Alive?

Alive?

Part Two

These characters do not belong to me. These characters are all from Joss Whedon and his show Firefly, I am just borrowing them and Playing with ideas that pop into my head. I make no money doing this, but have a hell of a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it.

This is the second episode in my version of the continuing saga of Firefly. It takes place about two months after the movie Serenity. I hated that Wash died and I wanted to bring him back. But I didn’t want to ignore the movie Serenity because it revealed so much and actually showed River getting better. I also didn’t want an unexplainable return of Wash. I started writing this knowing what I wanted in the end but at a loss as to how to get there. I got the idea from playing an old favorite PC game of mine, FALLOUT 2. It seemed to fit so well since the verse has cryo and advanced medicines and medical practices. It’s kinda like the blastomeres in The Message. Unapproved and still in testing. I hope you like it.

“Why are we headed this way? I thought the holding cells were the other way.” Simon said.

“Yeah waz the idea?” Jayne asked.

“Mal and Zöe have been captured. It was a trap, the real holding cells are this way.” River said.

“Shouldn’t we help them out.” Simon asked.

“We ain’t got no plan on how’s to get them outta some trap.” Jayne said.

“And we will need more hands to help them.” River said leading the way. “Be careful there are still some guards up ahead.”

“Sir are you ok?” Zöe asked the groggy Captain.

“I’m fine.” Mal grumbled sitting up and rubbing the back of his head. “Where the hell are we?”

“Niska’s office. He’s sent out men to capture the rest of our crew.” Zöe explained.

Mal looked around the room. Seeing no one he looked at Zöe with puzzlement on his face. “Why aren’t there any guards in here? Where is Niska and other piece of go se.”

“Well we’re kinda tied together. I suppose they don’t think we’ll get very far trussed together.” Zöe explained holding up her right arm and leg showing the cuffs that linked her to him. “I don’t have a clue where the other two are though.”

“Oh we are right here.” Niska’s voice snaked through the air from the doorway. “So good to have you aboard again. Maybe we’ll have more time to get to know each other.”

Niska stepped into the room winding his way towards his desk, while the Operative-Xun Zhao de Rao Shu, moved to stand beside him. Mal and Zöe glared at them both not speaking.

“Not your normally glib self are you.” Niska prodded. “I went through a lot of trouble and spent a lot of money to get you here. The least I could get was a hello.”

“I’m so sorry, was I being rude. Hello Niska it’s so nice to see you again. Maybe I’ll get the chance to finish what I started last time I saw you.” Mal relaxed on the couch, leaning back and resting his non-shackled leg over his other leg. He turned to face the Operative, “I distinctly remember hearing you say I would never see you face again. Looks like you’re still a lying hwoon dahn piece of shit.”

“Please, Mal. I prefer to be called Rao Shu.” the man replied as he moved to the front corner of the desk.

“So charming, as always Mal.” Niska just laughed at Mal’s threats before turning to look at Zöe. “And you my dear don’t you have anything to say?”

“Do you really have my husband alive? Or was that just smoke and mirrors to lure us here?” Zöe demanded.

Before Niska could say anything Rao Shu spoke, “It is quite amazing what Alliance scientists have been able to do. They found the beacon cryo pods I gave you and were able to regenerate life. Your husband is very much alive. He’s been getting to know Niska or I should say Niska’s been getting to know him very well. Torture can loosen many lips.” As Rao Shu spoke he walked closer to the pair seated on the couch. Niska attention was focused on Zöe and her reaction to the other mans words. Rao Shu took advantage of this to slip Mal the key to the cuffs.

Rao Shu turned his back on the couch and walked toward Niska, “You still owe me for bringing them to you. I demand my payment now.”

“I thought you wanted to stay and watch the show. Very well.” Niska turned and walked to the large safe on the wall and unlocked it. Looking over his shoulder he was surprised to see Rao Shu standing right behind him. “What are you doing?”

“Making it right.” Rao Shu said before stabbing Niska in the gut. Niska’s body slowly slid down the wall, leaving a bloody track. “Vermin like you should not be allowed to live.” With that he stabbed Niska again, killing him.

