firefly unexpected cargo

Inara was staring out the window of Serenity at Mal below on the gangplank arguing with the latest customer. Zoe joined her. “We got a problem down there?” “Seems so. I’ve never seen Mal argue with a customer like that before.” “Something’s got him riled up that’s for sure.” Inara stared at the group below. There was the older man who was arguing with Mal, dressed in what she was sure on this god- forsaken planet was the latest in fashion. She smiled to herself as she imagined his reaction if she told him it was three seasons old. “I don’t understand, Mal’s never had a problem with passengers before.” Shepard Book walked up behind them. “Those aren’t passengers, at least the young man there and the three ladies aren’t,” “What do you mean Shepard?” “Those four are slaves.” “You sure about that?”asked Zoe. “Look at their clothing, the downcast eyes, I’m sure.” Zoe cursed under her breath in deference to Shepard Book. “I best go remind the Captain how much we need this fare.”

“You didn’t say anything about being in the slave trade.” “The likes of you has a problem with what I do for a living?” Mal’s jaw was clenched. “You said you had merchandise and a couple of passengers.” “I’m a truthful man. Those four are my merchandise.” Mal didn’t reply because he felt Zoe’s hand on his arm. He knew it was Zoe’s because no one else on the crew ever touched him like that, except the Doc. He stepped away from the client and turned to face her. “Look Mal, I know , I don’t like this either, but we got to take this fare. If we don’t do some matinence, some food stores. “You can’t talk me into this Zoe.” “It makes me sick too, but we’ve got to look after our own. I’m sorry there’s no one looking out for them, that’s how it goes. Listen, you aren’t going to stop him from doing what he does.” “Fine, this is your fare then, you deal with it.” Mal stamped up the gangplank. At that moment Zoe was comforted by the fact that she knew Wash wouldn’t take off without her. She turned to the client and gave him a huge smile. “I’m sorry the Captain has been difficult. He’s a man of principle. He just doesn’t always understand the principles of business. Now how can we accommodate you gentlemen?”

Unaware of the tension Kaylee bounded up to Mal like she always did. “So what do we got this time Captain?” “Trouble. You and Inara had best go to your rooms and bolt the doors.” “Does Zoe have to go to her room?” “No, but I’m pretty damn sure that if one of those fellas tries to rape her, she’ll kill em. Can you do that? Lock your door. “ Mal made eye contact with Inara and she nodded “Come on Kaylee, let’s go.” Malcolm headed off in search of Simon and River. As much as the Doc didn’t like it she was going to have to be locked up this time for sure.

“Boy!” Keeping his eyes averted, the young man stepped away from the women and came to stand in front of his owner. “We don’t want any trouble on this rig, you keep those women quiet and away from my sons. Any damage to my merchandise and I’ll take out the difference on your hide.” “Of course, Master.” Walking away from the young man, he hollered to the others. “What are you all standing there for? Move it. Dumber than cows I swear.” One of his sons made a mooing sound and the other snickered. The young man was walking behind them when one of them stopped and turned, grabbing him by the scruff of the neck. “Didn’t you hear the old man-move.” He shoved the young man forward and he fell at the top of the gangplank. The one who had shoved him made a point of stepping on him as he entered Serenity. He caught Shepard’s eye. “Got to keep them in their place.” Shepard did not reply and the young man rose and joined the women. Shepard hoped the trip would not be a long one.

