You can't take the skies from me. Firefly/Serenity SRP.

Closed for the moment. Please check out OOC Thread if interested in joining on Serenity's next job.

“Ok, we are atmospheric Inara... you are free to disengage.”

“Thankyou Wash.”

I fired up the shuttle and left Serenity. In truth, it was a relief to do so as our journey here had been arduous. A previous job had fallen through and the ship was dangerously low on supplies and fuel. We had all been on half rations for the last week and Wash had been fretting over the fuel meter every step of the way. Mal had word of a job here but there was really no way that we were leaving unless they pulled something off. It made things a little uncertain when it came to contracting with clients but I couldn’t really blame Mal for that. Persephone was a bustling, civilised planet and a good place for a companion to seek business. My current client was called Theo and he was a successful merchant here. His wife had passed a few months ago in childbirth and he was lonely. I had not met him before but he had good references and the guild had accepted his application on a probationary basis. My review of him would be crucial if he sought to contract with a companion in the future, so I was confidently expecting him to pull all the stops out and impress me.

I thought about the crew as I flew to my rendezvous. I could have offered to loan them some currency but Mal would have refused. It would be interesting to see if he would bite the bullet and ask me if a job didn’t present itself within the next few days. There were so many times when I could have been prevailed upon to part with my hard earned cash that it was always something I had never wanted to get into but seeing them all this week, hungry and despondent, had been a real wrench. River had taken things particularly badly as she is so attuned to the moods of others. She had kept trying to give people her food and had become distressed when they refused to take it. She above all of us really needed her nutrition because she is already so slender. Even Jayne had grudgingly insisted she keep her rations, an act of altruism that surprised all of us. Zoe, as always, took everything in her stride, keeping Mal grounded when he might have begun to panic. Wash had been unsure for days if we would make it here and his flying had been the most economical I’d ever seen.

So here we were and here we would remain until something came up for my proud buccaneers.

“You are about to enter private airspace belonging to Theo Lassiter, please identify yourself.”

“Inara Serra, Guild of Companions. I am streaming my shuttle’s idents to you now.”

“Thankyou, everything appears to be in order, prepare for automatic over-ride and we will bring you down.”

I checked my appearance and smoothed my gown, took a last glance around the shuttle and prepared to meet my client. The shuttle landed and I opened the door.

“Inara. I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am that you agreed to see me.”

“Mr Lassiter.” I curtseyed. “Let us hope that this is the first of many times together.”

I straightened and examined the man in front of me. He was taller than I had expected, in his early thirties and quite handsome in a rugged fashion. He had made his own fortune and was clearly delighted to have been accepted to contract with a companion. I took his arm and allowed him to lead me through his beautiful garden and into an enormous house.

Zoe slowly made her way from her cabin to the cockpit. She wanted to speak with her husband before going with Mal out into the city for a job she wasn't sure was there. She needed to placate her husband that she would be fine. He tended to worry about her. Zoe could feel a smile tugging at her lips at the thought. He was a good man, a smart man, and a damn fine looking one too. She was lucky to have found him.

"Honey." She said a she entered. They were already docked and he was doing some last minutes checks. Zoe slid into his lap and put her arm around his neck giving him a sound kiss. "We made it. Thanks to your good flying." Zoe gave him another kiss. She wanted to savor this moment before she told him she was going out, which he knew. Sometimes he accepted it, sometimes he acted like she was the one that needed protecting. Men!

Jan Sauer sat in slience. This was his choice. He had no crew on his ship. It was mostly automated, so there wasn't much need for crew. That, and the less crew he had, the less people he had to kill later if his former employers found him. He had his arms crossed and his eyes closed. His ship was drifting through space, not currently powered up.

But suddenly, his boards lit up. He opened one eye, looking at the display panels, and then sat up, putting his hands on the controls. "SERA, verify that please." A feminine voice responded, and he nodded. "Alright, let's go check on the crew of the Serenity. I have a good feeling about this one."