“Shen me di yu zui jin fa sheng?” Mal asked standing up still shackled to Zöe.

“Hey! Cap’n we’re still shackled. The key if you don’t mind.” Zöe yelled as Mal jerked her around. Mal gave her the key and she unlocked the cuffs shackling them together.

“I know the last time we met you said you’d kill me but I’d wait if I were you.” Rao Shu said turning to look at Mal.

“Why should I wait? Give me one good reason.” Mal asked his gun in the other man’s face.

“Your crew.” Rao Shu turned back to the desk leaving the vault wide open. He hit a few buttons on the desk and pulled up the surveillance screens. “He’s sent men to the docking bay to board your ship. Fortunately they don’t know about River, Simon and Jayne, who have reached the real holding cells. See.” Motioning to the two active screens. One showed River sneaking up on two guards guarding the prison cells. The other screen showed 15 men marching towards the locked docking bay doors.

“Ah shit! I will settle up with you one day. You can be sure of that.” Mal sneered at Rao Shu as he ran out the door. “Where are my weapons?”

“Next to the door. To get to the cells take a left, then right at the next corridor and it’ll be the fifth door on the right.” Rao Shu turned his back on Mal and walked to the window, looking out on the black of space. When he spoke again it was barely a whisper. “So like my own soul.”

“We almost there? You’ve been leading us in circles.” Simon quietly asked his sister.

“Maybe she’s been leadin us round the guards so’s we’s don have ta protect you.” Jayne sniped.

River turned back to glare at the two men, silencing them. Cautiously she rounded the last corner. The new corridor was long and had six doors on each side of it. Two men stood facing the opposite direction between the second and third doors. Silently River moved, sneaking up on the two men with their backs to her. Glancing at the Jayne she motioned to the one on the right, then moved to the left. Taken her unspoken direction, he sneaked up behind the man on the right. Almost in unison they moved. Each tapped on the shoulder of the man in front of them and waited for the man to turn around. Each smiled at the confused face of the guard in front of them. River and Jayne looked at each other quickly before punching the man in front of them, knocking him back. Each stepped forward to punch the man in the stomach then send a knee into the man’s face knocking him out.

“You two have been spending to much time together.” Simon stepped forward both amused and confused by what had just happened.

“Gotta learn from the best. Isn’t that what Mother and Father taught us.” River said as she skipped forward to the second door on the left. “Come on.”

Jayne and Simon cautiously followed River into the room. Simon was first and stopped dead in his tracks at what he saw. Jayne was right behind him and pushed him out of the way to close the door.

“Whatcha gaping at, Doc? You knew they was here.” Jayne grumbled.

“I knew they were here yes but it’s still a shock to see them. Especially with all those machines, which I assume are torture devices, around them.” Simon told him.

River had gone directly to the tables upon which the two men were strapped. She had already began unhooking their straps and had freed one of Wash’s hands before Jayne stopped her. “We hav ta do the tests first. Doc! Come on if these are our guys we need to be snappy about it.”

“Fine but I’m going to take off their gags. The tests are only going to prove these are our guys. ” River pouted as she quickly did exactly what she said she would. “So nice to see you two again. I’ve missed you and so has everyone else. Even Jayne.”

Simon moved forward with his portable DNA testing machine. “You know this isn’t exact right? There is a chance of error.”

“Doc yuv already told everyone this. The cap’n wants it done before we risk takin a spy aboard our ship. Sides ifn’ it comes out right even with the chance of error, River says its them. We’re suppose ta believe our reader’s reading aren’t we?” Jayne was quickly becoming irritated with Simon. He moved to the door cracking it to peer out. “Just hurry up Gorramit.”

“Fine I’ll hurry. Should be about five minutes each and I’ve already started on Wash. Happy.” Simon said over his shoulder.

“They still always sniping at each other?” Wash asked River.

“You were expecting something different?” Shepherd responded, before turning his face to look at Jayne. “You know you should probably prop the guards up, make it look like they are still doing their job.”

