Out to the black Chapter 11

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. Might become Rayne later… Maybe

Out to the black

Chapter Eleven – First kiss

Allan made his way aft from the bridge down to the common area and the infirmary. Entering he saw Zoë cleaning the blood and brains off the wall belonging to the two blue hands that he and Serenity’s first mate had killed. The bodies were nowhere to be seen. Kaylee and Inara were sitting on the sofa, still groggy from the tranquilizer darts that they had been struck with.

River Sat in the recliner, right arm in a sling. She seemed a bit out of it as well. Simon was still in the infirmary, still working over Mal who still appeared unconscious.

“How’s Mal?” Allan asked Zoë.

“Still out, Simon thinks he’s got a concussion and maybe a minor skull fracture. Know more in a couple of hours”

Nodding, Allan turned and stuck his head into the infirmary, “Anything you need Simon?”

Simon turned to the older man and sighed, “Can you check on Kaylee and Inara? I’m kind of busy here.”

“Sure thing Doc, anything else?”

“Would you be able to draw some blood from them? I need to see what they were drugged with.”

“Been a while but I think I remember how,” Allan replied.

“Blood draw set is in the third drawer on the left”

“Got it, back in a bit”

“Thank you Allan”

Allan took the supplies and walked over to Kaylee on the sofa. Kneeling down, he shined a small light in Kaylee’s eyes, checking her pupils. “How ya doing there Kaylee?”

“Feel yucky,” the young woman slurred.

“I bet. I’m gonna draw some blood so Simon can figure out what they hit you with. That okay?”

“Mmm, hmm” Kaylee mumbled.

“You’re going to feel a little stick,” Allan said as he slid the needle into the vein on the inside of Kaylee’s elbow, filling the small vial with blood. Once full, Allan removed the needle and put a small bandage over the site where the blood was drawn.

Repeating the process with Inara, Allan returned the samples to Simon. Zoë, having finished cleaning, moved over to River. She knelt down in front of the young girl, speaking in low tones that Allan couldn’t hear.

Entering the infirmary, Allan handed Simon the samples, “Here you go Simon.”

The younger man smiled a thin smile “Thank you.”

Simon placed the samples in his analyzer. A moment later the device beeped. A small printer spiting out the details. Simon let out the breath he had been holding, relief showing on his face.

“Just a fast acting but long life narcotic compound… easy to counteract.

Simon reached into a cabinet and removed a small vial of medication. Placing it in his hypo spray, he handed the spray to Allan. “I’ve set the dosage, just inject them in the arm, should work in a few minutes.”

Pausing a moment, Allan asked a question, “Simon, Who the hell were those guys? I mean River was petrified of them, normally you would think that she would have cleaned their clocks.”

Simon’s shoulders dropped, “They work for Blue Sun… They’re, troubleshooters so to speak. Operate above the law. They can kill or maim without question. Part of River’s mental programming is severe terror at the sight of any Blue Hand agent. My and River’s Federal warrants were rescinded after Miranda, but Blue Sun still wants River back.”

“Back? Back for what?”

“So they can finish what they started before I got her out.”

Allan’s face clouded, “Son of a bitch…”

Patting the older man on the shoulder, Simon smiled, “Better see to Kaylee and Inara.”

“Right”

Moving over to the two women on the couch, Allan gave them the injections. The results were almost immediate. Inara’s and Kaylee’s eyes suddenly lost their glassy look, Inara looked at Allan and asked, “How’s Mal?” a tremble in her voice.

“Still out, Simon thinks his prognosis is good though. Best guess he’ll be out twelve to eighteen hours or so,” Allan comforted.

Inara nodded, “Can I see him?”

Simon walked over and smiled at the former companion, “Go ahead Inara, He’s stable. It will just take time before he wakes up”

Inara stood and nearly ran to Mal’s bedside.

Simon sat next to Kaylee, putting his arms around her shoulders. Kaylee leaned her head against his shoulder, tears starting to flow.

“Capn’ gonna be alright?”

“Shhh Ai-ren, He’ll be fine. It’s just going to take a while.” Simon comforted his girlfriend.

Moving away to give the couple some privacy, Allan looked to Zoë who was still talking to River. Walking over to the pair, Allan knelt down beside Zoë, ”How ya’ doin kiddo?”

“She is functioning adequately,” River said quietly.

Zoë’s face clouded. River almost never referred to herself in the third person anymore.

Reading Zoë’s thought’s, River continued.” She did not sense the danger, it is her fault that the Captain is injured. Even in front of her, she could not see them. Blank slate.” She almost wailed.

“You mean you couldn’t feel their minds mei-mei?”

River nodded, “Black hole, no light to see.”

“Zoë, Where’s that device they had that you broke?” Allan asked quietly.

“Over on the table, why?”

“I’ve got an idea,” Allan said as he rose and walked to the coffee table in the center of the room.

Simon rose as well, going across the room to examine his Sister. Allan looked at the device on the table. Moving to sit on the sofa next to Kaylee, Allan picked the strange item up. Turning it over in his hands, Allan looked for any outward signs of what it did. It was roughly T Shaped. The top bars folded down, allowing it to be stored in a pocket. Kaylee moved over next to Allan. He smiled at the young mechanic, “Doing ok?” He asked simply.

