holds it to the throat of the fallen Atherton.

"He's down. You have to finish it, lad. You have to finish it. For a man to lie beaten, and yet breathing? It makes him a coward." Harrow says.

"It's humiliation." Inara tags on.

"Sure, it's humiliating. Having to lie there while the better man refuses to spill your blood. Mercy is the mark of a great man." Mal says before lightly jabbing Atherton in the stomach with the sword, creating another wound. "Guess I'm just a good man." He stabs the man again. "Well, I'm all right." He wobbles a few steps back.

Inara puts her arm around the Captain, supporting him. They begin to walk off together.

"Inara. Inara!" Atherton calls after her, making the Companion and Mal turn to look at him.

"You've lost her lad. Be gracious." Harrow tell the man.

Atherton ignores him. "You set this up, whore. After I bought and paid for you. I should have uglied you up so much no one else'd want you." He says as his men help him up.

Mal looks at Inara. "See how I'm not punching him? I think I've grown."

"Well get ready to starve. I'll see that you never work again." He spits.

"Actually, that's not how it works." Inara tells him. "You see, you've earned yourself a black mark in the client registry. No Companion is ever going to contract with you, ever again."

Harrow looks at Atherton. "You'll have to rely on your winning personality to get women. God help you." He says before walking up to Mal. "You didn't have to wound that man."

Mal shrugs. "Yeah, I know, it was just funny." He says as he and Inara begin to walk away, Harrow walks with them.

"You willing to fight that hard to protect my property, I'll have it in your hold before midnight." Harrow tells him. Mal laughs and shakes the man's hand. Harrow nods goodbye before walking off.

Mal looks at Inara. "Mighty fine shindig."

"Doc is filling Shepherd in on the plan. Doc is the diversion." Jayne whispers to the crew.

Just then the door to the cargo bay opens, light spilling in. "Did you ever see such a lazy crew." Mal says as Inara helps him into the ship.

"Captain." Kaylee says in concern, seeing the blood on the man's shirt.

"You're hurt." Simon observes.

Badger looks at the bloodied man. "You get us a deal then?"

"I got a deal. Now get off my ship." Mal tells him.

"Ta very much for a lovely night, then." Badger whistles and motions to his gang, and they leave Serenity.

Mal and Inara sit down. Book walks over to him. "Are you badly hurt?" He asks. Mal nods.

"We was just about to spring into action, Captain. Complicated escape and rescue op." Jayne says.

Wash nods. "I was going to watch. It was very exciting."

Serenity flies through space.

Kaylee lightly skips down the halls of the ship, humming to herself. She goes to her room and flops onto her bunk, tuning a small speaker. Classical music rings through the room. She stares at the pink, frilly dress hanging above her bed with a smile on her face.

Mal and Inara sit on the catwalk, their legs dangling in the air. A large glass jug of wine sits beside them and they drink out of mismatched cups.

"Thank you for the wine. It's…very fresh." Inara says.

Mal holds up his cup. "To Kaylee and her inter-engine fermentation system." They clink cups and Mal winces.

"Are you in pain?"

"Absolutely. I got stabbed, you know, right here." He lifts his shirt to show her the bloody bandage on his abdomen.

Inara squeamishly turns away at the sight. "I saw."

"Don't care much for fancy parties. Too rough."

"It wasn't entirely a disaster.

Mal sends her an incredulous look. "I got stabbed! Right here!" He points to his abdomen.

"You also lined up exciting new crime." She says.

"It's good to have cargo. Makes us a target for every other scavenger out there, though, but sometimes that's fun too."

"I am grateful, you know, for the ill-conceived and high-handed attempt to defend my honor, although I didn't want you to."

"Gracious as that is, looking back, I probably should have stayed out of your world."

"My world? If it is that. I wasn't going to stay, you know."

"Yeah? Why is that?"

"Oh, someone needs to keep Kaylee out of trouble. And all my things are here. Besides, why would I want to leave Serenity?"

"Can't think of a reason." He says taking another sip as he looks down at his cargo bay full of cattle.

Trinity lies in bed, thinking over her decision to put some space between her and River. Just then, a knock sounds at the door to her bunk. She closes her eyes and sighs. "Not tonight River."