Inara screamed at the top of her lungs when the gun fired, but her voice was drowned out and all she could hear was that gunshot. It had such finality to it. As the screen went dark, her legs betrayed her and she fell to the floor.

"…h…he's gone. I never got to tell him… I…" Nothing mattered to her anymore, not Serenity, not the guild,… not the past. Everything that two days ago would have seemed so important was meaningless. The emptiness she felt in that moment was so complete she couldn't feel anything. Even the tears running down her face didn't get her attention as emotion consumed her.

"If only I had a glass to catch those in. There could be no drink sweeter, than your sadness." Atherton's grin brought her back, there was one last thing that mattered…revenge. The mercenaries were caught off guard as one second the woman was weeping on the floor and the next she had sprung to her feet and was rushing towards their employer. Only inches separated her hands from his throat when they caught hold of her. Keeping hold of her was a different story. It was like holding a tiger, Inara scratched and bit at anything she could as she thrashed in their arms. Atherton only continued to smile as he turned the vidscreen back on.

"Ughhh." That voice stopped her cold. Then she stared at the rise and fall of Mal's chest. He was alive.

"It was loaded with blanks if you're wondering." Atherton walked over to the vidscreen. "Don't think for a moment that I would let you or the good Captain off so easily. No, my dear when you die… and you WILL die. You will thank me for it. It will be a gift and a release, but it will not be quick. It will certainly not be painless. This is merely the beginning."

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Book walked through the tunnel staying close to the wall, and using his flashlight to find the path for he and Simon as they moved forward. The bag of weaponry over his shoulder forced him to stop here and there to readjust its bulky weight. Simon walked into his field of vision for a moment and the look of sheer disgust on the young man's face almost made the Shepard laugh.

"Haven't been down many sewers have you son?"

Simon struggled not to vomit. "I didn't think we'd ever go somewhere that smelt worse than Canton…"

Book smiled and took out the communicator. "We're about 2 miles from the target if the maps I received are accurate. Where do you stand Kaylee?"

"I parked our borrowed shuttle up behind this hill north of the castle. Nobody took sight of me, and I'm all set up and ready for you." came Kaylee's voice back thru.

"And our little surprises are they up and running?"

"Well it was tough to rewire them and get the control sequences set. This isn't what they are intended to do, but I'm fair certain it'll work if I time them right."

"Alright 16 minutes, no more comm. traffic, don't be late we need them distracted so we can get in without alerting anyone." Book shut off the communicator. "Come on son, we've got to hurry." Book began running forward at a good clip, as Simon followed after covering his mouth and nose.

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She walked into the room and shut her eyes fighting back her fears. Zoe was passed out in a chair, she had some burns evident on her skin, but her breathing was slow and steady. Wash was chained next to Jayne on the wall. He was breathing heavily and was leaning to the left, from the looks of the bruising Wash probably had a rib or two cracked. She managed to avoid looking at the wounds on Jayne's back. Jayne was looking past her with fury, trying to be as intimidating as possible, but even Inara could note the damage to his left arm and knew how bad off the man would be in a fight. Mal was in the worst shape of all now. She struggled but couldn't see a part of him free from cuts or abrasions. Mal looked up, and when his eyes met hers he struggled against the chains.

"Mal…" she ran over and ripping off part of her dress she started to wipe his face.

"No… you shouldn't have come…let her go…" Quickly Inara was pulled away from Mal. His protests were silenced by a right cross from Calaz.

"Heroic to the last I see." Atherton's voice was sickening as he walked towards Mal. "Well now that Inara is here safely, I can capture the rest of your crew without worrying about my mercenaries accidentally killing her. Once they are all here, I'm sure a few well placed explosives on the engine will make this all look like a tragic accident. Then I can dispose of all of you one by one." He spun around and yelled at Calaz. "Order the strike team to move on Serenity. If anyone is found take them alive, If not set the explosives and get out." Calaz and two mercs left quickly. "I'll make sure they get a video of your ships destruction Captain." One mercenary remained as Atherton turned around. "Have you ever been with a companion?" He asked the merc.