The one thing that Kaylee would truly say she missed, if anyone had asked her, was the sun. Not its warmth or the feel of it on her backside when she was workin on an engine. She missed knowin what day it was or if it even was day. The last time they had been planet side she’d bought herself a little wooden sun and moon. She was trying to keep track, but it was still confusing. She’d have to ask Shepard Book how he managed, he had to know when to say those prayers of his. Kaylee knew the Captain would just laugh at her and tell her she was fussin about somethin that didn’t matter. She supposed it didn’t because she was tired from all this thinkin and no matter what time it was she was going to get some sleep. You never knew when someone was going to need something fixed. She had just gotten comfortable and was letting Serenity sing her to sleep when she heard a clank. Kaylee sat straight up in bed. Just when she had convinced herself that she had imagined it; she heard it again. She sighed and put on her overalls. She thought that she had heard the noise halfway between her room and the Bridge. When she got there she opened up the paneling. Everything seemed fine. Then she noticed a wrench down on the floor. She never left a tool out like that, her Daddy would have tore her up good. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. “I ain’t never seen myself a prettier mechanic.” Kaylee didn’t know what to say. She gave the stranger a hesitant smile and started backing towards her quarters. Then suddenly there was another man behind her. “Where you goin?” “I’d say she’s goin anywhere she likes.” Kaylee relaxed. Captain to the rescue. She couldn’t really see him too good cause he was standing in the shadows, but it had to be him. She was ready to give him one of her best smiles when he stepped forward. It wasn’t the Captain at all. She didn’t know who it was. “You just turn and walk away boy.” “You ought to take your own advice.” The one who was trying to help looked straight at her and jerked his head sideways, telling her to go. She stepped around the bigger one. She didn’t run until she heard the sound of the wrench hitting metal. Kaylee ran onto the Bridge out of breath. “Where’s the Captain?” “What’s wrong?” “They’ll kill him.” “The Captain?” “We don’t have time. They’re lots bigger than him.” “Wash, wake up Jayne.” “Wake up-wait a minute. I’ll shoot the mung fao you go- she’s fast.” Zoe rushed down to the cargo bay. Kaylee wasn’t making a lot of sense, but she had a feeling it had to do with the two that had caused the trouble with their own women earlier in the day. This fare was more trouble than it was worth. She was hoping the noise would bring Mal out of his bunk, but she knew she couldn’t count on it, the mood he was in. Zoe banged on the old man’s door. “I have never been on a more uncivilized boat in all my” “You’ve violated your contract. Ya’ll gettin off the boat now.” “What?” “Your sons tried to lay hands on my mechanic.” “You can’t simply leave us in the middle of-“ “Jayne’ll take you where you need to go.” “I” “End of discussion.” Mal appeared toweling his hair. “Have we got a problem here?” “No sir, our guests were just leaving.” “All right then, I’ll go make some coffee.” The guests were gone within 5 minutes. Kaylee stood in the cargo bay staring after the departing passengers. “It’s ok, Kaylee, they’re gone.” “How many, um, slaves, did they have?” “4.” “They only left with 3.” “Pi Hau” Zoe walked over to the comm. “Wash, get everybody down in the cargo bay?” “Basketball?” “Stowaway.” “New game, sounds fun.” “I don’t think he’s hiding. Those guys were awful mad. He wouldn’t let ‘em and they had a wrench.” “Ai ya” As the others gathered Zoe took a deep breath, “Looks like we got us a stowaway and he might be hurt, so we got to find him fast.” Book and Wash started there in the cargo bay. Book thought he heard a noise. He closed his eyes and concentrated. He heard the muffled thump. He motioned to Wash and they approached a collection of oil drums. Then they both heard the thump clearly. “Go get something to get these open.” Wash ran. It wasn’t hard for Book to find what he was looking for. One of the drums had oil pooled around its base, as well as all down the sides of it. As Book approached it, the barrel began rock back and forth. Book grabbed the top. “Just stay still, we’ve found you, we’ll get you out. Everything’s going to be fine.” Book had not finished his prayer by the time Wash made it back with a crowbar. Together the two men pried the lid off. The barrel tipped violently. The oil spilled on the deck, along with a young man. He spent a few moments retching the viscous black fluid and then he began crawling away from the barrel. Simon was coming down the stairs and yelled out. “Don’t open your eyes.” The young man stopped. He paused there on his hands and knees as if trying to figure out what to do next. Wash came up too quickly behind him and found the young man’s foot in his mid-section. Everyone stopped. Book had no intention of finding himself in Wash’s undignified position, so he began talking to the young man. “You remember me, don’t you son? The Shepard you spoke to in the galley.” The young man considered for a moment and gave a cautious nod. “Now you know as a Shepard, I’m not going to hurt you.” He shook his head no. A sadness entered Book’s eyes. Kaylee pushed past Simon and went to stand in front of the young man. “You stopped those boys from hurtin me, so I owe you. Now these fellas don’t do nothin without my say so and unless I tell em to, they ain’t gonna lay a finger on ya. Now let Book help you, you look foolish down there, besides you’re messin up our nice clean cargo bay.” The boy took a minute to decide and then nodded his head. Book approached him cautiously and then helped him to stand. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Jayne came into the cargo hold. Mal was standing there staring at the mess. “What happened in here?” “You got the money? “Course.” “Clean this up. Somebody likely to slip,” Jayne scowled at Mal and went to find a mop.