He started the engines, powering up his ship, and then jumped towards the wellknown port of Persephone. His ship had multiple ID codes, mostly either stolen or manufactured. It was just a matter of choosing one that would let him reach the surface, if he should choose to actually land.

Shepard Book, was in the crews mess, cutting some vegetables for tonights meal. Most times he doubled as ships cook, unless someone else showed the initiative.

He felt Serenity shake a bit as Inara's shuttle un-docked, he had not had the chance to talk to her lately, and he wondered what sort of client she was visiting this time. He whispered a small prayer for her safety, before he picked up the knife again, to slice some carrots.

Mal had told him they might find some work here, that suited Shepard fine, he only totally relaxed when Serenity was in deep space, and even then, that depended more on what the 'cargo' was at the time. He glanced towards the bible laying on the table near him, but even the word only calmed him so much. He had a bad feeling, and he always trusted his feelings. He sighed, letting the sound of the chopping knife, soothe his soul.

Mal

(OOC: Sorry for the late post. I had a nice big one wrote up and it got erased and it took a while to sit down and do it again.)

We are in a tight spot.

That was the only thought going through my head as I climbed up the ladder out of my bunk. We had been in some rough situations, but this was the first time we had been truely in danger of folding from going broke. I contemplated just how humped we were if this job fell through. Days like this, I just can't shake the feeling that the 'verse has it out for me.

I made my way up to the bridge to retrieve my first mate. Zoe is loyal and staltwart, but she sneaks off to see the man that is her husband and my flighty pilot every chance she gets. I still can't believe she disobeyed me and married him. As per the expected, they were in the middle of a kiss as I walked in. I cleared my throat to interupt them, "I need my first mate to acompany me to find us a job and my pilot to be making sure the ship is ready to go if things go south..." I let my eyes roam around the ship well aware that we were lucky to have made it here at all and it was hard to keep the cynicism from my voice as I added, "let's just hope it doesn't go south for once."

As Zoe and I headed down through the ship we saw Shepard Book working on dinner. At first I had been rather hesident to keep him on board. I lost my faith durring the war when I saw what God let the Alliance do to people. I learned that the only things you can have faith in are yourself and your boat, and the idea of having a self-rightious preacher giving sermons on my ship did not sit right with me. Happly, Book was not the kind of man to force his views on anyone.

I paused just for a moment to tell him, "You know I don't care for you praying for me, but if you want to say one for the rest of the crew I won't mind," then continued down to the hatch.

We reached the street and started heading for the more colorful districts of the port. I walked silently and determinedly towards my destination. We reached that bar where we were suppose to meet our contacts. After handing over our weapons, well the ones that were visible, we found a seat and ordered our drinks. The trick was to drink enough to relax but not be drunk when our contacts arived. I hope they arive soon.

Zoe pulled back and glanced at Mal, "Yes, Capt'n." She leaned back in to give her husband a last kiss before getting up. As she walked by the door behind Mal, she reached into the small locker and pulled out her holsters and clipped them around her waist. No good looking as if you weren't protected. She didn't say goodbye. She didn't have to. She trusted him fully and he trusted her. They just needed a job, money, and some food.

Passing by Shepard Zoe gave him a smile and a small roll of the eyes at Mal as followed her captain. Sometimes the man was right, but went around it all wrong. Mal was an acquired taste and one she liked just fine. Zoe continued down the rap, just the Capt'n and her, as they made their way to the meeting place. A nice quaint bar.

Zoe handed over her pistols on her hips and they let her continued, though she had a pistol at her back, a knife in each sleeve, and a knife in each boot. She was plenty prepared for anything coming their way. Sitting down Zoe watched as the waitress brought them two cups and a small bottle to share the between them. Sweet, fermented, rice. A delicacy here. Zoe poured herself some after the captain and began drinking her drink.

