Mal found Buffy laughing with Kaylee. The sweet mechanic had taken to the Peacemaker and couldn't stop talking about her, or her shuttle. Kaylee noticed Mal watching them and announced, "Cap'n, shuttle's all shiny, inside and out." Her face beamed with pride, and no small amount of grease, as she ran a rag over the gleaming hull.
"That's good. Knew you could fix it better'n some station mechanic. Go on and get yourself cleaned up. Shepherd Book should have dinner on the table soon."
"Yes, sir. Buffy, you don't leave without letting me know where you're heading." Kaylee smiled at her new friend, and gave Mal an expectant look before heading for Serenity.
Buffy returned Kaylee's smile, ignoring the mechanics not so subtle ways. "Would you like to come inside?" She asked Mal, gesturing toward the open door.
"That would be a kindness." Mal waited for her to enter before following.
She pointed to a couch while heading to the food storage. "Would you like something to drink? I have tea, coffee, water and whiskey."
"No, just a bit of conversating if you have the time." Mal watched her glide back across the room. Her footsteps didn't create any sound as she moved to sit next from him. He admired the way her body curled onto the couch, resembling a small tawny kitten.
"What did you want to talk about?"
"Seeing as how my shuttle got blown up and I have a spare bay. Well I, we, that is. Would you like to rent the bay on Serenity? I'd give you an honest rate. We go to outer rim planets that you can't reach. When our business isn't in the same place, I can still get you within nav range."
Buffy didn't say anything for a little while. "Why? What's in it for you? What do I bring to your crew other than rent? You're a tight bunch from what I see, and I'd have to be bringing something to the table."
"Sussed that out did ya. Used to have a companion that rented out the other shuttle. She gave the ship respectability. Got us access to Core planets when we needed it. Figured you must have a smooth cover to get you access to the planets you visit. No reason we couldn't help each other out. Dong Ma?" Mal gave her a charming smile.
"I help you gain access and smooth things over and you help me get around without jumping from transpo to transpo. Sounds fair. One thing though, do you expect me to bail you out if you get caught by the Feds, or was that part supposed to be left out?" Buffy watched Mal's jaw lock tight as she laughed.
"Wo bù dong," Mal answered, the muscle in his jaw clenched ever so slightly.
Buffy stopped laughing, and gave him a hard glare. "I'm a Peacemaker, not a Fed. Dong Ma? I don't care about your yu bun duh smuggling, as long as you don't rip off innocents. Steal from the Alliance, or other criminals all you want," she shrugged, "makes no differences to me. Just don't lie when I've already told you what I do."
"Hao ba." He knew where he stood with this woman and felt relieved that he wouldn't have to hide what he and the crew did for a living.
"Can Kaylee fix the hatch to fit my shuttle?" Mal nodded. "Let me know what the rent is and I'll have it ready for you." He started to leave when she called out to him. "Oh, if you come across meds, food stock that type stuff, let me know. I have funds and contacts through the Council to ensure it ends up getting to the proper people. Peacemakers have leeway on how the funds are spent."
He wasn't sure what to say without admitting to the Ariel job. "Meds are hard to come by, but I'll let you know if anything comes Serenity's way."
Serenity floated while the passengers slept. River's hands cushioned her face, clasped together in prayer. Her face peaceful in its Madonna repose. If anyone peaked inside those hands, they would find a pair of blue gloves. River slept dreamlessly, as her mind healed, putting things in their proper places.
A shadow crept down the metal stairs into Serenity's cargo bay, blending in with the other shadows, creating no sound as it moved ghost-like about the ship. It stepped out into the dimly lit area. The shadow started to move in a graceful dance, gliding silently across the cool metal.
Dark eyes gazed down unsure whether the light or a sleepless night mind were playing tricks with an otherwise keen mind. Leaning forward, in an effort for a better view, a breath hitched as the spinning, twirling, graceful figure crossed into a lighted area. The dark and light fought for purchase on a finely boned face. The gold kissed skin appeared pale against dark lashes, as green eyes remained closed. Blonde curls swayed with the slender body, keeping time to a rhythm only heard by one.
Mal couldn't tear his eyes away as he watched Buffy move across the floor. She held a gleaming blade in her hands that seemed to be an extension of her small body. He watched her flip, kick, slice and dice invisible foe. Each movement gracefully rolled into the next. "Ai Ya," he whispered. Mal jerked upright when Buffy suddenly stopped, opened her eyes and stared directly at him. Walking slowly down the stairs, he stopped a few feet from the woman that continued to surprise him.
"That was right interesting." Mal stood, feet spread, arms crossed over his broad chess as he admired her sweat glistening body. "There a reason that you down here battling the invisible nasties on my cargo bay?"
A smile peaked out at the corners of Buffy's mouth. She tilted her head as she studied the man she couldn't stop thinking about - Malcolm Reynolds. Mal intrigued her. He fought fiercely for his crew, protecting them with his life if need be. At the same time, he was a thief, but an honest one. Buffy saw the darkness in him, similar to her own. Once a person fought for their life, in a war, watched others die around them, and survived it; the Darkness left it mark. She knew because it left the same marks on her soul. Watching Mal drag himself up from the table where he died to attack his torturer showed Buffy the true man. No matter what happened to him, Mal would fight until he no longer had breath in his body. The similarities scared her, almost as if they were two pieces of the same whole.
"Always like to introduce myself, proper-like to the ships. Serenity and I are getting acquainted. She's a sweet lady and appreciates a nice tickle from time to time." She gave him a naughty smile, putting the Scythe away.
Mal ignored the blade, and instead did something that surprised them both. "Would you care for some coffee?"
"How about some whiskey? If I drink coffee now, I'll never get to sleep. It's the real deal, snitched it from a ben tiansheng de yidui rou on Persephone named Abner or something like that." Buffy shrugged, turning away to head toward her shuttle, missing Mal's grin.
(NC17)
The shuttle resounded with clanking glasses and laughter. "You punched him at a ball and didn't know what it meant?"
"Meant the liu kuoshui de biaozi he houzi de ben erzi had no manners." Mal gulped the whisky, refilling the glass.
"At least when I punched him, I waited till we were alone." Mal gave her a hard glare, emitting a shriek from Buffy. "Eew! That's gross. No, my escort stepped out, and the hwoo dahn tried to see if I was fronting for someone. I had fun clearing it up for him. You should have seen him trying to explain the broken nose and two black eyes. It wasn't pretty." Buffy giggled at the memory.
