Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Maxine and the rest of my OC's. they're mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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Continuing on the storyline I started with “New Blood” Read that first so you will know who is who and what has happened in the 'Verse.

Warning: This storyline includes 'gasp' fem slash. It won't be graphic but I know some are offended by any depiction of homosexuality. If you don't like this kind of thing... stop reading right now.

AN: First chapter in this arc... Hang on, might get bumpy. Takes place three months after New Blood.

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Guardians

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Chapter One

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“Take in a breath. Let it out slow and squeeze.”

BANG!

Xue opened her other eye and looked at the target. It was dead center. A grin crept across her face.

Zoë matched her step daughters grin, “Nice job.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Think you can do that with the rest of the magazine?”

“Yep,” The teenager replied.

“Show me.”

Xue smiled and took aim with her pistol again. Smoothly she pulled the trigger twelve more times until the slide locked open. With practiced ease, Xue ejected the spent magazine and reloaded. Then she dropped the pistol back into her holster.

Zoë smiled and hit the button to retract the target back to the firing line. She pulled the silhouette off its holder, “Had a little muzzle creep the last few rounds but nearly every one o' them would've been a kill shot.”

Xue smiled.

“Come on, Ni-zi. We gotta get back to Serenity.”

Xue nodded and rolled up the paper target. She followed her Stepmother up the stairs from the basement shooting range of the Capital City, central police station.

“How'd she do?” asked the Desk Sargent as they passed by.

Xue stopped and unrolled her target. The Sargent smiled, “Nice job.”

“Thanks,” Xue replied, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

“Careful Sarge. Her head won't fit through the door, you keep that up,” Zoë grinned

The older man chuckled, “I think the Rim will be well taken care of with Rangers like you two around.

Zoë nodded and absently fingered the badge on her vest and smiled, “She's just the pilot. You should see what the rest of us can do...”

XXXXXXXXXX

Maxine pulled herself out of the Tam's swimming pool and grabbed her towel. Simon had suggested swimming as the best exercise to build her chest muscles back up after her nearly fatal gunshot wound.

“Good swim?” Jessie asked as the she lay in the sun. Her pale skin in sharp contrast to her black bikini

“Yep. Gonna miss it once we're back in the Black.”

“There's nice swimming hole near my Momma's place,” the blonde haired teenager replied as she turned over to tan her back.

“I'll keep it in mind when we go visit,” Max smiled as she finished toweling off her red hair and tied a sari around her hips, “Zoë and Xue back yet?”

The teenaged reader tilted her head slightly, “On the way. Xue is happy.”

Max smiled.

“And you shouldn't think about Zoë like that with a young and impressionable reader right here,” Jessie teased.

Max put her hands on her hips, “And nosy teenagers shouldn't be peeking,” Max replied, a slight grin on her face.

Jess giggled, “Deal.”

A sudden squeal from Kaylee echoed from inside the house. Max tensed up, glancing around for a weapon.

Jess grinned. “Simon just proposed.”

XXXXXXXXXX

“How are you today, Malcolm?”

“Fair to middlin,” Mal replied.

“Is your crew ready for some work?”

Mal straightened in the pilots seat, “What you got?”

The man once known as the Operative steepled his fingers on the wave screen, “There is a moon around Athens that is resisting all efforts of the Commonwealth to exert any authority...”

“By moon, I'm guessing Whitefall,” Mal replied.

“How did you guess?”

“Had dealins with the 'Mayor' a time or two.”

“As you know, with a population over two million, Whitefall is entitled to representation in the new congress. Every time election representatives have landed, they have been run off and in one case shot. There haven't been any fatalities as of yet. But that is just a matter of time.”

Mal frowned, “I reckon Patience is might perturbed about the Commonwealth buttin in.”

“In a word, yes. Her claim is that since she bought the terriforming rights from a bankruptcy auction several years ago, she owns the planet.”

“Sounds like her,” Mal replied, “What's the consensus o' the folks livin there?”

“They want a real government. People live and die at Patience's whim.”

“That's Patience...”

“It is rumored she has been dealing with slavers. Giving them a free hand to hold auctions and also dealing in illegally traded indenture contracts.”

Mal nodded grimly, “What does the President want us to do?”

“Ensure the safety of the elections team. If you witness an act of slavery, arrest those responsible and make it clear to Patience and her people that there will be an elected government on Whitefall. She is more than welcome to stand for election herself but if you witness an illegal act. You are authorized to diffuse the situation as you deem necessary.”

Mal nodded. In the back of his mind, he knew that the quest for elections wouldn't set well on some worlds. That was a sticking point. Too heavy a hand and people would accuse the Commonwealth of using the Alliance's old totalitarian tactics. Not firm enough and they would be seen as ineffective. It was a fine line to walk.

“We'll do it. Figure we can be in the black by tomorrow mornin.”

“Good,” Damien replied, “I knew you could handle it. Oh, one more thing. We are sending an additional Ranger to join you.”

“I got plenty o' help,” Mal replied.