Zoe hoped they didn't have to wait long when she saw someone taking a special interest in the two of them. "Capt'n, seems we have admirers." Zoe nodded with the subtlest motion on the captain's right so he was well aware of where.

I heard Mal say as he walked by:

"You know I don't care for you praying for me, but if you want to say one for the rest of the crew I won't mind," then continued down to the hatch.

Shepard smiled at his back, before saying "I wouldn't waste my breath praying for you Capt'n." he said dryly, "But there is hope for Zoe" He said, while smiling at her. "Good luck out there," he said to her.

He shook his head, watching them walk off, If he were a little younger, he thought once again, looking at Zoe's swaying ass as she walked through the bulkhead door.

He dumped the carrots and celery into the stew pot.

Simon was quickly leaving the infirmary. After the last mishap of the ship, he had had to sort everything that was knocked out of place, and that had required him to fix the entire place up before everything turned into disarray.

He had just gotten it done when he left, hurrying out for the mess. He could do for something to eat, even if it was canned food. Hopefully that wouldn't be what he would have to settle for. But he saw Sheppard Book in the kitchen. Usually a good sign. "Sheppard," He said with a nod of his head to the preacher before grabbing a medical journal of his and sitting down with it.

Shepard watched as Simon came into the ships mess, and he quickly sat down with one of his seemingly endless technical manual's, that he had.

He looked into the meat locker and he swore under his breath. Empty again, he thought. Jayne had probably ground up the last of their meat for one of his famous 'hamburgers' again. Book sighed and he walked over ot the control panel and hit the button for the bridge.

"Ask the landing party to find some Meat, or we will be having a very bland dinner tonight." he said snapping the button, not waiting for a reply.

He shook his head and walked over by Simon. "I don't suppose you have a spare heart." he said, laughing. He sat down next to Simon. "I don't like this place, and the sooner we're out of here, the better." Shepard said with a bit of worry in his voice.

A man came over and sat down at their table. Zoe leaned back one arm resting on the back of her chair, easy access to the gun at her back. She looked at Mal who seemed to be resting comfortable and drinking his drink.

I have cargo that needs to be dropped off at Yukon.

"Yukon? That female ruling town," Zoe asked.

That's the one. Do this and you get a good size bounty.

Zoe looked at Mal before glancing out the window. She saw an alliance ship land. It was unloading medical supplies. Zoe watched the supplies for a bit and hoped Kaylee or even Jayne was watching where exactly those supplies were going. Those supplies would make a great extra bonus. Zoe caught Mal's eyes and looked pointedly out the window so he could see what she was witnessing.

"What kind of cargo?"

A girl. Mira who will be here in 3 days times. She just needs an escort to Yukon. Simple.

To Zoe it sounded too simple. Though the decision wasn't up to her. It was the captain. Also 3 days gave them plenty of time to find the medical supplies, raid it, get Inara, and fly off with the girl. Killing 2 birds with 1 bullet. Sounded like a great idea to Zoe, now just to see what the captain was thinking.

Tossing back another shot, while keeping a watchful eye on Mal and Zoe, as well as a hot little thing that was, on hope, gonna bring him another drink in the immediate future. He was also on the look out for any of Badger's goons. Not that he didn't enjoy a good fight, but Mal had been rather adamant, more so then usual, about not finding trouble.

Of course that was a reason he was up here in the bar, not down with the Captain and Zoe. Seemed Mal thought he might complicated matters. Jayne, of couse, figured different.By his logic he kept things pretty simple. Usually violent, but that was far more simple then the folks on thie world, with all their separated social clases and rules for each.

When the waitress finally came around to him he wrapped his arm around her waist, groping her ass, simpling, “Thanks love, no don't be all shy now, Man like me could use some company.” He released her, and sent her on her way with payment for his beverage plus a generous tip. Money was tight on Serenity, but that was Mal's problem to feed them and fuel the ship. Jayne might bitch about getting his pay, but he bought very few things with it. Most those things were in this bar right now.