“Uh, right. Good idea.” Jayne said before slipping into the hallway to do just that.

“They haven’t hurt you too badly have they?” River asked Wash and Shepherd.

“No. Well I mean it won’t matter once we are back on Serenity.” Wash assured her.

“I will be glad to go home as well. The pain of the past is best left in the past.” Shepherd told her solemnly.

“Have you been keeping my dinosaurs dusted?” Wash interjected.

“Of course.” River said leaning over him as she spoke. “She misses you too. Serenity doesn’t mind when I fly her but she loved when you flew her. She said she soared to life with you.”

“Serenity talk’s to you?” Shepherd asked puzzled. “I knew you were a reader but Serenity’s a machine.”

“Serenity speaks but very few can hear her. Kaylee obviously can. And you could hear her too couldn’t you, Wash?” River asked hopefully.

“Yes, there were times I could hear her singing.” Wash said.

There was a bell sound in the room just as Jayne came in through the door. “Waz that noise for?”

“Oh the first test is done.” Simon moved away from the medical cabinets, where he had been placing medicines and equipment into a bag. He picked up his instrument reading the results. “Well from the DNA I just gathered and the DNA we had one file, it is 98.346 positive that that is Wash. You can untie him now. Your turn.” Simon faced Book and gathered DNA from him to be tested.

“Feels good to sit up unrestrained.” Wash sat up slowly, rubbing his raw wrists. “Uh where is my wife?”

“She’s with Mal. They got captured by Niska and Rao Shu.” River mentioned in passing. “This is the stuff they used to bring you back isn’t it. Sad what happened to Mr. Universe.”

“She’s been captured with Mal?! De er zi yi mu gou.” Wash yelled.

“If we weren’t in such a hurry I’d insist we go back and kill that hwoon dahn.” Mal muttered under his breathe. “Did he say left or right at this corridor?”

“He said right sir. Should we even be following his directions? He could be leading us into another trap.” Zöe questioned.

“He wouldn’t kill Niska and leave us unharmed just to send us into another trap.” Mal told her. “If he wanted us captured or dead he would never have unlocked our cuffs. I have no idea what he is up to but I still want to kill him.”

“Cap’n look. Two guards up ahead.” Zöe pointed down the hall. “Do they look propped up to you?” Zöe asked after taking a second puzzled look.

“They do, because they are.” Mal confirmed. “You think our little girl’s been by here?”

Cautiously they moved down the hall. Just before they reached the fifth door it opened.

“Jayne?!” Mal exclaimed. “Where the hell have you been?”

“Guarding the crazy like you tole me ta do. Now Quit make so much noise and get in.” Jayne growled at Mal motioning with his gun the room behind him.

Before Mal could move forward Zöe rushed past both him and Jayne, knocking them out of her way. “Wash! Wo wu fa xiang xin ta. Wo ren wei wo yong yaun shi qu liao nin. Wo ai ni. Wo ai ni fei chang.” Zöe kissed and hugged Wash while Mal and the others looked on.

“I love you too baby. I’m so sorry I left you alone. It’s so good to hold you in my arms. I was worried when they said you had been captured.” Wash squeezed her tightly. “I’ve dreamed of you ever since they brought us back. I hoped you would come find us.”

The bell sounded again and again Simon checked the readings. “It’s Book. Well at least it’s 97.856 positive that that’s Book.”

“Great then, now that we’ve proved we are who we are, we should get going. Don’t know how long before our position is compromised.” Book suggested as River freed him.

“Anyone ‘member how ta get back ta the shuttle?” Jayne asked.

“We have to go past Niska’s office, then two lefts, one right, another…” River began.

“We don’t need to hear it out loud. You just lead the way.” Mal told her walking over to grab the second bag from Simon and strapping it to his back. In the corner there was a large stack of containers with a blue looking liquid inside them, that caught his eye. “What’s that goo over there, Doc?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe it has something to do with torture.” Simon replied uninterested.

“It’s the stuff they used to regenerate us. Maybe we should take some with us.” Book told them.

“If you can carry it you can bring it along.” Mal told him turning back to the door. “Jayne you guard our backs, while you lead us River. Everyone else stay close. Lets go.”

