Out to the black Chapter 15

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

This is my first Fan Fiction 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 budding Jayne/River romance. Also a Zoë OC pairing.

A/N: My Beta is still MIA, no worries, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain… the punctuation and spelling errors are all his….

Out to the black

Chapter Fifteen – Pins and needles

Allan awoke slowly. The first thing he noticed was that his right arm seemed to be asleep. Then he noticed that some weight seemed to be lying on top of him. Opening his eyes slowly he saw what the weight was. It was a peacefully sleeping Zoë. Allan smiled as he took the opportunity of their closeness to study her face. His eyes took in the curve of her full lips, the slight upturn of the corners of her eyes that gave Zoë’s face a slight feline appearance, the way her long curly hair framed her peacefully sleeping face, “God she’s beautiful,” Allan thought to himself.

Allan moved his right arm a bit to try to get the feeling back in the limb. He winced at the pins and needles in his arm as feeling returned. Bringing up his other hand to look at his watch, Allan found it was still pretty early, 5:30 to be exact. Zoë wiggled a bit in her sleep. Sensations shot through Allan’s body that he hadn’t felt in a long time. Allan thought that he could tolerate his arms falling asleep as a small price to pay to wake up next to Zoë.

Allan absently moved his now awake hand into Zoë’s hair, fingers playing with the curls. As he moved his hand down her back slowly, he could feel the roughness of a scar along her spine. Allan could feel it even through her shirt. Zoë snuggled in tighter…

“Five more minutes baby.” She murmured in her sleep.

Allan’s breath caught in his chest. Was Zoë talking to him or her departed husband in her sleep? Allan decided at that moment, he didn’t care.

Zoë’s eyes suddenly shot open, confusion showing for a moment.

“Mornin,” Allan said as he leaned his head forward and gave Zoë’s forehead a small kiss.

“What?” Zoë sputtered out, suddenly realizing she was lying on top of Allan.

“I think we fell asleep on the sofa last night.”

“What time is it?” Zoë asked trying to gracefully to get up and regain her lost composure.

“A little after 5:30,” Allan replied, “Here let me move first, it’ll be easier…”

After a little bit of wiggling around, the pair were sitting side by side on the sofa.

“Sorry,” Zoë said.

“For what?”

“Falling asleep on you.”

“No worries, you had a bit to drink last night, you were tired.”

“What’s your excuse?” Zoë asked, mischief in her eyes.

Allan chuckled, “Ain’t as young as I once was. I haven’t been in a bar fight since my junior year at MIT.”

“MIT?”

“Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “ Allan replied, “All of my degrees except for my business degree come from there, probably one of the top four technical universities on Earth. As a bonus it was only a four and a half hour drive from home. I could go home most weekends when I wanted.”

“Sounds nice.”

“It is… was,” Allan said suddenly looking a bit sad.

“You miss Earth?”

“A little, I knew there was no going back when I left. I just didn’t expect to be so late to the party,” Allan said a small smile curling his lips, “But I’m glad I was late. Otherwise I wouldn’t have met you.”

“I’m glad you were late too,” Zoë said just before she kissed Allan.

Reluctantly, Allan broke the kiss, “Speaking of late, It’s my turn to make breakfast this morning. I better go take a quick shower and get started.”

Zoë nodded slightly disappointed.

“See ya’ in a bit,” Allan smiled as he got up and headed for the shower.

Zoë sighed and headed for her own bunk and a change of clothes… And maybe a cold shower.

XXXXXXXXX

Allan dressed quickly after his shower, he decided he would check on River. Turning the corner from his room Allan found Simon already there.

“How’s she doin Doc?”

“Still sleeping, I left some smoothers and water on the bedside.”

Allan nodded, “what happened after we left last night?”

“Sheriff Buford threatened to bring assault and sexual battery charges on the blonde man River kicked,” Simon said with a smirk, “That cooled him down quite a bit. I even treated the wound Jayne gave him.”

“Good thing Jayne shot him in the leg. My next shot wasn’t gonna be a beer mug…” Allan trailed off.

“I know,” Simon, said to the older man with a smile, “That’s the third time you’ve had a hand in saving my sister.”

Allan raised his hand, “Don’t worry about it Simon. She’s a good kid. It’s almost like she’s my niece or something.”

Simon smiled, “I think she feels the same about you.” Turning serious suddenly, Simon wondered out loud, “I wonder why River couldn’t read that man’s intentions last night?”

