Out to the black Chapter 5

Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. I’m just playing. No money being made.

This is my first Fan Fic ever. Constructive reviews are shiny.

This fic takes place two years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee and Mal/Inara along with a Jayne/River friendship.

After the gunfight, the law shows up.

Out to the black

Chapter Five –Aftermath

Jayne, Zoë and Mal jumped out of the Mule as soon as it reached the end of Serenity’s ramp, weapons at the ready. Mal spoke first while surveying the carnage.

“River, what in the hell happened?”

“This one,” River said, pointing to the moaning man lying on the ramp, his ruined knee bleeding heavily.” Was after Jayne, we tried to convince him that Jayne wasn’t here. Didn’t believe us. Tried to board the ship.”

“And these other five men?”

“His cronies” River replied with a smile.

Jayne strode up to the man on the deck, recognition on his face. “Marco, you liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze fuh ur-tze!”

“Huh?” Mal replied.

“Member when I joined up with’s ya’” This is the piece of luh-suh I was runnin’ with that day.”

“I seem’s to remember you shootin’ him in the leg that day too…”

“Same leg” Jayne laughed. “This all your work there Tross’?” Mal asked the diminutive psychic.

“I got three, Allan shot those two” River said pointing to the two dead men with the tightly grouped double taps to the chest.

“I’m ‘pressed… tight groups, right in tha’ ticker. Old timer’s got some skills” Jayne complemented.

Mal strode over to the older man sitting on the edge of the ramp, head hung low looking at his feet. Mal noticed Allan’s hands were shaking a bit.

“You all right there Allan?”

“Peachy”

“You sure? I mean, not all folks handle killin all that…”

“Not the first time I’ve ever shot and killed someone Mal.” Allan said. Cutting the captain off.

“Huh?”

“Long story.” Allan took a deep breath,” Give me a couple of minutes to get the adrenalin out of my system and I’ll be fine. In the meantime, you might want to get Simon out of the engine room to look at that guy’s leg. Probably bleed out pretty soon without attention.”

“Ain’t got time fer’ that, need to get out o’ the world a’ fore the law shows up”

“Too late” River said quietly.

“This is the Sheriff, Alla’ you stand fast with your hands where I can see them!” A voice commanded.

Mal turned, ” Shu ma nyaow!”

The crew of Serenity lifted their hands and turned to face the group of eight armed men approaching at a trot. All wore badges and carried rifles. The man in the lead also wore a brown duster, eerily similar to the one Mal owned.

“What in the ruttin hell is goin on here?” The sheriff said angrily. Spotting the bleeding and moaning man on the ramp, he turned to one of his men. “Toby, go fetch the doc”

The man nodded and ran off the direction he had come. Turning his attention to the group in front of him, the sheriff continued. “Who’s all in charge o’ this lot?”

“That would be me sheriff,” Mal said, hands still in the air. “Name’s Reynolds, Captain Malcolm Reynolds”

A flash of recognition crossed the sheriff’s face for a moment. It made Mal a little nervous. “Can you explain all of this?” the sheriff continued.

Mal looked around a bit looking confused. “I, uh…”

“I can sheriff.” Allan spoke up, moving to stand next to Mal. “The Captain and the senior crew were off the ship, the pilot and myself were in the bay here. This man,” Allan said indicating the now unconscious Marco. “And his men tried to force entry to the ship. We merely defended ourselves.”

“Who’s the pilot?”

River started to open her mouth but Zoë stepped forward. “I am,” She said simply. It wasn’t a lie. Zoë occasionally piloted Serenity.

The sheriff looked at the tall dark skinned woman and suddenly started to grin. “Zoë, that you?”

“Zoë had a confused look on her face. “We met before?”

“Last time you saw me I had a big bushy beard and more hair. “The sheriff said handing his rifle off to a deputy who looked confused.

“Jacob?” Zoë asked.

“Yep”

A huge grin came across Zoë’s normally stoic face as she ran to the lawman. Mal looked extremely confused.

“Jacob Buford, son of a bitch” Zoë said smiling as she hugged the sheriff.

The deputies looked as confused as Serenities crew. Allan slid up to Mal and whispered, “You know this guy Mal?”

“Not a clue” was the reply.

“How ya’ doin’ Sar-maj?” Zoë said breaking the hug.

“Fair to middling, Corporal” Jacob said with a grin. “This the fella that got you through Serenity?” nodding in Mal’s direction.

“Sure is” “I think I need to buy him a drink then”

“I think he’d agree to that,” Zoë said.