River led the way moving quickly. Pausing only a second at the corners to make sure no one was coming or waiting on the other side to surprise them. As they neared Niska office they could see two black bags on the floor in front of the door. River stopped and picked up one of the bags. Everyone paused while Mal moved towards the door.

“He’s not in there anymore. No use stopping to try and kill him.” River told him.

“Why can’t things ever go my way.” Mal asked to no one in particular. Looking over to River he noticed the bag now on her back. “What is that?”

“I’ll show you when we get to the ship. Jayne pick up the other one.” River called back, without even glancing at Mal. “Lets go.”

The large group quickly reached the docking bay hallway, at which River never even paused before walking down. Five men blocked her path but she moved with graceful ease dispatching each one in turn. Three more men stepped out of nowhere and were shot by Mal as the group continued down the hall. The doors were only ten feet further when they heard gunshots from behind. Jayne returned fire as River unlocked the doors and the others slipped through.

“Hurry up. I’ll cover you.” River yelled at Jayne’s back pulling a gun from Zöe’s waist as she passed. “We’ll be right there Cap’n.”

Jayne moved quickly while River shot the men behind him. Kaylee had run forward prepared to shut the doors as soon as Jayne was through. One of the guards threw a grenade that exploded just as the doors were closing. The explosion knocked all three of them on their backs. Kaylee and Jayne immediately got up but River didn’t move.

“River, hunny. Lao tian. Wake up, bao bei.” Jayne moved over to her and noticed a piece of metal imbedded in her shoulder and blood on her head. Quickly he scooped her up and carried her into the shuttle with a puzzled Kaylee following him.

Mal shut the shuttle door behind them “Inara we’re all on board let’s take off.”

“Doc she’s been injured. Is she gunna be ok.” Jayne laid River on one of the benches while Simon examined her.

“She’ll be ok. It looks like a minor head bump.” Simon explained noticing the merc’s concern for his sister. “Once we get back to the ship I can take this metal out.”

“What’s the big fuss about?” River asked waking up.

“You were injured, mei mei.” Kaylee explained.

“Little Albatross you gave us a scare.” Mal told her grabbing her hand and holding it as he knelt beside her.

“Waz that noise?” Jayne asked out of nowhere.

“Wash and Zöe are making out in the corner.” River murmured. “Are we almost home yet? I’m sleepy.”

Jayne looked on as Book sat down on the bench next to River. “River dear I appreciate you coming after us but I’m sorry because of it you were injured.”

“We’re coming up on Serenity now. Preparing to dock.” Inara called back from the cockpit.

“We’re finally going to be home again.” Wash said excitedly.

“Stay still, will you.” Simon grumbled to River. River was laying on her stomach on the examination table. “If you keeping moving, it will cause more damage.”

“Just remove the metal. All you have to do its pull it out and stitch me up so do it.” River told her brother.

“Quit being so bossy. You may be a genius but I’m the doctor.” Simon teased River back as he pulled the metal out. “You’re lucky River. It hit exactly the right spot to cause the least damage. While I’m stitching please stay still. I’ll be done quicker.”

“Oh fine.” River said.

“How’s my little albatross, Doc? She going to be able to fly us out of here soon?” Mal asked stepping through the infirmary doors.

“Why you want her flying? Don’t we have Wash back. Can’t he fly us?” Jayne, who had been sitting just outside the infirmary, asked poking his head through the door.

“Wash is still an unknown. At least until we get figured out how he and Book are still alive.” Mal told them. “Sides he’s with Zöe. So she gonna be good to go soon?”

“I’ll be able to fly us out of here in about 20 minutes.” River told him. “Right brother?”

“Correct. But only if you stay still. Dong ma?” Simon scolded.

“Dong ma xiong.” River asked. “Same destination, Cap’n?”

“Of course.” Mal told her.

“Why are you being so darn secretive bout our destination?” Jayne asked.

“I got my reasons.” Mal told him as he walked out of the infirmary.

“Where are we going, River?” Simon asked a little curious himself.