As Mal approached the infirmary he could hear the shower running and the sound of retching. He saw Kaylee staring through the window. “Boy gonna be alright?” “I think so Cap. He swallowed a lot of that oil, but it seems to be coming right back up.” Mal got a funny look on his face. So, what’s going to happen to him now? “I’d say that’s up to him.” “Up to” “I imagine he’s tired of people tellin him what to do, don’t you? Tell Simon that when the boy’s up to it, I’ll have a word with him.” Kaylee squealed and grabbed him around the neck. “You are a good man Malcolm Reynolds.” “I can’t breathe.” Kaylee loosed her hold on him. “And no, I’m not.” “Good and grumpy.” “Isn’t there somethin around here needs fixin?”

Book had found an extra pair of pants from somewhere. The young man got onto the examining room chair under his own power. He coughed a couple of times. “Now you should try and get some rest, I can give you something to help you sleep.” The young man shook his head no. “How long, how long since they left?” “Don’t try to talk. “You’ve got nothing to fear from them son, the Captain won’t allow” The boy leapt up off the table and shoved Simon aside. He grabbed at several of the scalpels on the counter and ran. It took the men several moments to recover before they went after him. They found him in the Mess, cutting into his arm with the scalpel. “Stop!” The boy stuck his finger into the slit he had made in his arm and pulled out a shiny metal disk. He put it down inside the sink and began to fill it with water. Simon rushed to his side. “What are you doing?” The young man looked down into the sink as the disk changed from silver to red. He grabbed Simon and threw him away from the sink. The disk exploded sending water everywhere. The concussion knocked the boy against the far wall, turning the table on its side. Everyone on the ship felt the rumble. “What was that?”Mal said, looking at Wash, who shrugged. By the time everyone reached the Mess Book was already carrying the boy back to the Infirmary. Simon was sitting on the floor trying to figure out what just happened. “Doc?” “Those, they turned him into some sort of a bomb.” Mal took a quick look around. “He cut it out. He was willing to die” “A cut with a knife wouldn’t kill a person.” “No, unless you have to cut along a major artery or a vein.” “Then it sounds like you got some work to do.” Simon pulled himself together and headed for the Infirmary. Everyone else dispersed, except for Jayne and Zoe. “You best get a mop and clean this up.” Jayne glared at Zoe. “That kid makes one more mess on this boat, he’s cleanin it up his own gorram self.”

Simon leaned against the sink. Book covered the boy with a light blanket. “Go get some rest, the boy’s going to sleep at least a day or two.” “I think I might take a nap.” The two left the infirmary. Minutes later River came flitting in. She stood and stared at the young man for quite a while. A beatific smile came and went. She took a blanket from one of the cabinets and crawled into the wall niche. She continued to stare at him until she fell asleep.

“Liar.” The young man turned on his side, wincing because of the bruises there. “Are you enjoying yourself? I won’t. Not givin in, so you might as well.” He kicked the covers off. His breathing became more labored. He jerked awake. He lay very still, yet alert. His body tense until he was sure that River was the only other person left in the room. He matched his breathing to hers and fought the urge to go back to sleep. He sat up and was instantly dizzy. Once again, he ignored what his body was telling him and once the room came into focus again, stood. He knew this place. The white gleaming walls, the instruments. He had to get out of here before they came back. “Not again. Zhou ma.” He lurched to the doorway and stood there before heading off into the darkness. He didn’t know where he was going, but he had to get away from all that white.

