Part 3

********

Ella woke for breakfast the next morning. She got dressed and ready, stepped out and was face to face with River.

“You wanted someone. Someone to talk to. I’m here. We’re friends.”

“Yeah, we are, and I will.”

“I’m sorry. About Wash. I’m sorry I couldn’t see it.

“Oh, River no. Don’t worry about it. It wasn’t your fault. No one could have seen it coming, not even a psychic. Dong ma?”

“I weird, isn’t it? Seeing them together.”

“Yeah, my whole life she seemed so lonely. But here, now, it’s wonderful. I never thought I’d see this.”

Their conversation was cut short by Kaylee walking up.

“Hey girls, what’s goin’ on?”

“Just conversing with Ella.”

“But I thought her name was Allie?”

“Oh, it is, we’re just playing, right River?”

“Playing--engaging in fun or joyful activity.”

“Right…so you guys want some breakfast? I know you’re the cook and all now, Allie, but Shepard Book left us some nice fruits if you guys want some.”

“Thanks,” Ella replied.

Kaylee left the girls alone again and Ella turned to River and stepped in close.

“So, are Simon and Kaylee…yet?”

“Not yet.”

The girls giggled and headed to the kitchen. There Wash and Zoë were sitting at the table. Ella loved watching them interact with each other, they were so different but they complimented each other so well. She was a warrior, always in the action. He was a pilot, always staying behind with the ship. They were so beautiful together. Ella’s thoughts were soon interrupted by the Captain.

“Hey, girl. Come here for a second, will ya? There’s something I need to discuss with ya.”

Ella followed the Captain to his bunk.

“I’m sorry for draggin’ you down here. It’s such a mess, I just wanted to talk to ya private like.”

“It’s fine Captain. What’s on yer mind?”

“Miranda. That’s the planet, right?”

“Yeah, sir, it is,”

“If we get proper supplies, armor and such. Dress her up like a Reaver ship. We could do it. From the way it sounds of your story we just had to go with what we had at the time. But without the Alliance chasing us, we could get the story and bring it back. What do you think?”

“Wouldn’t it look suspicious, though? I mean, buying all of that stuff?” “We’re not going to buy it all at once, darlin’. Or all at the same place either.”

“It sounds real good Captain, ‘cept…”

“What?”

“What will you tell the others? How will you justify turning their home into a Reaver look-a-like ship?”

“Let me worry about that. But besides that? What do you think?”

“Sounds real shiny, Captain.” Ella hugged Mal. She had never loved him so much in her life. For him to trust her like he was. She knew she couldn’t do it in his position.

“Now, go eat. I’ll find a way to tell everyone, don’t you worry.”

******************************

He had to tell them. It was the only way he could justify going to Miranda. He couldn’t tell the girl, though. She trusted him. He’ll just tell the others to keep quiet about it. Hopefully they will. He waited until the girl was asleep, and then he knocked on Wash and Zoë’s door.

“Come down,” a voice yelled down.

“I have something I have to tell you guys. But you have to promise to keep it quiet. Don’t tell the girl.”

“The girl? You mean Allie?” Wash asked.

“Yeah, Allie. Well, first off her name is Ella, and she ain’t McConnell’s daughter. There isn’t even a McConnell.”

“I figured on that one, sir. You can’t forget the fact that everyone you know, I also know.”

Mal smiled. Zoë was still as sharp as ever.

“Well, there’s a bigger twist than there bein’ no McConnell.”

“What’s that, sir?”

“She’s your daughter.”

Wash collapsed on the bed, a blank expression on his face. “Wait, what?”

Zoë didn’t say anything, she just looked confused.

“Yeah, well, she’s from the future and she came back to well, fix things.”

“To fix what?” Zoë finally asked.

“Is that so important?”

“Sir?”

“Wash.”

This statement was followed by confused looks from both parties.

“She came to save Wash.”

He proceeded to tell the whole story, the Alliance, the Reavers, and how they were both intertwined with each other. Told them about how everyone who had ever helped them met their end because of the Alliance. Told them about Wash’s death. And then he told them about Ella and her plea for help and her story. When he finished the story, he stepped back, took a breath and looked at his friends.

“So, what are we gonna do?” Zoë asked quietly.

Mal told them his plan about turning their ship into an abomination, which doing that in order to get the word out and to save Wash was worth it. Wash just sat there not saying anything. Not sure what he should say. How could someone he’d never even met do so much to make sure he lived?

“Sounds like a good plan, Captain,” Zoe replied.

“I thought so. Well, I’ll let you guys get to sleep, we’ll start puttin’ the plan in motion as soon as we can. We’ll have to get a few more jobs, but we’ll get by fine.”

“G’night, sir.”

Mal left Wash and Zoe alone with their thoughts.

“Are you alright, bao bei?” Zoe asked her love.

“I don’t know. I just…”

Zoe kissed her man and then held him close to her. She was as confused as he was but she had to be strong for both of them. To find out that you are supposed to be dyin’ soon is enough to mess with anyone’s head, and Zoe just wanted To make sure Wash was going to be alright.

“We’ll have to buy her something or something,” Wash finally spoke.

Zoe smiled, “I’ll say.”

*******************************

Mal’s head was throbbing. He had taken so much in in the past few days. This girl had done everything to save someone she loves. It was amazing that she was willing to put everything on the line. He then decided to do something he should of done a long time ago.

“Mal. I wasn’t expecting you to call me like this.”

“Yeah, I know, I just…Well, I been thinking a lot. A lot about things.”

“Things? What kind of things?”

“Serenity and stuff.”

“I’m assuming you mean the ship.”

“Of course I mean the ship, ‘Nara,” she always had a way of being a smart ass. “I was just thinking about how much more I enjoyed her when, well, when you were here.”

“Mal, is business really that bad? Do you really feel as though you need a companion in order to get good work?”

“’Nara, I mean it. I just wanted to…see you again.”

“Fine, Mal! Quit being so pathetic! I’ll come back if you need a companion on board so bad. Just come and get me and clean up my shuttle. God knows what you’ve done to it since I’ve been gone.”

The screen went black, leaving Mal with his mouth hanging open. The open mouth slowly turned into a smile.

“I knew she missed me,” he said to himself.

***************

Mal decided to tell everyone else about the plan and the circumstances that lead up to it. But he also told them that when they talked about it act like it’s a job given to them by someone for a lot of money so Ella wouldn’t get suspicious. He didn’t have the heart to tell her that he broke his promise, it just made things so much easier to get away with if everyone knew exactly what was going on.

Mal told Inara separately.

“I’ll loan you the money.”

“Now, ‘Nara that ain’t necessary.”

“Please, Mal, just take it,” she was almost in tears.

“What’s the matter?”

“I’m so stupid.”

“What for?”

“Supporting unification. Living my life in this whole big stupid government. How can I go back to that life after this?”

“You don’t have to,” Mal said quietly. It hurt him to see her cry. He just wanted her to stay with him.

“Please, just take the money. You don’t even have to pay me back.”

“I will.”

She sniffed and whipped her tears. He took a step towards her.

“You can stay here. No charge. Keep your shuttle. Just stay.”

“And be a thief? A criminal?”

“It doesn’t matter what you are, gorramit!” he then spoke softer, “as long as you’re it with me.”

“Mal…”

“Just think about it.”