"Good, I'll drink to that." Mal raised his glass to clink it with Buffy's
"Never thought I'd drink alcohol again. Had a bad experience with beer at nineteen and went all cave-Buffy."
"Cave-Buffy, bet that was a sight to see." Mal grinned at the easy banter between them. He couldn't remember having such an easy, relaxing conversation with a woman.
"Yep, my poor friend, I almost drug him back to my cave and had my way with him." Buffy remembered the look on Xander's face, torn between helping her and allowing her to do what she wanted with him.
The easy banter stopped as Mal's mind took a hard right. It was a bad idea and he shouldn't, except he couldn't remember why right now and gorram her lips were close enough to taste. Too drunk to stop, or not drunk enough, Mal gave in and did what he had wanted to do since he first saw her. He leaned over and kissed her. Buffy didn't move not sure, if what she felt was from being drunk or not. When Mal placed his hand behind her head, pulling her closer to him on the couch, she decided that she didn't really care. His tongue softly swept across the seam, asking for entrance. She opened her mouth slowly, savoring every moment of his exploration. When she felt he'd had a chance to taste her, she joined him in a delicate ballet of give and take. Mal pulled Buffy further across the couch until she lay beside him. Curling up next to him, she threw a slender leg over a muscular thigh. Her toes caressed his calf while her hands worked on the shirt's buttons.
Pulling away when air became an issue, Mal brushed Buffy's hair away from her face. "You're a beautiful woman, Buffy. It's not a good idea…"
Small fingers lay across his lips, stopping his words. "Shush, don't ruin it, Mal. This feels good. We can blame it on the whisky tomorrow. I don't care. I'm not asking for promises, can't give any either. But, it's been a long time and this is nice. Can't it just be nice?"
Mal stared into the large emerald eyes that pleaded with him for something that only he could give. He knew he was drunk, but had been drunker. This could cause problems. Goodness knows they had more of those than a person deserved did. Buffy bent forward to nibble on his collarbone, leaving soft kisses in a trail down his chest until she reached a flat brown nipple. Hitching his breath at the sensations, she was sending through his body.
"Tomorrow, blame in on that gorram whisky."
He pulled her back up for another heated kiss. His hands frantic to remove the clothes keeping him from the smooth golden skin below. Buffy pulled away, causing Mal to protest. She stood up, helped him to his feet and then led him to the bedroom. Backing him up to the bed, Buffy pushed Mal down on it with a giggle. She removed his shirt before pulling off his boots and pants. Stepping back to ensure Mal had a clear view, Buffy slowly started to strip. She didn't rush as she revealed more bare skin with each item she removed. Once she stood nude under his dark, hungry eyes, Buffy slowly turned, allowing him to see every inch, every scar.
"Come here, woman, before I explode, and don't satisfy either of us," he growled, his eyes growing darker still as she approached the bed.
Buffy's lean body slowly crawled over Mal's. She used her entire body as she made her way toward him. Licking, nipping, caressing, rubbing, taking in his scent and trailing her hair over him, she resembled a small tawny tiger scenting its prey. Buffy reached her goal and sucked his bottom lip between her teeth nibbling gently before devouring his mouth in a hungry kiss.
Mal felt consumed by fire. Each place Buffy had touched him, the desire raced higher. Running his hands along strong thighs, slender waist, cupping a full breast for the barest moment, he couldn't stop a shiver of desire that raced down his spine. He raised his hands up to cup her head and took over the kiss. Mal slowed the pace to a sensual caress that caused moans to escape their throats.
One hand slid down a taught back to caress the pert rear at its juncture. It moved at the same pace as the kiss, ensuring the moment lasted, drawing out the pleasure until it came close to the edge of pain. When air starved lungs ached to breathe, and small hips moved of their own accord, only then did either find any relief. Mal plunged into Buffy's waiting heat at the same time they pulled apart gasping for air. Her hips arched up to meet his questing fingers, her hands grabbed his shoulders mindful of his injuries. Mal watched her face as she arched her neck, eyes closed, mouth open emitting soft pants and mewls, concentrating on her body's needs. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.
Buffy ground her swollen clit down onto Mal, sliding along his length as his fingers worked their magic. He felt so good, somehow knowing exactly when to speed up and when to slow down. Mal took her to the edge then slowed his lovely fingers backing away not allowing her to find release. She opened her heavy lidded eyes to stare down at him. He gave her a knowing smile as he plunged into her, sending her over the edge. Bastard just wanted me to look at him. Buffy smiled as the blissful orgasm flooded her body, covering his fingers with the reward he sought.
Her smile turned from blissful to evil. Mal's eyes turned challenging and his naughty boy smile crept across his face. Buffy slid forward along his hard length, teasing the head before sliding back again. Her movements had no pattern that he could catch hold and slid into place. Mal started growling in frustration as the waiting became painful. He wasn't sure he could hold out until she allowed him inside. Deciding that they had waited long enough, Buffy moved forward capturing the engorged head. She squeezed it within her tightly before releasing it enough to slide down Mal's hard cock. They moaned in harmony, finally achieving the moment they had hungered after. Buffy's inner walls compressed around Mal, eliciting a louder moan from the already impassioned man.
"Wo kào, yes, don't stop. Your ji bai feels so Ai Ya good, Buffy, I could stay here forever," Mal whispered huskily.
Buffy sat up. Arching her back, using her powerful thighs, she pulled herself up only to slam back down onto Mal. Not willing to be a submissive partner, Mall grabbed her hips for purchase as they met each other stroke for stroke. The only sounds heard were grasps for air, bodies slapping together and pleasurable moans as their orgasms drew closer.
"Yes, yes, Mal, mmm. You feel so good. Your da diao fills me up, makes me want to scream and shatter all at once. I almost came when you slide inside me. Make it for real, Mal," Buffy told him, as she increased the pace.
Mal hands tightened, leaving bruises on the soft skin. He thrust upward with everything he had, slapping against the swollen bud. Their backs arched when the moment hit them only seconds apart. Buffy collapsed beside Mal on the bed. He pulled her into his arms as exhaustion and the whiskey hit them, lulling them into a dreamless sleep.
Early the next morning, Mal woke with a start. He peered down to see Buffy's tiny blonde body wrapped around his. Pain drummed behind his eyelids, but last night was blindingly clear in his mind. Carefully pulling his arm from beneath Buffy's head, Mal gathered his clothes and quickly dressed. He stood by the bed looking down at the beautiful sleeping woman.