Mal was surprised to find Shepard Book in the Mess when he went down for some coffee. “Can’t sleep, Shepard?” “I’m just trying to understand how they could do that, to that boy.” “What do you mean exactly?” “He’s black and blue over every covered inch that didn’t show. I’ve seen nothing that justifies even a harsh word.” “That’s cause you consider him a human being. Those people don’t.” “I just don’t understand it.” “If you did Shepard, then that’d be worth staying up and worrying over.” Mal poured some more coffee into his cup and disappeared back onto the Bridge.

Kaylee couldn’t sleep. She knew it was because every light she had was on in her bunk. She couldn’t help it. Every time she turned out the light she heard a noise. A noise made her think of those boys and those boys made her think about Jubal Early. No one could sleep after they started thinkin about that one; she was sure of that. Kaylee heard a loud thump next to her door. That was it. She was going to find the Captain. He never slept and he’d just let her sit with him without askin a lot of questions. He was good at that. She climbed up the hatchway ladder and stuck her head out. There was a face inches from hers. She screamed and slammed the hatch shut. She clung to the ladder, gasping for breath. As she thought about it, the face seemed sort of familiar. She opened the hatch again. The young man was still there. “What are you doin?” The young man did not reply. “You scared me half to death.” “Sorry.” Kaylee gave him a good long look. He definitely shouldn’t be out of bed. Simon was going to have a fit. “You stay right here, don’t go nowhere.” Kaylee went in search of Simon. After a few minutes, the young man stirred again. He had to find a way out. A back door. The girl had seemed nice enough, but she was just going to turn him over to Them and he wasn’t goin back. He wandered down the hallway and up a flight of stairs. He was clutching the railing, trying to steady himself when he saw the shuttle.

Inara was looking at the sad crop of clients she had to choose on their next scheduled stop. On days when she was feeling particularly put out with Mal she silently accused him of choosing these places on purpose. The rational part of her knew that he couldn’t possibly know the client base. She needed to work, but she was seriously thinking of just going shopping with Kaylee and perhaps River, if Simon would let her out of his sight. She heard a thump behind her. Mal again, he was never going to knock. “You can’t” She stopped in mid rant, it wasn’t Mal. She had never seen him before. Thoughts of Jubal Early flashed through her mind. She picked up a small reddish statue, just in case. The young man had stopped in the doorway. For a moment Inara wished he had been part of the registry. He was tall, almost as tall as Mal, long brown hair and a nice body, although he looked as if he could stand to eat something. She wondered what his smile was like. She had a feeling that it was like Kaylee’s and would light up his whole face. Right now though, he just looked confused. “Abigail?” Before she could reply he collapsed into a heap on the floor. Inara stood for a moment staring, shocked. Then years of training took over. She walked calmly over to the intercom. She pressed the button planning to call Mal, but instead she heard herself requesting Simon instead.

Wash entered the Bridge tucking in his shirt. “So what’s up Mal?” “Everything’s quiet.” The young man stumbled in, banging into the wall. Mal turned quickly and stood up. “Wait a minute, this is the kid that Book found in that oil tub or whatever it was.” “Help, somebody needed help.” he gasped. “Looks like you’re the one that needs help friend.” Mal walked toward him. The young man opened his eyes and looked at Mal. His eyes widened. “Mal?” “That’s me. Who are you?” The young man’s breathing grew more labored. Pain flashed across his face. Wash moved closer, worried about him. “Mal, it’s me, Camden.” Wash saw Mal’s face close. “Mal,” Mal grabbed his shirt collar and shook him. “Look, I don’t know who you been talkin to, but you better shut your mouth before I make stuffin you in a barrel look tame.” He dropped him to the floor. The young man tried to sit up. He put some pressure on his left arm and collapsed back onto the floor. Wash looked at the young man for a moment. Then he saw blood begin to seep onto the young man’s sleeve. “Mal, Captain. We got to get him back to the Doc.” Mal walked over and picked the young man up. “You might want to put some pressure on that arm, lest you want him to bleed to death.” Mal carried the young man into what the Doc liked to call the infirmary. “Good, you found him. Strap him down, maybe he’ll stay put.” Mal dumped him on the table and left the room without a word. Wash wanted to follow him, but he was still pressing down on the young man’s arm. “Ai ya, he tore the stitches.” Simon ran a scanner over the arm. “Broke it too, zhou ma ben dan. What was he doing?” Simon looked to Wash for information, but the other man was staring after the Captain. “I just hope it was important.” Wash looked down at the young man on the table and then the way that Mal had gone.