“If the Cap’n wanted you to know he would have told you.” River told him haughtily. “Now will you hurry up with my shoulder.”

“Sometimes you are such a brat.” Simon told her with affection as he continued stitching up her wound.

“You wouldn’t have it any other way.” River laughed lightly.

“Zhang fu I’m missed you so much. I thought I was going crazy for a while. I would see you everywhere.” Zöe said hugging Wash close to her. “Please don’t ever leave me again.”

“I’ve missed you too lamby toes. I thought I was dead but the next thing I knew I was strapped to a table being experimented on. Not the best way to come back I suppose, but I am back.” Wash told her. “If it hadn’t been for Book I probably would have gone insane.”

“What do you mean?” Zöe asked.

“For a full month they tested us. Seeing how well their new technique would work. Killed us 5 times bringing us back. Cut off parts and put them back on. I thought it was hell. But Book was there with me. We kept each other sane actually. Kept our hopes up that somehow we would get away and somehow we would find you all again. It was horrible. But we are home now. So none of it matters any more.” Wash got up and looked around the room touching surfaces lovingly. He turned back to look at Zöe. “I’m finally with you again. Finally home.”

“Yes you are home. Come here zhang fu. I need your arms around me. Hold me tight again.” Zöe pleaded still afraid it was all just a dream.

“Of course.” Wash walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. Zöe rested her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his waist. Zöe started kissing his shoulder then slowly moved up his shoulder to his neck. Kissing a path she made her way to his lips and kissed him passionately. Soon they were beside the bed kissing, frantically removing their clothes.

Zöe froze when she saw the scar on his chest. “This is something you shouldn’t be standing here with. This is the wound that took you away. I remember washing it and closing it as best I could before we buried you.” Zöe ran her hands over his chest. The scar was large and a ragged but semi circular. Looking away she saw more scars ones that hadn’t been there before. Some were still fresh wounds. “What are these other scar’s and wound’s?”

Wash’s fist clenched at his side. He had stood watching her with sad eyes as she had run her hands over his scar. “Niska and the Alliance. They would cut and then apply the gel to make it heal. Measuring the length of time to took to heal, how well it healed and what it couldn’t. Niska just wanted to make the torture last. Wanted to get to know me better and how to find you and Serenity.”

Without saying another word Zöe found each scar and each wound and kissed them. She lovingly ran her hands over his body, removing his clothes as she went. Zöe pushed Wash down to sit on the edge of the bed as she slowly removed the rest of her clothes and stood in front of him. Wash gazed at her like it was the first time, running his eyes down then slowly back up the entire length of her body. It was like he was memorizing every inch. Looking into her eyes he reached out and slowly pulled Zöe over to straddle him. They made love like it was the last time they would ever see each other. Frantic at times, slow and loving at others. When they finally climaxed, Wash lay down next to Zöe exhausted. After a minute he reached over and pulled Zöe against him. Zöe pulled a blanket over them and relaxed. Soon they were both asleep. Wash and Zöe slept for 3 hours curled up in each others arms before they were woken up.

“All crew members to the dining room. Meeting in 10 minutes.” Mal’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker.

“I don’t want to get up. I like it here. Can’t we stay and play?” Wash grumbled.

“No we can’t. Come on lets get a move on.” Zöe laughingly told him as she slowly sat up.

Inara and Mal where quietly talking to each other. When Wash and Zöe walked in Inara and Mal stopped talking. Inara quickly got up and moved into the kitchen to make herself tea.

“What’s the meeting about, Sir?” Zöe asked.

“There’s a few things that need to be cleared up. Mainly how it is that Wash and Book are alive.” Mal told her pulling her away from Wash.

“Isn’t it enough that they are alive?” Zöe asked clearly not concerned with the how or why they were alive.