“Better now, what do you think that is?”

“Don’t know. But when it was on, Simon was rendered unconscious and River couldn’t read anyone.”

“How could it do that?”

“Not sure yet… But I intend to find out,” Allan said grimly.

Kaylee nodded, “Let me get some tools, be right back.” Standing up a little shakily, Kaylee slowly climbed the stairs, leading to the upper decks and the engine room.

Jayne entered from the cargo bay, moving much quieter than Allan had ever heard him move, “How’s the girl?” the big Merc asked Allan.

Glancing at River, Allan replied, “Okay I guess, still pretty shook up.”

“How’d they get onboard? I mean last time we ran in ta’ them hundan’s, she felt em’ a mile off”

“Said she couldn’t feel them,” Zoë said, approaching the two men, “blocked her somehow… Bodies disposed of Jayne?”

“Yep, dumped in space, nobody gonna find em,” Jayne answered, “How’d they keep Moonie from readin’ em?”

“This I think,” Allan said pointing to the device. “If me and Kaylee can figure out how it works, maybe we can make a defense for it… Keep it from happening again.”

“You keep working on that Allan,” Zoë said quickly, “I’m headed for the bridge. Need to check the cortex to see what kind of ruckus we raised when we left Aberdeen. Also I need to wave Jacob on Boros… See if he has a spot we can lay low a while.”

”Okay, Zoë, I’ll see what we can come up with. No guarantees though,”

Zoë smiled and squeezed Allan’s shoulder, “Just do your best.” Turning quickly She left the room heading for the bridge.

Kaylee returned a moment later with a small toolbox and some testing gear. Pulling a chair up opposite Allan, the pair of them began to take the device apart.

Feeling he needed to do something, Jayne rose and walked to the door of the infirmary. Spying Inara inside holding Mal’s hand he hesitated by the door. Trying not to startle the woman, Jayne cleared his throat.

Turning, Inara smiled weakly at the Merc, “Hello Jayne.”

“Hey Nara, how’s the Capn’ doing?”

“Stable for now. Simon says there’s no brain swelling… Thank Buddha. But it could be minutes or days before he wakes up,” Inara choked out, trying not to cry.

“Man’s too damn ornery ta up an die on ya” Jayne said with a smile. “Lucky bastard’s got a pretty thing like you’s to come back to.”

Despite her building tears, Inara giggled a bit at that, “Jayne Cobb, I swear you just made a complement…”

“Nah, that’d ruin my rep” The big man said with a grin. “Anything you need?” He said more seriously.

“Some food wouldn’t hurt, I admit I’m pretty hungry.”

“See’s what I can do.”

Turning back to the lounge, Jayne could see where Kaylee and Allan were poking around the circuitry of the device. Quietly he spoke up. “Hey Allan, you got anything thawed out o’ your stash? Figured I’d whip us up some grub.”

“Big container of beef stew in the fridge,” Allan said not even looking up from his work, “All you need to do is heat it up.”

“Good ‘nough, Back in a bit”

Jayne made his way to the galley. Finding the container of stew, Jayne poured it into a big pot began to heat it up. Ten minutes later the food was warm. Spooning some into a bowl, Jayne headed for the bridge to bring Zoë some dinner. As he stepped through the hatch, Zoë’s voice startled him.

“Hey Jayne.”

“Never could sneak up on you,” the big man chuckled, “Brought you some grub.”

“You cook it?” Zoë asked, still staring at the cortex screen.

“Nope, real food. Some stew Gramps made. I jus’ warmed it up.”

“I’ll take it then” Zoë said with a small laugh.

“You disparagin’ my cookin woman?”

“Remember, I can hurt you…” Zoë said turning with a smile, “Only one who cooks worse than you is Simon.”

“I can cook…” Jayne started to protest

“Outside over a fire, yes”

Jayne growled good naturedly, She was right, Jayne was a menace in the kitchen but over a barbeque, he did okay. Turning serious, Jayne asked, “How we doing?”

“Not too bad, No warrant’s but New Glasgow port control doesn’t like us much, hefty fine to pay if we go back.”

“Not so bad” Jayne answered, “No mention o’ the feds we knocked out?”

“No, that has me worried a bit”

Jayne grunted in agreement. Turning he spoke again, “Gotta get the rest o’ the crew their grub, let me know iffn’ you need anythin.”

“Thanks Jayne”

After the big man left, Zoë turned back to the console, double-checking the ships course to Boros. Satisfied that Allan had them on course, she took a mouthful of the stew. Zoë Smiled, the stew was really good. Thinking about Serenity’s newest crewmember, Zoë found her emotions conflicted. She still loved Wash. She always would, but maybe just maybe there was room for another man in her life. Allan was quite a catch she thought. Smart, handsome, good cook, a pilot of extraordinary skill, perhaps as good as Wash. Not to mention rich... very rich. Quite a catch indeed.

