A Heart Full of Grace Chapter 1

“Why do you feel the need to speed walk?” Jesse asked Grace as he tried his hardest to keep up. Using her peripheral vision she kept an eye out for danger. She picked up the pace even more. There wasn’t time for her to explain. She hadn’t the time for the long run down on how if they didn’t get the hell outta dodge they would never see the stars again. That his wife and child would hear the terrible news of his “accidental” death on a back water planet that no one cares about in a few days time. For now she saved the talk and booked it. “Don’t worry about it. We’re leaving… right now.” Grace said shortly. He didn’t even question her. He never did. They had been through enough and survived the impossible, and all thanks to her. The docks were loaded with people and the two of them blended in well enough. Vendors, cheap hookers, travelers and thieves, they were all gathered here. Doing whatever they could, just to survive. “I found us transport; a firefly is waiting on the south dock. We need to hurry” she said They were getting close, but she never let her guard down. Every nerve in her body was on red alert. They had left everything behind; her ship, the goods, and whatever weapons they couldn’t carry. The only thing Grace had in her shoulder bag was the payment for their transport, ammo, fake ids, food packs and an emergency med kit. She placed her hand on her side arm and slowed down. “Stay calm.” she muttered to Jesse. “They’ve got us.” “Gorramit.” he glanced slowly around. “Stay calm. We’re almost there. See.” she motioned with her head to their left. “We’re gonna make it Jes” He was anxious but contained. They approached the ship. “There you are.” Captain Reynolds sighed out. “Was this close to leavin’ without you.” “Well here we are! Now let’s get outta here.” she said. “Oh Grace! You ain’t bringin trouble down on me again! Not again, ain’t no ruttin way!” he cried. She steadily walked right up to him and pulled out her pistol. She got as close to him as she could and rested the barrel under his chin grabbing his shoulder. He rolled his eyes. “Gun point.” he sighed. “Every time. Why?” “Mal…” she muttered and pleaded with her glowing chestnut eyes. “You know. You always were very persuasive.” he said unsure whether it was her eyes or the gun in his throat that had effected him. They stared at each other for a moment, and she slowly let him go and put the gun away. “We don’t have the time.” she said in desperation. “Come on Jes.” She walked up the ramp onto the ship, past Mal, with Jesse close behind her. The ramp went up very slowly and Grace breathed a sigh of relief and sat down on a near by crate. Her nerves slowly calmed. Mal flicked a comm circuit. “Wash, take us out. We’re all here.” Mal said. “This better not bring Alliance down on my neck” “Don’t you worry Mal. It’s only some locals, and they ain’t callin’ the Feds. Trust me.” Grace said confident that her words were true. Mal’s face showed signs of a subtle anger. Grace had gotten pretty good at reading his moods. They had been on and off business partners for years, and had been through plenty of scrapes together. “So you gonna to let me in on what that was.” he asked. “Been more than a year since I heard from you and now, outta nowhere, here you are.” The ship shifted and lurched. Mal stood strong and waited. She knew that he wouldn’t drop it. She looked at Jesse, and he looked back with a silent understanding. He looked to Mal. “Guests quarters are through there.” he pointed past him. “Any where is fine. Mosta’ the rooms are empty.” Jesse followed to where Mal pointed, and looked over his shoulder back at Grace. A long silence followed. Mal approached Grace as she sat. He brushed her hair out of her face. “Gracie. Tell me. You in danger?” he asked her. “It ain’t a big deal Mal.” She brushed off. “Then why the o so hasty exit?” he said sitting down next to her on the crate. “Jesse don’t know. I kept him in the dark.” “So show me the light.” “It’s been just me and him for a long time. Ain’t much work goin’ for a crappy ship with a crew of two. I wasn’t near about ready to abandon my freedom Mal. Flyin’ is all I got.” she paused. “So maybe I took a few loans, but I ain’t proud, and I tried. I really tried, but I wasn’t about to take what little earnings Jesse got either. That’s all he has and he’s got a wife and kid on that back water rock I found him on. I owe a lot of people on this ball’a dirt a lot of money.” They both kept their eyes forward. “So you ran?” he asked. “Better than being hung upside down by my feet and having the skin peeled off my body till I am bled dry.” Mal laughed. “Didn’t say was kidding.” Grace said with a grim look. “You know better than that though. After all your experience, all we’ve been through on our jobs, you shoula known not to trust...” “Mal” she interrupted. “Don’t lecture me. I appreciate your concern but you’re getting’ paid. Don’t trouble yourself with my problems.” She was not discussing this anymore with him. She stood up and went to the guest quarters. She thought about all the times she had saved his skin; he had no right to judge her decisions. She lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. She slowly drifted to sleep where the dangers she had been running from caught up with her in her dreams.