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:

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Guardians

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Chapter Nine

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Womack smiled as the prow of his ship began to glow with the energy of reentry. Soon he would be two million credits richer and the 'Verse would be rid of the entire Tam family. The family that had, in his opinion brought down the Alliance.

Breaking through the clouds, Womack aimed for his destination. On the sensors, he detected the signature of single small shuttle waiting at the rendezvous location.

Flaring into a landing, Womack spotted two figures emerge from the shuttle.

Right on time.

As the engines shut down, Womack did a quick life form scan. The signatures of the Tam siblings was clear but beyond that, the screen was it's usual fuzz.

No matter. His men were well trained former federal marshals. Between Chen, Skunk and himself. There shouldn't be any problem.

“Skunk! Bring em' to the airlock!”

The big man known as skunk nodded and moved aft to the small cell where the Tams were being held.

A moment later, he returned with a glaring Gabriel and sniffling Reagan Tam.

“Your kids are waiting for you,” Womack said with a menacing smile on his face, “Family reunion time.”

“You won't get away with this, you know,” Gabriel said

“You would be surprised with what I can get away with,” Womack replied.

The former Fed was taken aback slightly when Gabriel Tam simply shrugged his shoulders, “Your funeral.”

“No Tam... it's yours.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Ready Ge-ge?”

“I am,” Simon replied as he hefted the two large duffel bags containing the ransom. Inside the bags lay one hundred thousand credits in real money, the balance in paper made up to look like money and two of the surprises put together by Kaylee's father and Bester.

The top of each duffel contained about forty thousand in cash with the balance disguising the plain paper of the rest of the ransom. The cash was what had been left of the money taken from Badger months ago.

With a thump, the ramp from the patrol ship hit the ground. Womack was the first down. River and Simon moved towards the man.

Womack looked over the pair approaching him. The man was carrying the bags with the ransom with a determined look on his face. The girl next to him simply looked mad.

“Stop right there,” Womack ordered.

“Where are our parents?” Simon asked.

“Got the money?”

“Right here,” Simon replied as he set the bags on the ground. He quickly unzipped the top of each, showing the cash.

Womack smiled slightly, “Bring em' down boys.”

Womack's men manhandled the elder Tams down the ramp into view. Each had a gun to their heads.

“Let them go,” Simon ordered.

“No.”

“You have the money,” Simon growled.

“Not just after the money. You and your sister are the reason the Alliance fell. I mean to get some payback.”

“Won't work,” River said quietly.

“What won't little girl?”

“Your plan for revenge. You won't kill me or my brother in front of our parents like you planned. Just like you will not kill them.”

Womack's face showed surprise while Reagan whimpered slightly. Womack's men shifted uneasily.

With a slight smile on her face, River slowly pulled what initially looked like a necklace from the top of her shirt. At the end of the chain hung the circled star of her Rangers badge.

“Robert Womack, David Chen and Israel Skonkworth, you are all bound by law and ordered to stand down,” River grinned slightly.

“What the...” Womack started to say before he heard wet thumps behind him. A moment later, Regan Tam screamed as the man holding her fell to the deck, dead from a single gunshot to the head. His partner did the same.

From the folds of her skirt, River produced a Katana and lunged forward at Womack. The officer tried to dodge but River saw his reaction in her mind and sidestepped his clumsy response to her attack.

Trying to salvage the situation, Womack turned and ran towards the fear paralyzed Reagan Tam.

He didn't get more than a few steps when a bullet struck him in the chest. Thanks to his armor, it didn't penetrate but it knocked the big man down.

Rolling over, Womack tried to raise his gun to fire but the hand holding the gun was severed from his arm by a swipe of River's sword. The former cop screamed.

As did Reagan Tam. Gabriel pulled his wife close as Simon ran to his parents.

Simon quickly ushered his parents down the ramp and away from the ship while three camouflage clad figures emerged from the undergrowth. Each held a rifle. In a few quick strides, Bobbie, Maxine and Jayne were at River and Simon's side.

Moaning in pain, Womack tried to stanch the flow of blood from his severed hand while River stood over him.

“River?” Simon asked.

“Stop the bleeding, Ge-ge... I'm not done with him yet.”

Nodding at the look of fury on his sisters face, Simon pulled a small can of foam bandage out of his pocket. While Jayne restrained the weakening man, Simon applied the bandage.

“River?” Gabriel asked.

“Go with Bobbie and Maxine, Daddy... I still have work to do.”

Gabriel shuddered at the tone of his daughters voice. Nodding once, he turned to his wife, “We need to go, Reagan.”

“Ri... River?” Reagan nearly whispered.

“It will be all right, Mom. You're safe now.”

“But...”

River pulled the chain holding her badge over her head, “Hold this for me, Mom?”

Regan nodded as the sound of a Firefly approaching echoed off the valley walls. Not saying anything, Simon moved his parents in the direction of the shuttle. Bobbie and Maxine at their sides.