Shaking his head, he knew he should regret last night and the complications it might cause. He didn't though. "Think I'm going to have find me some more of that gorram whisky," he whispered to himself as he walked out the door.
Green eyes blinked open and a smile spread across a lush pink mouth.
Everyone watched the Captain and Buffy getting along at the dinner table. They weren't sure how to take the normally arguing couple. River's eyes kept shifting from Buffy to Mal and back again. She finally nodded her head, satisfied with what she saw, before concentrating on her meal.
"Buffy, where do you think your travels will take you next?" Shepherd Book asked, his kind eyes studied her face.
She swallowed realizing that everyone was listening for her answer with interest or mistrust. "Since I can get further out, thanks to Serenity, I'll have to see which areas haven't been looked at in awhile." An elegant shrug said a lot about her view on the rim's dangers. "Tough assignments are my specialty."
"They send you to dangerous places on purpose?" Kaylee's asked, worried about her new friend.
Mal muttered several curses under his breath. They agreed on no commitments, but he didn't want her hurt. He wanted her protected; she was his. Mal jumped at that idea in the crew sense, just like Book. Yeah, that's what I meant like Book; after all, the woman saved my life, even helped out my ma. It wouldn't be natural if I didn't want to do the same for her. That's all it gorram is.
"Part of my Peacemaker deal. I'm good at my job. People underestimate me because of my looks. It gives me an edge that the others don't have. Plus, people I'm trying to help trust me. They've had it bad and don't trust easy." Buffy caught the look on Mal's face before it disappeared. She hoped her job wouldn't cause problems between them. She enjoyed the cease-fire and hoped that it would last; not arguing with him was nice.
"Mal, we got a heading?" Wash asked, trying to break the tension. Everyone turned to stare at him. "Or, we could, ya know, float around up here for a while and see if we find anything interesting." He ducked behind Zoë's back.
She patted his cheek. "Don't worry, husband, I'll protect you. Wash is right, sir."
He popped up with a bright smile plastered across his face and his blue eyes sparkled like the stars. "I am? That's right I am." Wash turned to Zoë with an astonished look on his face. "You're agreeing with me over him."
"Shut up, dear."
"Shutting up now."
"We need to offload our cargo." Zoë's eyes shifted ever so slightly in Buffy's direction.
Mal used to reading his second-in-command's every nuance read her loud and clear. What came next wasn't what she expected to hear. "Matter fact, I do. Seems the Peacemaker here pays top dollar for cargo like ours. Soon as we know that for a fact, we can deliver it wherever she tells us to."
Buffy searched Mal's face, knowing that he was testing her. He wanted to know if her word was good and if he could trust her with his crew's lives. Her eyes bounced from one face to the next until they landed on Shepherd Book. Buffy searched the calm face before staring into those soulful brown eyes. Peeling him away a layer at a time until there before her lay the soul hidden inside the man. It shown brightly, telling Buffy everything she needed to now about the shepherd. She didn't much care for this 'gift' from the Powers and used it sparingly, preferring to learn people the old fashioned way. There simply wasn't time, in more ways than one. "Shepherd Book would you come with me to get the information Mal needs?"
Book slowly stood unsure what just occurred between them. He didn't feel violated per se, but couldn't help feeling that Buffy laid his soul bare and luckily didn't find it lacking. Goose bumps raced across the shepherd's skin when he thought about a different outcome. He followed Buffy, leaving Mal and the others to wonder what she had done to the normally unshakable man.
"Don't trust that woman, sir." Zoë stared at the doorway, intending to stay here until Book returned safely. If he didn't, she caressed the carbine that never left her side, she planned on making one little blonde sorry for messing with one of theirs.
"Buffy's always been that way, Zoë. She read Book." Wash laughed at what he'd said, stopping when his wife didn't join him. "Don't know how she does it, don't wanna."
Mal couldn't stop himself from asking, wanting to know more about the woman, he knew physically but not much more. "What do you mean 'read' him? She a reader like River?" He didn't like the idea that Buffy could get into his head and see things that belonged only to him. She didn't have that right. Mal felt anger start to bubble up from his stomach. He barely heard Wash's response as it crashed in his ears.
"No, she don't read thoughts, nothing that spooky." Realizing what he said, Wash blushed, glancing glanced over at River. "Sorry."
She gave him a Madonna-like smile, cocked her head to the side, then quick as a snake jumped at him. "BOO!"
Wash jumped straight into Zoë's lap, causing the entire crew to burst out laughing. He tried casually to move back into his seat, but Zoë swept him into a long hungry kiss. Pulling away, she winked at him. Washed cleared his throat and decided that he liked the seating arrangement just fine. "Where was I?" Zoë's hands wandered into his lap, eliciting a high-pitched, "Oh!" from Wash, who cleared his throat in an effort to remain calm. His body and his wife had other ideas. "Buffy," he said, which caused Zoë's fingers to stop the wickedly wonderful things they were doing. Wash sighed moving back to his chair, ignoring the angry glare from Zoë. "She don't read minds; don't really know how to explain it. Guess closest I can get is she can read right down to your soul. Knows whether there's good in a person or they're rotten clean through. Must be what makes her good as a Peacemaker." Wash smiled proudly, happy to be reunited with his childhood friend.
"You mean she can see inside me?" Jayne arched his neck, pulling up his shirt to peer at his belly button as if it would somehow leak the secret that he wasn't necessarily trustworthy.
"Find anything interesting?" Buffy appeared beside him, peering over his shoulder with wide-eyed interest.
The large mercenary shot up from his chair, shoved his shirt down and ran from the galley. "I'll be in my room," he shouted over his shoulder.
"Was it something I said?" Buffy sat in Jayne's recently vacated chair.
Book entered with a sunny smile and went directly to Mal, handing him a small device. Mal read the information before turning dark eyes on Buffy who waited patiently. "Let's me and you take a walk, do some conversating as we go." He walked away without waiting to see if she followed.
Buffy rolled her eyes, standing in a single boneless move, and exchanged glances with Shepherd Book before trailing after him.
Questions flew at the shepherd the minute he sat down. They quieted when he raised a hand. Book opened his mouth to speak except River beat him to it.
"Shepherd's not a shepherd without a flock. Can a man believe in God and not believe in himself? Is Book a Book if no one reads it?" River gave Book a knowing look before leaving the room.