Zoe had known something was wrong as soon as she saw Mal pass by the Common Room. A certain stiffness to the way he walked. She was about to follow him when she caught sight of Wash in the corner of her eye. She smelled the blood before she reached him, it was a smell you didn’t forget. “Babe, are you alright?” “What, oh yeah, not mine.” Zoe was relieved. “You know that kid we picked up, the one, he’s hurt.” “Doc’ll take care of it.” “It was weird. Acted like he knew the Captain, said his name was Camden.” “Camden?” “That’s what he said.” Zoe started for the infirmary. Wash caught her arm. “Zo , be careful with him. He’s hurt and Mal was-“ Zoe nodded.

Simon was washing his hands when Zoe arrived and stood in the doorway. Simon dried his hands and after a glance at his patient, joined Zoe. “Is there some kind of test you could do, I don’t want to hurt him none, that could tell if he’s related somehow’s to the Captain?” Simon’s eyes widened. “Yes, I’ve probably got enough blood from the two of them.” “How long?” “5-10 min.” “Keep it to yourself?” “Of course.” “Do it.” Zoe walked over to the table where the young man was lying. He was as pale as the sheet that Simon had pulled up around him. She brushed the hair from his forehead with her fingertips. He was so cold, for a moment she wondered if he had passed without Simon noticing. She thought she saw traces of the Captain there, but then again she might be seeing what she wanted to. Then he opened his eyes. “Doc says you should be resting.” He stared at Zoe for a long moment. “Mal, brought you to dinner,” Outwardly she showed no emotion, but her stomach clenched. She wanted to run from the room but his voice stopped her. “Tell Mal, I didn’t think it was him either, until he started yellin.” Zoe knew she needed to wait for the test results, but she also knew she couldn’t stay in that room any longer. “I’ll tell him, go to sleep now.” Zoe went and stood in the doorway with her back to the room. Simon looked up from his microscope. At first he thought that Zoe had left and then he saw her in the doorway. He walked up behind her, unsure of what to do. Zoe wasn’t someone you touched, so he settled for clearing his throat. “Do I have news for the Captain?” “You can tell him that there are two Tams and two Reynolds on board.” Zoe nodded and went to find Mal.

She found him moving boxes from one side of the cargo hold to the other. Zoe stood there for a while watching him go about his mindless activity. “Captain?” “Kinda busy here.” “I need to speak to you Captain.” “I told you I’m busy.” Kaylee wandered into the hold. She came to stand next to Zoe. “What’s he doin? “Moving boxes.” “Any particular reason?” “Captain always has a reason.” Kaylee gave Zoe a puzzled look and then headed off for her nightly chat with Inara. Zoe waited until Kaylee was upstairs before she decided she was tired of waiting for him to simmer down. She deliberately stepped into his path. Mal sat down the box. “I’m fast losing patience with you.” “Likewise. Now you come with me quiet like.” “And if I don’t.” “I’ll lock you in my quarters with Wash overnight.” “Ok. Gorram woman.”

Mal followed her up to the catwalk above the cargo hold. It might seem strange to someone unfamiliar with the ship to have a private conversation out in the open like this, but it was truly the only place where you could insure privacy. No one could come from any direction without you knowing about it first. “Mal, I had the Doc run a test. Boy’s tellin the truth.” “You have no right to go interfered in this.” “Mal, not knowing was going to eat you up alive. It’s a distraction and distractions are dangerous out here.” She waited for him to say something. Instead he clomped down the stairs and started moving boxes again. Zoe watched him for a while and then went to find Wash. He was in Navigation. Lounging back in the chair as if he was just gazing at the stars instead of piloting the ship. “You talked to the Captain.” Zoe nodded. “So do they know each other?” Zoe nodded again. “You might could say that, he’s the Captain’s brother.” Wash looked at her and then fiddled with the instrument panel for a few minutes. “So should we be planning a celebration?” “I’m not sure the Captain’s made up his mind about that.” Wash had no idea what to say to that.