“Probably the booze had something to do with… That’s it!” Allan exclaimed.

“What’s it?”

“How she couldn’t read the Blue hands… that device of theirs must suppress a part of River’s brain related to reading. The same way her being intoxicated would.”

“An interesting theory, but how do we test for it?”

“Do you have any way of doing an EEG on River?”

“No, I don’t have the equipment for that.”

“Can we get the equipment here on Boros?”

“Probably not, Persephone or a core planet but not here on the rim.”

Allan thought for a moment, “Okay, once we get somewhere we can get an EEG, we’ll hook up River and see what her brainwaves look like when she’s reading…”

“Yes,” Simon said nodding in agreement.

“Then get her drunk.”

“What?” Simon exclaimed.

Allan chuckled, “We see what waves show up when she’s reading, and what ones go away as she becomes intoxicated.”

“I’m not so sure I like this,” Simon admitted.

“It’s not like we’re gonna force her to do it. It’s River’s choice. So at least run it by her once she’s up… And probably after she’s over her hangover.”

“Good idea.”

“I need to start breakfast, see ya when it’s ready,” Allan said as he turned to leave.

XXXXXXXXX

“Good morning Allan,” Inara called cheerily as she entered the galley.

“Morning Inara,” Allan replied as he flipped pancakes.

“Did you sleep well?” Inara asked, a gleam in her eyes and small smile on her face, “I know Zoë looked comfortable.”

“I… Uh…”

“I was comfortable,” Zoë said entering from the direction of her bunk, “I haven’t slept that well in a long time, all thanks to you,” She finished as she gave Allan a quick kiss.

“Glad to be of service as your pillow Milady,” Allan said smiling as he gave Zoë a slight bow.

Zoë playfully smacked Allan on the arm, as he flipped more pancakes.

The rest of the crew filed in shortly thereafter, including a very disheveled and hung over River.

“How you doing Kiddo?” Allan asked her

“Mungh”

“What was that sweetie?” Kaylee asked.

“Stop talking so loud… And thinking so loud.” River said quietly.

Jayne guffawed, River shot him an evil look. “This is all your fault Ape Man, I should kill you with my brain… But right now it would make my headache worse.”

The rest of the crew tried not to laugh, even Simon.

“The smoother should kick in any time now Mei-mei,” Simon told her quietly but with very little sympathy in his voice. River simply glared at her brother.

“Well,” Mal said, “Lets us all partake of this fine breakfast Allan made us this mornin so we can get to work.” Pausing for a bite of food, Mal continued, “Zoë, get on the cortex and see if you can line up a cargo tween Boros and Kelly that ain’t got a tight timetable.”

“No problem Sir.”

“Allan, you an Jayne help Kaylee get the water tanks topped off, then the three a you head into town and stock us up on supplies and any parts we need.”

All three nodded, then Kaylee spoke up, “Can we get some synchronizers Capn’? The one’s we got are near burned out,” she asked hopefully.

Mal smiled at his mechanic, “Sure Kaylee, make sure that you get new ones not them half used up salvage ones.”

Kaylee’s jaw dropped in surprise. Mal almost never let her buy new parts. Recovering from her surprise, she squealed, “I love my Capn’!”

Down the table, River groaned at the noise.

“Albatross, once you’re feelin up to it, I’d like ya to calculate how much fuel we’re gonna need to get from Boros to Allan’s ship, do the salvage then get to Kelly.”

“Yes Sir Capn” River mumbled.

“Alright once we get finished eatin, we’ll get to work.”

Serenity’s crew went back to their breakfast and then left for their assigned tasks.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Jayne and Allan helped Kaylee rig up a suction hose so they could refill Serenities water tanks from the small stream near the ship. While the pumps worked, the trio sat on the bank at the edge of the stream.

“What’s Kelly like Kaylee?” Allan asked, wondering about the mechanics home world.

“A lot like Boros… Not so built up though. Mostly just small towns and villages, lots a farms an the like. My Daddy has a shop near the only spaceport. And we got’s the farm bout five mile’s outside a town.” Not doin much with it, just lease the fields out ta other farmers.”

“Sounds nice.” Allan said.

“Sounds lot like my Ma’s place back on Deadwood,” Jayne added

“Why does that not surprise me Jayne,” Allan chuckled.

“What?”

“That you’d come from a place called Deadwood.”

“Ha ha, “ the Merc deadpanned.