"No Sir."

"Then today is your lucky day, Inara here is one of the finest whores in the galaxy." he cupped her chin in his hand. "Isn't that right my dear?"

"I'm not a wh…" the words were cut off as Atherton slapped her to the ground.

"If she refuses to pleasure you, go ahead and shoot Reynolds." Atherton walked from the room as the mercenaries shadow rose up in front of Inara.

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Two guards stood outside the gate of Atherton's castle. The fortified stone walls were imposing, and with the anti-air guns on the roof and various heavily armed soldiers walking the grounds it seemed almost impregnable.

"Do you hear something?" asked the first guard. There was a faint buzzing, but he couldn't place it.

"Hmm… I think so, where's that coming from?" Then there was a rustling in the grass in front of them. They aimed their guns, but quickly dropped them as a remote control car came rolling out of the brush. Both mercenaries broke into a laugh as they relaxed their guard. The car drove right up between them and then they saw something strapped to it. It was a counter that was already counting down. Before they could make a move the grenade attached to the car exploded killing both guards and opening a hole in the gate. The guards walking the walls quickly started scanning the countryside, but couldn't catch sight of anyone nearby.

Kaylee took off her headset and smiled. Everything was going just like she hoped and with the video layout of Atherton's castle that Inara and Book had set up she could pilot the little attacks without being discovered. She quickly set up one of the remote control alliance gunship models and sent that flying off towards the castle.

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Book and Simon heard the explosion and the second it went off they forced open the grate leading into the deep cellar of the castle. Book quickly tossed Simon a gun as he pulled out a rifle for himself. The sounds of footsteps outside alerted them to the movement of guards. They took up positions to the right and left of the door the moment the first guard walked in Simon caught him in the neck with a needle and doped him with a dosage powerful enough to knock out 3 Jayne's. A second guard tried to rush Simon as the first one fell, but he was knocked cold by the butt of Book's rifle.

"Let's move it." said Book as he rushed through the door, with Simon right behind him.

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Inara continued to dance seductively for the mercenary. He wanted to savor everything about his free companion. She felt his eyes on her and it made her feel dirty right down to her core. The sound she had been waiting for came at last, it startled the mercenary but to her it was like the singing of angels as she rushed over to him.

"Now to show you the first thing we learned at the Companion Academy…" she purred seductively, with her face only inches from his. Moving faster than he could counter Inara jammed her fingers into two pressure points on his neck that knocked him unconscious right away. "It's called how to deal with rape."

Inara reached into the lining of her dress and pulled out two thin needles and began picking the lock on Mal's chains.

"They teach ya to pick locks there too?" he asked as the chains came undone and he rushed to help her free the others.

"Yes, there are a lot of interesting courses at "Whore School"…" she moved over to Jayne while Mal let Zoe and Wash loose.

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Atherton's strike team moved inside of Serenity silently. All 6 were armed with pistols and carrying various weapons as they moved through the airlock. The inside of the cargo bay was pitch black and even their flashlights seemed unable to illuminate the area.

"I don't hear anyone… could they have left somehow?" asked the first one in a whisper.

"I'm not sure… we'll do a full sweep to me sure… split up and then move out." said the leader.

"You shouldn't have come here…" River's voice echoed through the cargo bay and all the members of the team looked about trying to figure where it was coming from.

"Where is she? Keep a sharp eye…"

"You broke the rules… not good to cheat."

"Is that so little girl? Well tell you what I'm feeling generous you come out right now and we promise not to hurt you…" he was cut off by the sound of her laughter. It was all around them coming from all directions. Then there was a flash of movement on the catwalk and they opened fire, but hit nothing but air. The laughter reappeared in the far corner of the room. Again they opened fire, and again they missed their target.

"Back to back there's gotta be at least 3 of them." The strike team quickly faced away from each other, forming a tight circle in the center of the room. The mercenaries were beginning to get more than a little concerned. Then the airlock door sealed behind them.

