Fan fiction. Done for fun, not profit.

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The Plot Bunnies are beating on me again. After watching the final episode of Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles, I had a weird idea for a Firefly/Terminator: The Sara Connor Chronicles crossover fic. No Rayne this time either. Set shortly after the BDM. Ignores the upcoming movie and travels in a wholly new direction with many continuity errors from the movies and TV Show. I am not as knowledgeable of the T:TSCC universe as I am with the Firefly/Serenity 'Verse. Please don't throw things.

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AN:

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Rebirth

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Chapter Five

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Mal wasn't happy. He had stepped onto the bridge, plopped down in the co-pilots seat and gazed over at his pilot.

“What's our ETA, Albatross?”

“Five hours, six minutes, thirteen seconds,” she replied with a smile.

Mal glanced over and nearly jumped out of his chair when the pilot's eyes flashed blue.

“Gorramit, Cameron! That's it. You two are wearin name tags or somethin.”

That's why Mal wasn't happy.

Cameron smiled sweetly, “I'm sorry, Captain. River and I will attempt to come up with a better way of telling us apart.”

“Well... good... tween her brains and your... processor, the two o' you should be able to come up with somethin.”

“When we arrive on Persephone, River and I will do some shopping. Perhaps a piece of jewelry will help?”

“Sounds like a plan. Are you going to do the landing?”

“River feels my skills are ready to attempt the reentry and landing.”

“There'll be no 'attempt'. Either you can land the boat or River's doin it. Understand me there tin britches?”

Cameron gave the Captain a very River like eye roll and boob expression. Mal just shook his head.

“I understand and comprehend.”

Mal shuddered and rose from his chair. With one last glance at the cyborg, he stalked off the bridge.

“Givin the Captain fits again, Cam?” Zoë asked as she entered the bridge.

“He thought I was River again,” Cameron replied with a grin.

“Captain's not quite as observant as I am. It's hard but only someone who knows River really well and is skilled enough can tell the two of you apart. I reckon that even her Parents couldn't tell you apart.”

“They haven't seen her since she was fourteen. It would not be difficult to accomplish that.”

Zoë chuckled slightly, “Not wrong there,” she said, taking a seat behind the other console.

“You seem... happier, lately,” Cameron commented.

“Have been. Seein Wash's folks back when we picked you up helped. Doubt I'll ever have another man in my life, but... we got some good memories.”

“It is difficult, losing someone you love.”

Zoë looked over at the cyborg, “You know about love?”

“Yes. My emotions are still evolving but love is one of the most important to me. I loved John. It made the other's uncomfortable. They couldn't understand how a Terminator could feel any emotions. Particularly, love.”

“It is a might hard to fathom,” Zoë admitted.

“I was unique. Before, back in 2009. I fell in love with John then. That's why I gave John Henry my chip.”

“After Allison died, John was devastated. When John Henry sent him the chip that contained... me. John Connor fell in love with me for the second time. However this time, he actually realized it.”

“What was it like? Earth...”

“Depends on the era,” Cameron replied, wistfully, “2009 was... nice. Much like what I have read about Londinium or Shinon on the cortex. Not as advanced of course. It was very pretty.”

“What about later?”

“After J day... a wasteland.”

“Do you miss it?”

“I miss John. Like you miss Wash.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Serenity alighted into it's berth in the seedier part of Eavesdown docks.

“Well I'm impressed,” Mal commented as Cameron began to shut down systems.

“You should be,” River giggled from her seat in the co-pilots position, “I taught her.”

“I'm beginnin to think two o' you is two to many,” Mal chuckled before turning to leave the bridge.

Cameron had a puzzled look on her face, “Does the Captain wish for us to leave?”

River smiled at her cybernetic twin, “Not in the least. Mal often uses sarcasm to show his affection.”

“Oh. Thank you for explaining. Perhaps that is why he and Inara argue so much?”

“I think you are right,” River replied.

Almost as one, the pair got to their feet and headed for their bunk to change and retrieve their weapons for their outing.

