Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Maxine. She's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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A new story line to recharge my Muse. Set outside my “Allanverse.” Just to see what happens. Set about a year and a half post Serenity. Story line has the standard pairings of Mal/Inara, Simon/Kaylee. Also had River/Jayne. Zoë... we'll you'll have to read it. -

A/N:

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New Blood

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Chapter Four

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“May I join you?”

Jayne just grumbled and looked up from where he was cleaning his guns,”Whatever,” he growled after a moment.

Figuring that was as much conversation she was going to get, Maxine took a seat at the opposite end of the table from the mercenary.

Laying out a cloth, Maxine opened her gun cleaning kit and laid her pistol on the table. With practiced ease, she dissembled the gun and carefully laid the parts out.

“That a Callahan?” Jayne's deep voice asked.

“Forty-five, semi-auto. Fifteen shot clips with one in the chamber,” Maxine replied automatically.

“Good gun,” Jayne grunted. After another minute he continued, “Kinda big for a girl, though.”

“I'm stronger than I look,” Maxine replied as she ran a cleaning patch through the barrel. “Have to be iffin you load em' heavy. What ya' runnin... one eighty five grain?”

“Two hundred,” Maxine replied as she eyeballed the barrel.

“That's got respectable power,” Jayne conceded.

“What does River use?”

“I got her a matched pair o' nickel plated FN's in forty cal. She's also got a pair o' New Glocks in nine millimeter. Got silencers fer them.”

“Quiet and sneaky.”

“That's m' girl.”

Maxine smiled as she began reassembling her pistol. She and Jayne were actually having a conversation. Maxine decided to take the plunge as she pulled out her backup piece, a small frame thirty-eight Semi auto.

“Hope you don't mind me asking, but... kinda hard not to notice the age difference...”

Jayne looked up from his work and stared at the redhead. Maxine didn't flinch from his gaze, “She's the genius... I figure that if she wants an ole' hundan like me... who am I to question.”

“I can see that,” Maxine said as she disassembled her smaller gun.

“What else you carryin?”

Got a knife in my left boot. The little one here, I keep in a holster on my right ankle.”

“Good basic load,” Jayne agreed, “Got anything big?”

“Blue Sun Arms, 7.62 sniper. The break down model. Case fits in my duffel.”

“Good choice. What you got for toys?”

“Suppressor and a Xuzhou Optics scope. The digital one with the thermal imager.”

Jayne smiled, “Got one o' them m'self.”

“What on?”

“Vera... Callahan double through gage.”

“That is one fine firearm,” Maxine smiled.

“Thanks.”

“What's Zoë run? I saw the sawed off winchester she has..”

“Carries a New Glock forty like River's as her backup. Zoë swears by that Mare's leg o' hers.”

“Ain't seen many of 'em.”

“Nope. Damn good stoppin power but slow to shoot, bein lever action.”

“She any good?”

Jayne grinned, “At what?”

“Shooting...”

Jayne's face fell, “She's good.... real good.”

XXXXXXXXXX

After cleaning her guns, Maxine made her way back to her bunk. She had already settled into the ship's routine. The Captain had her cook breakfast and dinner. Lunch was usually just a quickly grabbed sandwich or some soup. After cooking in a diner for six months, making two meals a day for eight people was a snap.

In the three days she had been on board, Maxine kept mostly to herself. She was trying to not to get too friendly with the crew since she was here only temporarily. She wasn't rude or anything. She just decided that making friends would just be a waste of time. Maxine mostly kept to her self.

Kaylee kept dragging Maxine out of her bunk to play cards or just chat. she followed along just to keep the smile on the mechanics face. That alone was enough to help keep the darkness away. Kaylee was like a beacon.

Zoë was feeling better and she and the Captain spent long hours plotting something. In between, Kaylee, Inara or River would pop in to keep her company. It was clear that Zoë, besides being first mate, was loved on the ship.

