It's amazing how much can change in one night. The Serenity crew went to sleep expecting to learn River's fate the next morning. Instead, a bounty hunter named Jubal Early snuck aboard the ship terrorizing the crew while he searched for River.
River had sensed the danger. An inner voice told her to hide, if caught she wouldn't be able to help the others. The slender dancer opened a grate, disappearing into Serenity dark inner-workings. Jubal held Simon prisoner, thinking that with him as bait River would have no choice, but to surrender. The young psychic showed the crew and the overly confident bounty hunter her hard-earned mettle. She conceived, orchestrated and implemented a brilliant plan that left Mr. Early lost in space.
Mal proudly welcomed her as an official member of the crew. Jayne patted her back almost sending her to the ground. The gruff mercenary told her she didn't do half-bad for a moony. River stuck out her tongue, replying that at least she wasn't a man with a girl's name.
"This is nice, ain't it, Cap'n?" Kaylee asked, standing next to Mal watching the crew take sides in the teasing.
"Yeah, tis Kaylee-girl. Tis at that. Just when you think know all about someone they up'n surprise you. Turn everything upside down and sideways 'til a soul's not sure which ways up, sure makes life interesting." He turned to leave the galley ready for some peace and quiet.
"Cap'n." Kaylee's sweet voice caused him to turn around. "Not sure what's going on with you and Buffy. Do know that afore we got to Haven, I ain't never seen you look at 'tother, not even Nara, the way you looked at her when you thought no one was watching. Just don't wait too long, Cap'n, peacemaking don't sound like a peaceful kinda job to me. Buffy's a special woman if'n you're not smart enough to see that might be too late once you do." She gave him a brilliant Kaylee smile before joining the others.
"Once was a time, people on this boat respected their Captain," he growled, marching toward the catwalk, "stayed outta his business, because 'twas just that, his."
Everybody waited until Mal left the room before breaking out laughing. "Did you see his face? Thought Mal 'twas gonna swallow his tongue when Kaylee started preachin' at him," Jayne said, grinning from ear to ear.
"I didn't preach," she snapped, glaring at the mercenary tempted to stick out her tongue.
River leaned over and whispered in the mechanic's ear. "It isn't childish, Kaylee. I haven't been a child for a very long time. Besides it's fun."
Kaylee saw the conspiratorial gleam in the younger girl's eyes. "Seems a bit of preachin' might do a few people round here some good," Kaylee responded, sticking out her tongue and waving it at Jayne.
"Come with me, husband, I think we should celebrate our escape." Zoë grabbed Wash's hand, pulling him down the hall toward their bunk.
"Yep, nothing like almost dying to get the juices going." Jayne stopped realizing what he'd said, "I'll be in my bunk," and disappeared down the hallway.
Kaylee, Simon and River exchanged glances before the laughter rang out in the room once more. "Ain't never seen no one 'cepting Jayne drag them own self off to their room afore," Kaylee gasped between laughs.
Simon put his arm out to the pretty mechanic. "Can I escort you to your quarters, Kaylee?"
"Really? I mean that would be plum shiny." She smiled at him, taking his arm before glancing over at River. "Oh." Her shoulders sagged. "What about River?"
River glared at them with hands on her hips, startling her brother and his love interest. "I'm fine. I'm not a baby. I'll go talk to the Captain. Help him count the stars while you kiss Kaylee, Simon." She flounced from the room with the sheer dress floating around her slender body as she left the couple blushing.
They exchanged shy glances, then Simon offered his arm, which Kaylee took presenting him with a brilliant smile. "Shall we?" he asked. "We shall," she answered, as they slowly walked toward the engine room, enjoying the time they had alone.
Buffy knew the guards would come for them soon. She needed the person responsible for slaving out these girls. Once everyone calmed down, they told her what they knew, which turned out to be a lot. The mouthy brunette took center stage, obviously having nominated herself the leader. She informed Buffy that her name was Lita, and that she lived on a large property on Shiloh, just the other side of Hazard. That surprised Buffy since most girls came from poor backgrounds.
Heavy footsteps came closer to the cell door, fear and excitement hung heavy in the air, it was show time. Buffy stayed back, hiding in the crowd. A burly guard opened the door, ordered the women out and pushed them roughly along the hallway. Two guards followed them to ensure that they didn't lag behind or try to run. No one saw the small blonde fade into the cell's shadows.
The girl's found themselves back where they first started - the office. They huddled tightly together, taking comfort from one another. The large man who threatened them to do as he said or end up like his example leaned against a large desk. His piercing eyes raked over them searching for any injuries to his property.
"Well, my pretties, you look healthy. Ole Racer's accommodations haven't been too trying, now have they? That's good, very good."
They couldn't stop the shivers that raced through their bodies. Several prayers went out to the one woman who they hoped could save them. She gave them hope that their nightmare would soon be over. They didn't know why but they trusted her to keep her word.
"Stop posturing, you Neanderthal," a cultured voice ordered from the desk. "Let me see the merchandise." Piercing blue eyes held the girls attention. He was a handsome man with dark hair, a strong jaw line, aristocratic features and a trim muscular build. This man was a rose in a field of weeds. That was until one took a closer look. The beautiful rose had started to rot, that sick sweetly smelling over-ripeness that was harder to spot. The blue eyes were glacial, matching the cold heart that beat only for him. Yes, despite outward appearances and prior social standing, Atherton Wing was a cold, cruel man. Turning back to his so-called silent partner, Atherton's lips curled in displeasure. "I thought you said there were ten blondes. You should at least get help that can count that high before calling me for delivery."
Racer's hands curled into fists. He hated this snobby prick. If the money weren't so good and the work so easy, he'd happily kill the man. "I check out each piece meself, gov," he growled, glaring at his crew. "Well, what are you waiting for? Go get her, Wangbadan. Don't damage her; she's worth more than the lot of you."
The guards rushed out anxious to find the girl and escape their boss' wrath. When they got to the cell, they found the door locked shut. One guard opened it while the others stayed back. He cautiously entered, peering in every corner. "You hiding in here, little girl? Come on out, Abe won't hurt you. Me and the boys just going to take you to see a nice man. He's a real gent. Dong Ma?"
Small powerful arms slipped down from the ceiling to wrap around Abe's neck. They pulled him into the air until his legs kicked out helplessly. "Ooh, that sounds fun. Can I have a lollipop too?" a chipper voice asked from somewhere above them.
"Hey now, you let go of Abe. We're not 'spose to hurt you, but we will if'n you don't get yourself down off that gorram cell," another guard shouted.
Buffy laughed. "I'm soo scared. The ben tiansheng de yidui rou is gonna hurt me."
"That's it pofù. Just remember this when Racer asks where you got the marks from," the guard warned, rushing into the cell followed by the others.
When the last guard stepped across the threshold, the cell door snapped shut. The guard turned back to rattle the door, but it wouldn't budge. They were prisoners, turning to tell the other, he witnessed mayhem at its finest. Each guard that approached Abe's body ended up batted across the cell with Abe as the bat. A silent nod shared between them had the guards rushing toward the body altogether.
Buffy timed it perfectly, waiting until the last possible second to release Abe's body. The guards crashed into it full-force. Poor Abe taken out by his own co-workers. Tsk, tsk. She scuttled across the cell and dropped down to the door. The idiots didn't even bother searching her, or half the girls. It wasn't suprising how many carried some form of a weapon or tool. A hairpin turned out to come in handy to jimmy the lock, allowing her to walk inside with a smile. Buffy leaned against the doorframe, watching the men scramble to their feet, kicking poor Abe in the process.