“I’m sure it is to you, but I don’t want my family and my ship left in the hands of chance. I want to know the how’s and the why’s before I welcome them back with open arms. I don’t have room for mistakes.” Mal told her in a hushed voice when she started to speak he went on. “Look we put everyone’s life at risk for those two on the slim chance that they are Wash and Book. But I still don’t know for sure if they ARE our men. And even if they are our men they could have tracers on them or in them for that matter. They could be leading the Alliance straight to us whether they know it or not. We have to know everything. Personally I’m all for this being luck finally shining our way. But luck ain’t always on our side is it?”

“I know that he is Wash. I know it.” Zöe said adamantly before lowering her head. “But you’re right. Luck isn’t our best friend. So lets find out the whole truth. Make sure they aren’t bugged or whatever. Find out how they are alive. Find out why the Alliance had them.”

Zöe went back to sit by her husband. “Zö what’s up?” Wash asked when he saw her worried face.

“Nothing.” Zöe reached out and grabbed his hand holding it tightly.

“Little lighter hun.” Wash said after a moment, giving her a smile. “May want to use my hand again.”

Zöe smiled at Wash, “Sorry.” Reaching out a hand to caress his face she leaned over and kissed him. “I’m sure I’ll want you to use that hand again too.”

“You two look perfect together.” Kaylee bubbled looking at the couple as she entered the room holding hands with Simon.

“You look to be the picture of health, Wash.” Simon told him.

“Well you’ll have to tell me for sure, Doctor. Do I have to schedule an appointment or can I just drop by?” Wash joked.

“You’ll have to schedule an appointment. But make sure you let Kaylee know the time.” River was right behind the younger couple carrying one of the big black bags. She smiled over at her brother as she heaved the bag onto the table.

“Why do I have to tell Kaylee?” Wash asked. Everyone in the room laughed but didn’t respond. “Come on what joke am I missing?”

“Kaylee is always ruttin with the good Doctor. If’n you don’t tell her you may have to wait. Or you might just walk in on em.” Jayne grumbled entering from the front hallway, with the second bag over his shoulder. “Every one of us has had that … pleasure. They’re like little rutting rabbits.” In his usually cheerful mood Jayne sat down at the end of the table setting the second bag next to the first. River sat down on his right keeping the two bags in front of them.

“We just waiting on Book then?” Mal asked from the head of the table.

“No I’m here.” Book entered from the same hallway as Jayne, running his hands against the walls. “So happy to be home I can’t seem to stop running my hands against the walls.”

“Quit feelin’ up Serenity, Book. You’ve got ta court a girl before you start touching her all intimate like.” Kaylee joked.

“Not necessarily.” Jayne said smiling. “Ouch.” Jayne’s smile quickly turned into a glare when River smacked him upside the head. The two exchanged childish glares before turning back to the laughing faces of the crew.

“Quit aggravating the merc mei mei. The captain gathered us here for a meeting. Not a fight.” Simon told her.

“Fine.” River pouted.

“Children. Behave.” Mal laughed before sitting down. “The Doc’s right we are gathered for a meeting. First off what I need to know the how’s and why’s of our miraculous not-so-dead here. Any clue how this happened, Simon?”

“I spoke with Book, since Wash was unavailable, about what was done to them at the Alliance facility. The blue gel that we brought back is one of the key reasons Wash and Book are here with us. Cryogenics preserve bodies in an unconscious state to be awaken at a later date. Some believe the bodies are completely suspended in Cryo others believe that it’s functions are slowed down to one millionth of the normal speed. Combined with the gel it has huge possibilities. The gel has amazing regenerative properties, within hours a major wound can be healed completely.” Simon explained.

“So how does that make the dead into the alive?” Jayne asked totally confused. “Specially since Book was dead for more’n a day before we put him in the cryo pod. Same with Wash.”

“When you combine the Cryo with the gel it can regenerate tissue. When the person is deceased it works at restarting the heart and firing up the synopsis in the brain.” When almost everyone looked confused at this Simon hurried to explain. “It’s the electric currents that keep the brain working, like in machinery. It has the ability to bring people back but from what Book told me it can also back fire.”

“What kind of back fire?” Mal asked.

“We weren’t the only ones being…tested. There were at least 20 or 30 others. Including Mr. Universe.” Wash told them.

“So are you saying Mr. Universe is alive too?” Inara asked.