Even Jayne had helped out by cleaning all of Zoë's weapons for her.

It was clear that this crew was a family.

Family was something Maxine hadn't had in ten years. She'd had a few friends and lovers but not a family. Even her distant relatives shunned her. She was the wild child in a family of bible thumpers.

Maxine sighed and tried to get back into the book she was reading. A trashy romance novel. She had a weakness for them she knew. Maybe because romance wasn't very prevalent in her own life.

Maxine sighed again and turned the page. She heard someone clear their throat.

“Them things will rot your brain,” Zoë said, standing outside the open door, balancing on crutches.

“I know,” Maxine replied, “Kinda like booze. You know it's bad for you, but...”

“It still feels good,” Zoë finished.

“Doc gonna be happy you're up?” Maxine said as she swung her feet to the floor.

“I heal quick. Said I could move about some if I took it easy. Besides, I need a shower pretty bad.”

“Need a hand?” Maxine said without thinking. Zoë's eyes widened.

“I... not like... just getting...” Maxine sputtered after realizing what she had said, “Oh, hell, I'll go get Inara if you'd like...”

Zoë actually smiled at Maxine's sputtering, “That's why I stopped by. “Nara's busy and so are River and Kaylee. Kinda leaves you as the last o' the women on the boat.”

Maxine's heart was pounding, “Uh, sure. What do you need me to do?”

“Kinda hard to clean everything with this bandage. There's bench in there but...”

“I understand,” Maxine replied, getting to her feet.

Zoë was wearing shorts and a loose t-shirt. Maxine couldn't help but admire the first mate's long legs as Zoë hobbled to the small bathroom and shower just off the common area.

Closing the door behind them, Maxine tried not to gasp as Zoë casually pulled off her shirt. Her dark skin glowing in the light. Maxine was frozen in place.

Zoë looked over her shoulder and grinned, “Bein that you're sly, you're actin an awful lot like you never seen a half naked woman before...”

Maxine's face turned as red as her hair.

Zoë snorted in amusement then smiled knowingly, “It's okay. You ain't the first woman who's had a hankerin for me.”

“I'm... not?”

“Private Xiu. She was in our platoon for a while. Woman was sly and pined after me somethin awful...”

“I'm sorry Zoë...”

“It's okay, Maxine. Kinda flattering in a way,” Zoë smiled.

“Okay,” Maxine said with an unsure smile.

“Now get over here and help me balance while I get the rest o' these duds off.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Maxine leaned against the wall in the bathroom while Zoë showered. Doing her best not to think about what parts of Zoë's body were being cleaned. Maxine shook her head. She hadn't wanted another woman like this in years. Of course it might be the fact that she hadn't gotten laid in a long time.

The water shut off, snapping Maxine back to reality.

“Wanna hand me a towel outta my locker over there?” Zoë asked through the curtain.

“Sure,” Maxine replied.

Reaching inside, Maxine retrieved a towel from Zoë's locker and handed it through the curtain.

“Thanks.”

“No problem... Zoë?”

“Yes?”

“I... I couldn't help but notice that scar on your back...”

“Saw that... did you?”

“Yeah. The war?”

“No.”

The tone of voice that Zoë replied in, told Maxine that it was a subject best not discussed.

The curtain slid back and Zoë hopped out of the shower, the towel wrapped around her.

“Sorry... didn't mean to pry. My curiosity gets the better of me sometimes.”

Zoë nodded once and carefully sat down on the small bench along the wall. “There's some sweatpants and a shirt in my locker. Can you hand those to me?”

“Sure,” Maxine replied as she turned to reach for the clothing.

When she turned back Maxine let out an involuntary gasp. Zoë had dropped the towel on the floor and sat naked on the bench, “Wo de ma...”

Zoë ignored Maxine's reaction, “My clothes?”

“Here,” Maxine said as she thrust the bundle at Zoë.