"Make you a deal, boys," Buffy said sunnily. "If you can take me down, I'll go with you all meek and mild."
"Let's get her!" They rushed her, seeing red and not much else. Later when it was over, they would swear that over twenty men helped the blonde take them down.
Buffy slid into a half-split angling her right leg out and to the side. She kept her body low and the weight on the bent left leg as she grabbed the first guard that approached. Her hands splayed out flat on his chest and stomach to propel him head first into the iron bars. She remained low, twisting in an upward arc across the men's upper bodies and faces. The arc didn't stop there, but continued on around, pulling her upper body from the ground to follow the path her feet went with her fists. The left hand followed by the more powerful right pounded at the already dazed men. She continued this was until they lay in a head, battered and broken at her feet.
"Who tortured the girl on the wall?" a harsh, bone-chilling voice asked. The guards fought back as best they could, but found themselves facing a brassed off Slayer.
"The boss told us to," one guard screamed when Buffy dragged a knife down his face mimicking the tortured girl's injuries.
"But, you got carried away didn't you. You, chùsheng xai-jiao de xiang huo, enjoyed it. All of you. Thought about the women that you couldn't touch and decided that she'd pay. Right?" Buffy let the Slayer take over, giving her free reign to do what she wanted with these men.
Screams came through the office door, causing the occupants to exchange worried glances. Racer glared at the two guards that Atherton brought. "What are you waiting for? Surely uppity gents like you don't need orders like me own gutter rats. Go help them," he snapped, ready to break some bones.
The two men turned in-sync to Atherton, who waved them toward the door with a bored expression on his handsome face. "This girl sound intriguing. If those Chuin-zi, you call help haven't damaged her, I may have to keep her for myself," he said casually.
"What happed to what's her name? The one you said would be your galaxy."
"Galatia," Atherton corrected angrily, "you idiot. She wasn't up to my standards and I had to let her go." The cold blue eyes darkened at the memory, causing Racer to take a step back.
They waited in silence for several minutes until they heard a knock at the door. Racer shouted in exasperation. "Gorramit, you idiot, its open." The knock sounded again. "Ai Ya. Can't get reliable help these days. Man has to do everything himself if'n he wants it done a 'tall," he grumbled as he stomped over to open the door. Racer found himself with a gun pointed at his head. That wasn't what held him in place with the door in his hand, blocking the view from the others. No, it was the predatory green eyes staring back at him. They told him that he was about to die, choice was his - fast or slow. Racer had lived a hard life, faced a lot of rough things, including the war, wasn't sure that dying slowly by this woman's hands was the way he wanted to leave this verse. He nodded his head, shifted his eyes right, letting her know where the 'real' enemy lie. The feral creature bowed her head in understanding as she slit his throat.
"What's taking you so long? Bring the blonde in here, so that I can get off this backwater planet and back to civilization."
The voice didn't surprise Buffy. Atherton thought highly of himself, but other than a few stragglers, his name was mostly mud in the social circles. His duel with a certain Firefly captain saw to that, not to mention that the Companion's Guild blackballed him. Society accepted him due to his ancestry. His name once ranked among the social register's echelon and now resided among the bottom feeders.
Buffy stepped through the doorway, motioning for the girls to go back through the tunnel. Lita protested but her mouth quickly snapped shut when Buffy gave her a stern look. They quickly moved behind the door, safely out of harm's way.
"You." Atherton jumped up, sending the chair shooting back into the wall. "How could anyone mistake you for an innocent virgin?"
Buffy placed a hand across her forehead, fluttering her lashes at him. "Why I do think I feel faint, sir. I've never been spoken to so harshly in all mah livin days," she said in a perfect Scarlet O'Hara impression.
He drew his gun and shot at Buffy. She dove for cover while sending a knife whistling through the air. Both hit their target. Atherton screamed when the knife pinned a hand to the back wall. Buffy inspected the ragged hole the bullet left as it passed through her upper arm. "Damn, I hate guns." Rising to her feet, ignoring the pain, she walked over to stare at the man responsible for over a hundred missing girls.
"Let's have a chat, Ashes. Where are the girls?" The amusement left her voice as she sat on the desk, facing her adversary. Buffy swung her legs while leaning back on her arms, creating a picture of a naughty child, all that was missing was a mouthful of gum.
"I'm not telling you anything. My associates are waiting for my return. They're very powerful. When I don't return with the merchandise at the agreed upon time, they will storm in, and you, my dear, won't even be a memory." He gave her a smug smile, confident that any minute the doors would burst open and he'd be rescued from this harridan.
"Do you mean the men waiting in the big ugly ship outside of town?" Buffy grinned as the smug expression melted from Atherton's face. Worry replaced it before he recovered himself.
"Irregardless of whom, I chose to associate myself with, you have no evidence that I've committed any crime. No one will take the word of a common whore and thief over mine." He continued to pull against the blade, ignoring the pain it caused.
Buffy jumped off the desk, silently advancing on the struggling man. "Let me help you with that." Clasping the knife hilt, she twisted the blade before removing it.
Atherton screamed, slumping to the ground. He stood up shakily, using his uninjured hand for balance. His gaze searched desperately for his gun. It lay several feet away between him and the blonde devil incarnate.
Buffy cupped a hand beside her ear, making a huge show of listening for someone at the door. She had heard heavy footsteps heading their way long before they approached the building. "I don't hear the calvary coming for you, Ashes. Think your buddies ratted you out." Buffy went to torture the information she needed from the spineless pig when her senses went into overdrive. She pulled back her arm and gave Atherton's pretty face a direct blow to nose, shattering it. He hit the floor with a loud thump. Buffy tilted his head back to keep him from drowning in his own blood. She removed a small chip from her boot heel, attached it to a paper with a short note and an access code before slipping out another door. Feds burst through the door as the blonde Slayer slipped away.
No one said a word or tried to stop the small blonde with blood on her clothes that ran past them. Whether the speed with which she ran, or the hard look in the large green eyes, no one would say. They would only agree that they wanted nothing to do with whatever had the woman that angry and scared at the same time.
Simon paced the infirmary while he waited for his sister to return from helping Mal. The barely contained anger strained for release with every step he took. It showed in the whitened fists that swung beside the ramrod straight body. The dead giveaway though wasn't the clenched jaw, or flushed face; no, it was the eyes. Simon's dark eyes, which usually held compassion, even empathy, for others had filled with an angry blaze that burned so brightly it would scare his sister if she saw it.
"Doc, strap in this could get rough," Wash said over the com system.
Simon ignored the order, running for the steps. He stumbled his way up the stairs, slamming into the walls on his way to the cockpit as Wash maneuvered Serenity close to the rough terrain. "What's happening?" he shouted, plopping down in the co-pilot's seat.
Wash's keen blue eyes never strayed from Serenity's forward aft. His hands remained steady as he flew the Firefly over Lilac's rocky terrain.
"Wash, we're gonna try a Barn Swallow," Mal shouted into the radio.
The pilot spoke softly to Zoë, "I'm right here, baby. Head for those rocks. Just like we talked about."
Simon's grew wide-eyed before narrowing at seeing the unforeseen danger Mal had placed River. His hands clutched the chair's armrest digging into the soft leather.
The Reavers bumped the shuttle, almost causing Zoë to crash. "Talking ain't doing," she grumbled.
Mal shot a Reaver about to jump onto the shuttle. "Sooner we stop talking and get to the doing the better." Jayne and Mal fired simultaneously as more Reavers crowded their ship's hull. Mal shoved River to the floor as a spear came whizzing at her. "Stay down, little one. We'll be back safe on Serenity soon. Dong Ma?" He caught Zoë's eye. "You think he can do it?"
