Disclaimer: I don't own Firefly or the characters. They just amuse me.

Past, Present, & Future By KaySky Part Six

Danielle, followed by Sam, walked down the hall to the guest room. Danielle took a deep breath before entering the room.

“Now you’re bringing in a woman to get it out of me?” Mr. Black laughed.

“So what do we have here, Jayne?” Danielle’s voice and her stride were filled with confidence. “A few little boys who think they are tough, but deep down they are just crying for their mommies?”

“Hey don’t be bringing my mum into this!” Roberts yelled. “She is the sweetest…”

“Yeah, I’m sure she’s a peach.” Danielle stood in front of Roberts. One foot was on top of his and she applied as much pressure as she could. It wasn’t really a technique to get information, she just felt like doing it. “So why don’t we finish this matter up so you can get home and see your mom before the breakfast hour?”

“Little Miss, stepping on my foot ain’t going to get you anywhere.” Roberts was surprised by how much pressure she could apply for being such a small girl. He couldn’t let it show that he was in pain. Mr. Black would never let him forget it.

“So who do you boys work for?” Danielle’s eyes shifted from Roberts and moved to Mr. Black.

“It doesn’t concern you.” Mr. Black responded.

Danielle smiled. “That’s where you’re wrong. It does concern me.” A long pause of silence filled the room before she took a few steps back from the men and turned to Jayne. “The big one thinks you ain’t much of a threat.”

“That’s what I’ve been thinkin’ ‘bout him. I ain’t the one that’s tied up, though.” Jayne stroked Vera. “I am the one with the gun.”

Danielle paused in the doorway before leaving the room. “Mr. Black, thank you.”

As she left the room, she heard Mr. Black mutter, “Stupid girl”. Danielle knew she wasn’t stupid. In fact she was quite smart. Smart enough to learn who was behind all this.

* * * *

“So what’s the plan, sir?” Zoe was still holding Wash’s hand, but her eyes were focused on Mal.

“The plan is to find out who they are working for.”

“And how are we going to do that?” asked Simon.

“Haven’t gotten there yet, but I’m sure…”

Mal was cut off when Danielle and Sam walked into the room. “I’ve gotten there.” Danielle smiled as all attention turned to her.

“You know who’s behind this?” Mac asked surprised.

“The fellow’s name is Niska.”

Mal, Zoe, Simon, and Kaylee felt their hearts stop. “Excuse me?” Their response was almost in unison. They were filled with so much disbelief.

“The guy who hired those men is named Niska.” Danielle looked at Mac. She didn’t know why the crew seemed so unhappy. She thought they’d be glad to know who was behind this.

“But River said the guy was a brother’s enemy. None of us know someone named Niska.” Ryan looked back and forth between his brothers. He thought they knew almost everything about each other. Surely if one had an enemy named Niska they would have said something.

River was standing in the doorway. “Brothers aren’t just blood.” She looked towards Mal. “A captain can be a brother, too.”

“We’ve come across Niska before.” Mal began to say. “He ain’t an easy man to work with.”

“How’s that?” Cole asked, concerned by the petrified look on his daughter’s face.

“He captured the Cap’n and Wash and…” Kaylee eyes started to fill with tears. Simon stood behind her and pulled her into his arms. Simon couldn’t remember ever having such a strong urge to wish death upon a man.

“And he ain’t gonna be doin’ no more harm to any of my crew.” Mal turned to Zoe. “You gonna be okay for this one, Zoe?”

“Well Sir, I never did get a chance to officially give Niska a well deserved fuck you for hurting my husband. Now’s as good a time as any.” She looked down at Wash. He was still asleep and had a smile on his face. It was comforting knowing that a bullet couldn’t drown out his happy dreams.

“I’m in.” Simon said as he stepped towards Mal, awaiting direction. He left one hand on Kaylee’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “Just tell me what I can do.”

“Simon, I don’t think…” As much as Mal got annoyed with the fact that Simon thinks too much, he wished on this occasion Simon was thinking. He knew the boy’s heart was making his decisions, but this time his head needed to step in. Simon was a healer, not a fighter. Shooting a guy like Captain Donovan was one thing, but going into battle against Niska was a whole different world.

