Not my ‘verse, I stole it. Not my story, I stole it to. Just wanted to tweak things my way for fun. I believe the only original line is “Simon says”.

You can take the boy out of Hera…

By: Jailbird

Chapter Eight “Welcome to Sherwood”

The next night dinner was a feast; Alliance Admirals do eat well. Kaylee and Simon stroll in almost on time.

Mal says jokingly. “I see our little Kaylee has been teaching the Doctor tardiness.”

“Awl, Captain leave him alone.” Kaylee grins at her captain.

“Just teasing, don’t mean anything about anything, O.K. Doc.” Mal says with a friendly wave.

“Sure thing, but I do have a problem.” Simon is now very serious.

“What’s that Doc, Kaylee won’t let you sleep.” Jayne jeers.

Kaylee playfully tosses her napkin at Jayne.

“Well that to.” Simon is so swai when he blushes; “I haven’t seen River in two days. I mean, I know she can’t go anywhere, but I am starting to get worried.” Simon is being the ‘Big Brother’.

“Uh, about that Doc, she did go somewhere.” Mal says as he rolls his eyes up to look at the ceiling.

“What! Where!” Simon was getting back in to sister protection mode.

“She borrowed a suit and went scrounging…first thing this morning.” Mal states plainly.

“Where? Out there! Why would you let her?” Simon mind has gone to full panic mode.

“Oh Doc, she didn’t ask me.” Mal says calmly. Knowing the boy most likely to bust another gasket.

“Why in the ‘verse would she go out there?” Simon demands from no one in particular.

“Well crazy girl got her self a ‘puter. Least that’s what she said.” Jayne says rather callously.

Simon started to sound relived. “So you two saw here.”

“No, not exactly we just talked over the comm.” Retorts Mal.

“So that brings me back to my original question. Has anyone SEEN River?” Simon queries.

Looking around the table it was soon clear no one had.

“I think I can fix this Doc. She needs to be here tonight, anyway.” As Mal yells out. “River please report to the dinning room.’

“Aye, Aye captain.” Came the replied from the hallway leading to the bridge.

“See lookie there someone that can follow orders.” Mal states jokingly a bit of overconfidence.

Just then River drops from the ceiling over the hallway of the crew bunks and skips into the dinning area with a little twirl.

“Mei mei, where have you been?” asked a confused Simon.

“Around, get ready for our next mission, fixing Will and Tuck.” River says as she hide her face behind her hands and begins to play peak-a-boo with her brother.

“And that ladies and gentlemen.” Mal gestures to the playful River. “Brings us to our next topic of conversation…Where do yaw want to be left off.” Mal repeats from last night.

“No, Mal you are not doing this.” Inara states firmly.

“What, and why not, you just got back on and your acting like my shuttle still has silky things hanging all over it.” Mal does some frilly thing with his hands.

“You’re not kicking them off.” Inara states even more firmly.

“Are you’re now giving orders on my boat! Or what you’re going to leave…again...That’s the plan. My boat, my life, and I want off. I WANT OFF!” He looks at the faces of each of his crew. “Doesn’t the Captain ever get his own way. Besides Jayne’s right, why should I risk my life for them.” Mal points straight at the Tams.

Simon turns pale, Kaylee gasps, and all the while River is hardly paying any attention. But Zoë is the one that speaks up. “But we’re still flying, Sir.”

“Maybe…but that’s not enough…not anymore.” the Captain states sadly as he toast his crew with his drink and sulks back to his bunk.

Everyone at the table just sits there staring at the Captains back. Stunned.

***

TBC