Book smiled at the young girl. He found that he understood her better with each passing day. Today her words were crystal clear. His beliefs were his foundation. They kept him strong, but his self-doubts kept him from fulfilling his dream. Buffy told him what she saw when she 'read' him. He had a beautiful soul, and people needed what he had to offer. Book felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He laughed when she apologized for lifting up his skin and peaking underneath.
Hard R
Mal stood on the catwalk, gazing at the stars. He heard Buffy's light footsteps, knowing that she did it on purpose to let him know that she was approaching.
"I guess you have some questions?"
"Reckon I do. Every time I think that I know you, another surprise pops up, throwing a wrench into the works. Gorramit, woman," Mal growled in frustration.
He pulled Buffy into his arms, kissing her hungrily before she could say or do anything. Mal's hands cupped the firm rear that sat atop the powerful legs he couldn't forget. They pulled apart slowly, staring into each others eyes. Buffy stepped away and Mal let her.
She sighed heavily, trying to find the words. "What did you want me to say, Mal? Hi, I'm Buffy, and I can read your soul. Wo kào! Growing up was gui, ask Ducky. Do you think grown ups believed a little kid that told them their new friend was evil? Dong Ma? I've learned to hide it for so long its second nature. The only time I use the gorram gift is when there's no other choice. Souls don't make the man, Mal; the man makes the soul. I've known men who've done awful things. My friends thought they should die that there was no hope for them, but they changed. They changed because they wanted it bad enough. So, I don't rely on it, unless there's no other choice."
"Can't say I like it any better knowing what you told me, but I understand. Is that all your secrets? No more are going to jump out and bite me in the ass?"
Buffy grinned, stepping close enough to slide a hand around to the aforementioned part. "Can't promise that, Mal. Unless you're going to strip down right here and bare it all," she nipped his lips as she huskily said, "and tell me about your past. Every naughty," Buffy pressed her hips into his, "escapade, each job," she licked his chin, trailing down his neck as his eyes rolled back in his head, "the names of every man you've shot." She sucked the skin into her mouth. Mal's hips pressed against Buffy, pulling her back against the wall and into the shadows. "Then I won't be telling you mine. Now, about biting your ass." Her legs wrapped around his waist as her sex slid against the hard length straining against his zipper.
Moving enough clothing to allow them to reach their goal, they sighed as their bodies joined. Last night they explored, waking in the night to continue their sexual play. Today their passions ran high, fueled by Mal's earlier anger, the situation and the underlying idea that any moment someone could catch them. Too quickly, it was over as they swallowed each others moans of completions. They held onto one another, neither sure, if they could function alone as they waited for their breathing to return to normal. Arms and legs reluctantly unwound from still heated limbs as the lovers readjusted their clothes.
Buffy shouted over her shoulder as she walked away. "Haven."
"Huh?" Mal shook his head unable to shift gears as quickly as this liquid silver woman did.
"Our heading, its Haven. A little mining planet on the rim. I'll pay what your 'real' customer promised, plus ten percent, and throw in the full cost for fuel."
"Well, I'll be a hwaoo dahn," Mal said as he watched her walk away.
"Was there ever any doubt in your mind?" Her giggle had Mal smiling to himself as he headed back to the bridge.
As Serenity landed on Haven, the miners and their families gathered around the doors. Shouts and cheers rang out when they opened, and the crowd rushed forward. Mal stepped back drawing his gun unsure what to expect. Jayne had Vera locked and loaded. Zoë stood at Mal's side ready to step in, if need be.
"Would you people calm down? Haven't you ever seen a welcome wagon before?" Buffy strode forward, arms held wide, laughing when a small child jumped into her arms. She exchanged Eskimo kisses with the tiny tot before glancing back over her shoulder. "Get moving people, I want that cargo delivered, right snappy-like. Kreeza makes the best pie, and I plan on having two pieces."
Jayne's head jerked up. "Pie? Did she say pie?" Bending down, he grabbed two large containers hefting them up on his shoulders and ran down the ramp.
Mal's eyes followed Buffy as she walked through the crowd. She stopped to talk, hug or poke someone as she made her way through the settlement.
"Sir!" Zoë all but screamed in Mal's ear.
"Gorramit, there a reason you screamin' at me, Zoë?" Mal turned to her, his face the perfect calm it always was. Zoë wanted to sigh in relief when she saw that face. The only problem was that she had a sneaking suspicion that as soon as a certain blonde came back in range the Captain would go all twitterpatted again. Mal grabbed the handle, lifted the cargo box and gave Zoë a nod. "Best catch Jayne if we want a chance at that pie."
"Spose we should, sir."
They started forward at a fast pace, easily matching their steps from the long years spent together. Simon, Kaylee and River followed behind them. Kaylee's chatter the only sound between the otherwise silent crew.
Shepherd Book slowly walked out Serenity's doors. He smiled at the people milling about, their excitement contagious. Dark eyes wandered over the mining compound, noticing what it had to offer and what it didn't. Book felt a tug on his pants leg and stopped to look down into a little girl's upturned face.
She gave him a gap-toothed smile. "Are you gonna bring me a new toof?"
Book picked her up, laughing at the innocent question. "No, little one. Why would you think that?"
"She said that you had what we need. I need a new toof. See." The little girl drew back her lips to show Book the open space in her smile.
"Sure enough, you're in sore need of a new tooth. Could you show me who told you I could help? Dong Ma?"
The little girl scrambled to get down, so Book sat her back on the ground. She grabbed his hand, pulling with all the strength her tiny little legs could provide as she guided him though the crowd. Book wondered if she could even see where she was going when they came to an abrupt stop.
"Buffy." The little girl dashed forward, ignoring the adults trying to catch her and threw herself into the Slayer's arms.
"Whoa." Buffy caught a tiny flying body. It didn't surprise her to see Keesha's curly head pressed against her chest, or her monkey legs wrapped around her. Buffy pulled the little girl far enough away to see her face. "What's up, Stinkerbell?"
Keesha giggled at Buffy's nickname for her. "The sheep man wanted to see you. He didn't have a toof for me like you said." Big brown eyes stared up at Buffy as her lower lip fell into a pout.
Buffy laughed, rubbing noses with Keesha. "Someone's big ears heard what they wanted." The little girl squirmed, knowing that her mother would be upset that she spied on the adults again. "I said Shepherd Book's a good man and could give Haven something it not only needed but wanted." Emerald green eyes never wavered from Book's face as she spoke.