Zoë fixed a stern look on her face and ice in her voice, “I can manage from here.”

Maxine nodded once and hurriedly left the bathroom, nearly running to her bunk. Closing the door behind her, Maxine threw herself face down on the bed and began sobbing.

Zoë hobbled out of the bathroom on her crutches and nearly collided with River. The psychic stood with her arms across her chest. She fixed Zoë with a venomous glare, “Simon's not the only boob around here.”

“Shen-me?”

“You, Zoë. You act like a tease then turn ice queen... Maxine is crying.”

“I ain't sly, Little one...”

“And she knows that! You got her hopes up then shattered them on the rocks... not fair.”

“River...” Zoë cut herself off as the girl turned on her heel and stomped as much as a dancer in slippers could, up the stairs.

“Damn,” Zoë muttered before dropping into the recliner.

XXXXXXXXXX

Dinner was subdued that night. Maxine threw together some rather uninspired stir fry and then excused herself. Not even taking serving for herself.

“What's got into our cook?” Mal asked.

“Beats me,” Jayne replied, “Seemed nice enough this mornin when we was cleanin our guns.”

Mal caught the look River shot at Zoë who had hobbled up the stairs for dinner, despite Simon's protests. River stared at the Captain and rolled her eyes. Mal realized that she would tell him after dinner.

“How you feelin tonight, Zoë?”

“Better, Sir. Long as I don't put any weight on it, legs pretty good.”

“Glad to hear it,” the Captain replied. Noticing how Zoë simply went back to eating.

“What's our ETA, Albatross?”

“Six days, ten hours, five minutes, thirty one seconds...”

“Close enough...”

“Twenty eight seconds...”

“Like I said...”

Twenty four...” River shut up at the glare from her captain. The glare turned to a grin when she giggled.

“Once we're done, here, 'Tross, I'd like you to come up to the bridge with me. Got some piloty things to ask you.”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Lets eat up afore this congeals...”

XXXXXXXXXX

Mal found his psychic pilot sitting in Wash's chair. It would always be known as Wash's chair in his mind. River was idly toying with one of Wash's dinosaurs.

“Wanna tell me what's happenin 'tween my first mate and our cook?”

“Nothing... that I believe, is the problem.”

“Ummm, Captain dummy talk?”

River spun the seat around, “Maxine is very attracted to Zoë. She has consigned herself to it being nothing more than that. Then today, Zoë did something to upset her.”

“Like what?”

“Being a tease.”

“You ain't makin much sense here, Lil' River.”

“Zoë didn't intend to act as she did. Only needed help in the shower. Then she enjoyed the attention. It scared her. Turned cold and Maxine was confused and ran away... I told Zoë she wasn't being fair.”

Mal took it all in, “Have to admit.. I never seen Zoë in that light before.”

“She is lonely... I can tell.”

“So can I,” Mal replied.

“No room in her life for another man. Wash was the end all. Death do us part.”

“I reckon she always figured going first.”

“So did he...”

Mal rubbed his eyes, “You got any notion to fix things?”

“Still calculating,” River replied. “Zoë is nearly as confused as Maxine is.”

“Anything I should be doin?” Mal asked. It didn't faze him that he was asking his nineteen year old pilot for advice. River was wise beyond her years.

“Talk to Maxine. Tell her the whole story.”

“Everything?”

“I trust her. I think she could have a place here. Serenity is happier when her people are happy. Zoë needs to be happy.”

“And you think Maxine is... the one?”

“Unknown as of yet. Zoë could use the friend though. An outsider. One who is not also mourning Wash like we are.”

Mal nodded, “I can see the logic in that.”

“Tell Inara. She can take care of Zoë.”

“Hope this works... I kinda want the old Zoë back.”

“We all do,” River replied, indicating the plastic toys on the console.