Her parents seen to. River turned her attention back to Womack where he lay on the ramp. Weakened by his blood loss, the man could only glare at the small woman before him. Jayne stepped up next to River and put a massive arm around her.

“Want me to, Baby Girl?”

“No, my Jayne. My job. Just be close.”

“Ain't goin nowhere.”

River nodded once and knelt in front of Womack, “Robert... you have been a very naughty boy. Whatever are we to do with you?”

Womack paled even more as River slowly and carefully caressed the man's face with the tip of her sword.

XXXXXXXXXX

Twenty minutes later, River and Jayne emerged from the patrol ship. Mal and Zoë were waiting for them.

“He alive?” Mal asked.

“For the moment,” River replied, “Still one thing left to do.”

With that, River reached into the duffel bags containing the fake ransom and removed the two small devices hidden within. Packaged in a couple of old coffee tins, the compact EMP devices were a backup in case Womack had gotten away. They would have pulsed his ship from the inside, disabling it and preventing escape.

Now River would use the devices to remove all traces of Robert Womack and his men from the 'Verse.

Mal nodded as he watched River enter the ship with the EMP charges. With a hand motion to Zoë they began the short hike up the side of the valley to where Serenity was parked.

River emerged a few moments later as the patrol ship began to spool up it's engines. Without looking back, River took Jayne's hand and followed the Captain and Zoë back to Serenity.

Reaching the bridge, Xue relinquished the pilot's seat to River. Inara slid from the co-pilots seat to make room for Xue. River entered commands into Serenity's control console and the patrol ship began to rise into the air.

A slight smile on her face, River held a small remote in her hands.

Outside, the patrol ship engaged it's engines and began to climb. As the ship went through ten thousand feet, River thumbed the small button on the remote.

Duct taped to the pilot's seat, Womack could do nothing but swear in his head as the electrical panels on the ship shorted out from the EMP pulse.

The patrol ship faltered in its climb, engines sputtering to a stop. It's momentum carried the ship a few thousand feet higher before gravity won out. Tail first, the patrol ship began to fall to the wide open prairie below. Tumbling as it picked up speed.

Larynx shattered, Womack couldn't even scream as he watched the ground rush towards him.

All that marked the end of Womack was a brief flash of fire and a small crater.

Mal laid a hand on River's shoulder and squeezed slightly. The young woman looked up at him and smiled.

“Why don't you go see to your folks,” Mal smiled, “Xue and I can handle this boat back to Kaylee's folks place.

“Thank you Captain,” River said as she slipped from the pilots seat. Walking quickly, the psychic headed for the infirmary. Jayne following behind.

Mal looked over at his junior pilot, “Let's go, Xue.”

Nodding, the teen smoothly raised Serenity into the air. Turning on it's axis, the old Firefly headed for the Frye homestead.

XXXXXXXXXX

It was a day for reunions. Simon and River with their parents after their kidnapping ordeal and Scott with his parents. The Baxter's lived just a few miles from the Frye's. Mal loaded himself, Inara, Scott and Xue into the mule to drive the boy home.

Mal was slightly concerned since the boy seemed nervous rather than exited to be going home.

“You seem a bit quiet there, Scott,” Mal asked.

“Not sure what kind of reaction I'm going to get, Sir,” Scott replied.

“Why is that, Scott?” Inara asked.

“Pa's got a powerful dislike for sly folks. Says it ain't natural. And after what's been done to me...”

“Wasn't your fault, Son,” Mal said as he threaded through the traffic of downtown Kowlonshi, heading for the village of Robinsonville just on the other side of the river, “Slavers put you in that spot. You stood up for yourself and the girls. Your Pa' should be proud o' you.”

“Hope you're right.”

“It will be fine,” Xue smiled, doing her best to keep Scott smiling. She liked his smile. Inara looked back and with a grin of her own noticed the fact that the two teens were holding hands.

“Where to next, Scott?” Mal asked as the mule crossed the bridge.

“Take the second left then it's about a mile and a half.”

Mal nodded and took the indicated turn. Soon a rambling farm could be seen in the distance. Mal slowed and pulled into the yard. Shutting down the mule, a large man came onto the front porch of the house.

A short woman followed the man. Suddenly she cried out, “Scott!”

Scott hopped over the side of the mule and ran to his mother's arms.

“Oh my baby boy!” Mary Baxter cried as she enveloped her son in a hug.

“Hey Momma,” Scott stammered out, trying to hold back his own tears.

Scott nervously turned his attention to his father, “Hey Pa'.”

“Scott,” Josh Baxter said with a little disdain in his voice, “Who's that with you?”

“There are the folks that rescued me,” Scott replied.

Mal stepped forward, “Captain Malcolm Reynolds, Commonwealth Rangers.”

“Captain,” Josh said as he shook Mal's hand, “Thanks for bringin my boy back.”

“No problem, Mr. Baxter. We was coming to Meadow anyway. Kaylee Frye is the mechanic on my ship.”