“Mal, he’s after Kaylee. I’m not just going to stand around and do nothing.” It was rare that Simon raised his voice to Mal, but it was also rare he had the desire to kill a man.

“And if you come along and get hurt who’s going to be here to patch us up?”

“Mal…” Simon wasn’t going to take no for an answer, but he saw the look on his future father-in-law’s face.

“Your captain is right, Son.” Cole’s words were gentle, but firm. He knew Simon wasn’t a fighter and even if he was, having a doctor around for the after effect was more valuable. “Mal will have more than enough help.”

“Daddy you can’t…” Kaylee was terrified of Niska, but even more so she was terrified of what might happen to those who went up against him.

“Kaylee, I can and I will.” Cole gave Kaylee a look she knew all to well. It meant ‘trust me’. Her daddy had given her that look many times growing up and Mal has given her that look many times since she’s been on Serenity. Every time she’s seen that look things have worked out. She’d have to trust in the past and hope the future would work out the same.

“Me too.” Mac jumped in. “I’m going to help.” Mac was exactly like his father in respect that he was eager and ready to take on anyone who threatened the family. Since he was a little boy he had a love for archery. He had exceptional aim. The older he got, the more he moved away from bows and arrows and the more he moved towards guns. It was his hobby and it could easily become his defense.

“Count me in.” Ryan was filled with adrenaline. He was ready to fight just like his brother. His hobbies were consumed with a set of weights or hunting with his cousin, Bo. He took immense pride in his ability to hit moving targets.

“Maybe I should stay at home and be a lookout.” Sam’s voice was definitely not forceful. It wasn’t that he was a coward, it was more that the only times he’s ever been in a fight he’s been on the losing end. He didn’t think Niska sounded like the right target to try and end his losing spell.

“Sam…” Mac was going to give his brother a pep talk. Together, the Frye men could be unstoppable.

“Boys, lets think of a plan before we start deciding on the details.” Cole had no idea what to expect, but whatever was waiting for them, he was going to make damn sure they were prepared.

* * * *

Laney looked outside her bedroom window. It had been such an awful night. Every time she closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep she just heard the gunshot. What if it had been her? The only thing that could make the night worse was seeing Bester tied up and laying in the trunk of a hover car parked outside the house.

“I told you to shut up.” The man yelled. “Now, if I have to come back here and tell you again, I promise you I’m brining a bullet with your name on it.”

She didn’t mean to scream, but when she saw the gun it was a natural reaction. When the man’s eyes looked up at the house, into her window, and fell upon her, she let out another shriek.

* * * *

Upon hearing the screams, Mal and the Frye men went running towards Laney’s room.

Mac was the first inside. “Laney, you okay?”

“Outside.” She said softly pointing out the window. “Bester is being held hostage.”

Mal really couldn’t put into words how much Bester aggravated him. “I forgot about that.”

“You knew he had Bester?” Laney was heartbroken. She was devastated of what might happen to him. What if he was hurt? What if he is killed? She couldn’t stop the tears from coming.

“The other guys tried to bargain for him.” Mal looked out the window and saw the third man. He looked about the size of Mr. Black, but the powdered sugar all over his shirt indicated he might have the intelligence of Roberts.

“And you didn’t?” Laney’s big brown eyes were filled with sadness. Mac held her against his chest, letting her tears moisten his shirt.

“Ryan, take your sister to Emma’s room.” Cole was ready for this to be over and he knew the sooner they made their move the sooner it would be.

Ryan nodded at his father and lead Laney out of the room.

“How are we going to find out where Niska is?” Cole turned to Mal hoping he had an idea.

“Those guys are loyal. It won’t be easy getting it out of them.” Mal was about to continue, but something just occurred to him. “How in the gorram hell did Dani get them to talk?”

“She didn’t.” Sam was in the room with Danielle the whole time. Not once did anyone say the name Niska, but she knew. He was more than confused, but after meeting River and having her rambles turn out to mean something, he started to believe. “They never said a thing. We walked into the room and a minute later we left.”

“Son, what are you saying?”

“Dad, I think Dani looked into their thoughts. It’s the only explanation.”