"My man can do anything with an engine that flies," she told Mal proudly.
"Let's hope so. I don't particularly want to find out if those Reaver stories are true."
River shut her eyes; put her hands over her ears, rocking back and forth. Memories hit with the force of a sledgehammer. She tried to slow her breathing the way Buffy taught her. River chanted her friend's name, as a mantra. She found their connection through the darkness that threatened to pull her under, and held onto it with all her strength. Buffy, I need you. Please, I see their bodies. Help me, please. River felt warmth rush over her, soothing her mind, scattering the ghosts, sending them back to the shadows. Sighing in relief, she stopped rocking and opened her eyes.
Mal grabbed River, strapped her in before doing the same for himself. "Hang on everyone."
Wash sat Serenity down several hundred yards ahead. He opened the doors and Zoë slammed the mule inside as they closed behind her. Washed shot the gears forward, sending Serenity directly into orbit.
River looked around at the others, her eyes wide behind round goggles. "I swallowed a bug."
The crew burst out laughing now that the danger had passed. Simon stormed toward the shuttle. River stood up with a bright smile on her face. He lifted her down, placing a kiss on her forehead before sending her to her room. While he waited for the captain to exit the mule, his fists clenched and unclenched.
Mal gave the young doctor a happy smirk. "Told you I'd bring her back without a scratch. Everyone's okay."
"That you did." Simon smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Never again."
"You think Mal knows the Doc's pissed," Zoë asked, as she stood next to Jayne, watching the scene unfold.
"Reckon he don't care. Too gorram scared of his own shadow to do anything bout it."
"Bet you fifty you're wrong." Zoë took in the clenched fists.
"You're on, easiest…" Jayne watched slack-jawed as Simon punched Mal in the jaw, knocking him to the floor. "Well, I'll be a Too zaizi."
"Probably, and you owe me fifty. I'm off to tell my husband what a great pilot he is." Zoë walked off laughing.
Mal stood up, wiping blood from his split lip. "You throw a nice punch. Didn't know you had it in you. Believe I remember telling you about who gives orders on this boat and it wasn't you."
"We're getting off Serenity," Simon shouted, "just as soon as River gets her share."
Kaylee tried to stop him. "You don't mean that. Cap'n he don't mean that."
The men ignored her, locked in a staring contest which neither intended to lose. "Ten hours should see us on Beamonde. River can have her share soon as I finish the job. Tams can be off Serenity and on their merry."
Buffy rushed to Beamonde, hoping she'd make it in time. She couldn't imagine what could've happened to trigger River's memories in the few weeks they were apart. Her arm ached from the bullet wound. Thankfully, it went clean through. She'd have a nasty scar since she didn't clean it properly. Buffy only had enough time to change clothes before the shuttle was airborne. She knew the minute she landed on Hazard that something bad would happen. Stupid her thought it had to do with her. She should have known better than to leave River alone. Buffy fought her guilty conscience, admitting that she had jumped at an opportunity for space away from Serenity, its crew and especially its stubborn captain.
Why? Why couldn't you have trusted me, Mal? I know it's a lot to ask, but sometimes you have to close you eyes and follow your heart. If you would have trusted me, I know the gorram Powers would have given me permission to tell you the truth. Now, look at this mess. I'm talking to myself, driving like a maniac to get to River before something happens that she's not strong enough to stop. Mal don't do anything stupid. Hang on baby. I'm coming just hang on.
The shuttle shook as Buffy pressed the engines for more power.
As Serenity landed on Beamonde, Kaylee begged Mal to reconsider his decision. "Cap'n, they're just babies. Don't know how to get along in this verse like we do. Some Chou wan ba dan will come along and steal their money, probably sell 'em to purple bellies first chance they get." Her sweet face pleaded with him not to do this.
"Kaylee, what's done is done. Can't have a man disrespecting me on my own boat. Doc chose his own path. He'll do fine. Now, drop it. I have some business conversating to do to get our money. Then I need to see bout getting us some more work." Mal walked by the heartbroken mechanic, not looking back afraid that he would change his mind if she started crying. Kaylee escorted River and Simon off Serenity. Ships for hire surrounded Beamonde's busy Atoll Plaza, not far from Serenity.
Zoë and Wash walked out holding hands, ignoring the barkers who tried to sell them goods. "You two don't get lost. Come back in an hour. After I meet with Mingo and Fanty, we'll look for Buffy. Hopefully, she's already here. Don't want to hang round here too long. Dong Ma?" They nodded happily at having some time to themselves. Mal followed close behind intent on getting to The Maidenhead. Jayne brought up the rear, searching the crowd for anyone who might think to relieve them of their bounty. He stepped up his pace to join Mal. "Let's hurry afore you change your mind and take the Moony back." Mal walked away without comment, never noticing the way that River's eyes followed him.
River ignored Kaylee who tried to warn Simon about the evils in this world. She didn't want to leave Serenity. She wanted to be where Mal was because that's where Buffy wanted to be. She had decided to follow Mal, hoping it would lead her closer to Buffy. River knew the Hunters had never stopped searching for her. Buffy stood between the Hunters catching her and returning her to the cage. She had to hold on until Buffy found her. Buffy would help her. She promised that she would come when River needed her most.
As Kaylee and Simon talked quietly, they didn't notice River that had followed Mal. She watched Mal and Jayne put their guns in a strange contraption. Two strange men greeted Mal and escorted him back to their table, Jayne followed along, sizing up the men's guards. River stepped down into the cantina fascinated by the lights, sounds and people. A large CV caught her attention when a singing animated commercial broadcasted over the screen. It mesmerized River, holding her in place unblinking. The jingle hummed in her ears, opening a door meant to stay closed until her mind could handle it. She stood caught in its net unable to move, the scared mind tried to close everything out except one thing - Buffy. It screamed the thought before the world shattered as River uttered a single word. "Miranda." Shards of glass flew from the screen, entering the mind, waking the sleeping soldier forcing the battle-ready skills to wake.
Jayne pointed out River's entrance to Mal. The Captain nodded his head, motioning for the mercenary to keep an eye on her. River walked over to a table where two men sat drinking. She silently strode over to a table and slammed a foot against the man on the left's face then continued around to do the same to his companion. Their heads hit the table with a loud 'Thunk'. River grabbed a bottle off the table, throwing it behind her, hitting a man who that tried to tackle her as she continued on her quest. People realized that a fight was inevitable and started rushing for the exits. A man with a knife came at her. She slid into the splits, grabbed his wrist, stabbed another man before breaking the man's arm and slitting his throat. River stopped in front of Fanty and Mingo's table.
"Hey! Look a brawl," Jayne said practically bouncing in his seat.
Mal gave the mercenary an exasperated look before saying quietly. "Jayne."
"River," Jayne said, pointing to the kicking, punching, twirling girl who continued to destroy the cantina. "Look Mal, it's Moony. Did you know she could do that? I didn't know that she could gorram fight like that. How come she didn't fight like that afore?"
Mal turned to Mingo and Fanty. "You need to be vacating these premises in the near future, like right now."
River's body stayed kept moving. A continual body in motion tumbling, twirling, hitting, kicking and dashing about the bar. She floated across the floor, up the wall, across the tables, snapping bones and downing bodies as she went.
Large hands grabbed her from behind. "Gorramit, girl, it's me," Jayne growled.