Just as the sweet amber fluid touched his lips, Wash comm'ed him, ruining his moment of bliss with the concern in his little voice. “Jayne, looks like we got company here, Alliance ship set down, looks like they are off loading something, but they still make me nervous. IF ya get a moment could ya tell the Captain?”

Jayne grumbled, cursing for a moment in Chinese before answering, “You've got damn horrible timing. Looks like the Captain is talking, just keep an eye on them, make sure I not getting shot int eh back, and we'll deal with them later.”

He tossed back the entire contents of his drink...it was going to be another long day.

As soon as the ship dropped from its jump, an alarm started going off. Jan swore, which was rare for someone as composed as an Operative or ex Operative. He looked at his scanners, and saw at least one Alliance ship. "That figures. Well, not putting down there." He flew into a holding pattern, debating.

Landing was easy, but that one had been rather cautious to conserve as much fuel as possible, even at the expense of rocking the crew about a bit more then normal. Still, it was a good job, as they just might be able to to take off again. Not leave atmo, but get into the sky and move around this little world if needed.....he hoped.

After the kissing of his lovely wife, and the normal fighting down the need to remind Mal to keep her safe. Sure she could kick his ass, and likely even Jayne's, but he still worried for her.

Once the shore party departed, which meant everyone but him, he forwent the playing with dinosaurs or other silly toys he kept in a bin under the helm station, and decided to re-inventory what they had, what they needed, and prioritize that. Some how it always came down to which was more important; food or fuel. Damn the dilemma!

But as he sat there, he noticed a new ship landing, and it made him very, very nervous. He immediately comm'ed Jayne, “Jayne, looks like we got company here, Alliance ship set down, looks like they are off loading something, but they still make me nervous. If ya get a moment could ya tell the Captain?” he continued to watch them as best he could, and it looked like they were carrying, and guarding, large pallets toward the more respected warehouses at the edge of town. He really hoped no one on the crew had the notion to try and swipe whatever was in those crates. The big warehouses used real guards that took their job seriously. And stealing from the snooty noble class here always meant trouble. They didn't even take anything last time, and the Captain got stabbed with a sword!

Wash had to chuckle, just a little, at that memory, then returned to his regularly scheduled worrying like hell.

Mal

"Passengers bring trouble," was the first thing out of my mouth. It is a fact that I have well learned. Admittedly I've kept a lot of those troublesome passengers on as crew, but that was beside the point. Under normal circumstances I would be tempted to flat out refuse. I run a cargo ship not a tourist shuddle after all. Unfortunately, things are not normal at the moment.

I looked up at Badger with a hard stare and said, "I'm going to want half of the payment up front. Also, I don't want any suprises. Why am I transporting her and do I need to worry about violence?"

"That isn't part of our normal arangement," Badger growled at the unexpected demands.

"I'm changing the arangements," I told him clamly. With my ship barely able to get off of the ground, I need that payment just to do the job. Of course I was not about to tell Badger that. Instead I tell him, "You came to me because you know you can trust my crew to do the job. If you want half-ass work that works cheep, that's your decision, but if you want this done right you're gona' have to couph the money up."

Zoe watched the captain and badger work out the details. She was with the captain on this one. Why would Badger want them to transport a girl? And best of all to Yukon. Zoe didn't mind Yukon as she was girl and city ran by females was fun, but it was reminiscent of the stories of the Amazon woman. Oh the women were beautiful all right, but they were mean to men and sometimes a little cruel. Zoe didn't want to start something to save her husband's ass; the others could fend for themselves. Or they could go drag. Either was okay (and hillarious) to Zoe. Zoe watched that Alliance ship with the cargo supplies and again wondered if they would be trying to get some extra money.

Inara ran her hands over Theo Lassiter’s back. This engagement was not going very smoothly and it jangled her nerves. Theo was little more than an oaf with money.

