The captain couldn't help but smirk at Simon's annoyance. In typical Mal fashion an irritated doctor meant for an amused Captain. This was no different. Plus one for him catching Simon so off guard. The smug practically radiated off him in ways that only being captain-y could bring. He should have approached Simon earlier. He felt more free to be himself around the slightly younger man than he did anyone else in the complex. Being stuck on Earth was one of the worst things for Malcolm Reynolds. He'd rather be stuck listening to Book preach to the fuzzy wuzzy's and what not then breath Earth's air. Mal's reserve was melting and in just a few short minutes with Simon Tam he acted more like himself then he had in almost two weeks. The orders would come. Oh they would indeed. Just because he wasn't Captain of Earth, didn't mean he didn't expect his crew to act accordingly around him. He earned his keep and he expected it to be kept.
"Sit down before you hurt yourself princess." Mal quipped with most of his humor finding it's way back to his tone, as he reached over to snatch the knife from the doctor's unpracticed hand. Mal had known how to cook for himself since he was a boy back on Shadow Planet. His parents were farmers, that didn't leave much time for them to prepare him meals. He had to learn to fend for himself or starve. "This ain't science. " He chopped in quick motions with practiced hands. He wasn't a great chef, but he knew how to chop and he knew his way around the sharp and pointy knives. "Rich folk. Ching-wao tsao duh liou mahng." He found himself muttering.