She wiggled in his tight grip, knowing that she couldn't overpower him. She slapped a hand against his crotch, cupped the mercenary tightly then squeezed. Jayne released her, allowing River to spin around break his nose and punch him in the stomach, which caused him to double over. She slammed his head repeatedly against a table until his unconscious body slid to the floor.
River walked away, punching a man with a large gun on her way up the stairs. Mal watched her in shock and fascination. She looks as if she's gorram dancing. He moved toward the vending locker intent on retrieving his gun before River killed anyone, namely him. Mal winced when he saw River take out Jayne with a kick that would have the big man singing soprano for a month.
Buffy found Serenity soon after landing on Beamonde. She docked the shuttle and took off, letting her senses guide her. Her feet moved faster, the louder River screamed in her head. Uncaring who might see, the blonde Slayer raced through the Plaza, praying she got there in time.
Mal wiggled the key in the lock, which finally popped open. He withdrew his gun and turned around to aim it directly at River's head. Problem was there was a bigger gun aimed at him, held firmly in River's small hand. A small black object jumped between them. Strange words filled the silence. "Eta Kooram Nah Smech!" River collapsed boneless to the floor as both guns disappeared from sight.
"Ai-yah. Tyen-ah," Mal shouted, staring at River's collapsed form. He automatically started searching for his gun, and shouting for Jayne.
Simon and Kaylee came into the cantina at that moment, seeing Mal they ran over to him. "Cap'n, have you seen River? She wandered off. Buffy? When did you get here? Cap'n ain't that shiny, Buffy's here." Simon spotted his sister and ran down the stairs. Everybody turned to see what happened to get him so upset.
There stood Buffy, cradling River in her arms. She ignored them while she whispered to the young girl, working hard to keep them connected. Simon stepped forward to take his sister. Buffy glanced up, emerald eyes blazing with anger and he quickly rethought that notion. She used River's legs to push everyone out of her way.
Mal's world finally stopped spinning. He started toward Buffy intent on demanding an explanation. Truth be told, having Buffy so close to River scared him. What if the psychotic girl woke up and hurt Buffy? Strong arms wrapped around him, holding Mal in place.
"Don't do it, Mal. Leave her be. My Ma used to get that look and even my Pa knew not to open his mouth," Jayne advised, not sure which woman scared him more. His pride had already taken enough damage from River's beating.
Mal glared up at the mercenary and ordered, "Let me go, Jayne. Can't do a gorram thing anyways, she's gone." He started up the stairs with Simon right on his heels. Mal stopped, causing the young doctor to run into him. "Where are you going in an all fired hurry?"
"With you to find Buffy and River. They're bound to go back to Serenity." His jaw stuck out, daring Mal to tell him differently.
Kaylee rushed up to grab Simon's arm. "Best we all get back, huh, Cap'n." She gave Mal a hopeful smile.
Without saying a word, Mal continued up the stairs. His mind already on Serenity where he hoped to find Buffy and answers to a completely new set of questions.
Buffy laid River on the bed, brushing long, dark hair from the pale face. She waited for her young charge to open her eyes. The closer Buffy got to Beamonde the louder River's mind screamed for help. She felt the emotions that were attacking River, forcing her to fight. Thank goodness, they agreed to their own safe words to stop just such an event from happening. Buffy helped River destroy the triggers buried in her mind during their meditation sessions. The young psychic had progressed after each session, reclaiming another piece of her powerful mind. Buffy asked for permission to plant their own safe words until they were sure that all the Alliance traps were gone. River happily agreed, relieved to have a way for someone to stop her from doing what the Alliance wanted.
Footsteps sounded outside her door and Buffy quietly slipped from the bed so as not to disturb the sleeping girl. She stepped from the shuttle, but left the door ajar so that she could hear the slightest sound that River made, and stood ready to face the others. Truth was she had a few questions for them.
Mal strode across the catwalk followed closely by Simon with Kaylee and Jayne bringing up the rear. Buffy waited a few minutes without saying a word. Right on cue, Zoë came dragging Wash behind her, determined to find out what was happening with the crew. Simon tried to pass by Buffy to check on River, but found his way blocked by a small hand on his chest that he couldn't push away.
"No, she's sleeping. Leave her alone and let her wake up on her own."
"What happened to her? Why's she asleep? Did someone hurt her?" Simon turned back to glare at Jayne who laughed at the last question.
"Moony went psycho, only worse. She walked into the bar, wandered around all addlepated like she does, watched the CV screen like it twere the first one she ever saw then went plum kuangzhe de. Started jumping around, running up walls, beating up people tweren't like any gorram thing I ever saw."
"River beat up grown men? That's impossible. She's a little girl. Besides, she weighs, what ninety pounds. What could she do against someone larger than her?" Simon asked in disbelief.
"Tell that to Jayne. She took him down in a gorram minute, and then went on her merry," Mal added with a wry grin.
"A ninety pound girl took down Jayne. I like this story tell me more." Wash turned to Zoë, kissing her soundly on the lips. "Thanks for dragging me back, Lamby Toes. It was worth it for this." He waved a hand at Mal. "Continue, continue, on with the Jayne getting beat up story."
Jayne gave Wash a hard glare. "She surprised me's all. Didn't 'spect Moony to be there when I turned around."
"Excuse me people," Buffy interrupted the squabbling. "I have a few questions. Why the hell was River in a bar when the Tams' pictures are on every gorram wave across the core planets?"
"Now, wait one second there Peacemaker." Mal bristled at her tone.
"Buffy," she growled, "my gorram, name is Buffy. Peacemaker is my gorram job. It's not who I am."
"Fine, Buffy," he snapped, "how I handle my crew's none of your business. You were off-ship doing your job and we were doing the same. You want to tell me what you said to keep her from blowing my head off?"
"Not really, but since you asked so nice like I guess I will. The Alliance doctors left traps in River's mind. We destroyed the ones we found, but had no way of knowing if any more remained. So, we set up a safe phrase to stop a trigger from completing its intended mission," Buffy explained, peering through the opened door to check in on River.
Mal's mouth turned down into an unhappy frown. "You mean she's been on my boat all this time, and anything could a triggered what happened today?" He leaned against a railing stiff with anger. "Wash, get us off this rock afore the Feds come to investigate. Kaylee, see that Serenity's up to a fast escape if'n its necessary. Zoë, take command for awhile."
"What are you going to do, sir?" Zoë asked, feeling left out and not sure how to take it.
"Get some answers. Me and Jayne saw what happened, Buffy knows more'n she's saying. Soon as I know, you will too."
Buffy slipped back inside while the others talked. River had stirred in her sleep, her hands reached out, and Buffy moved over to the bed to take them. The young girl sat up, feeling blindingly for Buffy. Slender arms wrapped around the safety they sought. The heartbeat that minutes before raced furiously slowed to a normal rate. A tender cheek lay against a soft breast as large brown eyes that had witnessed too much slowly opened. "You came, I knew if I called for you as loud as I could that you'd come for me," River whispered softly. Her voice sounded raw as if she'd actually screamed aloud rather than mentally.
Simon peeked inside when he heard River's voice. Mal followed by Jayne stood behind him, waiting for him to enter the shuttle. "Doc, if'n she's awake, knock and go on in, or get out the gorram way," Mal snapped, his patience long gone with the young doctor. Simon ignored Mal as he listened to his sister's words, hurt that he wasn't the one that could help her.
"Don't stand out there like humps, come in already," Buffy called out to them. River giggled, bringing a soft smile to the Slayer's face.
The men entered to find Buffy gently holding River on the bed. The young girl relaxed as she lay on her side, playing absently with the golden curls under her cheek. Buffy's fingers massaged River's scalp before combing through the rich chestnut tresses. They created an alluring picture of innocent sensuality, light and dark, innocence and experience, child and woman. The men found themselves dumbstruck in admiration.