“I’ve needed this for such a long time.” He sighed

Inara murmured a platitude and continued rubbing oil along his spine. She had spent most of this visit naked, mainly because Theo was too heavy handed and impatient with her expensive gowns. Her body already felt battered inside and out, yet Inara knew he would want more from her before long.

“I think maybe we should both rest awhile.” She said, smiling and dismounting. “It has been a very long day and we will need to be refreshed for dinner.”

“Ain’t no call. They’re bringing it here to the shuttle.” He replied, turning towards her and leering at her slim curves.

“Mr Lassiter, this shuttle is a private place of union, I cannot allow your staff in here.” She rose and moved away from the bed, reaching for a light robe. “It is also unseemly. I am a registered companion and there are protocols and principles to maintain. I am not to be parked out the back of your home like a shameful secret. Hospitality must be extended. A companion must be treated with the same respect that you would show your spouse.”

It was a low blow considering he had lost his wife and Inara was embellishing on the codes a bit but she had simply had enough of rolling around like a rutting animal with this lecherous hump. It was becoming harder and harder to disguise her distaste of Theo. He was completely uncultured, unrefined and uncouth. ‘I would even contract with Mal over Theo.’ she thought ruefully. Things had been more than usually strained between them of late. Mal became tight lipped and sullen when there was no work and Inara had despaired of ever setting foot onto a civilised planet again.

“Ain’t as though you got any trouble finding work.” He had snapped.

“I do have trouble. The last time I visited Persephone I met a companion who thought I had retired! If I hadn’t attended my last check-up with the guild I would probably have been assumed missing or dead. We do not go many places where I can meet with clients and well you know it.”

“Then why the hell are you still here?” He had yelled, before storming off in typical cap’nlike style. Inara was starting to feel that he did indeed want her to leave Serenity. This planet would be as good a place as any to set up her own place. Perhaps it was time. It was almost certainly for the best. Inara had been hitting her head against the brick wall of Mal’s stubborn pride for such a long time, sometimes she felt she could never leave, other times she hated herself for staying. Theo’s petulant whine cut into her thoughts.

“I just thought we could enjoy some privacy is all, get better acquainted.” He rose from the bed and lumbered over to the bathroom. “Have it your way. I’ll have a quick shower and get presentable.” He groped her ass as he went past and Inara fought to maintain her composure. The sooner she was rid of this awful man, the better.

The negotiations were tough, but I rung everything I could out of Badger. I didn't want to push so hard that I lost the job, but with funds being what they were I needed every cent I could get. Almost as hard was getting him to tell me why the Mira lady need a ride on my ship. Turned out that she was on the run from one of the tongs for killing one of their boys. It was self deffense and everyone knew it, so if she could just get to a safe world, Yukon in this case, then the tong wouldn't bother pursuing. Probably. The leadership may not have been overly riled about it, but the dead guy's friends were another matter. Thats why she need an armed transport rather than just trying to hop on a passenger shuttle.

This was a job well with in my tastes and it paid well. Didn't care much for the danger, but it was less than what we saw on some jobs. With everything decided on I was glad to see Badger leave. Not the most trust worthy man around, that's for sure. On that thought I said retoricly to Zoe, "You don't suppose there is something he ain't tellin' us do you?"

I looked out the widow at the medical supply ship then to Zoe. Didn't take much to figure what she was thinking. Zoe wasn't one to suggest criminal activities, but she had an eye for opportunity. As I stood up to leave I told her, "That is tempting, but we might bite off more than we can chew if we try for it. We'll talk it over with the rest of the crew when we get back. Right now I just want to get us fueled up and some fresh food in the kitchen."

River

Apart from mealtimes, I have huddled in corners as if by physically separating myself from the rest of the crew, the misery that comes with hunger and depression might lessen. I sit by myself with my arms wrapped around my legs, rocking back and forth and humming to myself.