“You’re saying Dani is a reader?” Shock was the first thing that came over Mac shortly followed by paranoia. What if she was reading my thoughts? I wasn’t thinking anything stupid, was I?

“If she’s not a reader than she’s one hell of a guesser.” Sam sat down on Laney’s bed. “I say we ask Dani to find out.”

* * * *

Kaylee wanted to be alone with Simon. She needed to talk to him. She looked over at Wash and feelings of guilt started to flow though her.

“Simon, can we go for a walk?”

“I don’t think it’s safe to go outside under the…”

“Not outside, just down the hall.” She reached out her hand and it was slowly met with his.

They walked in silence until they reached the end of the hall. Kaylee opened up the nearby door and pulled her and Simon inside.

“Kaylee, why are we in a closet?” There wasn’t much room for moving around inside the linen closet. It was filled with towels, blankets, pillows, and a variety of other things.

“I wanted some privacy.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned her head against his chest. “I like small places. They make me feel safe.”

He wrapped his arms around her and placed a kiss upon her head. “Baobei, you are safe. I’m not letting anything happen to you.”

“It’s my fault Wash got shot and it will be my fault if anything happens to Mal or my daddy or Mac or Sam…”

“Shhh…” He cupped her chin and lifted her face up at his. He placed a finger over her lips. “It’s not your fault. Vincent was the one that got involved with Niska and Niska is just a tāmāde húndàn who…” Kaylee’s giggles broke up his train of thought. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing.” She smiled as she looked up at him, gazing into his soft blue eyes.

“Tell me.” He said playfully sensing her mood had shifted.

“Just think it’s funny, is all.” She bit her bottom lip in attempt to keep any more giggles from seeping out.

“What is so funny?” His eyes looked into hers. They were twinkling back at him. The sacredness that was in them a few moments ago had been replaced with cheerfulness.

“Well, if you’d swear a little more often I might not think it’s so ridiculously cute every time you do use a curse word.”

Simon chuckled. “So you find me cute then?” He leaned down leaving little room between his mouth and hers.

“Ridiculously.” She said before she covered his lips with hers.

* * * *

“Dani” Mac said quietly. He didn’t want to wake Wash. “Can we talk?”

“Sure.” She got up from the other bed where her and River had been playing cards and stepped into the hallway.

“I need to ask you something.”

“Ask away.” She wasn’t sure she wanted him to ask, but she knew he had to.

“How did you know it was Niska?”

“My Uncle says I’m special. Up until River he was the only one that knew. He thinks I’m gifted, but sometimes I think it’s a curse. I try to forget about it, but on nights like this, I’m thankful I’m special.”

“By special you mean a reader?”

“Nowhere near like River. I don’t have visions of the future, but I can look into almost everyone’s mind.” She wanted badly to look into Mac’s and know his reaction to this. She wanted to, but she didn’t.

“Have you looked into my thoughts?” Mac knew this wasn’t the time to ask, that there were more important things at hand, but he couldn’t stop himself.

“Maybe once when we were in the den, but not since then. I really liked you and…”

He felt violated. His thoughts were private for a reason. “We need you to see if you can find out where Niska is.” He turned his back to her and started walking down the hall. “Follow me.” He said coldly.

* * * *

“Zoe…”

She had drifted to sleep for a few minutes, but at the sound of his voice she instantly awoke. “Yes dear?”

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t think you’re ready for the details yet. You just need to concentrate on getting better.” She kissed his forehead and ran her fingers through his hair.

“I’m feeling better, but I think the drugs Simon gave me might be giving me some delusions.”

“What kind of delusions?”

“I had a dream. It felt so real. I was laying here in bed and I heard Dani say Niska was the one after Kaylee.”

Zoe’s heart sank into her chest. “It wasn’t a dream.” She looked into his eyes. He had a somewhat gazed look, probably from the drugs. “Niska is behind this.”

He didn’t have to ask if Zoe was going to go after Niska. He knew Mal was and where Mal went Zoe went. That’s the way things worked. “Promise me you’ll leave him dead this time?”