After emerging, the two young women made their way to the now open cargo bay.

“Mei-mei...” Simon grumbled as he saw how both his sister and Cameron were dressed.

They wore matching black skin tight jeans. River wore a peach camisole top while Cameron's was purple. Combat boots and black leather jackets completed the outfits. Each girl had a holster hanging from their right hip. River's hair was loose and Cameron had her's pulled back into a pony tail.

“Is there something wrong, Ge-ge?” Cameron smirked.

Simon shuddered slightly as he usually did when Cameron called him ge-ge.

“You two are bound to attract attention, dressed like that.”

“I think they look cute,” Kaylee commented as she pulled on her own jacket. It was autumn on Persephone and the air had a bit of a chill.

“Simon, we are not dressed any differently than Kaylee is,” River observed.

Simon looked at his girlfriend noting her very tight olive cargo pants, orange tank top and multi colored jacket.

“Well...”

“You are such a hypocrite,” River grumbled as she took Cameron's hand and led her down the ramp.

“Think she told you off, Doc,” Jayne sneered as he walked past the pair, heading for someplace Simon would rather not think about.

Zoë entered the bay, strapping her mares leg on, “You two alright to watch the ship?”

Kaylee's face fell, “You mean me an Simon can't go out?”

“Just for an hour or so, Mei-mei,” Zoë replied, “Captain and Inara are takin her shuttle to see Lord Harrow. I got a couple o' errands to run. Be back in an hour or so. Captain wants to see if we can pick up some passengers this trip.”

Kaylee brightened, “Where we headed?”

“Coreward a bit. Santo and Rubicon.”

Simon looked a bit nervous. While his and River's warrants had been canceled, he knew that the core might still be dangerous to him and his sister.

Zoë noticed the expression on the young man's face, “Relax Doc. Not going anywhere near Osiris.”

“It's not that,” Simon replied, “It's just that Coreward bound passengers...”

“Oh lighten up, Simon,” Kaylee admonished, “New people are fun.”

Zoë smirked at Kaylee and headed down the ramp, “Be back in an hour or so,” She called over her shoulder.

With a sigh, Simon grabbed a pair of lawn chairs and set them just outside Serenity's ramp.

XXXXXXXXXX

“The culture and class blending is fascinating,” Cameron commented.

River nodded at her faux sister, “The exodus lasted nearly one hundred years. When you combine all the cultures from Earth in one place that long, blending is bound to occur.”

“It still surprises me at how much of the culture and history actually survived. The years after J day were spent in simple survival until Skynet was finally defeated.”

“At least we survived,” River replied.

“It was a near thing.”

The two girls walked along the storefronts, absently looking at the various wares displayed. They walked in step, almost as if they were mirror images.

“Ohh! Ice cream!” River exclaimed as she spotted an ice cream parlor a short distance up the street.

Cameron's face softened, “I haven't had ice cream in a very long time.”

Even River was surprised, “You like ice cream?”

“I think I'd kill for a banana split,” Cameron grinned.

River giggled, “We'll try to avoid that part.”

XXXXXXXXXX

River attacked her hot fudge sundae with gusto while Cameron consumed her Banana split at a more moderate pace. While she could eat nearly any organic matter to maintain her living tissue, Cameron had been built with taste buds. Unlike a real human, she could shut them off if necessary.

Cameron smiled as she swallowed, her brown eyes flashed a faint blue.

“Careful sister. Your eyes are showing again.”

Cameron suddenly looked around to see if anyone had noticed. River chuckled softly.

“I'm sorry. When something triggers my pleasure subroutines... well...”

“You loose control,” River finished.

“Exactly.”

“So... what else triggers your pleasure subroutines?” River giggled.

Cameron's reply was a rather scathing eye roll.

River smiled at her cybernetic sister. It truly was like looking in a mirror. When she had first come out of the stasis crate, Cameron's voice had had a slightly different tone and timbre to it. Now, their voices were identical.