“I wouldn’t exactly call it alive.” Book said.

“From what Book told me I’m guessing that he experienced a cellular degeneration at an accelerated speed. It wasn’t only his skin, but the muscles and even the bone that all but melted away. The Alliance removed his brain and placed it into a jar of the bio-gel. They monitored the brain through a computer and after three days he started to talk to them through the computer. The Alliance still experimented on Book and Wash but became more fascinated with the brain. Apparently only one out of five stayed solid and only one in ten of the liquefied bodies brain where able to live in the bio-gel. The scientists soon moved their research to studying the brains. That’s when Niska arrived offering a large sum of money for Wash and Book.”

“So how’d Niska find out about Wash and Book?” Kaylee asked.

“The Operative.” River said quietly.

“How’d you know he was there?” Zöe snapped her head to look at River in shock.

“He’s how I knew it was a trap.” River calmly commented.

“Hold up. Wait a second. What? How is it that you knew it was a trap because of the Operative?” Mal asked.

“The closer we got to the spot the more I louder I heard the words. He just kept repeating them over and over in his mind. ‘Section 7. Go to Section 7’. For the plan to work you and Zöe had to be captured.” River told them as if it were no big deal.

“So you knew we were headed into a trap? And didn’t stop us!?” Zöe yelled.

“Wait what plan? None of our plans involved Zöe and me being caught. So who’s plan was it?” Mal asked.

“The Operative, Mr. Rao Shu.” River told them.

“And you went along with his plan.” Simon asked stricken. “How could you mei mei?”

“When did you start planning this?” Mal asked.

“From the almost the beginning.” Jayne spoke up finally.

“You were in on it too!?” Zöe seemed upset.

“Unless you wanna get spaced, you had better start explaining.” Mal told them.

“I got a wave from Rao Shu on Ariel to meet him at the Eavesdown Docks next time we were on Persephone. Which was where we ended up stopping to get fuel. I knew who he was from the beginning and was extremely curious. I couldn’t go alone so I had to take Jayne with me.” River explained.

“Dragged me along against my want. Nearly killed that hwoon dahn when I saw him too.” Jayne said fingering his gun.

“Rao Shu had set up an elaborate plan to return Wash and Book to us. He knew I was the only one who could spoil his plan. He gave us the cryo pods in hopes that the Alliance could bring Wash and Book back. He waited and then approached Niska when he found out for sure Wash and Book were alive. Niska would get them out of Alliance hands to use to lure you to him to get his revenge.” River said looking at Mal. “Still a little miffed over what happened last time.”

“We was to make sure only you and Zöe there was caught.” Jayne said.

“Right. Rao Shu would tell me the right location to find Wash and Book once we were on board. He was also going to give us some compensation.” River said.

“Only reason I went along with it.” Jayne told them standing up to unzip his bag.

“Niska kept his entire fortune in his safe. The combination to which only he knew and only he could open. DNA, retina scanning, secret code and secret password set up to only recognize his voice pattern. After he let you two go he packed up three bags full of the loot and left two outside Niska’s door for us. He took the last bag and escaped.” Together Jayne and River poured the contents of the two bags on the table. “No tracers in the bags or the loot. We already checked and double-checked.”

“Woh de ma. That’s a big haul.” Mal said sitting back in shock.

“Look at all the pretties.” Kaylee said picking up a jewel from the table. She quickly lost interest when she spied a diagram of the Firefly ship. “Hey cap’n look at this. Plans to modify a Firefly transport into a gun ship. Looks like the guns are retractable. You’d never know they was there. Oooh more upgrades.” Quickly forgetting the jewels and cash Kaylee thumbed through the various upgrade diagrams. Her face light up with joy.

“This is just way too much.” Zöe said in a hushed voice. “First my dead husband is alive, then the Operative sets a trap for us, then he kills Niska, then Rao Shu gives us all this loot. I’m not sure whether to trust this or not. Any of it. It’s too much good.”

“It does seem like way too much has gone our way. I’m used to treating a lot more injury’s then two bumps on the head and one cut.” Simon said.