Mealtimes have been the worst. I can sense their hunger and even though I have tried to help by offering them my food, they refuse it and the mood only deepens.

As we approached Persephone, I have sensed a renewing of hope and have moved closer to Serenity's Mess Hall. I hear the rhythmic sound of a knife cutting vegetables and relax as I ease myself out of one of the ships many ducts that my diminutive size allows me to pass through. I sit myself in the corner and watch as first the captain and Zoe stop for a few words with the preacher. I smile to myself as Zoe rolls her eyes and I feel her amusement.

Simon enters the room and sits at one of the tables to read a medical journals that I know he's read at least three times before. My brother is very protective of me, sometimes perhaps overly so; but, I have had a number of occasions to be thankful for his love and protection. I know how he feels about Kaylee and wish that he wouldn't use me as an excuse for his own uncertainties.

I stay in the corner of the room and watch. I sense Sheppard Book's uneasiness and hope that it has nothing to do with the vision of a vulture circling above that has just come to me. I silently sing to myself to the tone that I hum softly.

Kaylee

Kaylee wiped her greasy hands on her overalls and tried again. If she just stood on her very tippy toes, she might be able to reach it. The box beneath her feet wobbled slightly, forcing her to let go of the wrench she was clinching in her right hand. She watched as it bounced off the generator, hit the aluminum steam line, slipped off the make-shift scaffolding she had built to get up here in the first place and landed on the floor, bouncing several times before it slid beneath the intake valve at the base of the photon reaction drive.

"Damn," she whispered then blushed, pushing a stray hair out of her eyes. Her ponytail was askew as usual, her face streaked with grease. Kaylee made her way back down to the floor of the ship, feeling the engine purr with a slight hiccup; which is what she had been trying to fix int he first place.

"Damn," she said out loud when her stomach growled angrily.

Kaylee wiped her hands on her overalls again then on what used to be a white towel hanging near the hatchway leading out of her engine room. Her stomach grumbled again, reminding her she had not eaten in how long? She laughed good naturedly at herself; she had a candy bar that morning so her tummy really should not be complaining, but it was.

Besides, maybe Simon would be in the kitchen looking for something to eat too. Kaylee ran her hands over her face to freshen up, only managing to smear the grease across the bridge of her nose.

Book was chopping some delicious smelling vegetables and Simon was there, just as she had hoped. Kaylee reached out quickly, nabbing a piece of sliced carrot and popping it into her mouth.

Adopting a could-care-less-if you-are-here-attitude towards Simon, she pulled up a chair, looking over his shoulder.

"Hey Book, that smells yummy! What 'cha lookin' at Simon?"

I looked up as I sensed someone approaching the kitchen. I couldn't help the smile that came to my face as I realized it was Kaylee. I've felt a sisterly bond with her. We both love Simon if only in different ways - I as his sister, she as a sexual attraction of a woman for a man.

She entered the room with her usual vibrant energy and took a seat behind Simon. I thought it was funny how she tried not to appear as if Simon's being here held no added attraction. It seemed so obvious to me that I doubted one needed to be psychic to see it. Still, Simon didn't seem to see it so maybe it was just me. I wish I could do something to help them see one another truly. I wish they would fulfill the promise I see in them whenever they are together.

"Hey Book, that smells yummy! What 'cha lookin' at Simon?" I hear her ask. It did smell good, even if the preacher had insisted that it would taste bland without meat.

Not receiving an answer from Simon, as usual, Kaylee looked around for River; spying her seated beneath one of the alcoves not far from the kitchen with her back up against the bulkhead and her arms encircling her small but very powerful legs.

"Hey River! What 'cha doing? I'm starved! Are you hungry? Here, come have a sit with me and we'll see if we can steal some of these here good eatens' Book's cooking up."

Kaylee moved a seat over, leaving the seat nearest Simon open for River. She really liked River, although sometimes the intensity of the girl frightened her. But, River was the closest thing to a best friend Kaylee had on the ship, hell, pretty much anywhere anymore.

