<div align="center"><strong>-=’Small Fry’ – Oxhorn Saloon, exiting a mess o’trouble – Avalon=-</strong></div><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l533/KeikoShinju/Cherish%20and%20her%20big%20Gamble/Blued-Eyed-Drew---Red-Top.png)</div><br/>The familiar wrap of long, strong fingers around her upper arm brought Small Fry between the captain’s legs. Surprised that he would have her sit on his lap considering his distrust of her, she took her place gingerly, not wanting to distract him over much. She had no problem taking orders from the captain, so ‘be quiet’ didn’t hurt her feelings none. Hell, she was easy to get along with – likely to take suggestions from those she felt partial about. Letting the men folk talk, she’d enjoyed the list of the Dragonfly’s assets and specs, half nodding along with the info as if reading it from a display screen. Then, everything turned to<em>yi da tuo da bian</em>.<br/><br/>Without recognizing the men entering the bar, Small Fry’s eyes grew larger at the sight of Annabel being herded before the Alliance group like a sow up for auction. The things the man said… the tension rising throughout the saloon… Griff’s stance as he rose and hinted where Small Fry should disappear to, out of the way… she felt a roil in her gut like she’d not experienced since Mae was dragged by her hair in that hallway. Frightened and angry, she noted that half the room felt the same way and moved aside silently while comments flew. Watching the captain casually stalk to the bar, she reached for his corked bottle and removed it for its safety, turning to exit the place with her breath held in tight.<br/><br/>Sliding around the edge of the doorframe, she changed her handhold on the bottle’s neck, ready to use it for protection if necessary, watching the exit for whoever’s head would appear through it first. She considered the things being said inside. The captain was already at insults, though of a lesser bite that the ones the brunette woman was slinging. The Asian woman seemed to think that she could forestall the fight by distracting Grant, whoever that was, into dealing solely with her. At the mechanic’s suggestion, Small Fry wondered if they could be so lucky as to have the Alliance table back off their potential interest at the threat of their superiors getting involved.<em>Wouldn’t that help a helluva deal?</em>She hoped that the captain wouldn’t get himself killed and looked around for a sign of the skiff he must have left nearby, wondering if she could wrangle it back to the Gamble if he died or had to be dragged out unconscious.<br/><br/>Now, ain’ that a peach? I’m all worried over the captain. Why is that? Cuz Vinnie and Mae are the only other people in this ‘verse might think I’m worth a damn and they don’t own the ship they’re riding. Yep, the captain was her priority but he was the one slinging heat. Let him set the rules for barfightin’…<em>guan ni ziji de shi</em>, foolish girl. This might get deadly.<br/><br/>*****<br/><br/><em>yi da tuo da bian</em>= a big pile of shit<br/><em>guan ni ziji de shi</em>= mind your own business<br/>