"What does Haven need?" Book asked aloud without realizing it.
"A leader, someone to guide them, give them council when they ask or listen when they don't."
Her answer hit Book full-force. It rushed over him, sinking into his skin before echoing in his mind. Each word, each description, described him, and a shepherd's duties to his flock. A duty that included becoming part of their lives, winning their trust and becoming their friend. Book's eyes wandered over the people gathered protectively around Buffy. It appeared odd to him. They gathered around her, yet she exuded a protective air that said she would do anything for these people.
"What about Serenity?"
"Shepherd, I'm not trying to run your life. The people here are creating something good, something new. They could use someone like you to help them along the way, might even help yourself. I thought I'd give you an option that you maybe didn't think was open to you. Think it over; we're staying here for a few days so take your time. Doc's going to vaccinate everyone and show the others how to use the goodies we brought." Buffy tickled Keesha while she talked, smiling at the girl's happy giggles.
Mal walked up before Book could answer. River trailed behind with her graceful dancer's walk, placing each step carefully to ensure perfect balance. Buffy's eyes roved over Mal appreciatively before moving on to River. She noticed River's eyes appeared less haunted, her movements more controlled as the brilliant mind worked hard to break free from its enforced prison. Buffy waved for the teenager to come sit beside her.
The crowd parted, allowing River to pass through them. Mal noticed that River's strangeness didn't bother Haven's inhabitants. His eyes narrowed as he turned back to watch Buffy whisper to the child on her lap before putting her down. The little girl nodded happily and ran off into the crowd.
River sat beside Buffy, her dark eyes drank in the surroundings. Cocking her head to the side, she spotted the blue gloves nailed to a roof. She whimpered, turning away from the sight. Slender finger lifted her head until she found herself staring into endless green eyes. They didn't speak, words were unnecessary as understanding passed between the two who were so alike, yet polar opposites.
Zoë and Wash walked up, wrapped around each other, smiles plastered in their faces. Wash saw Buffy and his smile grew bigger. "Hey, there's Buffy. What's going on with her and River? They sent us to let everyone know the foods ready. Mal, you should see what's in some of those gorram bowls. Brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it." The quirky pilot pretended to wipe away a tear. "They've got real potatoes." Wash's face lit up like a little boy on Christmas Day.
Mal stood watching, and fought the urge to shoot something. His eyes had followed River's to the rooftop and he stared at the blue gloves nailed there as a warning. Turning back to stare at the tiny blonde enigma who had blasted into his world, Mal couldn't help but wonder if the next secret he learned would be his last. He'd learned the hard way that no matter what he felt about a woman, how beautiful she was, or seemingly, honest, they all had the ability for deception. No, Mal came close to giving Inara his heart, but she couldn't or wouldn't allow herself to be a woman first and a companion second. She chose to leave rather than give them, give him a chance. It turned out for the best, with distance Mal realized that Inara wasn't right for him or Serenity.
He wanted a woman that would stand beside him, no matter the situation. Inara came through in a pinch, but her vocal objections to it, him and in general everything not up to par with her lifestyle let Mal know that she didn't see the real him. Oh, he talked bad about her being a companion calling her a whore. Difference was he treated her like a lady and didn't see why she didn't understand that she deserved better than what she was getting. Mal turned back to stare at blue gloves without even realizing it. Their significance raised the hairs on the back of his neck.
"Hello, up there," Buffy cupped her hands, causing her words to echo as she shouted at Mal.
His wandering thoughts dissipated as Buffy's voice broke through. "No need to shout. I'm not a gorram old man."
"Oh, I'm well aware that you're fully functional, Cap'n." Buffy gave him a saucy grin as her eyes took a leisurely stroll down his body. "Question is, are you hungry?"
Passion flared for a split-second in Mal's eyes before he extinguished it. "Can say I have a powerful yearning for potatoes. Nice, fat, fluffy, ones." He bowed his head and walked away, leaving Buffy staring at his back.
"Great, just great," she mumbled, kicking dirt with the toe of her boot. "One minute we're having great sex in the shadows, now he's Mr. Cryptic Jr. Should have stayed with Faith's motto - Get Some and Get Gone. Hwoon dahn. What changed?" Buffy brushed her hair away from her face, about to follow Mal when she spun back around to look where he had been staring off into space. "Tzao gao"
Stomping her feet so hard, she left a large hole in the ground. Buffy cursed in Chinese until she was blue in the face. She wanted nothing more than to howl at the Powers. Two years, two years she had hidden her identity as the Slayer from outsiders. The only ones who knew were the innocents she rescued when she couldn't get there in time to stop Reavers from landing. They kept her secret willingly. Now, one renegade Firefly captain figured it out in a single day. Buffy had no doubts that if Mal didn't have all the pieces he soon would. Mal was tenacious when he had the bit in his mouth. Not to mention if he sensed a threat to his crew, from the way he acted that was exactly what he saw her as - a threat.
"Damn it to hell," Buffy said as she stomped back to join the others.
Buffy kept her distance from Mal for the next few days, even going so far as to sleep off-ship. She helped build new homes, patched old ones, played with the children and visited with friends. The only time she saw the Serenity crew, or its Captain was at mealtime.
The crew pitched in to help the mining families. Jayne grumbled about the work not being part of his job, but each evening found him playing in the square with the older kids. River watched over the babies and toddlers, who immediately stopped crying whenever she came around. Kaylee stuck to Simon's side, helping him administer vaccines and any needed medical care. That left Mal and the others to help with whatever needed fixing until the Doc was through doctoring.
All too soon, it was time to go, and the crew found that they were reluctant to leave Haven for different reasons. Haven was a good name for the small planet, since it had provided Serenity's crew a small slice at living a normal life. It gave one much more than that; it gave him a purpose. The happiness the crew found on Haven dimmed knowing that one of their own wouldn't be leaving with them. Shepherd Book had decided that Haven needed him as much as he needed it. The shepherd had found his flock.
Zoë felt justified in her distrust toward Buffy. She argued with Wash about it, but that was nothing new for the married couple. Seeing that Mal's feeling had cooled toward the blonde made her happy. Zoë hadn't liked the feeling she got earlier when the two suddenly started getting along. Mal kept his feelings close to the vest, but something warned Zoë that Buffy spelled trouble for the Captain. She wasn't about to let anyone hurt her best friend, not as long as she could still pull a trigger.