"I'm sorry I made you squeak like a mouse, Jayne," River apologized shyly, glancing up at the large mercenary from underneath her lashes.
"You just surprised me's all," Jayne said gruffly.
"Oh, I thought twas because I twisted up all your manly parts." She looked up at Jayne with wide-eyed innocence. Jayne glared in Mal's direction where he heard a loud snort quickly covered by a cough.
"As entertaining as this is, I need to know what happened since I left Serenity before I start answering any questions," Buffy said, turning the focus back to her.
Simon saw the stubborn look on her face and turned to Mal not sure what to do. He felt caught between the two strong personalities. "You first," Mal ordered, not willing to give an inch.
"For once in your life could you pull that gorram stick out of your ass and cooperate! I can't exactly explain what happened to River if you don't tell me what happened that could have set her off, Bèn dàn!," Buffy hissed at him, ready to jump off the bed and shake the information she needed from him and the others.
Mal's jaw clenched tight enough for his teeth to snap. He opened his mouth to speak when Simon interrupted. The doctor explained about River's strange behavior, Jubal Early, the amazing rescue, Lilac, including Mal using River as a reader, the Reavers' attack and finally stopping when he arrived at the bar to find River collapsed on the floor.
"Your turn," Mal ordered.
"Just a minute." Buffy put a hand up then sat quietly taking in everything Simon had said. She asked in a deceptively soft voice. "So, you mean to tell me that after a dangerous bounty hunter found River out in the black, no less, and she saves everyone from the Shingjingbing killing you. The jingcai Captain thought it a good idea to take her along on a bank job. Not just any bank, mind you, but one holding the Fed's payroll and guarded by Feds. The same Feds who're out looking for the Tams since the Alliance have stepped up the search. Putting all that aside, River feels the Reavers and warns you. The crew escape, which Simon, good brother that he is, happily welcomed River back and punched you for putting her in danger." She turned huge, emerald eyes toward Mal, catching him in their depths. "If twere Zoë, what would you've done?"
Mal hitched his fingers in his suspenders, leaning back on his heels. "That's different. This is my boat..."
Buffy turned to lay River gently on the bed, sprang to her feet and stood in front of Mal before anyone knew what happened. "Bì zuî." His jaw snapped shut at the dark note in her voice. The soft voice was gone, replaced by something primal. It spread out, creating another presence in the room. Everyone with the exception of River felt uncomfortable with this side of Buffy. "You created this situation."
She stopped mid-rant when a thought hit her and she ran to her hidden com system. She accessed it before turning back to the others. "Do you know anyone who can access to the bar's cameras?"
"Yeah, Mr. Universe can get to anything why?" Mal felt dizzy trying to keep up with this woman. He wouldn't admit it other than to himself, but he'd missed her.
"I need to see exactly what happened to trigger River. Mal, we need to hurry."
He heard the urgency in her voice and behind that he heard fear. It wasn't something that he associated with Buffy and it worried him. Mal walked over and put the necessary information into the system and a quirky face appeared on the screen.
"Mal, my old friend, how are you? You and your little crew are the talk of the verse. Where do you find them?" Mr. Universe saw Buffy standing beside Mal and gave her a long once over.
"Just lucky I guess." Mal smiled at the crazy genius, unconsciously shifting his body closer to Buffy's. "Mr. Universe, you wouldn't happen to a caught our little tussle on Beamonde, now would ya?"
"Caught it, I've played it several times for me and my Misses. It's the best entertainment I've seen in years. I especially like the part where she makes Jayne squeal," he said with a bright smile. Jayne growled in the background while River giggled and Simon covered his snort with a charitable cough. "Here ya go, Mal, enjoy. If I were you, I'd lay low. Lots of people looking you." Mr. Universe signed off after sending the transmission.
The scenes from the bar played as Buffy and Mal watched. Jayne came to stand behind them, unconsciously singing the Fruity Oaty Bar jingle under his breath. Buffy stopped the tape, playing it back and focusing on the screen. She enlarged the area until the blue cupcake took up the entire screen. "A Fruity Oat Bar triggered her to do violence. That's a gorram sin against all sugary goodness. Even a naughty man such as me wouldn't go that far," Mal said in a hushed whisper. Buffy continued punching buttons until the blue twinkie turned into a pattern of streaming bits. Her fingers flowed over the keyboard until the bits flipped, reforming into words, then pictures. The screen showed Reavers attacking River's family, brutalizing them before her eyes, pushing her to fight with everything at her disposal.
"Those Wangbadan." Buffy stepped away, breathing heavily, her heart racing as her body flushed with anger. The Slayer roared inside her, fighting to get out and slay those who dared to hurt the one they swore to protect. Mal put a hand on her shoulder, feeling the muscles ripple through her body. She shook her head and he reluctantly stepped away. "We need to get everyone together so I don't have to explain this more than once." Buffy felt Mal about to protest. "They deserve to hear it, Mal. I'm not trying to play you. Dong Ma? If they know about you, then they know about Book and Inara too. We need to get to them fast. Inara's probably safe since she's got Alliance connections and is back at the Guild House. But, I'm worried about Book. There's no telling what they'd do to him or Haven. If they think killing him will break you, or have you fearin' for your crew's lives, then that's what they'll do."
Mal didn't like the idea of Inara in trouble. He knew that he wouldn't turn on River. What the Alliance did to her was unimaginable and he aimed to do all he could to ensure they never got their hands on her again. "What did you say to her?"
"May the Powers watch over you," Buffy whispered, facing away from him. No one saw the silent tears slipping down her cheeks.
He nodded before heading toward the door. "We'll head for Haven; get you close enough to take the shuttle. You go for Shepherd Book while we collect Inara. Head back for Serenity soon as he's aboard. Give us a wave and we'll meet up to decide where to go from there."
Buffy nodded in agreement. She said over her shoulder before Mal left. "I want to keep River with me. Simon should stay on Serenity in case there's trouble. It's safer for them to travel separately. They're too vulnerable together."
"Wouldn't she be safer on Serenity?" Simon asked, worried about leaving his sister. He walked over to sit on the bed with River.
Buffy wiped her eyes then turned to face him. "What're you gonna do Simon, drug her into oblivion until we return?" She hated to confront him this way, but he had to accept that a pill wouldn't make River the little girl he once knew.
"No," he snapped at her.
"Then what? Chain her up, what? Don't you understand that's all she's known? They didn't just chain her body; they chained her mind, forcing what they wanted into it no matter how hard she fought. River's fighting with everything she has to escape them and come out a whole person. I can help her do that if you'll get out of the gorram way. She's not a little girl, Simon. I'm sorry. She stopped being the little sister you remember when she left your home. No matter how horrible you think you know it was for her, it was a hundred times worse," Buffy said vehemently.
Mal listened to the passion in Buffy's voice. The way she spoke sounded as if she'd lived through everything River had, or something equally horrible. His dark eyes searched her face, but she wouldn't meet his eyes, which told him more than enough.
River spoke from her place on the bed. "I want to stay with Buffy. She helps stop the voices when I can't." Buffy went to take her jacket off, wincing when it pulled on her injured arm. "Simon needs to fix where the prissy man shot you," River told her.
"Not much he can do, 'cept clean it up. I can do that when I take a shower." Buffy gave a happy groan when the jacket slid free.
