Written for comment_fic on Livejournal, a multi-fandom prompt community called "Comment_fic: Bite Sized bits of Fic," where you can request fic from any fandom.

Prompt was Mal and Nate, different styles of leadership

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"I don't like him," Nate said of Mal, once the team was in their private shuttle.

"Yes, I can see why," Sophie said, "Charming, handsome, honorable but willing to break the law. All terrible qualities, Nathan."

Nathan's lips thinned as he sighed. "I heard him threatening one of his own team. He said he would throw him out the airlock if he did it like at the hospital. Whatever that means."

"Was he threatening that Jayne guy?" Eliot said, and Nate nodded.

"Thought so," Eliot said, "Yeah, I don't blame him. Jayne's the kind of guy who could fall on either side of the line."

"I agree," Nate said, "But it's no excuse. And he insults that doctor. The young one."

"Yeah, we should kidnap the doctor and take him with us," Parker said gleefully, "For his own protection of course."

Nate glanced at Eliot, waiting for his typical 'There's something wrong with her,' but was disturbed to find that Eliot appeared to be mentally weighing the benefits of Parker's proposal.

"At least he doesn't act like he's the only who's not a criminal," Sophie muttered.

"Come on, Nate," Hardison jumped in, "He hates the Alliance, he has a team full of fighters and liars and people who are extremely gifted geniuses, and he has major control issues. He's you.... No offense."

Nate just closed his eyes. He didn't need to watch as his team all nodded vigorously.

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"I don't like him," Mal said.

"But he's so noble and charming and refined and sexy," Kaylee objected.

"The man runs his team while drunk," Mal complained, "Not that there's anything wrong with a little of the good stuff, but really. And besides, he acts like he's better'n them. That's not leadership."

"Says the man who just called dibs on the bathroom by saying Captains asses go before pilot asses," Inara pointed out.

"That is not the same! Besides, he talks to that Parker woman like she's a child! Who talks to a skilled and powerful woman like that?"

River and Kaylee responded by throwing small hunks of porridge at Mal's face.

Mal held his patience as he slowly gritted, "I don't talk to you two like that! And besides, he's not a fighter himself, but he's perfectly happy to let someone else throw and take the punches."

Wash replied to Mal, "Yeah you never stand back and let your amazingly smart and sexy first officer do the ass kicking," as he gave his wife a kiss.

Apropos of nothing, Jayne wondered aloud, "Hey, who do you think would win a wrestling match - me or Eliot? If I cheated, I mean."

"Face it, Mal," Book said, "He's not the villain. He is an honest man thrown into a situation where dishonesty is the right thing to do. He preserves life wherever possible. He has lost badly in the past, and now he can't stand to lose anything again. And he has made his team his family despite the fact that he fears he has no idea how to be a part of a family."

"You got all that from one meeting?" Mal said.

"Yes, but don't feel bad. I'm much, much smarter than you," Book reassured him.

"Well, all I got from the meeting was that he's a smug overbearing stubborn bastard who thinks he's always right!" Mal said.

Inara gave a deceptively sweet smile. "What's wrong - afraid of a little competition, Mal?"