The ship was quiet, dark. Simon left the Infirmary to get a cup of coffee. Mal stepped into the room. He looked at the young man on the table. He watched him sleep for a few minutes. He lifted the sheet and took a good look. Book’s description had been kind. He was black and blue. Mal took a long look at the slavery marks snaking up his leg. Mal replaced the sheet and started at the wall, his face hard. The young man stirred. As Mal stood there staring at him he opened his eyes. “You need the Doc?” Camden shook his head no. He swallowed. Mal went and poured a glass of water. He helped Camden to drink some of it. He helped Camden to settle back down onto the table. “You ok here?” Camden nodded. “I always thought the doc kept it too cold in here myself.” “I am kind of cold.” “Kinda stingy on the pain medication too.” Camden gave him a half smile. Mal looked behind him on the shelf until he found what he was looking for. He stuffed a bottle into his pocket and then picked up Camden. He carried him up to Inara’s shuttle. His hands full, Mal started kicking at the door until Inara opened it. “What.” “Get out of the way.” “I beg your pardon?” “Get the hell out of the way before I drop him.” Inara stepped aside and let Mal pass. She caught Jayne staring at her. She slammed the door shut. Mal was laying the young man down on the bed, He gently placed the blankets over him. Inara had never seen him be deliberately gentle before; there were times when he was gentle, but those almost seemed like accidents. She watched as he propped him up with pillows into a half sitting position. He also put one underneath the young man’s arm. He winced as Mal did that; Mal looked as if he had been struck. “Do you have some water?” He seemed so distracted she acted without thinking and handed him a glass with some water in it. He reached into his pocket. He stood next to the young man. “Cam? Open your mouth.” Mal put the pills in his mouth and then put the glass to his lips. “Swallow.” Mal pulled a chair up beside the bed and sat down. He was acting as though Inara wasn’t even in the room. “Mal, I’m sorry, the,” “ Nothin to be sorry for. Go to sleep now, nothin to worry about.” Mal put his hand on the young man’s forehead. He had the strangest expression on his face. It was almost as if he had been given something, but was afraid that someone was going to take it away again. Inara stood there staring at Mal flabbergasted. He had just broken one of her iron clad rules, and besides that he had taken over her bed. It soon became obvious to her that he wasn’t going to explain himself so she decided to go somewhere else for her explanation.

Book was down in the Galley trying to pull something that might resemble dinner for all of them. He moved several pots aside and found a box. He had never seen a box there before so he pulled it out. It was full of foodstuffs. Book checked where they normally kept the rations. It looked the same as it had when he had checked it last. They had never had a problem before with anyone squirreling away rations. He was truly puzzled. Zoe and Wash walked in. They both looked as surprised as he did by the box. Before any of them could say anything, Inara stormed in. “Has that man gone completely insane?” “What has the Captain done now?” “He’s acting like I don’t even rent that shuttle.” “Inara, I have no idea what’s going on.” Just then Simon came in. “Has anyone seen him?” “Who?” said Zoe, exasperated that everyone seemed to be yelling at her at once. “My wandering patient.” “I think he’s upstairs in my bed.” Simon raised his eyebrow. Wash stopped digging through the foodstuff box and looked at Zoe. “Guess the Captain made his decision.” “Looks like.” “Would someone please explain to me what’s going on here?” Zoe took a deep breath before replying, “Captain’s brother’s on board, he’s not doing so well, so I reckon the Captain figured he’d be more comfortable in your bed.” Inara sat down confused by the feelings warring inside of her. “The Captain’s brother you said?” asked Book. “Yes.” “Things just keep getting more and more interesting around here.” Book pulled a note from the bottom of the box. He laid it on the table. The note read,

Here are some things to tide you over until you get to your next stop. Tell the Captain and the Shepard thank you.

While the rest of them stood staring at the note, Simon went in search of his patient.