Buffy walked aboard Serenity after saying her goodbyes, and telling Book how to reach her if necessary. She had a long talk with the shepherd, trusting him with her secrets. He reciprocated and told Buffy about his past. Book went on to tell her how he became a shepherd. They exchanged knowing smiles at the similarities in their lives.
The Serenity crew with Mal standing at its center watched Buffy board. He turned to Wash with a nod, and the pilot left to take care of Serenity's lift-off. The others didn't move, waiting for orders from the Captain. Buffy ignored them, not willing to hear what, if anything, the stubborn captain had to say to her.
Mal watched her climb the steps toward her quarters. He wasn't ready to confront her, yet. The last few days, left Mal more confused that he liked. How could what he was thinking be true? He tried to ask questions about Buffy on Haven. No one had anything to say except that she was a good friend who came when Haven needed her most. He asked about the gloves on the roof, and was told that they kept the evil away.
To make matters worse, Buffy ignored him. She slept on Haven until Serenity was ready to leave. I'm supposed to ignore her, gorramit. She's the one keeping secrets again. Her gorram secrets can end up with the entire Wangbadan Alliance after my crew. I have a right to know if I'm carrying someone dangerous, well another dangerous person added to the ones I've already claimed.
"Captain, do we have a heading?" Zoë asked, watching Mal watch Buffy and not liking it one bit.
"We need supplies. Have Wash find the nearest outpost. Kaylee make a list of parts that needs replacing." His eyes roamed over the Tams. "We don't want to be caught unable to get to atmo, if a quick escape's needed."
Kaylee did a happy dance before throwing herself at Mal. "Ooh, Cap'n, you mean it? We can get the parts I been asking for?" Kaylee's pretty face glowed at the idea, already seeing the differences in Serenity's performance.
Mal kissed her forehead before setting her back on her feet. "Seems Haven was good to us. The Peacemaker came through and we should have enough to fix the ole girl up, nice and proper-like."
Kaylee ran off, dragging Simon and River with her. She rattled off the parts Serenity needed, what they did and what replacing them would do to make Serenity better. Simon shook his head dutifully listening while River danced along beside him.
"How come we don't split the extra money?" Jayne asked, turning to Mal, arms loose at his sides. "Don't see why we'd spend good money buying parts for an old ship when Kaylee can fix any gorram problem we have with spit and a piece of wire."
Zoë tried to explain. "If we don't take care of Serenity, we won't have a way to make anymore money."
"Why? The boat tain't broke. My ma always said if it tain't broke don't fix it."
"Jayne," Mal called out, hoping to stop the mercenary before he got on a roll, "how much was Bolles going to pay for the cargo?"
"Twelve hundred credits." Jayne took off his hat to scratch his head, unsure what a dead man's offer mattered anyhow.
"How much would your take have been?"
"Two hundred credits. Mal, what does that have to do with gorram parts?"
"The Peacemaker paid us the same as we were expecting to get. So, you're not losing anything, fact is everyone came out better since we didn't have to take out for expenses. My reckoning everyone comes out on top and that includes Serenity. Dong Ma?" Mal leveled a hard look at the mercenary letting him know to drop the subject.
Jayne stomped off cussing in Chinese under his breath about stupid boats getting part of the take.
Zoë turned back to Mal concern showing in her large, dark eyes. "Everything shiny, sir?"
"So shiny we need goggles, Zoë. Best go see what Wash found for us." Mal walked over to the steps climbing toward the bridge.
Zoë stood for a moment not liking the false note she heard in Mal's voice. Shrugging, she followed close behind. Hopefully, the problem would leave on a long trip and stay gone. Not that the money wasn't nice, Zoë didn't like the gorram problems that came with it.
Buffy stared out the window, watching stars zoom by, as Serenity headed no doubt to the nearest outpost large enough to restock a ship this large. She expected Mal to confront her soon, probably after he spent the money, and before he took Serenity with her onboard one iota further into the black.
That was the problem. She couldn't tell him, even if he guessed. Damn the Powers. Buffy gave her word that on this world, she wouldn't reveal herself unless saving an innocent; or the Powers gave their consent. She didn't understand their reasons, and until now, it hadn't been a problem. It didn't surprise her that they wanted Book to know about her being the Slayer. Buffy felt relieved to talk to someone who could understand who and what she was. Now, she faced alienating someone that she thought was becoming a friend and possibly more.
It didn't take a genius to see that Mal didn't trust easily. Buffy hoped he would give her the same chance that she had given him. That was if he stopped to see her side before he opened both barrels figuratively, or literally.
The Serenity crew got off at the outpost on Jericho, each excited to spend their money and have some down time. Buffy checked into a hotel, taking River with her after convincing Simon that his sister would be fine. She hoped that Kaylee and Simon would use the time alone to finally jump each others bones. After being on Serenity for a short time, Buffy could see that they were crazy about each other.
River glided around the room, touching each item before wandering on to the next. "Captain's mad. Thinks he knows your secret. Thinks he knows about her." She pointed as Buffy's chest. "Mad that secrets gonna kill him, gonna kill everyone. Don't know." River shook her head, sending dark tresses flying. "Secrets killing us now. We're already dead just don't know it."
Strong arms wrapped around the slender girl as she sunk to the floor. "Shush, River. It's all right. I'm here now. We're going to stop the secrets. Make it so they can't hurt anyone anymore." Buffy rocked the trembling girl as she cried silent tears.
They stayed there until the room grew quiet and the fear dissipated. Buffy pulled River up from the floor leading her over to the bed. They settled on it, facing each other, the same way they did when they had meditated.
"I want you to know that I won't let anyone hurt you. No one's going to take you back to the Alliance. River, I'll fight the demons of Hell if that's what it takes to keep you safe," Buffy whispered, her face calm, yet passionate.
"Don't die, Buffy. Don't die for me. Too many already have, please not you too." Fat tears pooled in River's doe-like eyes.
Gentle words filled the room. "Death is my gift, River. I've given it freely, but it comes back to me every time. This world needs your gift. It needs the truth, the secrets hidden in your beautiful mind. I know the Alliance did horrible things to you, and they'll pay for it. You see what's inside me."
Buffy watched River stare into her eyes before trailing down to her chest. Removing a hand, the teen placed her palm over Buffy's heart. "Protector wants free. She doesn't like staying in the cage so long. Prowls around like a big cat, makes her angry at the bad people." River patted Buffy's chest, the way one would in an effort to calm a high-strung horse.