"Were trapped!" The mercenaries continued scanning all around them for any sign of their enemy or enemies as the case may be.

"Ring around the rosy… Pockets full of posies…" The darkness and the haunting echoes of her voice rattled them and they began firing randomly into the shadows.

"Hold hold!" yelled the leader. When no voice interrupted the silence they relaxed.

"Ashes to ashes…" Their eyes widened. "We all fall DOWN!!!" The last word was loud clear and coming from the middle of the circle. Each mercenary turned and opened fire.

A moment later River turned on the lights and walked down the stairs into the cargo bay staring at the circle of dead mercs. She was about to turn away when she felt the presence in her mind. "Hahaha well done… well done indeed…" River shook her head and concentrated on forcing the voice out.

"In trouble can't wait he knows…" she rushed from the cargo bay towards the bridge.

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"I hate to point this out, but they have those cameras on us. Atherton's gonna be here any second with more guards." groaned Wash as he rubbed his wrists.

"He ain't gonna be too happy you gettin the drop on em neither." muttered Jayne as he walked over holding his left arm. Then the sound of a rifle firing caught their attention. Simon burst in to the room firing a few shots over Book's shoulder as they backed inside and shut the door.

"I hope we're not running too far behind." said Book as he reloaded the rifle and tossed the bag of weapons to Mal. "Thought you might want these." Mal quickly handed guns to Zoe, Wash and Inara and then pulled out Vera. Jayne caught it with his right hand, but put it down.

"Doc… I ain't gonna be able to handle Vera proper with my arm like this. Pop that back in for me…" Simon moved over and took a hold of Jayne's shoulder.

"Brace yourself this is gonna hurt." he swiftly moved it back into place. Jayne's yell echoed down the hall as the pain shot through him. Jayne's teeth tightened for a minute and then he growled in a strained voice. "Oh yeah it's time for some payback…" Vera was quickly loaded as he stepped behind the door.

"Want me to open that for you?" asked Book.

"No thanks, Vera don't need it she makes her own openings…" He listened to the sounds of the footsteps charging towards him and when they were right outside he fired 10 heavy shots right through the door. Everyone covered their ears as the sound of Vera was deafening. Once they put them down, Jayne opened the door and the bodies of 8 mercenaries were littered outside on the floor.

"Follow me quickly." said Book as he rushed out the door leading the way and keeping an eye open for any guards. Jayne followed quickly covering him, with the others just behind. Mal's injuries slowed him down so he and Inara were bringing up the rear. Mal kept his pistol out and kept watch on the corridors they passed to make sure they didn't get cut off.

Book turned a corner and quickly ducked back behind it as Atherton's men opened fire. Jayne, and Mal moved up next to him as Zoe, Wash and Simon covered the other direction.

"We have to get to the roof, but the stairs to get there are past the end of that hallway." said Book.

Mal took a quick look and ducked back just avoiding being shot. "How many you count Shepard?"

"I saw at least 15."

"We can't just stay pinned down here gorram it. They'll double back and we won't have any cover from that." muttered Jayne. Inara looked around and then grabbed Simon's communicator.

"Kaylee can you hear me?"

"Inara, what's going on? Is everyone alright?" said Kaylee from the other end.

"We're fine for now, but we need some help. Second floor, 3rd window from the right." she asked.

"I'll do my best." then they heard the glass shatter as two flying shuttle models smashed through the windows and exploded in the middle of Atherton's men. Jayne and Mal came around the corner and opened fire on the few who were left standing as the group started to make a run down the hallway.

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Atherton was enraged as he watched from the control room. They were loose and there had been no response from the strike team when they called for assistance. The defense system was having trouble keeping track of Serenity's crew, as small explosions continued to impact on different parts of the castle. The last one had taken out 15 of his best and knocked out 3 surveillance cameras. Then he saw them moving towards the dining hall. There was only one reason for heading that way.