Just then, the water tanks on serenity reached full capacity and water began to spray from a vent on the back of the ship, “Shiny, tanks is full, you boys get the hose picked up so we can go ta’ town.”

“Who put her in ruttin charge?” Jayne groused.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

“River, you got a minute?” Zoë asked as she entered the bridge.

“She is busy, come back later.”

A frown crossed Zoë’s dark face, “We need to talk now Mei-mei… About last night”

River’s shoulders slumped, her head bowed, hair obscuring her face, “She apologizes for starting the fight, “River said quietly.

“I ain’t here about the fight. And no peekin, I want you to hear this from my lips, not my head” Zoë said in a soft tone.

“Can’t read, brain’s still fuzzy.”

Zoë smiled at the young woman, “River, look at me please.”

River brought her head up, locking eyes with the warrior woman. Zoë took a deep breath and continued, “River… Are you sweet on Jayne?”

“No,” River said, her voice barely audible, her eyes looking back at the floor.

“Way you said it, I’ll take that as a yes.”

River looked back at Zoë, eyes wide with fear, tears starting to show, “Please, Zoë… Don’t tell Captain Daddy or Simon, they’ll think I went crazy again, or… or think Jayne did something bad to me… They will hurt him, or kick him off the ship. I don’t want him to go, we need him… I need him…” River paused a moment, almost in a panic, “Zoë, I think I love him. I have for a long time I think…I’m not sure… these sensations are new to me. I have no precedence for these emotions…I… Look at me I’m babbling. I don’t know what I’m saying.” Zoë knelt down to the young pilot, brushing the hair from River’s face, “Hush now Mei-mei. Not to worry. Nothins gonna happen to Jayne while I’m around, unless he does somthin to hurt you and I seriously doubt he’s gonna go off with no more whores.”

“What?” River sniffled.

“Me an Allan had a long talk with Jayne last night. He’s scared and don’t know what to do neither. But I’m pretty sure your feelins are reciprocated.”

“They are?” River said, brightening slightly.

“Mn’hm, but we warned him that he better court you proper. Not drag you off and sex you up in his bunk… Even though I know’s you’d be willin to do that.”

River had stopped crying, although her eyes were still red, “What about the Captain and Simon?” she said, voice still small.

“I’ll handle The Captain. If you want I’ll talk to Inara, I figure between the two o’ us he’ll see reason.”

“And Simon?”

“Allan will take care of your brother… Simon has a lot o’ respect for him. He’ll probably listen.”

River lunged forward and pulled Zoë into a hug, “Thank you Zoë. Yes, please speak with Inara, she will help, “ River said, eyes now damp with tears of joy.

“Now you dry them eye’s up little one,” Zoë said breaking the hug, “I need to let Jayne know something a’ fore he leaves for town, keep this under your hat girl, till we square it with the Captain an Simon.”

River nodded in agreement, “I will,” She said a smile now on the girls face.

“And finish those fuel calculations for the Captain,” Zoë called over her shoulder as she left the bridge.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Allan was in the driver’s seat of the Mule, Kaylee next to him. They were waiting on Jayne.

“When’d ya learn how ta drive the Mule, Allan?” Kaylee asked

“Last night, Zoë was too drunk to drive back to the ship in a hurry. It’s not all that hard.”

Zoë entered the bay just then, smiling at Allan, “Where’s Jayne?”

“Right here, jus needed ta’ grab Vera,” Jayne said as he climbed into the Mule’s back seat.

Zoë put her hands on her hips, “What do you need Vera for?”

“Case them hundan’s from last night are holdin a grudge.”

A frown appeared on Zoë’s face, Allan leaned over and kissed her, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep Jayne out of trouble.” Allan said with a smile.

Zoë returned the smile, and then looked at Jayne, catching his eye, “By the way Jayne, what we talked about last night…”

“Uh, Yeah Zoë?”

“Yes.”

Jayne looked to be in shock for a moment, then surprisingly a small smile formed on his face, “Thanks Zoë,” the big man said, genuine warmth in his voice.

Allan winked at Zoë and accelerated the Mule out of Serenity’s bay, heading for town.

XXXXXXXXXXX

On the drive into town, Kaylee prattled on about her home planet, and how excited she was to be going home after so long. Surprisingly Jayne didn’t grouch about Kaylee’s giddiness, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

Allan pulled the Mule up in front of a large salvage yard. The sign out front proclaimed the business to be Big Dave’s New and Used Spaceship Parts. Shutting the vehicle down, Allan hopped out of the seat and then helped Kaylee down. A moment later Jayne joined them.