Reaching out to touch one of the dinosaurs on the console, she smiled, “I still love ya’ baby. But maybe it’s time I moved on a bit. Not trying to replace you mind, just someone to help me be a bit happier. Think you’d like him. Not quite as funny as you but he’s not bad. Good pilot too. He’s helping River with Serenity. Kaylee too. Man’s an engineer. Comes from Earth that was. Designed the exodus ships. Put hisself in cryo, Supposed to show up bout three hundred years ago, but his ship got damaged. We found him in the black bout’ a week ago.

Tearing up, Zoë sniffed and continued her monologue, “Fit right in with the crew. River took to him right off. Hell, Mal even likes him. Good man in a fight too. Helped fight off one o’ Jayne’s ex partners and his men. Shot two men hisself. River got three and Jayne got one. All within a day o’ comin on the ship. Funny thing is, ya’ know how I hated you at first cause of that gorram lip ferret you had when you came on? Well Allan’s is bigger and bushier than yours used to be… and gorramit I like the thing. Figure that one out.”

Crying openly now, Zoë kept on talking, “Don’t believe how quick this is happenin’ I’ve known the man only about a week and I think I’m fallin for him. Don’t that get all. I feel like I’m betrayin’ you but… but”

“He’s happy for you” River said quietly from the hatch.

“What?” Zoë said, turning quickly and wiping her eyes.

River smiled at Zoë, “Not betraying, He understands. Want’s you to be happy”

Zoë’s eyes lost focus for a moment, “How do you know that mei-mei?”

“I feel his presence sometimes… Hard to explain, emotions, feelings…” the young psychic trailed off.

“You sense him?”

“Sort of, not directly, it’s like echoes. But I know he is happy for you. I feel the love… and acceptance. I know he would like Allan too.”

Zoë stood up, wiping the tears from her face. Reaching out, she drew the younger woman into a hug, careful of her injured arm, “Thank you River”

“Your welcome. Better hurry though. Captain Daddy will be waking up soon. He’ll want to see you. I can take the watch. If we need to do any wild flying, I’ll call Allan, since this Albatross only has one wing for the moment.” River finished with a smile, “Now scoot!”

“Yes ma’am,” Zoë laughed as she headed for the infirmary.

Upon arriving in the Infirmary, Zoë found most of the crew surrounding the door. Inara was inside with Simon, Inara holding Mal’s hand, quietly calling his name. Mal wasn’t fully conscious yet but he was close. Simon injected something into Mal’s IV.

A few minutes later, Mal slowly opened his eyes. Looking around he saw that he was in Serenity’s infirmary with Inara by his side.

“Hey Bao-bei” Mal said weakly

“Hey yourself,” Inara replied relief on her face.

“Where’s River?” Mal said suddenly looking around for his pilot.

“On the bridge, she was injured slightly but she will be fine” Inara answered.

“Injured?”

“Her right shoulder was dislocated,” Simon interjected. “Her arm is in a sling but she will be fine in a few days.”

Mal relaxed a bit, “Zoë?”

“Right here Sir.”

“Report,” Mal said simply.

“We’re in the black, headed to Boros. Waved Jacob and he said we could lay low there a bit till everyone’s healed up. Blue hands are dead, Allan and me got em’. Spaced the bodies. New Glasgow’s port don’t like us much. Left in bit of a hurry. Got fines and such we ever go back.”

“Could be worse,” Mal said trying to stay awake, “Feelin kinda sleepy here Zoë, We’ll finish in the mornin.”

“Good idea Sir”

“We all need some rest,” Simon, piped up, “Inara, I can set up a cot in here for you if you would like.”

“Thank you Simon,” Inara said, “I’ll take you up on that offer”

“The rest of you, get to your bunks and rest. Been a long day” Zoë ordered.

Serenity’s crew headed for their bunks. Zoë hesitated a moment in the lounge. When everyone else had left, she made her way towards the passenger dorms, stopping outside Allan’s closed door. Zoë’s heart was racing, her mind in turmoil. Steeling herself, Zoë knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

“Can I talk to you a minute Allan?” Zoë said, sliding the door shut behind her.

“Sure Zoë, what’s up?”

Allan noticed Zoë seemed nervous. “Something wrong?”

“I, ah, no not really,” Zoë sputtered out, “I mean, we’ve known each other about a week right?”

“About that.” Allan answered.

“We get along alright don’t we?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Good, I mean… It’s kinda sudden, but I’m startin to like you…”

“I like you too Zoë,” Allan said a bit confused as to where the conversation was going.

“I mean well, I… Aw hell!” Zoë blurted out. Stepping forward, Zoë grabbed Allan’s shoulders, and kissed him… Hard.

Allan stood in shock for a moment, not sure what to do. A moment later, instinct took over and he kissed Zoë back, his arms moving around her waist. After about a minute that seemed to last an hour, Zoë broke the kiss.

“That’s how I like you,” Zoë said quietly with a warm smile. Turning quickly, she left Allan standing in the middle of his room.

Still in shock, the only thing Allan could think of were the lyrics to an old Meatloaf song he knew. “You took the words right out of my mouth… It must have been when you were kissin me…”

Up on the bridge, despite the pain in her shoulder, River smiled, “One small step for Allan, one giant leap for Zoë.”

TBC