Inara took the stool from her makeup table and placed it on the other side of the bed. Malcolm still had not looked at her since she entered the shuttle. He kept his eyes trained on Camden. She sat silently for some time trying to read his mood, but he was completely contained. It was one of the things she found most intriguing in her better moods and infuriating in others. “Would it have been so hard to ask?” “If I ask then you say no. So, I don’t ask.” “I think that it’s wonder”- “No one asked your opinion, and it doesn’t matter anyhow. I’ll pay for a new bed, sheets, whatever you want.”

“So I guess you knew the Captain had a brother?”Wash asked. “Thought he was dead, Mal did too. After Serenity we went back and everything had been wiped out.” “Did he even look?” “Not in all the time in the war, did I ever see him close to breakin, but that day. I wasn’t sure the Captain was goin leave there if you take my meanin. Whatever he had left of who he was before, it took it all out of him.” “I guess he thought Mal was dead too.” “Logical assumption,”Book replied. “The first reports claimed that every Independent had been wiped out and the Alliance doesn’t like to admit mistakes.” “It wasn’t too healthy after the war to let on who’s side you were on, especially ours, so even if he had looked for us, it would have been next to impossible.” “I wonder what they’re going to do now?”

“No.” “Cam?” Mal had been dozing in the chair, but snapped awake. Camden’s eyes were open, but as far as Mal could tell he was looking at something that wasn’t there. “Shao huang zhe.” Mal tried to reassure him by placing his hand on Cam’s. Cam jerked away. “Cam, it’s Mal.” “You guys need to, get your stories straight. Mal’s dead.” Mal barked at Inara, “Get the Doc.” Mal put his hand to Camden’s forehead. It was clammy. “Get your damn blue hands off me.” “No one’s gonna hurt you here.”

The boy slipped away from him. Mal could see he was getting close to the edge of Inara’s bed. He grabbed at the shirt and it ripped as Camden fell to the floor. Mal vaulted over the bed only to discover Camden had crawled underneath it. “Come on, get out of there.” Mal reached for him and he scooted out the other side. For someone who couldn’t stand he moved incredibly fast, scooting on his butt, with one hand, accidently backing into some switch that opened the shuttle door. “Cam, don’t-stop!”

Everyone had heard the commotion. Mal stopped cold. Camden was close to the stairwell, not looking behind him. If he didn’t stop he was going to go down backwards, headfirst. Wash and Zoe were coming from the opposite direction, Mal held up his hand to tell them to stop. Kaylee was already frozen on the stairs above him. Book had moved so silently that none of them were aware of him until he was behind Camden on the stairs, ready to catch him if he did fall. “You got to stop this foolishness, the Doc’s going to make you go back downstairs if you don’t behave yourself.” Book was close enough that he could speak softly to him. “You’re safe here son, you’re on Serenity. You remember Serenity don’t you?” “Serenity.” “That’s right.” “Serenity’s where Mal died.” “No son.” “All gone, gone or dead.” Mal and Book exchanged a look. “Mal’s not dead.” Camden started to shake. “Liar.” Zoe whispered something to Wash and he disappeared back the way they came. “No.” “Better he is.” “Why?” Tears began to well up in his eyes. “Ashamed. He’d be so ashamed.” Camden shuddered again. “I couldn’t stop ‘em. So many. Blue hands everywhere.” Wash came back and handed Mal a blanket. He took it without looking at him. He walked over and knelt next to Camden. He put the blanket around his shoulders. Camden started to sag towards the deck. Mal caught him and gathered him into his lap. Everyone visibly relaxed. Book began to back down the stairs. Wash put his hand to Zoe’s elbow. She gave him a look that told him to wait. Mal had his head down on top of Camden’s and he was gently rocking him back and forth. Camden’s body slowly relaxed. Zoe walked over to them. “Captain?” Mal opened his eyes and looked at her. For just a moment she saw all his hurt, grief and confusion. Then he shoved it down and he was the Captain again. Zoe bent down and they made a chair of their arms and carried Camden back into Inara’s shuttle. It seemed to Wash that suddenly Inara and Simon were standing next to him. “You might want to wait a minute .” Simon looked as if he were about to argue when Inara put her hand on his arm. Zoe came out of the shuttle, wiping away a single tear that had run down her check. She came up to Wash and put her arm around his waist and he did the same to her. Then they walked back to the Bridge that way.