"They are heading for the roof! Get everyone up there now. Cut them off I don't want them getting away!" Atherton turned and left the room. Taking a secret passage he saw them enter the dining room and as they got near to him he leaped out and grabbed Inara, putting a knife to her throat.

"That's far enough Captain. Drop your weapons or she dies." Atherton stayed tucked behind her knowing that several of Serenity's crew were excellent marksmen.

"Go for the roof the rest of you, I'll handle this." said Mal as he stared at Atherton coldly.

Zoe and the others didn't move. "We aren't going to just leave you two Sir!"

"I ain't planning on being left, we'll be with ya directly. Me and Ath got unfinished business it seems. I gave you all an order." Zoe stared for one more moment and then she and the rest of the crew headed through to the stairs.

"Well now Captain drop your weapon!" Mal held his arm out and dropped the pistol. Then he stepped towards the fire place where two swords were placed on stands.

"What do you say Ath ya feel like a rematch?"

"Mal no!" yelled Inara, but she stopped as Atherton pressed the knife closer to her throat.

"Are you serious Captain? Or have you forgotten the little lesson I taught you last time?"

"I have trouble remembering who won that duel Ath?" Mal reached up and pulled the swords down. He unsheathed one for himself and tossed the other at Atherton's feet. "Besides it won't be like last time, maybe I've been practicing." Atherton shoved Inara roughly to the ground and sliding his foot under the sheath of the blade he flipped it up into the air. His hand caught hold of the hilt as it rotated in front of him, with one deft motion he swung the sword to the right sending the sheath flying, as he took up his battle stance.

"Somehow Captain I don't think you've practiced enough." Atherton wasn't toying with him this time as he moved forward. Mal was struggling just to keep the sword at Bay as Atherton pressed his attack. Injured as he was he took several more cuts from the sword before both swords met and each man grabbed the other's arm.

"Face it Captain you can't win." Atherton smiled but a pained expression replaced in on his face as a gun was fired behind him. Mal let go and pushed him back as blood began to pour from the bullet wound and stained Atherton's blue shirt.

"It's not like last time Ath." said Mal as the man fell to his knees. "Last time I didn't have her." Atherton looked up to see the gun smoking in Inara's hands. Mal walked over to her as Atherton fell over dying.

"Mal… I…" she turned her head from him and looked to the side, but she felt his hand on her shoulder and slowly looked into his eyes.

"Inara…" he leaned towards her and then quickly dove to the ground pulling her with him as gunfire raced over their heads. Mal took the gun and opened fire on the mercenaries. As he and Inara made their way up the stairs, the mercenaries stopped next to Atherton.

"Kill them… kill them all…" he sputtered before he died.

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The roof was a battlefield as Serenity's crew traded fire with Atherton's guards. Kaylee felt helpless as the shuttle hovered from a safe distance away. She could see her friends needed help, but she couldn't move in any closer with the anti-air guns still active. The crew was pinned down, as the mercs outgunned them 6 to 1.

"There's gotta be something I can do…" she saw the anti-air guns still rotating waiting for her to come into range. "Run by computer…hmm…" Kaylee quickly began typing in commands.

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Serenity's crew was in a bad way, more mercenaries had followed them up the stairs and they were caught in a crossfire. Jayne, Book, Simon, and Wash held the guards off to the west, while Mal, Zoe, and Inara fired on the ones to the east.

"Gorram it we can't keep this up for long, were already running low on ammo." yelled Jayne after he knelt down behind the wall and reloaded Vera.

"If anyone's got any bright ideas now would be a real shiny time to suggest them." grumbled Mal.

Simon looked up as the anti-air gun that was across from them turned and pointed directly at him and the others. "C…captain I think we might have another problem." Mal turned and looked as the gun aimed at them.

"Oh rutting hell!" Mal and Zoe were about to run for it when the gun turned and opened fire on Atherton's guards. The remaining two anti-air guns also targeted the mercenaries and started laying waste to them.

"What the hell was that?" asked Jayne.