“It’s a promise.” Zoe squeezed his hand and brushed her hand across his cheek. She couldn’t let Niska hurt her husband again. Even if he was only indirectly responsible for it this time, she knew with Niska there would always be a next time.

* * * *

Mac and Danielle walked into the guest room. Roberts was asleep and Mr. Black was starring at Jayne. He was probably sizing him up, planning a move. Whatever it was, it wouldn’t work. Jayne would shoot him before he got the chance.

“The little girl came back.” Mr. Black smiled. “Did you miss me, sweetheart?”

If it’s one thing she hated it was old men who thought they were gods. “Missing you, no?” She walked over towards Jayne and pulled him into a kiss. “He’s more my style.”

She saw the look in Mac’s eyes when she pulled away from Jayne. She didn’t need to read his thoughts to know he was hurt. She was angry and kissing Jayne seemed like the right thing to do. But now, with the aftertaste of Jayne in her mouth, she desperately wished she had the gift of time travel.

“How do you guys like your accommodations?” Mac tried to push his hurt deep down inside. They were here because of Kaylee, nothing more.

“A little too bed and breakfast for my tastes. I prefer luxury over hospitality.” Mr. Black remarked.

“So I guess the room isn’t quite as nice as where your boss lives?” Mac paced back and forth across the room. He was waiting for Danielle to give him a signal she got what she needed.

“How many people is that captain of yours going to send in to try and get information out of me?” Mr. Black rolled his eyes. “He’s obviously not as smart as I gave him credit for.”

“He’s even smarter.” Danielle smirked. “Come on, Mac. These boys are useless.” She walked out of the room, Mac right behind her, and Jayne remained, still baffled by the kiss.

* * * *

“Kay…” Kaylee was a hard woman to pull away from. As much as he tried his lips kept finding a way back to hers. He had lost his self-control.

“Simon, relax.” She whispered.

It was dark in the closet, but Simon could feel the warmth of her smile. “But we’re in a closet in your parent’s house and with everything that’s…”

She covered his mouth with hers. Her tongue met his in delight. For a few minutes their tongues intertwined, both basking in the pleasure. As she pulled away from the kiss, she pulled on his bottom lip with her teeth. “Don’t see anywhere it’s written that we can’t go rutting around a closet and after everything… I just need this. I need you. I need the way you make me feel.” There was desperation in her voice. She longed to feel safe again.

Kaylee didn’t need to continue. She had Simon the moment she began pulling her shirt over her head. He was only a man. He couldn’t resist what was standing before him so desperately asking him for it. He kissed her again letting all the love he had inside for her flow into her, comforting her, warming her, making her feel safe, making her feel what she needed to feel.

* * * *

“It’s about two hours till sunrise. He’s probably asleep.” Mal said.

Katie Frye had been up making coffee and an early, early morning breakfast for the men. They would need their strength. She handed her husband a cup of coffee.

“Thanks, Katie.” He smiled. “How do we know once we take care of him there won’t be someone else?”

“Niska is in charge. There’s no one else.” Mal said.

“You’re sure of this?” Cole wanted to make sure every angle was covered. He didn’t like surprises.

“Niska works alone. He hires a bunch of mercenaries to do his grunt work.” Zoe hated leaving Wash’s side, but River assured her she would sit right beside him until she came back. It was strange finding River comforting, but she figured if anyone knew what was going to happen it was River and by being near Wash’s side she was sure if something bad was coming, she’d inform Wash.

“Cole, Zoe, and me should go in first. I’m sure they’ll be a few men we’ll need to take out. Jayne, Mac, Ryan, and Andrew you boys will back us up. Sam and Book you keep an eye on the knuckleheads upstairs.”

“What about the one outside?” Book asked. Surely, they hadn’t forgotten about Bester.

“We will take care of him on the way out. Send him upstairs with the other two and Bester can go home.” Mal informed the Shepherd. “Any other questions or do we have a plan?” Mal looked around the table. No one spoke. “Good. We better get a move on it then.” He took one last sip of coffee and a bite of toast. He was ready to take on his old enemy. This time Niska wouldn’t be coming out alive.

* * * *

Translations:

tāmāde húndàn = fucking bastard

To be continued... (Feedback is always appreciated. =o)