Buffy patted River's hand before returning it to its former place on River's knee. Their fingers remained intertwined as the golden Slayer started speaking. "Yes, she does get angry at the bad people. The Shadowmen created the Slayer from the Darkness so she could fight it better, understand it. She was we were chosen as Warriors of the Light by the Powers. Dong Ma? You're unique and wonderful, River and I'm here to protect you. You're important to me and this world. We just have to put you back together."
A bright smile lit River's whole face. Squeezing hands even smaller than her own, she slowed her breathing. They worked long into the night as Buffy showed the powerful seer new steps on the road to recovery. The first journey they took was a giant leap to remove the fear that overshadowed everything else. Each new lesson would return to baby steps that would allow River to grow at her own pace. Buffy hoped it would be fast enough to protect River's mind from any traps hidden by the blue-handed bastards. The real fear was that River would have to face the truth before she was ready. The Slayer planned to do everything in her power to ensure that didn't happen.
Mal told Wash to get them out to the black and he would return with a heading. Crawling down the ladder, he couldn't stop the strange feeling that something wasn't right. They had stayed at the outpost on Jericho without mishap. That in itself was enough to give Mal an uneasy feeling. No one started a fight, got shot or got ran out of town, which was a first for the Serenity crew.
Now, here he was about to end this strange escape from reality to slam into it head first. Mal still wasn't sure what to do about Buffy. He only had suspicions, no proof, and if he were wrong, he would look a fool, which was unacceptable. Deciding to go with his gut, Mal knocked on the shuttle's door.
"Qingjin, it's open."
He walked into the shuttle to find Buffy working at the com panel. She signed off before turning around. "Did you have anywhere particular you needed to go, Peacemaker? I need to give Wash a heading and see what business we can scare up in the area." Mal didn't smile or joke, his voice no longer held any softness when he spoke to her. He was all business, and only business.
Buffy swallowed a sigh, gave him the list she had completed as he entered. "Let me know which one works with your plans and I'll work the missions around that. If you need to leave me to pursue work, let me know, and I'll catch up when I'm through." Mal nodded, frowning at her cool responses. "Was there anything else?" Buffy looked up from her chair, waiting to see what he would do or say.
"Haven has us sitting shiny." Mal glanced at the list. "Not to far from Muir, we could stop there see if there's any work for honest folks. See how a Peacemaker goes about making peace, might be right interesting."
And there it was, the gauntlet thrown down in challenge. Buffy knew he planned to follow her on each mission until he uncovered her secrets. She gave him a wry grin, which caused doubt to cloud his eyes for the barest instant before he blinked it away. "Sounds good to me. Fact is, Serenity makes a better cover for the places on the outer rim. That is if you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty." She volleyed the challenge back over the net to see if he would accept the challenge.
"Reckon there's not much you've seen or done in your life that I ain't already been there first, Peacemaker," Mal threw back, working hard to keep his temper. He wished she would yell at him like she used to, then they could have a good heated argument, get everything out in the open and get back to the way things… Mal stopped that train of thought before it could complete. Secrets, dangerous secrets and the woman's beautiful body was filled with them. Until he knew that they wouldn't get his crew killed, he couldn't let down his guard. Mal intended to keep her close, but not that close no matter what his gorram body said every time he saw her.
Buffy ignored the statement, not about to tell Mal how wrong he was. "The outer most planets on the list haven't had anyone visit them. I'd like to go there next if that works with your schedule."
And so it began, Serenity landed on an outer rim planet or moon. The crew seemingly including Buffy would wander into whatever passed for a town, and gather information. They would return to exchange what they found with Buffy. She would decide whether the Alliance knew about the corruption they found, punish the guilty and then continue on to the next planet. There were plenty of fights, violence and mayhem, which seemed to follow Serenity's Captain and crew whether they were thieving or doing good deeds.
Mal stubbornly dogged after Buffy, watching every step she took, waiting for her to confirm his suspicions. His frustration grew each time Serenity landed on a new planet. Buffy went about her Peacemaker duties without a care in the world. Mal had to admit she was good at her job. No wonder that gorram Alliance Council sent her for the hard jobs, the Gan ni niangs, cheating people never knew what hit them once she got to working her charms on them. A low growl worked its way up form Mal's chest. He would never admit it to a living soul, but his fingers itched to shoot every man that looked at Buffy with hungry eyes. That went double for the ones that dared to touch her while she charmed them for information. She didn't whore herself out, but Mal could barely contain his rage when he had to stand by and watch her flirt with men far beneath her.
Something had to give soon; Mal wasn't sure how much more he could take. The crew, namely Jayne and Zoë, were complaining about the work. Mal couldn't blame them. It wasn't what they signed on for. He had a crew to see to and needed to get back to doing just that. They weren't so far out in the black and the outer planets on Buffy's list were complete, which put them closer to Mal's contacts. He would let Buffy know where and when to meet up with them. It would do everyone some good for life on Serenity to return to the way things were before Buffy came aboard. Give everyone some breathing room, time to decide if this arrangement could work. Time for him to see if he could live without her, or accept her secrets and all.
Buffy left Serenity with a heavy heart. She remembered River's sad face as they hugged goodbye. The poor girl hadn't said a single word since Mal announced his decision. Buffy tried to reassure her that she wasn't leaving forever and that she would return in a few weeks. Before leaving, she whispered in River's ear that no matter what, she'd be there when River needed her most. Those words seemed to calm the tears and Simon was able to drag his sister away. Kaylee and Wash hugged her, wishing her well then told her to hurry back. Mal didn't say a word until the door was closing.
"Two weeks, if you're not there we'll wait. See that you do the same. Dong Ma? Zhen tama yaoming, Buffy." He gave her a half-smile that she returned before the doors closed between them.
Mal turned back to his crew, noticing the unhappy looks from Kaylee, Wash, Simon and River. Rubbing his hand together. "Now, let's see about putting this crew back to doing what we're known for."
Jayne gave Mal an odd look. "Getting shot and double-crossed?"
"No." Mal's hand itched for the wrench back to give the mercenary another shot to the head. "Making an honest living at smuggling and thievery." Turning to the quirky pilot, he ordered, "Wash take us out to the black till we can set something going. No sense in being a sitting duck for any purple belly that comes along. Zoë contact Mingo and Fanty or Badger and see if there's any work to be had. Kaylee, I want a report on Serenity. She should be running shiny. If she's not then you make her so."