"Just a little surprise hun, I'm coming in." said Kaylee through the communicator as the shuttle flew right towards them. It stopped and hovered right over the roof as she opened the door. "Come on let's go." The crew quickly climbed inside as the shuttle took off making best speed away from Atherton's.

"What happened with those guns?" asked Zoe.

"I hacked into their defense system and just took manual control." smiled Kaylee. "Weren't too hard once I got the hang of it." A huge explosion shook the ship as an enemy shuttle came up behind them.

Wash took Kaylee's hand and lifted her from the seat as he took the helm. "I think I'll take it from here Kaylee."

"No problem…" then she turned and went over hugging Jayne closely, as her hands touched his back he winced. "Jayne… oh I'm sorry…"

"Ain't that bad." he struggled. "Thanks for getting us out there…"

Then Wash banked hard and threw them all to the ground. A wave started coming through and Mal turned it on as Wash continued to try and dodge the incoming blasts.

"You didn't think it would be that easy did you Reynolds?" asked Calaz.

"Atherton's dead what are you still on about?" growled Mal.

"I do what I'm paid to do, and I've been paid well in advance to kill you."

"Captain they've got a lock on us. Were humped…" Wash's face was still calm, but there wasn't anything left he could do.

"Good bye Captain Reynolds…" Calaz was about to fire, when his proximity alert went off. He looked up and saw Serenity flying right above him. It quickly turned it's engines down and the force pushed his attack shuttle into a downward spin that ended with a tremendous explosion.

"Serenity?" Zoe stared at the ship not understanding. Then the wave came through and River appeared on the screen.

"We got bored and lonely…" she smiled.

"Normally I'd be a might angry that you played with my ship, and didn't ask… but I guess we can let it slide. Wash link us up and get us out of here." said Mal as he sat down next to Inara.

"On it Captain."

Serenity took off a moment later and moved far from Atherton's estate without further resistance. Wash flew them to a lake far outside of the main towns and set down the ship. Simon spent the next several hours patching up wounds and cuts on everyone but River. Mal and Jayne still had a few new scars even after he was done taking care of them, but it could have been a lot worse. River walked into the infirmary as Wash finished patching a bullet wound that Book had taken in his left arm.

"You lied to me mei-mei." said Simon irritably.

"No she didn't, she never left the ship." she grinned.

"She's got you there son. OW!" Book looked over as Simon continued stitching.

"Sorry…But you know how I worry about you River."

"I can take care of myself…sometimes." she said looking down.

"I'd say you must be able to with those 6 dead mercenaries we had to just dump." said Zoe as she walked in wearing an assortment of patches and bandages.

"We played a game, but they cheated." River smiled and walked happily from the room.

"Maybe we ought to warn Jayne before the next time we play cards." said Book.

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Mal walked through Serenity's corridors. The rest of the crew were in their rooms, but Mal just couldn't sleep. He walked past the bunks and from what he could hear they weren't getting much sleep either. He made his way into the kitchen and stopped when he saw Inara sitting at the table crying softly.

"Inara?" she looked up and quickly wiped them away.

"Mal are you ok do you need anything?" she asked jumping up and moving over to get him a drink.

"I'm fine, but you've done enough, why don't you get some rest? Been a busy day what with your leading a rescue and all." he smiled.

"I can't sleep…" she shook her head and took another drink from her glass. "When Atherton sent me that wave… I thought…I…" she dropped the cup as tears overwhelmed her again. It felt like she was going to fall, but then she felt two arms wrap around her. Inara leaned in against his chest burying her sobs in him while she wrapped her own arms around him, clinging to him like she expected him to be ripped from her at any moment. "I thought you were dead…" she managed to let out after a few minutes. "I…" She shut her eyes as his hand wiped away some of her tears. They opened wide in sudden shock as she felt his lips against her own. Instinct told her to pull away, but she couldn't resist as she savored the closeness. When he finally broke the kiss he looked deep into her eyes.

"I tried to say this once before, and it didn't turn out so well… I'm not a companion, or a reader, but I hope I'm not too far off in assuming you've got some feelings for me too." She tried to turn away, but couldn't pull her gaze from his eyes.