Mal stopped at the door, spun back around to stomp over to Buffy and grab her where else but by the upper arms. Too upset, to notice how pale she turned or the pained grimace on her face. "You got shot and stood here yelling at me! And, you call me stubborn. Gorramit, woman where?"
"Where your bloody hand is, literally." Her eyes glanced down to blood slowly pulsed over Mal's hand. He carefully removed the hand, only to step beside her, slide one hand behind her knees, one under her uninjured arm and picked her. Mal carried her from the shuttle, heading straight for the Med Bay. "Where the hell do you think you're taking me? I need to go after Book."
He ignored her protests and kept walking. "Jayne, tell Wash to get us heading toward Haven. Doc, you have a patient that needs tendin'. River, come along and hold her hand so she'll be a good girl."
Buffy pouted before laying her head down and closing her eyes. Too soon, she found herself placed on a cold examining table. She preferred Mal's warm arms. Buffy kept her eyes shut while Simon removed her top and gently went about doctoring the wound.
"How long ago did you get shot? This wound's already starting to heal," Simon asked as he cleaned and bandaged it. "You're lucky it went clean through, or you'd have run the risk of poisoning," He finished quickly then walked over to the medicine cabinet and filled a syringe.
Buffy eyed him warily. "What are you doing, doc?" She scooted to the table's farthest edge.
"I'm going to give you something to prevent infection and ease the pain," he explained patiently, walking slowly toward the table.
"No thanks."
"Buffy, there's no need to be afraid. I'm a fully certified doctor even though I work on this ship," Simon said calmly.
"Hey, don't go downing Serenity," Mal protested, glaring at Simon from Buffy's bedside.
Buffy couldn't stop the giggle. Mal defended his boat no matter the situation. "I'm sure you're an excellent doctor, Simon. He wasn't criticizing your boat, Mal. If the wound isn't infected now there's no reason it should be later. As for the pain meds, don't like 'em and most won't work on me anyway. Unless you have some that'll put out an elephant. Thanks, but no thanks." She started to get up from the table when Mal placed a hand on her uninjured shoulder.
"You're not going anywhere, right now. We ain't close enough for you to jump to Haven, yet. Lay back and rest. Someone will wake you when it's time," Mal told her in a soft voice.
"Is that an order?" she asked, peering up at him from the table. He seemed so far away. Buffy wished he would send everyone away, turn off the lights and hold her for just a little while. She knew it was stupid. They didn't have that type relationship. It could have been, maybe if, oh, yeah, if, but, and a hundred other words for coulda, shoulda, woulda, all meaning never going to happen.
Mal interrupted her mind-rant with a soft. "No, I can make it one if that'd help." His finger slid down one her cheek before he turned and left the room.
"Huh?" Her mind went all kind of crazy, wondering what just happened.
"He wants you. Not sure why he's fighting it anymore. Till he can remember, he can't give up fighting, but won't remember till he does. Won't matter anyways by then he'll realize the want is more than he ever thought possible. If he doesn't accept it, it will eat him whole," River explained to Buffy. She smiled seeing the confusion on her protector's face. "Sleep, I'll watch you to make sure you inhale the fifteen times per minutes that an adult needs to provide oxygen to your heart, which will increase your healing."
"Okay, bao bei. You do that." Buffy closed her eyes, falling into a peaceful sleep.
Mal stared at Buffy's sleeping form. She seemed delicate, almost fragile to him. He knew she could protect herself and others, it somehow didn't seem right that a woman this beautiful had seen life's harsher side. She fit his idea of a woman to cherish and protect. Brushing silky blonde hair away from her face, Mal gently kissed her forehead.
Buffy was having a wonderful dream. Mal brought her breakfast in bed, namely him wearing only an apron and carrying a bowl filled with fruit and cream. She smiled in her sleep, turning over and reaching out for dream Mal to pull him back down for round three. Strong fingers clasped around a masculine forearm, giving it a yank that elicited a surprised 'oof' from the owner. Said owner landed on a cool, metal surface beside the attacker, who quickly wrapped her arms and legs around him with no intentions of letting go. A hand started to wander over a broad masculine chest, causing the table's newest occupant to squirm uncomfortably. When the hand's journey took a decidedly southern path, the occupant had no choice but to protest no matter how much he wanted to continue.
Grabbing Buffy's hand, careful not to squeeze the delicate bones, he said in a stage whisper, "Gorramit, woman, either wake up, or finish what you're doing."
Buffy slowly opened her eyes to find herself nose to nose with Mal. "Uh, Mal, what are you doing in my bed?"
He grinned at her with mischief twinkling in his eyes. "I'm a naughty man and came to take advantage of the wounded woman. Trouble is, I got here and the gorram woman took advantage of me, instead. It's such a burden being so pretty." He leaned back, pressing a hand to his forehead with a sigh.
Buffy laughed at his antics. "I'm not sure that I'm allowed to talk to naughty men," she said, fluttering her lashes at him innocently.
"But, we naughty men say and do such interestin' naughty things." His hand had a mind of its own. Strong, calloused fingers trailed down the smooth, golden skin savoring the feel. He knew he shouldn't be doing this, but right this minute couldn't think of a single gorram reason that could stop him.
Buffy pulled Mal down to meet her lips. She poured everything she had into it before pulling away to give him a naughty smile. "Good thing, I like naughty. If you're real good, or real naughty, I'll tell you about my dream when I get back." Her toe rubbed along his calf. "Maybe we can act it out, there were props." That had Mal's eyes blurring before they glazed over. "Down boy, there's not time and I'm not sure we have the right props."
She giggled when he gave her an evil glare. "I may be naughty but you're evil."
Mal dropped off the table's side, stood and scooped Buffy into his arms. He held her close for the barest moment before setting her on her feet. She walked over to stand beside the couch, glancing down at River. It was hard to believe that inside such an innocent, delicate shell laid a weapon people would destroy worlds to control. Buffy shook her should gently. "River, bao bei, it's time to go."
River woke instantly, jumping up to catch Buffy's face between her hands. "Hurry, they're coming. They want to catch us, to stop us." She stared intently into the deep green eyes.
Buffy took the hands away to place soft kisses on the palms. "I know." She walked from the infirmary toward the shuttle holding River by the hand.
Mal thought over River's words and Buffy's response. He felt that he had missed something, something important.
The shuttle disconnected from Serenity, slowly maneuvering away from the large Firefly before shooting off toward Haven. River watched Buffy as she piloted them through space. "Say what you want, bao bei. It's just you and me out here in the black." Buffy told her never taking her eyes away from the panels or sky in front of her.
"Death follows us. He's put a check by Serenity and its people. He won't stop until he has us, even if he admires Mal. Buffy, he wants the Slayer more than anything. He hungers for her and hates her too. She's made him doubt his place. Now, she has to pay," River whispered, her voice sounded distant.
Buffy smiled, turning to River. She patted her hand, suprising the young teen. "Don't worry, mèimei. Didn't you know? Death is my gift. I bring it with pretty blood ribbons and bows filled with pain. I've dealt with others like him, he'll never touch you," she swore.
River nodded in understanding. A mischievous smile spread across her lips as she asked, "Buffy?" "Mmm," she responded. "Were you touching Mal's manly parts?"
A sputtering cough echoed through the cockpit. The small blonde turned to her companion. "I thought you were sleeping."
"People are more interesting when they think I'm not awake." River's smile turned from mischievous to evil.
"You little stinker, just wait. I'll get you back for that."
"Still haven't answered the question, Buff-eee." River held the last note, turning the name into a whine.
"No, I didn't. Tell me about Inara."