XXXXXXXXXX

Salisbury thought Maxine. She would get off at Salisbury. She could hold out for the six days until they arrived. First thing off the boat, she'd find a whore who liked girls and get rid of all of her pent up sexual tension. Her musings were interrupted by a knock at the door.

“What?”

“It's the Captain...”

Maxine sighed, “Come in.”

Mal slid the door open and looked at Maxine. Her eyes were nearly as red as her hair. Something about womenfolk crying tended to bring out the big brother in the Captain.

“Wanna talk about it?”

“Nothin to talk about.”

“If there ain't nothin to talk about... why the waterworks?”

“Let me rephrase... nothin to talk about with you.”

Mal nodded, “You're new here so I'll explain things. I been with Zoë a long time. She done kept me alive through ten kinds o' hell. We're about as close as two people can be that ain't never slept together. Closer than siblings. Best friend that I ever had. Was a time her husband... Wash got real jealous o the two o' us. Took a little misadventure to cure him o' that. Well... not entirely, anyway. But I digress. Wash and Zoë were complete opposites. He was funny where Zoë is terse. Fair and blonde where Zoë's dark. Zoë dresses subdued while Wash wore these god awful floral shirts.”

“I get the idea,” Maxine said.

“Thing is. They had a powerful love. You could near on see it in the air. Even when they fought... and I can tell you, they fought like cats and dogs sometimes. Never lost the love though.”

Mal took a deep breath and continued, “Zoë's a passionate woman. Weather it's love or her job or her friends. Puts her heart into it... least she used to. Last eighteen months, she's been a ghost. Woman you see now ain't the woman she was. She's been doing things that she never used to do. Still.. Last couple a months she's been better. More like her old self a might.”

“You telling me to back off? Cause if you are. No problem.”

“Ain't that at all. Zoë's confused a bit. She ain't been able to open up to us as much as she should. See... we're mourning Wash too.”

“You think she might talk to me?”

“Worth a shot.”

“No.”

“Figured as much. Don't blame you none. Ain't your problem. But I want to ask you somethin. She tell you about Private Xiu?”

“How...” Maxine gasped.

“She say, Xiu was pining after her?”

“Something to that effect.”

“Was more than just infatuation. Zoë and Xiu had a little fling fer' a while. Only two women in the platoon at the time. Ended up bunkin together. One thing led to another. Now I ain't sayin Zoë's hundred percent sly or hundred percent straight. Like I said. Zoë's a passionate woman. When she loves someone. She does it one hundred percent.”

“Something happened... didn't it?”

“Xiu took a hit. Wasn't bad. But she got evacuated to one o' our medical frigates for treatment. Gorram Alliance blew it outta space. Painted white, red cross and all and they blew it to bits.”

“Wu de tyen ah,” Maxine whispered.

“Like I said. Zoë's a passionate woman. Purple bellies felt her wrath all the way to Serenity Valley.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I got a point... Just takin me a while to get to it, I admit. Here goes... tonight's dinner not withstandin, you're a fine cook. From what Jayne has seen, looks like you got the makins of a fine gunhand too. I know you handled yourself well enough back on Persephone. I reckon you were thinkin about getting off at Salisbury... right?”

“Yes.”

“How about this. Startin right now, you're crew. Percentage o' the take, you can keep this bunk as your own. I figure... pay you seven percent and ifin' I use you as a gunhand on a job, you get ten.”

“Captain...”

“I ain't done yet,” Mal interrupted, “Now this is only temporary. We get back to Persephone and it ain't workin? No harm no foul. Just walk away.”

“I... I'll think about it.”

“All I can ask on that subject. Now I got Inara talkin to Zoë. Hopefully you two can clear the air some in the mornin,” Mal turned to leave.

“Captain?”

Mal stopped, “Yeah?”

“How did Zoë's husband die?”

Mal let out a breath and rubbed his hands through his hair. Coming to a decision, he sat on the bed.

“Started a little over two years ago when we picked up some passengers on Persephone...”

TBC