Catching Fireflies (Doctor who)

To Persephone

Mal was now opening the top off of the metal box.

"Well there we are." Mal said with a grin on his face. The crew was behind him smiling at the same thing.

"It's awfully pretty." Kaylee said watching Mal stroke the golden bars.

"I'd say it's worth the risk." Wash said.

"Yeh, it's pretty risky shit you did there." Jayne commented.

"That's right, of course." Wash said sarcastically. "'Cause they wouldn't arrest me, I'm just the pilot." Mal had the bar in his hands turning it over, inspecting every edge. "I could always say I was flying the ship by accident."

"Bi zui." Mal said a look of disappointment on his face.

"Problem sir?" Zoe asked.

"Can't say." Mal replied sighing. "But we best be gettin' rid of these before we run into another Alliance patrol."

"What the hell they doin' out in this part anyhow?" Jayne asked placing the lid back on to move them.

"Shining the light of civilization." Kaylee said bending over to help Jayne.

"Mal, Zoe, and Wash had started walking towards the stairs.

"How long 'till we reach Persephone?" Mal asked Wash.

"Three, four hours." Wash said. Mal sighed. "We're down to the wire on fuel cells, we run how we night not ever make it."

"Ok, play it as close as you can."

"Think that cruiser might have I.Ded us?" Zoe asked mal, turning to him.

"Let's hope not. Contact Badger, tell him that the jobs done." And with that Zoe left Mal and Wash. "Don't go to mentioning the cruiser." Mal said stopping her. "Keep it simple."

"Sir we're sure there's nothing wrong with-"

"It's fine." Mal said. He didn't look at her. "Just wanna get paid." Mal walked towards Jayne and Kaylee. "Ok, let's get these crates stowed. I don't want any tourists stumbelin' over it." Mal gave them a hand.

"We're takin' on passengers at Persephone?" Kayee lit up.

"Well that's the notion." Mal said bending down beside the stair wall, popping open a small stowaway passage. "I want a little respectability on our way to Boros. Not to mention the money."

"Yes." Jayne said in agreement.

"Oh, that's shiney. I like to meet new people." Kaylee said. "They've all got stories." She moved out of Mal and Jayne's way as they lifted the heavy boxes.

"I don't believe there's a power in the 'verse stop her from being cheerful." Mal said quietly to Jayne. "Sometimes I just wanna duct tape her mouth. Dump her in a hole for a month." Kaylee walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"I love my captain." Mal was grinning, even blushing. But he wouldn't let Jayne see it. 

Zoe and Wash were walking into the control room.

"Honey," Zoe started. "you know somethin' ain't right."

"Sweetie, we're crooks. If everything were right we'd be in jail." Wash said.

"It's just the captain seems so tense."

"The man needs a brake. In fact." He now turned to Zoe, placing his hand on the small of her back. "We all could use a couple days leave."

"We still got to drop the goods." They made their way up another flight of stairs.

"And when we do, we'll fly off to Boros rich and prosperous. Well, less poor but with enough to find some sweet little getaway."

"Aww, wouldn't mind a real bath."

"Yeah, and a meal that included some form of food. Just a couple of day’s lyin' round, you with the bathing. Me with the watchin' you bathe."

"Well if the captain says it's all right."

"Hey. What if we just told Mal we need a couple of days instead of asking him."

"He's the captain Wash."

"Right and I'm just the husband."

"Look I'll ask him." Zoe said. Walking behind him now.

"Don't forget to call him sir. He likes that." Wash said sitting down at his post.

"Who likes what?" Mal said from the door.

"It's nothing sir." Zoe said. Wash looked at her giving het a thumbs up.

"Has the ambassador checked in yet?" Mal asked.

"Nah." Wash replied. "I think she had a pretty full docket."

"We'll have you talk to Badger. Let her know we're leaving Persephone in a hurry."

"Inara has our time table, she should be checking in." Zoe said.

"We could tell her to cut it short." Wash said trying to compromise. "Meet us at the docks."

"No, no." Mal said looking worried. "Don't wanna get in the way if we don't have to." Mal started down the stairs leaving Wash and Zoe. "Somebody has to make an honest living." It was true. Inara was a companion. She would please people for money, but it was legal now. So she made an honest worth.