"But…I…"

"A yes or no is all that matters Inara, let's not make this harder than it has to be."

"I… yes…" She shut her eyes as he leaned down to kiss her once more. This time she didn't hesitate as she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. They remained in that embrace for some time, neither wanting it to end, before Inara spoke.

"Mal this will make things very complicated for us…"

"Well what the hell on this ship ain't complicated? Whatever problems come up from this we can deal with em. The only people who got call to stop this are you and me. I don't want it to stop do you?"

She shook her head and then rested it on his chest and listened to his heart beat. Then she remembered watching the vidscreen where she saw the man shoot Mal. "Please promise me something. Promise we're going to leave Persephone right away and never come back?"

"Can't promise we'll leave right away there's one last loose end we need to take care of."

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Badger sat at his desk grinning as he checked his account balance. Atherton had been as good as his word. With these new funds he'd be able to dodge the alliance and start a fresh business maybe even one legal enough to make money with the upper half of society. He leaned back in his chair thinking about the big house he had his eye on. Then there was the loud rumbling of an engine above the roof, a moment later 5 loud shots were fired leaving gaping wholes above him. Before Badger could do anything a gas grenade fell into his lap and he passed out.

The loud engine was still there when he woke up. He opened his eyes and let out a scream as he found himself dangling in a harness, with the ocean beneath him stretching in all directions. He looked up and saw Mal sitting at the edge of the opening.

"Now this is an interesting change of pace isn't it Badger?" asked Mal.

"Reynolds! You had better reel me up right now." growled Badger. Mal shook his head and grinned.

"Jayne how's it coming?" he asked.

"Pretty good Mal looks like that chum really worked." Jayne looked down at Badger smiling. Badger looked beneath himself now and saw several dorsal fins cutting through the red water beneath him.

"Ah!! Reynolds! M…Mal… It was just business… I'll give you your cut of the job. Not to worry it's all still in my account."

"Wash Badger looks like he wants to go for a swim take us down."

"Will do Captain." Badger grabbed hold of the cable and tried to climb up as the water got closer when Jayne pulled out a knife and pressed it to the cable.

"You start climbing and I'll have to cut it you miserable, rutting, go sa." growled Jayne, Badger's fear was clear on his face as he let go of the cable. His feet were just above the water now when the ship stopped.

"I want the access codes to your accounts." said Mal.

"Are you crazy?!" yelled Badger. Mal's response was one word to Wash. The grinning pilot quickly lowered him all the way into the water. Badger thrashed and tried to tread water.

"Good move Badger that kind of activity is what attracts them." laughed Zoe as one of the larger dorsal fins started swimming straight towards him. Just before it got too close Wash raised altitude and lifted him out of range of the shark.

"Well Badger you gonna give up the codes or am I gonna have to dunk you again?" asked Mal.

"Reynolds I promise you I'll kill you for this!!"

"Guess Badger hasn't cooled off enough yet let's take him down again Wash." as soon as the ship began the slow descent back towards the water Badger yelped.

"Alright alright the code is 15J9ER5837A!!!" The ship stopped and Kaylee typed it into the computer and then gave Mal a thumbs up.

"Well that's good to hear Badger. Now for the bad news, I've decided to renegotiate our deal. We stood to make a 50% profit off that job, I figure given your current circumstances we'll be taking the full amount. In return you get to go back to dry land instead of in the drink."

"Alright!.. just let me up!" yelled Badger.

"Let you up? I didn't say anything about giving you a ride." Mal pointed to a small wooden raft. "That's your ride. Hope you’re a fast swimmer these sharks look a might hungry." Jayne grinned and cut the cable dropping Badger in the water. Badger panicked and swam as hard as he could just getting on the raft before a shark could rip off his legs.

"Always good doing business with ya Badger." Came Mal's voice over the intercom as Serenity powered up and flew away.

"Damn you Reynolds! I swear I'll get you!" He shouted from his raft as Serenity left the world.