Author: Tinadoll (aka Tina- That’s me!)

Setting: After BDM.

Rating: R to NC-17.

Spoilers: Yes.

Author’s note: This is a new chapter. Don’t remember if this chapter was Beta’d or not. I try to do the best I can editing by myself but you can do nice by just ignoring all the mistakes. Also if you missed Chapter 16 :http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=18645

Chapter 17- I left my heart in Serenity Valley.

She awoke the next morning with a start. Her dream had left her unsettled and she closed herself off from him even more. She needed to figure out if the dream who planted this idea and how she was invading Mal’s dreams.There was pain in the pit of her stomach. But she needed to hold on. Something happened at Serenity Valley. Her heart seemed to linger there.

But she kept her nose down and days turned to months. They took as many jobs as they could. It wasn’t the glamorous life she was use to but it was living- free of the sins of the past. The upside was that they were always on the move- and very hard to track. She could almost sense Lady Yoshida’s frustration. The only thing that kept her company was Shepard Book’s good book.

Soon everyone began to leave her alone. Even Zoë, who hated her before, now included her in meetings and even went so far and to lighten up a little. But it was an uphill battle and they were not at peace yet.

Her relationship with the River Tam deepened. River, whom now she called “mei-mei” on a regular basis, was like a true little sister, following her everywhere and even exchanging clothes. (Well more like River borrowed her stuff and never gave it back-Sneaky little albatross) Maria had extended her wardrobe to include sweaters and blue jeans (most of which she had to drag back from River’s room). And on Paquin, found a pair of worn and comfortable boots that she always wore. They were brown because she stayed away from black as much as she could. But in an effort to remember the past- she had one black out fit in a box under her bed-just in case she needed to resurrect Scorpion. To pass the time she was teaching Simon, River and Kaylee some martial arts defense techniques. Malcolm Reynolds didn’t interfere with that because in his mind, the more prepared his crew was for attack, the better of they were. In exchange for the lessons, Simon taught her some more medical stuff so she can assist him in the sickbay more often. But she sensed Kaylee becoming semi-jealous. But Maria reassured her that her emotions lay elsewhere.

One day they were sitting on the crosswalk overlooking the cargo bay where Jayne was stacking boxes. River joined them.

“Him?” Kaylee exclaimed, and then shut her mouth quickly. Maria grabbed her nose and shrugged. And ushered her to be quiet and let go.

“So are you just going to let her have him?” Kaylee said, addressing River.

The girl made an “Uh Yeah” face. “Early Christmas present.”

Kaylee looked at Maria and Maria said “I promised in exchange to con Mal into letting us get a pet,”

Kaylee’s eyes popped out. “Really?”

Maria nodded. “Ya really. Besides who actually wants to see them two together?” Kaylee raised her hand then so did River. She gave her a look and she rolled her eyes and raised her hand. And they all laughed.

“You guys takin’ a vote again on that dog I said that we would NOT get,” Mal said as he came out from the side door on his way to Inara’s shuttle. He was on his way to probably talk business with her.

“No, besides we already have one DOG on Serenity,” at this she turned her attention to Jayne, who gave her the look of death.

She threw the knife she had on her belt at him and it narrowly missed his head.

The only person other person she didn’t try to get closer too was Jayne. She didn’t want to get close to him because she knew her time on Serenity may be limited. Plus-well things were complicated. And they were giving each other the silent treatment ever since the “skirt” incident. Besides, he had refused to apologize.

She narrowed his eyes back at him and got up and grabbed her knife (which she got on her birthday from Simon- She had etched “Mary-Sue” on the handle) from the box. He was sweaty and had a musky scent to him, which didn’t stop him from getting too close.

He growled.

She growled back.

And she turned heel and walked back to the Bridge to check status of the journey.

Mal sighed and under his breath said, “I wait for the day when those two finally rut so that we can get past this,”

“Inara would say Ditto,” River said as she walked by him. He gave a look-but couldn’t do anything. Then he disappeared into Inara’s shuttle.

When the albatross reached the bridge she saw Maria absently minded playing with the dino’s. For some reason she felt that in order to be the pilot she would need to make peace with those little pieces of plastic. But she quickly hid them as she sensed River enter.

“Heya Mei-Mei,” she said to the girl and River stomped over sat in her co-pilots seat. The girl had a broad smile as she sat in the seat and they started having a heated debate about hair care products, when Zoë interrupted them. “Captains’ calling a meeting,” she said, and then headed out. Maria stabilized Serenity and put the navigation back on Auto-pilot.

“The key is in the conditioner.” Zoë added with a smile as she left

“Gorram it, she has a point,” Maria added as she followed her.

When they got to the Mess, everyone was waiting around. The Captain had not shown and was probably still with Inara…or in the head.

A couple of minutes later Inara and Mal were heard down the corridor having a big argument on their way to the Mess hall.

“No-I won’t put my reputation on the line again. Remember what happened at the last Shindig,” Inara said upon entering. “Well besides the Duel at Dawn thing, it went alright,” Mal said following her.

“No Mal,” she said defiantly. “It’s the biggest Shindig of the season, and I am looking to make some coin of my own.”

“Then who the hell is going to go? They would recognize me and Kaylee from the last time!” he said throwing his hands up in the air.

“Well I could go incognito,” Simon said as he raised his hand.

“Known Core fugitive walking into a Core party. Not the smartest thing in the ‘verse” Zoë said, tensely.

Maria thought for a moment and then raised her hand. “I could do it- And I could do it in costume.”

“Same situation,” Mal said stone faced.

“I’m not a fugitive,” she said, a twinkle of mischief in her eye.

Mal’s ears perked up “Go on,” he said sensing her need to continue her train of thought.

“I’m not a criminal-I’m a ghost in the machine. That’s what all the operatives are. If I was to be recognized at this shindig protocol would say that they turn the other way because it would be bad manners to recognize me. And who would they alert? The Alliance?”

She could see the wheels in Mal’s head turning. “Ok,” he finally said. “You can go. But who is going with you?”

“Well someone could go as my escort or my bodyguard…”she said, her voice trailed off. She had meant she wanted to take Zoë but all eyes looked to Jayne.

Jayne, who was picking his nails with Binky and wasn’t even paying that close attention, looked up and said “What?” then his eyes popped out when he realized that they had meant him and he said: “Gorram it.”