“Never hurts to have extra, Malcolm.”

Mal sighed. He hated playing politics but sometime he had to, “Fine. Lucky I got the bunk space.”

“I thought as much. I'm uploading all the intel we have at the moment.”

Mal looked at the incoming data stream and nodded, “Got it. Figure we can be on Whitefall in five days.”

“Excellent. I look forward to your report.”

“How's Uncle Josiah settling into his new Job?” Mal asked.

“The new Press Secretary is overworked and loving every minute of it.”

Mal grinned, “I figured as much. Talk to you soon.”

Cutting the wave Mal rubbed his face with one hand.

“Is there a problem?” Inara asked as she entered the bridge.

“Huh? oh... not really. We got our first assignment”

“What is it?”

Mal indicated the data now rolling of Serenity's printer, “Patience is raisin a ruckus on Whitefall. Not lettin the election officials in.”

Inara picked up the sheaf of documents, “And we are to convince her to allow them in?”

“That's the notion.”

“Try not to get shot again,” Inara smirked.

XXXXXXXXXX

The mood at dinner that night was filled with joy and with some nervousness. The joy was Kaylee showing off the huge ring on her finger.

Since the fall of the Alliance and River's hacking, Simon had access to his own money again. While his father had half heartedly tried to get his son to stay on Osiris and restart his medical practice. Simon had politely refused.

Simon had explained that he had a practice. And now since he wasn't a fugitive anymore, as the crew traveled about the 'Verse, he could openly practice medicine on those worlds that hadn't seen a doctor in years.

Gabriel had nodded and then told Simon that he was proud of him. At that moment, father and son had buried the hatchet so to speak.

Reagan Tam was smiling nearly as wide as Kaylee at dinner. She also shot some rather pointed glares in Jayne's direction every time Kaylee mentioned something about the planned wedding. Jayne gulped and got the hint. River just rolled her eyes and shook her head.

“Captain... I understand we have our first mission?” Simon asked.

Mal nodded, “Whitefall. Seems ole' Patience ain't lettin the election folk in.”

“Patience again, Sir?” Zoë asked.

“Yep,” Mal replied.

“Do try to avoid getting shot this time,” Simon commented.

“Everybody's makin a fuss. It was only a graze... last time.”

“Are you forgettin that square on hit on my armor?” Zoë asked.

“No I ain't Zoë... Ain't gonna be a situation like that this time.”

“Better be,” Maxine commented.

“Aw hell, we're the law this time. That alone oughta set her off guard,” Jayne said with a grin.

“And we got River to keep an eye on things,” Mal added.

“What about me?” Jess asked.

Mal smiled at the teenager, “Don't you worry Jess, you'll have your own part to play.”

“I better.”

A chuckle went around the table.

“Captain?”

“Mr. Tam?”

“I... want to offer the estate as a regular spot for your crew to rest between... missions.”

Simon, Kaylee and River all shared a look and Mal nodded, “I appreciate that, Sir. And When we're here in the Core, we'll avail ourselves of your hospitality.”

“Well, after being estranged from our children so long...” Reagan added.

“I understand,” Mal replied.

“Didn't I overhear we're getting an additional Ranger for this mission?” Inara asked.

Mal sighed slightly, “Yep. No idea who though. Probably some former Fed with a stick up his pi-gu.”

Almost on cue, the chime from the gate entry sounded.

The household staff answered the call while the Tam's and the crew went back to their meal. Kaylee and Reagan chatting with Inara about wedding plans.

The butler approached Mal, “Captain Reynolds? Your new officer has arrived to report for duty.” Mal nodded and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“If you'll excuse us? Zoë, mind comin with me?”

Zoë followed Mal into the foyer.

In the center of the room, looking about was a woman of medium height, short hair, dark skin and had several large duffels at her feel Along with a large weapons case.

“Gunny?” Mal asked.

“Ranger Sargent, Roberta Williams reporting for duty, Sir.” the woman grinned.

Zoë crossed her arms and cocked her head slightly, “Marines kick you out?”

“Retired. Thought the Ranger job would be a good gig,” the woman smiled.

Mal smiled despite himself. The former Marine was someone he respected, “Glad to have you aboard, Gunny.”

She smiled, “Better start calling me Roberta or Bobbie, Sir.”

Zoë snickered, “Got another woman callin you sir now... sure your head's gonna fit through the cargo bay door?”

“Very funny,” Mal grumped, “Come on. Main course ain't been served yet. Once we're in the black you'll have to put up with Max's cooking.”

Zoë smacked Mal on his shoulder, “Hey! Max is the best cook you've ever had on the boat. And the Tam's chef has been givin her lessons.”

Mal rubbed his shoulder and just grinned.

XXXXXXXXXX

An addition place setting was laid out and the former Gunnery Sargent joined the Crew and the Tams for dinner. Maxine, while respecting Roberta's skills felt slightly threatened. The redhead gave the former Marine a stern look.