And since River had put on a few pounds at Cameron's insistence, physically, they looked virtually identical.

After finishing her sundae, River excused herself to use the restroom. As Cameron waited, she people watched. Her study of humanity was never ending. She knew that in a paranoid society such as the Alliance, the more human acting Cameron could be. She would be that much more effective in her mission.

Mission. That was something new as well. Before John Henry. She had a mission. After she had the ability. The free will, to define her own mission parameters.

That concept alone gave Cameron the confidence to consider herself fully self aware. In her quiet time. In the deep of the night when the rest of Serenity's crew were asleep. Cameron pondered her own existence. Something that only the self aware could do.

River exited the rest room, obviously agitated. She nearly ran back to the table, “We need to go!”

“What's wrong?”

“Ge-ge is about to get a nasty surprise.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Kayle lounged in her chair, feet propped up on a crate. A tattered old parasol over her left shoulder. Simon had retreated inside Serenity to fetch some food. The pair had gotten hungry while waiting for Zoë to return.

Movement in the crowd caught the mechanics attention. A well dressed, middle aged couple were hurrying through the throngs of the docks. The man kept looking over his shoulder. Checking to see if anyone was following. The woman looked genuinely frightened.

In her own uncanny way, Kaylee knew that these were basically decent people who just looked like they needed some help.

As they began to hurry past, each dragging a single suitcase on wheels, Kaylee spoke up.

“You folks looking for a ride?”

The couple stopped in their tracks.

“Um... perhaps. Where is the ship going?”

“Santo and Rubicon,” Kaylee replied, keeping her cheerful smile in place.

The man cast a slightly disparaging eye on the vessel behind the smiling young woman, “The ship looks rather... old.”

“Kaylee's smile faltered slightly, “Serenity may not be the latest luxury cruiser but she'll get you where you need to go. At least for folks can pay...”

The woman glanced around nervously, “Dear...”

“How much to... Rubicon,” the man said after a moment.

“Sixty platinum.. each,” said a new voice, making the couple jump.

“Hey, Zoë,” Kaylee smiled.

“Line us up some passengers?”

“Maybe,” Kaylee replied.

Zoë cast her eye over the couple. They seemed stressed. They kept looking around like they expected to be set upon at any moment. They looked well bred, probably core. And most noticeable, well out of their element.

“You folks in any kind a trouble?” Zoë asked.

“Why... why would you say that?” The man replied.

“You're jumpy, lookin around and obviously used to travelin in much more luxurious accommodations,” Zoë replied.

“Are... are you the captain?” The woman asked.

“Zoë Washburn, First Mate. Captain is out for a bit.”

“I'm Kaylee, ships mechanic.”

The man glanced around again. A ship with at least a couple of women on the crew made him feel a bit safer for the sake of his wife. He came to a decision.

“We're not in trouble per say. We just need to be off Persephone as soon as we can.”

Zoë looked hard at the couple. Something about their faces seemed familiar but not. “Okay, welcome aboard. Kaylee, get em' settled in the dorms. Doc's old room should do it. We leave in six hours so if you and your Ai-ren want some time off ship, best be goin soon, Mei-mei.”

Kaylee beamed, “Sure! Come on folks, I'll show you to your rooms. Oh. Didn't catch your names...”

“I'm Gabriel and this is my wife Reagan.”

Zoë suddenly sucked in a breath, “What would your last names be?”

Before they could answer, Simon appeared at the top of the catwalk, “Kaylee! Do you want mustard or mayo on your... huh choo-shung tza-jiao duh tzang-huo!”

“Simon?” Reagan breathed.

“Damn,” Zoë muttered.

XXXXXXXXXX

Simon sprinted down the stairs, sliding to a stop in front of the last two people he ever expected to see on Serenity.

Without a word, Simon's balled up fist lashed out and struck Gabriel's jaw. The older man was knocked back but kept on his feet.

After rubbing his face once, he glared at the doctor, “I guess I deserved that... Son.”

