Catching Fireflies (Doctor who)

The Job

Zoe and Mal walked up the small incline of the valley to where Patience was going to meet them. Behind some vary large bushes, Patience and six other men came out on horses, except for one who rode on a vehicle that would be used to carry the crates.

"Ah, Mal." Patience said squinting because of the sun light. "How you doin' boy?" Her southern accent came out think and was laced by her age.

"Walkin' and talkin'" He said.

"Zoe? Is that you? You still sailin' with this ol' bum?" Patience asked.

"Awful lot of men to haul three crates." Zoe responded.

"Yeh,, well I couldn't be sure my Mal here wouldn't be lookin' for some kind of payback." Patience said. "You understand." We're just doin' the job Patience." Mal said. "We're not interested in surprises."

"I don't see my cargo anywhere." Patience said looking around.

"And you're not gonna till I'm holdin' 200 in platinum." Mal said.

"Oh come on Mal, I'm supposed to take it on faith that you got the goods?" Patience asked.

Mal moved his coat a little to reveal his gun as well as a gold bar. He grabbed the bar and threw it over to the man to the left of Patience.

"It's pure Patience." Mal said. Patience then unwrapped the bar and took a bite out of it. "General A-grade food stuffs. Protein, vitamins, immunization supplements. One of those will feed a family for a month. Longer, if they don't like their kids to well." Patience handed the bar back to the man.

"Yep, that's the stuff." She then tossed a bag over to Mal. "So where's the rest?"

Mal gave her the directions wrapping and unwrapping the bags strings over his fingers.

"You'll see where it's been dug." Mal said.

"I recon I will." Patience said. It was silent again. No one moved or gave any intention of moving.

"Well then." Mal said.

"Yeap." Patience said. Again no movement. Mal started to get irritated.

"I'd appreciate it, if ya'll turn around and ride out prise." Mal said.

"Wee." Patience started. "You see, there's a kind of hitch."

"We both made out on this deal, don't complicate things." Mal said.

"Patience pressed her thin lips together. "I got a rule. I never let go of money I don't have to." She smiled. "Which is probably why I'm runnin' this little world and you're still on that dinky old boat searchin' for scraps."

Mal then took the bag of money and tossed it back to Patience. "Got the money back. 'Ers no need for killin'" He said, trying to stick to the Doctors rules.

"We're just gonna walk away sir?" Zoe asked.

"Guess that's up to Patience here. Could be messy."

"Not terribly." Patience chuckled. "Mal, you just ain't very bright are ya?"

"That's quite a rifle." Mal said avoiding the comment. He looked over at the man holding the gun. "Boy must be your best shot, carry that."

"Called two-fry. Always makes it quick and clean."

"Two-fry." Mal paused, then smiled. "Nice hat." Jayne then shot from the valley peak where the snipers used to be. He had hit the very top of the mans hat but the shock knocked him over. Mal and Zoe both pulled their guns out and shot with excellence. One of Patience's men was able to get a shot on Zoe. She fell back with a thud and Mal shot the guy back. Everyone was shooting now. The horses got scared and started bucking everyone off. Mal was edging closer and closer to Patience. Zoe even got a couple of good shots from the ground she was sprawled out on.

It was one on one, Mal and Patience now. Patience hid behind her horse. One shot, two shots, the third hit Mal in the arm. Only grazed him but it pissed him off.

"Zoe." He said. Zoe then started to sit up. She opened her shirt to reveal the chest guard underneath.

"Armers dented." She said.

"Well, you were right about this being a bad idea."

"Thanks for saying sir." She said.

"Mal!" Patience said with worry in her tone. "Don't you take another step." She was still behind her horse. One shot from Mal and the horse tipped over and onto her. She was pinned with Mal gun to her head now.

"Now, I did a job. You've been nothin' but trouble since I did it. Not to mention more than a few unkind words as to regard to my character. So let me make this abundantly clear. I do the job." Mal reached for the bag of money in Patience's shirt pocket. "And I get paid." He pulled his gun back. "Go run your little world." Mal said. Satisfied with the turnout he spun on his heel and left to see if Zoe needed any help. That was when Jayne came in stumbling and tripping over everything.

"Mal!" Jayne yelled. "We got ship comin'. They followed us. The goram Reavers followed up!"

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Sorry it took so long to update. TO MUCH STUFF GOING ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope you liked the chapter. If not then I hope you like the ones after it.