And Roberta saw it. She smiled, “How are you feeling Maxine?”

“Fine,” Max replied, “Almost a hundred percent.”

“I agree,” Simon added from his spot further up the table, “Maxine has made a remarkable recovery.”

Roberta nodded, “Glad to hear it. Zoë was pretty upset after you got hurt.”

Maxine scowled and looked at Zoë. The First Mate returned the stare, “Ain't like that.”

Sensing the tension, Mal spoke up, “Roberta... gonna put you in the crew dorms. I figure Max's old room should suffice.”

“Thank you, Captain,” the dark skinned woman replied.

“Where are you from, Ms. Williams?” Reagan asked, trying to diffuse the tension.

“Belepheron,” Roberta replied, “Oceanside on the main continent.”

“A lovely area,” Reagan replied, “That's where Gabe and I took our honeymoon.”

“And made Simon,” River snickered.

Reagan looked lightly appalled while Gabriel tried to hide a gin. Simon simply rolled his eyes, “Brat.”

“Boob,” River replied cheekily.

A chuckle went around the table.

“What brought you to join the military?” Inara asked.

Roberta smiled at the former companion, “Boredom. And my... orientation wasn't encouraged where I grew up. Oceanside is very much like the area on Earth that was called Greece. The Greek Orthodox Church is very prominent in that area. They frown on Sly folks.”

“Sounds kinda familiar,” Zoë commented as she gave Maxine a stare.

Max looked slightly sheepish, “It does.”

“Well,” Mal interrupted, “How about we finish this fine meal so we can get Roberta settled. I want to be in the black by 09:00 tomorrow.”

There were nods all around the table.

XXXXXXXXXX

“All settled?” Kaylee asked as Roberta sat on her new bunk.

“Shiny,” the woman replied.

“You remember where everything is, right?”

“Yep,” Roberta replied.

“Good,” Kaylee replied. Roberta noticed the set in the mechanics shoulders.

“There something wrong, Kaylee?”

Kaylee bit her lip, “You ain't gonna come 'tween Zoë and Max are you?”

Roberta smiled, “No. I respect them too much. I think it just caught Maxine off guard. I mean I comforted Zoë some when Maxine got shot but... that alone told me they've got something very, very special.”

Kaylee grinned and sat down to the former Marine, “They do. Kinda like a girl, girl version o' me an Simon.”

Roberta smiled, “Speaking of that. I couldn't help but notice the rock on your finger, Girl.”

Kaylee grinned, “Simon proposed this afternoon.”

“Been a long time coming?”

“Almost two years.”

“Good things come to those who wait,” Roberta grinned.

“Yep,” Kaylee agreed.

“I heard Xue call Zoë, Mom earlier.”

“Xue is Zoë's stepdaughter anyway,” Kaylee elaborated, “Her husband, Wash had a fling in High School with Xue's Momma. Then he went away to flight school and never knew about her. Xue's Momma died a couple o' years back and the girl started livin with her great aunt or somethin. Anyway, the qingwa cao de liumang Blue Hands killed Xue's Aunt when they took her to the Academy.”

“Wait a minute... we raided the Academy ,Xue was already on board...”

“Bumped into the Blue hands back on Meadow where I'm from. Tried to get Jess first. She's my cousin's girl by the way. Anyway, we faked out the Blue Hands and then a about a week later, we bumped into em' at the Wayborne Skyplex. We rescued Xue then. Got the Blue Hands kinda permanent like too.”

“You guys are heroes,” Roberta grinned.

“I leave that hero stuff to the Captain, Zoë, Jayne, River and Max... and now you.”

“Thanks for saying. By the way, what's Kaylee short for?”

“Kaywinnet Lee.”

“Well, call me Bobbie then.”

Kaylee grinned, “You got it, Bobbie. I'll let you settle in. I gotta do a last check on the engine before bed... night.”

“Goodnight, Kaylee,” Bobbie replied as she began to unpack her belongings.

XXXXXXXXXX

“We set to go, Albatross?” Mal asked as he strode onto the Bridge.

“We are Captain,” River replied from her seat at the controls.

“Board is green, we're ready to lift,” Xue stated from her seat at the co-pilots controls.

“Alright, ladies. Take us outta the world.”

Outside, watching from the rear patio, Gabriel and Reagan Tam stood side by side as they watched Serenity climb into the morning sky. Reagan wiped a tear away.

“They'll be back, Boa-bei,” Gabriel said.

“I know, Gabe... I'm... I...”

Gabriel hugged his wife, “I know. Besides, we have a wedding to plan.”

“The Bride's family is supposed to do that,” Reagan stated, “But I know what you mean. Kaylee is a wonderful girl. Simon is so lucky. And I know Kaylee's family is not wealthy by any means. We'll do whatever they'll let us do.”

“Kaylee gave me her parent's wave address. Why don't we give them a call and introduce ourselves.”

Reagan kissed her husband on the cheek, “I'd like that.”

Miles above as Serenity broke atmo, River smiled.

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TBC