Mal signed off after talking to Inara. He thought he'd feel the same longing he always did when he saw her. He didn't. Walking into the galley, Mal found the crew waiting for him. "Guess you were listening?" They all nodded. "Set a heading, Wash."
"Mal, it's a trap," the pilot warned.
Kaylee felt torn between her friendship with Inara and Buffy. She knew nothing could ever come from Inara's feeling for Mal or his for her. The romantic in her couldn't let it go. "Now Cap'n that may not be true. Maybe Nara's just missing you and wanted to see you."
Mal smiled at Kaylee's rosy outlook on the world. "Did you see us argue?" "No," the entire crew said simultaneously. "Trap." Mal grinned wryly before walking away. What the gorram hell am I going to do with Nara and Buffy on Serenity at the same time?
The sophisticated companion's face floated in his mind only to fade into a golden haired, green-eyed beauty with an up-turned nose. Mal groaned, raking a hand through his hair. He felt an uncontrollable urge to hit or shot someone, anyone at this moment. How did his life get this complicated? The underlying sexual tension between him and Inara was frustrating, yet in its own way a form of foreplay. It was the total opposite with Buffy. She didn't tease him into wanting her then play shy miss. No, she met him passion for passion. Mal wondered if he pushed too hard. Did he expect everything from her when he'd given nothing in return? Not particularly liking this clarifying moment, he promised himself that he'd continue the way they'd parted. See if they couldn't meet in the middle, course that depended on if he could keep his gorram tongue in his mouth. Maybe, he thought with a smile, if I keep it in hers I won't screw it up so damn bad.
A woman wrapped from head to toe knocked on a door. When she heard the call for her to enter, she slipped inside silently. The room's occupant addressed the woman in anger and fear. "What are you doing here? Didn't you get my message?"
The woman removed her veil to reveal long golden curl and full pink lips turned up into a bright smile. "Of course I did, Book. Just didn't listen tis all. Now, pack what you want to take and make it snappy. River's in the shuttle. We're just over the ridge and I don't want to leave her alone too long. She likes to mess with the switches. Come on, I don't have all day." Buffy clapped her hands together, creating a sharp staccato intent on hurrying the shepherd along.
"I'm not leaving Haven. If the Alliance wants me they can come and get me." Book crossed him arms over his chest with his good book held firmly in one hand.
Buffy threw her hands in the air and started pacing the small house. "Now what am I supposed to do? Have to keep River safe or everyone dies. Have to keep Simon, Mal and the others alive because their important to River. Supposed to come here to get one stubborn fool of a shepherd, try to save his life in the process and keep the Alliance from using him against his friends. Oh, yeah, what was I thinking, stupid me? I hoped that if the man the Alliance wanted wasn't on Haven and we broadcasted that across the black. Just maybe, everyone on Haven wouldn't have to die." Buffy stormed out the door too angry for nice words and grand gestures. She brought Book here, hoping he would help the people and vice versa. She wasn't sure she could choke down the guilt if it lead to Haven's destruction.
Book stepped through his door, locked it and arranged the strap on his shoulder. "You're a harsh woman, Peacemaker."
She didn't say anything as she started walking toward the shuttle. Buffy felt a hand on her shoulder and stopped. A pair of soulful brown eyes looked down at her, seeming to strip her clean, laying the good and bad out for measuring. "Thank you. Whether with honeyed words or bald-faced, the truth is always welcome. If we let it, it will show us the clear path. So, thank you. I wanted to stay and protect my flock, not realizing that the best way to do that was to leave them. Not exactly what a protector wants to hear." Book gave Buffy a sad understanding smile.
"Sometimes, Shepherd Book, leaving's the best gift you can give to them and yourself." They walked along in a comfortable silence. Before climbing the last hill where the shuttle lay hidden, Buffy stopped to speak to Book. "Do you have someone you could wave to tell them you're leaving Haven? Someone that won't make the Alliance suspicious."
Book thought about who to call that the Alliance couldn't interrogate or dare to hurt. "I can call the Mission. The order asks that we let them know when we move. It would be natural for me to tell them that I've left Haven to help others with a greater need."
"Should do. The Alliance usually leave the faithful alone, specially mission-folk. What's the mission's name? I'll send some friends round in case they decide to work outside the lines, though even an Operative would hesitate to cross that rule."
"Southdown Abbey." Book told her, saying a silent prayer that the people in his life wouldn't pay for his choices. Buffy was already counting the people she could send to Persephone, and ones that had further to travel. "Why's River with you? I mean, I know you've grown close. Just never thought Simon would let her outta his sight," Book asked, climbing aboard the shuttle.
River's head popped up from her seat, startling him. "Buffy's teaching me how to block out the voices, Shepherd Book. She could teach you to how to send the dreams away." The uncomfortable silence didn't faze the teenager. "It wasn't your fault. Doesn't your good book say to forgive is divine? How can you be a good shepherd if'n you don't believe the words are for you too?" She peered into Book's face, searching for an answer he had asked himself for the last ten years.
"Mèimei, leave Book alone. He needs to call his friends and let them know that he's all right." Buffy climbed into her seat, moving them away from Haven and back out into the black. She hoped that Mal's rescue went as smoothly.
When does anything in my life ever go smoothly? Mal wondered. He thought he could slip in, grab Inara and slip back out again. No gorram way it went the way he planned. Here he was fighting another Hwoon dahn with a sword for Inara. What was it with that woman and swords?
"You cannot win, Mr. Reynolds'. Why don't you simply give me the Tams, and I'll allow you and your crew to go about your business," the Alliance Operative offered as he held a long sword to Mal's throat. The Operative had a dignified air about him. The way he spoke, carried himself, even the way he dressed portrayed a man of discipline. If seen in a crowd, no one would believe that he killed for the Alliance without regret. He did what was necessary to ensure the Alliance's vision remained untainted. Pulling the sword away from Mal's throat as he awaited an answer, the Operative admitted that he admired the stubborn Captain and in another life might have called him friend.
"See, I have a problem with your little offer. Ask anyone who knows me, I ain't no saint but I protect my own. Make no mistake here, River's one of mine."
"That is most unfortunate. You don't seem to understand. River will come to me, one way or another. I never fail, no matter the cost. Things aren't what you seem to think they are. That girl will destroy you. The Alliance isn't the enemy here. This isn't the war."
"I know," Inara said softly, "and those weren't incense."
She gave the Operative her best companion smile before a loud bang followed by a flash went off in the room. Inara grabbed Mal's hand leading him through a hidden panel as the flash bomb sent the Operative flying backward to hit the wall. She led them through the halls then down stairs that come out on the mountainside. Alliance soldiers stand guarding the shuttle. Mal pressed Inara back into the foliage before throwing a grenade that sends the guards running for cover. He grabbed her hand, pulling her quickly toward the abandoned shuttle. They escaped to the safety of Serenity.
The Operative tried to follow the nav sat trajectory but thanks to quick thinking Serenity slipped through his fingers. He sat drinking tea realizing that he will have to use more extreme measures to flush out this quarry.
Buffy walked straight into Mal as she exited her shuttle. She would have fallen if he hadn't wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her body against his. They stared at each other for what seemed like hours and Buffy could hear their hearts racing.
"Oh, uhm." She glanced down to where their bodies stood pressed flush tight, no light shown between them. Her cheeks flushed as naughty thoughts raced through her mind. Thoughts of shadows, stars, cool metal walls, rushed kisses and wild passion; passion that burned them inside and out. Buffy had to get away from this man before she made a fool of herself.