“Kaylee's your mechanic? Tom's little girl?”

“One and the same,” Mal replied, “Let me introduce the rest here. This is Inara Serra and Xue Li Washburn.”

“Ladies,” Mr. Baxter said, nodding his head in greeting.

“Come on in the house,” Mrs. Baxter said, not letting go of her son, “I just put some lemonade in the cooler.”

Mal smiled and nodded, taking Inara by the arm and Xue followed behind.

Settling into the Baxter's parlor, Scott's mother returned with a tray of glasses and a large pitcher of lemonade.

“Law said slavers got my boy,” Josh Baxter said.

Mal nodded as he sipped his drink, “Found him on Whitefall.”

“What did they have him doin?”

Mal glanced at Scott before speaking. The boy looked scared.

“We found him in a Brothel,” Mal said sternly.

“Doin what?” Josh growled.

“Whatever they wanted him to do... boy fought best he could.”

Mary Baxter let out a little cry and her husband turned red with anger, “Made him sly you mean.”

“That ain't what...”

“Gorram Slavers turned my boy sly!” Josh thundered.

“I ain't sly!” Scott yelled back, “I was raped!”

“Tainted goods...”

“Josh!” Mary called out

Mal came to his feet, “Now listen here, Mr. Baxter. Scott's a damn fine boy... man. He fought best he could. Kept a few of the younger girls from bein violated in the process. You should be proud a how he handled things.”

“Get out,” growled Josh, “And take this Liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze fuh ur-tze that used to be my son with you!”

“Mr. Baxter, Please...” Inara said also rising.

“Pa?” Scott siad, trying to hold back tears.

“You ain't my son. You got five minutes to pack your stuff and get out. I ever lay eyes on you again it'll be too soon.”

“Now listen here...” Xue started to say.

Josh Baxter raised his hand if to strike Xue. He froze when Mal's pistol poked him in the forehead, “You raise your hand to that girl and you and I will have more than words. Now you want your boy gone? Shiny. We'll take him where he's welcome. Xue, go and help Scott pack.”

“Shir-ah Captain,” Xue replied as she glared daggers at Scott's father. Taking the boy by the hand she led him upstairs.

Mal decocked his pistol and holstered it. Still glaring at Josh Baxter, he spoke, “You sure about this, Baxter?”

“I am.”

“Josh... this is our son...” Mary sobbed.

“Ain't no son o' mine no more. I didn't raise no sly hwoon dahn.”

“Scott's about as sly as I am,” Mal replied, “And since Inara here is my girl. I think you get my point.”

“Done is done. Soon as he's got his stuff, I don't want to see any o' you on my land again.”

“Josh, be reasonable.” Mary said.

“Be quiet, woman,” Josh snarled. Inara glared at the man. Wondering how a good boy like Scott had raised by this... bastard.

Scott came back down the stairs trailed by Xue. A large duffel bag in his hands and a rifle slung over his shoulder.

“Leave the gun.”

“It was my birthday present... it's mine,” Scott snarled.

“Take it then. And don't darken my door ever again.”

“Pok-gui!” Scott snarled as he stalked out the door followed by Xue. Inara turned sharply on her heel and headed for the mule herself.

Mal was the last to leave, “I'll send someone by with the paperwork.”

“The what?”

“Scott's still a minor,” Mal replied sternly, “You need to sign him over to social service and allow him to become the ward o' the commonwealth or since he's sixteen, he can declare himself emancipated from you all. Needs a judges okay but I think that's for the best. I'll send Robert Clark over with the papers.”

“Whatever, just get gone from my land.”

“Shiny,” Mal growled before turning on his heel and stalking to the mule.

Tears running down her face, Mary Baxter watched as her only son rode away into the distance.

Scott was quiet on the Mule ride. Trying to hold back his emotions. Mal was muttering under his breath as he drove the Mule back to Serenity.

“Scott?” Xue said quietly. The boy turned to face her.

“I'm sorry...”

“For what?”

“I... I...” Scott began to break down. Tears streamed down his face, “I'm all alone.”

“No you're not,” Xue replied, wiping a tear from Scott's face.

“Xue is right,” Inara said as she twisted in her seat to look at the young man, “If your own family doesn't want you. There are plenty that will.”

“Kaylee's folks would probably take you in if need be,” Mal added.

“Don't want to be a burden,” Scott sniffled.

“You got enough on your plate today, Son. Just try to work through it and we'll see what the new day brings... dong-ma?” Mal smiled.

“Shr ah,” Scott replied, regaining some of his composure.

“Good. Now that we got that settled, I reckon we better get on back to the Frye's. I imagine that Beth's got a big welcome feed laid out for everyone.”

“No doubt, Ai-ren,” Inara smiled.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Scott settled back into his seat. Breaking out in a slight smile when Xue took his hand in hers and squeezed, “It'll all work out,” she said.

“I hope so,” Scott replied.

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TBC