Her quick hand shot out to nab another slice of carrot, right out from under the slicing knife of Book, who scowled at her over his glasses. Kaylee couldn't subdue the giggle that rose from her throat at the sour look the Preacher was trying to grace her with.

"Awhh, now Book, don't go getting all irritated and stuff. You know I love your cooking. Hell, I'd do just about anything to be the first one in the soup line when you're in charge of the ship's mess."

Kaylee slid a provocative look at Simon, that was completely lost on him apparently.

She heard River giggle though, and knew her friend was very well aware of Kaylee's tactics in trying to rouse an interest in River's brother.

Jayne grumbled with a mild displeasure as he got up from the bar and walked away, keeping the captain and Zoe insight as long as possible, eventually meeting them outside. “Sure would like to have just messed up that Badger's face a bit. Never can trust that one. Last time we was here, he tried takin' over the ship, in case anyone forgot.”

He played ignorant to the rolling eyed glances he got as a response. “Anyway, so what's the job, and does it pay well? Someone need roughed up? Please Mal, tell me get to rough someone up this time? Last few jobs we had, I got left out of the action, and I'm itching for a good fight, ya know?”

He turned back, making sure none of Badger's goons were following them – but secretly hoping they were.

At Kaylee's invitation, I rose from my spot on the floor and approached her to take the seat offered. I noticed Simon look up with the faintest trace of surprise. I suppose he hadn't noticed me earlier. Sheppard Book simply continued as he was without the slightest hint that he hadn't known I had been there.

I wasn't able to keep the giggle from escaping as she sent Simon a look that was all too obviously meant to be tempting in a seductive manner. I swear, my brother may be a genius when it comes to anything medical; but, he can be so dense when it comes to women in general and Kaylee in particular.

"Awhh, now Book, don't go getting all irritated and stuff. You know I love your cooking. Hell, I'd do just about anything to be the first one in the soup line when you're in charge of the ship's mess."

"Soup for me too," I quickly stated, making certain that if Kaylee was first in line, I would at least be second.

Rev. Book

The preacher smiled hearing Kaylee's and Rivers comments about his cooking. He smiled at Kaylee's theft of a carrot slice, and he chased her finger with the knife, chopping it down on the board several times, as the young woman giggled before eating the small slice.

Book watched as yet another of Kaylee's seductive sigh's went un-noticed by Simon. He shook his head, thinking about the young Doctor. Simon always seemed preoccupied with something, and Book felt sorry for him.

If Kaylee gave him a tenth of the attention, she paid to Simon, the reverend would have been all over her, giving her what ever she wanted or desired, then taking what he needed from her, with equal passion. It was the way of things, you take and give, and everyones happy.

He suspected that Simon didn't see things that way though. Book had never seen him in any sort of sexual arousal, and if someone had asked his opinion of Simon's experiences, the kind Reverend would say honestly that he suspected the young man of being a virgin.. If that were true, Book thought with a grin, then Kaylee would have her work cut out for herself.

Book grabbed his drink and he walked over to Kaylee and River, and he sat down between the two women.

He spoke to Kaylee, "When the others get back, I'm going to Talk to the Captain. We need supplies badly, and I'm going to tell him I'm going shopping." he said. "So, if you need anything, of if you want to come along, just let me know."

Jan opened his eyes. He'd closed them in thought when the annoying buzz of one of Persephone's security ships made its way up. That had to be a red flag to someone, he thought. The security ships were reserved for the most heinous, considering Persephone was, in general, a free haven. He tapped his controls, finally responding to the hails he was getting.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I had something to take care of onboard before I could get to the radio. I'm sending my ship's ident code now." He tapped another button, and his transponder signal went out on the selected identity. He waited a few moments, then nodded when he was given landing clearance. He started down to the surface, slowly and lazily.