"You were bad and sent her away on her own. Whatever happens will be your fault," River told Mal before leaving the others staring after her.
"Think she might be angry at you, Mal. She's creepy. Are we always going to keep them on the ship? Couldn't we have kept the pretty Peacemaker and sent the crazy girl and the wimp away?" Jayne gave Mal a hopeful smile.
"Peacemaker has her own work to do. We do too, so we best be seeing about getting to it. She'll be back in a few weeks. Nothings going to happen to her or us." Mal felt goose bumps break out across his skin. He left his crew without another word. He found himself standing on the catwalk in the exact place they had made love. Closing his eyes, he remembered it vividly. How could she be so passionate, open and giving when they were together. Yet, hold back a secret he knew in his gut was dangerous enough that he had a right to know what he was exposing the lives that depended on him to.
"Damn you, Buffy Summers, why won't you trust me?"
Buffy landed on Hazard unable to stop a frown from marring her pretty face. She had a bad feeling about this mission. Unsure if it was a premonition, instinct, or enhanced Slayer senses something was off. The air stank of it. Buffy had a feeling she would have a few new scars before everything was said and done. The only thing that mattered was that she kept her word to River. If it meant fighting the Alliance, Reavers or the very Devil himself, so be it.
She entered the town silently, moving from building to building until she reached her destination. Scrambling up to the roof, she lay down, listening to the occupants conversations. Young girls from surrounding areas were missing. This wasn't a normal mission, but after reading the report, Buffy requested it. Prostitution, whether as a companion or a whore, was legal across the verse. It didn't make sense to take women, or young girls against their will. Too many willing ones to chance the Feds coming after you for anybody to chance it. Not too many dumb enough, or connected enough to try it.
Buffy was glad that Mal and the Serenity were far away from Hazard. It kept River and Kaylee safe from whatever was going on here. And Mal, well she wouldn't have to listen to his overprotective clucking, or worry about his well-meaning interference. She would admit that the last few months living on Serenity had been nice. Bouncing with them from planet to planet came close to having a Scooby Gang again.
Buffy returned to the shuttle just as the sun broke over the horizon. Flopping down on the bed, she closed her eyes drifting into an exhausted sleep.
Serenity's crew sat around the table eating breakfast. The only member absent was River. Everyone ate in a friendly silence until an unholy scream echoed through the ship.
"River," Simon said, jumping to his feet and ran from the room.
Mal followed right behind him. "I though she was better. Buffy showed her how to meditate, hasn't she been practicing?" Worry, anger and frustration crossed his face.
"She was; she is. I haven't had to give her any medication since Buffy joined Serenity. River's been sad, more withdrawn since Buffy left, but I didn't notice any regression."
They reached the cargo bay to find River locked in a deadly battle. She fought invisible enemies before her body slammed to the ground. River struggled but couldn't break free. The crew gathered behind Mal to watch in shock and confusion. Simon inched closer, shaking Mal's restraining hand away, earning him an angry scowl.
"Mèimei wake up," Simon said softly, touching his sister's shoulder.
River couldn't hear him. He wasn't Simon he was the enemy. She broke free, lashing out with a hard punch to his chest, knocking the wind out of him. One last scream escaped her lips as her back arched completely off the ground before she fainted.
Mal approached the wheezing doctor careful to stay away from River. "You okay, Doc?"
"Yeah," Simon gasped, finally catching his breath. "She acted as if she was caught in a memory." He checked her vital signs. Everything was normal, but River wouldn't wake up, no matter what Simon tried.
"Don't think taking her off those drugs was the smart thing to do." Mal bent down and picked up River's slight body. "If she don't know what she's doing, she's a danger to herself and my crew."
"Yeah, like cutting people with big knives," Jayne said, rubbing the scar on his chest.
Mal carried River to her bunk where Simon reluctantly administered a heavy sedative. Everyone gathered in the galley to discuss River's strange behavior. Kaylee confessed about what happened during the rescue attempt, apologizing to Simon with her eyes. The Captain sent everyone to bed, saying that he would have to make a decision but not tonight.
Buffy fought off the men who grappled her down, unable to use Slayer strength with so many witnesses. She dodged most blows, putting on a good show. At the back of her mind, she felt River. Their meditation sessions gave them a strong connection, not to mention River's own untapped powers. The psychic must have been trying to reach Buffy. She felt River's soft breath against her neck. She hated doing it, but if she wanted to survive, she had no choice. Whispering the words across the connection, it softly closed as River's mind shut down.
"Looks like we've got us a feisty one, boys," a rough voice said as it entered the room. A large rough looking man stood over Buffy staring down at her. His cold, dark eyes roved over her body as if she was so much meat. "She healthy, Abe?"
"Yeah, boss," the man that held her arm, answered.
"Put her with the others. Show her what happens to those that makes trouble. The customer expects a prime delivery this month."
Buffy allowed them to drag her from the room. She kept her eyes down appearing unconscious, all the while memorizing the directions. Thick fingers grabbed her hair jerking her head up and slapped her cheek. "Wake up, girl." Buffy slowly roused, opening her eyes. "That's what happens to those that tries to run from Snake."
A young girl's body, no more than sixteen, hung on the wall. Long gashes ran down both cheeks, stitches held empty sockets shut, where young firm breasts should be only gouged out hollows remained, but the worst were the mewling sounds from a mouth that could no longer speak. The girl lived in eternal darkness, slowly dying as blood dripped from wounds underneath the rags she wore.
Buffy fought the urge to rip the men apart with her bare hands. Their smiles said how much they enjoyed the girl's pain. She planned to show them the meaning of real pain. Buffy swore to hurry back and end the girl's suffering. Hopefully, she would be able to return her to her family.
The men shoved Buffy inside a cell filled with fifteen girls. They ranged in age from fifteen to twenty, huddling together in fear as the men leered at them before walking away. When Buffy was sure that the men were gone, she straightened up and walked over to the others. "I know that you're scared. If you'll listen to me and do what I say, then everyone will get out of here, and be on their way home."
"What can you do? You're stuck in here same as us," a pretty brunette asked boldly.
Buffy gave her a friendly smile. "It's my job. So, unless you want to be some old man's wind up toy let me tell you how this is going to work."
The scared girls gathered around Buffy. She told them what was going to happen, and what parts she wanted them to play.