“Uh, Zoë, you mind introducin’ the rest o’ us?” Mal asked.

“Sorry Sir,” Zoë said quickly. “This here’s Sergeant –Major Jacob Buford o’ the 87th Overlanders, the unit I was in before yours.”

Mal stepped forward and took Jacob’s offered hand. “Always glad to meet another Browncoat.” Mal said with a genuine smile on his face, “Specially the ones who outrank me.”

Jacob looked Mal in the eye. “You had more men an women under your command as a buck sergeant at Serenity Valley than I had in my whole career. Well done son… Well done.”

Mal cleared his throat. “Well… We all did what we had to…”

Mal was interrupted by the arrival of an expensive looking, black ground car. An older distinguished looking man exited along with Toby, the Deputy sent to bring the doctor.

“Your patient’s over here Doc.” Jacob said pointing to Marco, “The rest are done for.” The sheriff added. “Mike, help Toby an the Doc get this man to the Jail. The rest o’ you get the undertaker o’ here and clean up this mess. I’ll deal with the paperwork.”

Mal looked at the Sheriff quizzically. “Huh?”

Jacob spoke up loudly, “Sorry bout’ the mess here Captain, seems we had some kinda shootin here in front of your berth just a’ fore your ship arrived. Sorry for the delay but I think my investigation is taken care of now.” Jacob finished with a wink at Mal.

Mal looked even more confused.

“I been chasin’ this lot all over town for the last two weeks.” Jacob said quietly, “Haven’t been able to catch em’ in the act doin anything illegal. Think I need to be buyin your crew some drinks down at Sadie’s”

Mal let out the breath that he didn’t realize he had been holding. “I appreciate the offer Sheriff, but we got a cargo to deliver over on Aberdeen and we need to be goin’.”

“I understand Captain” Jacob said a little saddened, “But if you all are back on Boros anytime I’ll be still offerin those drinks.”

“I’ll hold you to that” Mal said with a smile and a handshake.

Jacob continued as he turned to leave. ”Ain’t no Alliance round these parts, I do a good nough’ job enforcing the law so they leave things alone around here. If you need a safe harbor, give me a wave”

“Thanks Sheriff… Jacob”

“Zoë, take care o’ yerself and don’t be a stranger.” Jacob said as he stepped off Serenities ramp.

“Sure nough’ Sar-Maj” She replied with a smile.

The crew made their way up the ramp as Zoë drove the Mule into the bay. Mal hit the control to close the heavy door and then pushed the button for the intercom.

“Kaylee, once you’re done defilin’ my engine room w’ the young doctor, how about getting us ready to leave the world.”

Mal started counting under his breath. He got to twelve before he heard a reply over the com.

“Aye aye Cap’n.” came Kaylee’s breathless reply.

“Gorram love boat around here.” He said to no one in particular but staring at Inara. She returned his gaze, licking her lips. Turning to the rest of the crew to avoid turning red Mal began barking out orders.

“Jayne, stow the cargo, Allan give Zoë a hand securing the Mule. Might as well start earnin’ your keep round here.” Spying the open container of frozen meat in the bay Mal asked Allan a question. “You a fair hand in the kitchen?”

“I’m no gourmet chef but I haven’t killed myself with my own cooking yet.”

Mal laughed. “Good nough’, maybe you can rustle up a late lunch outta all that real food yonder once we’re in the black. Now I got…uh captainy things to do...” Mal said as he took Inara’s hand and led her up the catwalk to her shuttle.

“You got it Captain.” Allan replied.

“River, Take us outta’ the world, we got a cargo to deliver” was the last thing Mal said before Inara dragged him through the hatch into the shuttle.

“Yes Sir Captain Daddy.” River giggled. As she passed Allan heading for the bridge River winked at him and said, “ Seven becomes eight. Welcome to the family.”

Allan’s gaze followed the young pilot as she climbed the gangway to the bridge, trying to figure out what she meant.

Jayne’s head popped up from behind some crates. “Somebody say something about real food?”

Allan and Zoë then looked at each other for a moment and started laughing until their sides hurt.

“What’s s’ funny?” Jayne asked confused.

“Nothing Jayne,” Allan was able to finally gasp out. We just remembered one of the things Zoë said to me last night.

Jayne still looked confused. Allan pantomimed his hand moving quickly over his head. Zoë nodded still laughing, as she finished securing the Mule.

Walking over to the container of frozen food, Allan asked Zoë, “How’s hamburgers and french fries sound for lunch?”

“What’s a french fry?” Zoë asked confused.

“Ohh Boy.”

TBC