Simon was livid, “You guess? Why you, Liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze fuh ur-tze! You left her there!”

“Simon! Don't talk to your father like that!” Reagan admonished. “And where is River? Is she here?”

Zoë and Kaylee just traded glances. If they kicked the elder Tams off the ship, the repercussions could be disastrous. But at the moment, Zoë couldn't come up with another plan.

That plan was made moot as River and Cameron ran up the ramp. The elder Tams turned at the sound of running feet and stood slack jawed as two Rivers stood before them.

“Oh, my...” Reagan whispered before collapsing to the deck. Cameron moved with lightning reflexes and kept the woman from striking her head.

Gabriel Tam stood with his jaw agape as he saw a young woman who looked like his daughter lowered his wife to the floor. He was further confused when a moment later, the other River launched herself into his arms.

“Daddy!”

It was all Gabriel Tam could do to keep from joining his wife on the floor.

XXXXXXXXXX

“That went well,” Mal smiled as he leaned back in his seat while Inara smoothly piloted the shuttle through Persephone's congested air space.

“It did. Sir Warrick will be a good contact.”

“The promise o' fairly steady, legitimate haulage work makes my day.”

“Yes. You do seem to be in a good mood,” Inara commented.

“You tellin me the Guild let you outta your contract early was a boost in of itself.”

Inara grinned at the Captain, “It does remove some... obstacles.”

“Yep,” Mal replied.

“But you had better remember, Mal. You have said some rather hurtful things to me in the past. I... care for you a great deal but those... words...”

“I know,” Mal admitted, “And I'm ashamed to say, I meant em' a time or two. Not sure how I can make that up to you, 'Nara.”

“One day at a time, Mal.”

Mal smirked, “You know, the crew thinks we already... did the deed, so to speak.”

“I know. I tried to explain to Kaylee that you fell asleep on my sofa after drinking too much Saki...”

“That girl's so love struck, she wants everyone to pair off. Next she'll be tryin to set River up with someone.”

“Her only current choice is Jayne... not my first choice for River.”

“Or my last,” Mal began, “I admit the man's changed some the last year or so but.... no... ain't happenin. Sides, I think Cameron would rip his arms off and beat Jayne with the wet ends, that ever happened.”

Despite the gruesome image, Inara had to chuckle, “I think you are right.”

With sure hands, Inara guided the shuttle to a smooth landing on its docking cradle. A moment later the pair exited to find a perturbed Zoë waiting.

“We got a little... situation.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Mal followed his first mate down to the common area outside the infirmary. A man he didn't recognize sat in a chair nervously while Jayne glowered at him from across the room. Kaylee sat in the recliner while Cameron stood by outside the infirmary in a guarding posture.

“What kinda situation, Zoë?”

“Captain Malcolm Reynolds, meet Gabriel Tam. Simon and River's father.” Zoë stated.

“Huh?” Mal replied, nearly dumbstruck.

The man smoothly came to his feet, “Captain... I want to thank you for keeping my children safe.”

Mal shook his head, trying to come to terms with what he had just heard. He ignored the offered handshake.

“What do you want?” the Captain said after a moment.

“At the moment... passage to Rubicon.”

“Not on my ship,” Mal growled.

“Cap'n!” Kaylee exclaimed.

Mal sighed. Once Kaylee had it set in her mind, someone needed something, she would make his life miserable till she got her way.

Before Mal could say anything else, River exited the infirmary holding the hand of an older woman. She was smiling brighter than Mal had ever seen River smile.

“Family unit is complete,” River beamed.

A step behind, Simon grumbled something unintelligible.

“Okay... best we start from the beginning. Doc, why are your folks on my ship?”

“That's something I want to find out myself,” Simon replied.

“I'll try to explain it, Captain,” Gabriel Tam said, “But I would like to know why my daughter suddenly has an identical twin?”

Mal rubbed his hand through his hair and sighed, “This could take a while...”

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TBC