Mal remembered why he and Inara would never work - passion. He had wanted her, he tweren't blind, but for all her beauting and schooling, she had no passion. Now, Buffy, she was all passion. Passion filled everything she did, from protecting River to arguing with him, even the way she fought, especially the way she responded to a man, to him. Mal had never met a more passionate creature in all his gorram life. Realizing that he still held Buffy and that they not only had an audience, but his manly parts was trying to wake up and shout orders that he wasn't in a position to carry out. Mal sat her back on her feet. His hands slid down her back while he kept their fronts together as long as possible.
"He should say he's sorry, then she'd let him do naughty things to her. Buffy likes naughty men and the Captain's a naughty man, he told me so," River told Book, her face a picture of innocence.
Buffy glared over her shoulder, knowing the little brat played whichever role suited her purposes. River decided that Buffy and Mal belonged together. Nothing Buffy said could dissuade her to stop trying to fix what they broke. "Be quiet, brat." River giggled, ignoring the glare sent her way. Buffy tilted her head back to glance up at Mal. "Did you have any trouble picking up Inara?" She worked hard to keep the question casual. Her curiosity about the woman that Mal had, or was that has strong feelings for ran high.
Mal frowned remembering how close they came to dying at the Guild House. "Nothing I'm not used to handling when it comes to Nara. Lets take this down to the galley, crews waiting. Got a bit of conversating to do afore we head off into the black."
Buffy noticed her right away, taking her in with a single glance. Inara wasn't a woman anyone could ignore. The expensive clothes meant to allure, accenting every curve, enticing a person to wonder what they'd look like sliding down Inara's perfect body. The companion wore her dark hair up in a hairstyle created to tumble down with a single touch. Her face was what held her audience though. It was heart shaped with large dark eyes, creamy pale skin and rosy red lips. She was every man or woman's dream lover, the perfect companion. Anyone could see the she enjoyed her life, was happy with who and what she was, but Buffy wondered if Inara had ever known real love, or passion for that matter. Oh, she had no doubt the companion knew everything about the sensual arts and was probably an exceptional lover. Too bad she didn't learn it the way it was meant to be, with laughter, tears and screams of pleasure, not in a school of woman where every move was thought out and planned for her.
"Buffy, this is Inara. Inara, Buffy." Mal introduced them, wondering how they would react to each other. "We need to figure out what we know. The Alliance wants something from River and they want in a bad way."
Jayne stepped forward ready to shake the answer from her, already forgetting what happened the last time he confronted her. "Tell us what you know, Moony. No addlepated talk neither." His large arms went out to grab her and River easily ducked underneath to come up behind him.
"Jayne, leave her alone," Simon yelled, getting up from the table to help his sister.
Buffy saw the events unfold, knowing what would happen next. She'd flashes in a dream, words tumbling from River's mouth. Hidden in the shadows, waiting for River, waiting until she was strong enough to release it. If the others chose not to come along for the ride, so be it. Buffy would take River and they'd finish it together. She counted to three before she saw River racing away.
River ran down the Fore Deck straight for the stairs that led to the Bridge. Simon ran after her with Jayne hot on his heels. Jayne screamed every curse word he knew and created a few more.
Mal calmly turned to Buffy and asked, "Did Jayne just holler that she stole his gorram gun?"
"Sure sounded like it to me." She leaned against the wall patiently waiting for him to explode. He didn't disappoint.
"What! You're gonna just stand there doing nothing. Thought you could control her, thought my crew was safe from her crazies with you around," Mal yelled at Buffy, facing off ready for a fight.
Inara watched Mal lose his temper with the pretty blonde. Buffy wasn't what she expected Mal's new love interest to look like. For some reason, she expected him to choose someone more refined, someone who, well, looked more like her, or at least Nandi. The woman that calmly waited for him to stop yelling fit the infuriating Captain in ways Inara hated to admit she never could. Buffy put herself out there for the world to see, faults and all. People could accept her or not, it was up to them. The companion had to admire her for that. She wondered how it would feel to live by no other rules but your own.
Buffy waited for Mal to catch his breath, gave him a sweet smile, pushed away from the way and walked out without a care in the world.
"Where the gorram hell are you going? I'm talking to you?" Mal growled, taking several steps after her.
"No," Buffy said evenly, "you're yelling at me." She leisurely continued walking away until she was no longer in sight.
"Wait till I get my hands on that woman," Mal grumbled to himself, storming from the Galley to catch up to the ever-changing blonde.
Inara turned to Kaylee, knowing the openhearted mechanic would tell her the truth. "Are they always that way?"
Kaylee smiled, remembering several intense arguments. "Sometimes worse, sometimes better. Cap'n and Buffy run hot and cold, mostly cuz Cap'n 'spects her to tell all her secrets. Men don't understand that a girl needs her secrets. Should have a choice on who and when they're spoken. But, you know Cap'n, he 'spects to know everything concerning Serenity whether its her crew, engine or the people that come near either one." She stood up from the table. "Don't know bout rest of you, but think I'll go see what's going on topside. Maybe River's beating up Jayne again and we're missing out. Wouldn't that be shiny?" Kaylee gave them a happy grin.
Wash perked up, grabbed Zoë's hand to drag her toward to Bridge. "Hurry up, Lamby Toes. Didn't you hear Kaylee? River might be beating up Jayne. I missed it the first time; sure don't want to miss a ring side seat."
Jayne stood reaching for the ceiling; Simon sat at on the floor at his feet while River worked frantically on a large Cortex screen. Simon tried to talk her into putting the gun away. She ignored him, as the gun never wavered, while the psychic's fingers dance across the screen, bringing up different planets and star systems. A single word repeated softly under her breath while she worked.
Mal joined the scene, his temper already high from his 'talk' with Buffy. He gave her an angry glare that had sent many a man scuttling for cover. She flashed him a small smile before letting out a sigh. Buffy knew that she was pushing it, but she couldn't seem to help herself. He thought he could control everything inside the tiny world he called Serenity. It wasn't possible. People, things, the world itself jump up and bites you in the ass when you try to control them.
Deciding he would handle this himself, Mal slowly walked toward River. "Ain't that an awful big gun for such a little girl? Reckon your hand might be getting tired by now." Buffy rolled her eyes. River moved the gun from Jayne to Mal, stopping him cold before pointing it back at Jayne. The large man didn't have time to rush the teenager.
"How about you let her show you what she's trying to find?" a calm voice suggested, the others heard the underlying sarcasm as they joined the party.
The clicking sound stopped when River pointed at the screen. "Miranda." She tapped the screen, enlarging the area to show a planet on the farthest edge of the rim.
"That's Miranda? That's what you've been trying to tell me?" Simon tried to grasp the pieces that kept unfolding daily.
Mal stepped closer to peer at the screen. "There's a whole planet that no one knowed about? Is that why the Alliance wants River?" Kaylee asked.
"No. Terraforming didn't take. It's a blackrock," Mal replied, staring at the blue planet with an inkling that it held dark secrets that once known would change him forever.
"Whoa, Mal you're not thinking bout going there are you? Wife, show him why he can't go there."
Zoë maneuvered around the bodies. River had long since put the gun away, but Jayne still stood with his hands up not trusting her. The second-in-command shoved the mercenary away, making room for her. Zoë touched the picture causing it to pan out. "See this black area here. That's open space. Everything between it and us is Reaver territory. No way to get around it."
"Don't go round, you go through," Buffy said quietly, everyone turned to stare with shocked expressions on their faces. "What? It's been done before." She was about to explain, explain about River and as much as she could about herself when an alarm on her shuttle went off. One minute she was there, the next she was gone.
"What the gorram hell happened?" Jayne asked, finally deciding to put his arms down.