I just get sat down and start to rock my chair back when a well-dressed, exotic-looking woman walks in. No, scratch that. She’s a lady, I’ll be taking my oath on that. I stood up until she sat down, earning me puzzled looks from the others but a gracious smile from her. She shot a little sidelong glance at the Captain, just like she was a-tellin’ him that’s how a real gentleman behaves. The Captain just gave her a blank look, then leaned over in response to a quick whisper from the dude.
Yep, the Captain is no slouch when it comes to drawing his shooter. He no more than stood up when I was looking right down the barrel of his gun. He asked me straight out if I was carrying a weapon. I had to admit that I was, but it was just habit, nothing personal. He glanced over at the dark woman, Zoe, but she had her little sawed-off carbine already out and pointed at me. He got a little half-smile on his face, probably pleased at that swift reaction, and told the big man to come over and take the bowie. Called him Jayne, too. Peculiar name for a big guy, Jayne, was my unspoken thought. I told him where the knife was and admitted that I was kinda puzzled just how they spotted it. Jayne grinned at that question and slanted his head towards the young girl, saying simply “She knows things”. He took the bowie, patted me down quickly yet professionally, then went back to his seat.
Mal holstered his gun, then looked at the rest of them and hooked a thumb in my direction. He said that my name was Lafe and that I was a professional bounty hunter and probably pretty good at my job. I spoke up then, telling them that I was retired and had no interest in anything else other than my destination. Don’t think that really set anyone’s mind at ease, but it might have helped a little. After that bit of excitement things seem to settle down a little, as Kaylee and the Shepherd served dinner. I didn’t hang around there after eating; just headed on back to my bunk. I surely do wish they’d have let me keep my knife, as I’d spent a fair bit of time getting the blade sharpened and the handle worked until they were just right. Maybe I’ll also get a chance to talk with the exotic lady soon. She could fill my dreams anytime.
Tags: 'verse, bounty hunter, captain, fanfiction, firefly, Inara, journal, serenity, Shepherd, zoe