Walking through the front door, Allan saw a huge collection of parts of all kinds spread on shelves in the storefront part of the building.. Walking to the counter with a smile, Kaylee presented the proprietor with her list.

Nodding, the man went into the back room for a few minutes and returned with a large box of parts. Kaylee carefully went through the collection of seemingly random pieces. Kaylee then did something Allan had never seen Kaylee do… She began screaming at the man in Chinese.

”Ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng! Je shr shuh muh lan dong shi!”

“Now Miss I’m not quite sure what the problem is… The greasy man replied, a smile still on his face.

Jayne nudged Allan and said, “Watch this.”

“The problem is that you’re tryin ta’ sell me a Luh-suh pair o’ used synchronizers an callin’ em new.”

“I assure you those are brand…”

“I ain’t no farm girl jus fallen offa the turnip wagon here,” Kaylee fumed, “I am the Chief Engineer on a Firefly and I know my synchronizers.”

Taken a back a bit, the parts dealer started to protest, “Listen missy…”

“Don’t you Missy me you Wang bao dahn. Don’t makes me call my personal friend, Sheriff Buford about this little bit o’ fraud…”

The man visibly paled, “You’re a friend of the sheriff?”

“All three o’ us are, we was just at Sadie’s havin a drink w’ him last night.”

Off to the side, Allan heard thump like someone had dropped something, looking around the corner he saw a man, bend down and pick up what he just dropped. Allan thought he looked vaguely familiar but couldn’t place where, “Probably looks like someone I met back on Earth,” Allan thought, turning back to Kaylee’s haggling.

“… I’m terribly sorry about the mix up Miss, I’ll get the other synchronizers for you.”

“Thank you,” Kaylee said sweetly, flashing her megawatt smile.

Jayne and Allan had moved up behind Kaylee before the man returned.

“Here you go Miss, two brand new synchronizers, and with the other parts… That will be five fifty,”

Jayne growled at the man, Allan tried to look pissed.

“I, ah… Sorry that’s the full retail price, I meant three hundred…”

“That will be fine,” Kaylee smiled, “Jayne pay the man.”

Jayne dropped a small bag of platinum on the counter. As the man counted the money, he tried to make small talk, ”Where you folks bound?”

“Hittin the black tomorrow mornin for a salvage job a few days out then gotta haul to Kelly,” Kaylee replied being friendly. She wanted to be able to do business with this man next time they were in town.

“Well, pleasure doin business with you folks,” The man said trying his best to regain his dignity.

Without a further word, Jayne hustled Kaylee out the door, Allan in tow.

“Well that was interesting,” Allan said, “where to next Kaylee?”

“Lectronics store downtown, Gotta get a cortex transceiver and com’s for your ship. That way you can talk to Serenity.”

“Lead on my dear, lead on,” Allan said as they mounted the Mule and headed downtown.

As they pulled away, the man who had dropped the part exited the yard and quickly made his way down the street to the docks. Approaching an old beat up ex Alliance corvette, he approached a young blonde haired man standing outside the ship, leaning on a cane, a bandage around his lower leg.

“Wes… Hey Wes!”

“What?” the blonde haired man said, obviously in a foul mood.

“I just seen them two big guys that shot at ya last night over to the salvage yard, had some pretty thing with em’.”

“That bitch that kicked me?”

“Nah, some other girl, said she was the engineer on a firefly.”

“Firefly huh? None here at the docks, must be parked out in the country.”

“What I figured too, said they were liftin in the mornin and headin out on a salvage job. Gonna be a coupla days on that, then headin fer Kelly.”

“Hmm,” Wes wondered out loud, “Firefly’s almost as fast as us. We ain’t gonna be able to hit the black until day after tomorrow, but maybe we can head direct for Kelly. Ain’t much traffic there, catch em’ on the way in. Them women’ll fetch a nice price on the market and firefly’s are always worth good money.”

The other man smiled, “Maybe we get lucky, they got more women on that ship.”

“Good thinking, now get back to the yard and get them parts we need so we can head for Kelly.”

“On it Wes,” the man said as he headed back the way he came.

“Now you little bitch, we’ll see how you dance after I cut on ya some, price be damned,” Wes said to himself, playing with his bowie knife.