Simon gave Camden an injection. “That should take care of the fever. The most important thing, and I can’t stress this enough, you’ve got to keep him in this bed. There’s not much more I can do for him, mostly what he needs is rest.” River was there. No one had seen her enter the room, but there she was, with Camden’s head in her lap. She had wedged herself between the pillows and the headboard. “River, honey.” River put her fingers to her lips and shook her head, no. “I won’t, I can’t,” “No blue men here. Go to sleep.” “Mal, R” “All safe. Sleep. So tired for so long. No dreams, no remembers.” Mal held his breath as he watched Camden’s body relax. He started to let go of Camden’s hand, but River shook her head. Simon moved forward to retrieve River. “Let her be, I’ll keep an eye on both of them.” Simon gave Mal an odd look and left the shuttle. For a few moments, Inara and Mal sat in silence. “Why don’t you get some rest and I’ll keep an eye on both of them?” “I believe I’ll take you up on that.” Much to Inara’s surprise, instead of leaving, as she thought he would, Mal simply propped his feet up on the edge of the bed, shut his eyes and was snoring within minutes. Inara had almost lost count of how many men she had been with, but she knew which one was the most perplexing.

It was late the next afternoon when Camden woke. The first thing he became aware of was a small hand on his chest. He looked up without moving his head. Above him was a girl, she reminded him of a fairy. He was taking in everything else when an equally beautiful woman entered the room. Inara gave him her best welcoming smile. “Where exactly am I?” “Serenity, Firefly class, Captain Malcolm Reynolds ship.” He spent a few minutes taking that in. “Malcolm Reynolds?” “That’s still me.” Camden turned his head and stared at Mal. “Mal certainly has a flair for decorating.” “You know orange was always my favorite color.” The two men grinned at each other. Mal stood to leave. “You let me know if he causes you trouble, I’ll kick him downstairs.” “I’ll be a good boy.” “Nobody changes that much.” The two grinned at each other again. “You need the Doc?” “Nah.” “Go back to sleep.” Camden meekly closed his eyes. “I’ll be back to check on him in a while. I need to look after Serenity.”

Mal walked into the Mess and silently cursed himself. He had walked in during dinner. Now they were all looking at him like a bug in a jar. Mal glared at them all and went to the coffeepot. After pouring himself a mug he disappeared onto the Bridge. Book shook his head. Zoe and Wash exchanged a look while Jayne speared another piece of meat with his knife. “Whadya expect, a warm, fuzzy moment?”

Kaylee was the first to notice the odd pair. They were proceeding slowly down the walkway to the Mess area. River had her arm around Camden’s waist and while his arm across her shoulders looked casual enough it was clear from their pace that he was using her for support. They were so intent upon their goal that they didn’t speak to her as they went past. She was uncharacteristically silent, afraid that if she spoke she might throw them off balance. She watched them from behind. There was nothing romantic between them, that much was clear, but there was an ease there. Reminded her of how Zoe and the Captain were with each other. That made no sense though, these two had just met. Then something else struck her. River’s hair was done up in an elaborate braid that crisscrossed over the top of her head. It amazed Kaylee that River had allowed Inara to do something like that but then the girl was unpredictable. She turned back to her engine determined to get the repair done by midday.

The strange smell attracted them all to the Common Room. What lay before them was a feast they had never seen the likes of on Serenity. Pancakes, made with real flour, eggs, bacon, strawberries and syrup made from the strawberries. The last had a little sign with Kaylee’s name on it. They all stood staring at it, trying to figure out if it was actually real. “Where’d it all come from?” Kaylee wondered. It was then that Simon saw the two of them on the sofa. Camden and River were covered in flour. Camden was sound asleep with his head in River’s lap. River smiled at him. “Who cares.” Jayne exclaimed grabbing a fist full of bacon. That animated the rest of them into grabbing plates and digging in themselves.