“Maybe God is finally starting to smile on us all.” Book said.

“Did you meet God while you were dead, Shepherd? Did he tell you that you were gonna be miraculously brought back to life?” Mal asked sarcastically.

“Don’t be so sarcastic Mal.” Book told him. “If you ask me one day really wanting to know then I might just tell you.”

“I can not believe how much is here.” Inara drew everyone’s attention back to the goods on the table. “Enough to start a new life on a planet somewhere. No more roaming the verse. I mean if someone wanted to plant roots.”

“I never wanna leave Serenity. She’s my home. She’s my family. Everyone here is my family.” Kaylee got almost scared at the thought. “No one’s gonna leave are they?”

One by one the crew looked at each other. All at once they said no.

“Everyone think it over. It’s a big decision. Nothing to be rushed into. You could each live rich lives with your share of this. Be free of the dangers of living on a ship. Think about it.” Mal spoke as he looked around the table and each person seated there. Slowly he stood up and walked towards the forward hallway. “River. Jayne. We need to talk. NOW.”

“Sounds like we are in trouble.” Jayne said.

“Probably.” River said with a huff. Looking at the table she continued. “Better take all of this with us.”

“Alright. Help me pack it back up.” Jayne reached out and started scooping the cash and jewels back into the bag. “Who knew Niska was into jewels.” He picked up a diamond ring and looked at it curiously before tossing it in the bag.

“You should keep those with you Kaylee.” River said looking at the diagrams. “Maybe we’ll find those to be of good use one day.”

“Don think capn’ll mind do ya?” Kaylee asked.

“No I’m sure he won’t, mei mei.” Inara told her. “I think I’m going to go to my shuttle. This is a lot of information to take in.”

“We probably all need some time to think this over. It’s a tough decision to make, whether to leave or stay.” Book said.

“I don’t wanna leave Serenity. Its my home. Would you leave Serenity Simon?” Kaylee asked clearly upset at the thought.

“Honestly I don’t know. I want to stay with you but I have to think about River too.” Simon told Kaylee grabbing her hand.

“I’m not leaving Serenity Simon. This is home.” River said as she left the room behind Jayne.

“You are my home. I go where you go.” Jayne whispered in her ear.

“I love my big merc.” River whispered back. “Soon as we are done with the captain, I’ll show you how much.”

Jayne laughed under his breathe as he followed her down the hall. “Can’t wait.”

“River seems to be a lot better.” Book commented.

“Yes she’s almost back to her normal self. She still has some bad days though.” Simon told him.

“She and Jayne look pretty chummy.” Wash said looking at them as they walked towards the bridge.

“Only every once in a while. He seems to be able to stand being around her now.” Simon said. “They fight a lot though. Like two little kids.”

“It’s funny though. Member when she stole his favorite gun. Painted it pink didn’t she. Then he stole her pencils and paper. Can’t believe how long he was able to keep um hid. Her being a reader an all.” Kaylee said.

“Maybe him being part ape is why he can keep some of his thoughts hidden.” Simon joked.

Everyone laughed as they quietly went their separate ways, leaving Book alone at the table with his bible.

“Shut the door.” Mal was leaned against the console arms crossed over his chest. “Shen me di yu were you two thinking. Especially you Jayne. You took River to meet someone we knew next to nothing about. Then it turned out to be The Operative. You could have been walking straight into a trap. River you know you have to be more careful. And Jayne. You know, probably better then most, how much danger you were both in.”

“Mal. Captain. Daddy. I knew it was the Operative. I knew what he wanted. We weren’t in any danger.” River said looking up at Mal. “The waters were still and the skies were clear.”

“Besides she had me with her.” Jayne said proudly.

“Correct. Si vis pacem, para bellum.” River said.

“What? Why are you talking about still waters and clear skies when I’m talking about real danger.” Mal huffed.

“I wasn’t in any danger. Remember I’m a reader. If I had felt danger I wouldn’t have gone.” River said.

“Well you don’t have the best record of predicting when you are in danger. Matter of fact I seem to recall more then one time you walked smiling straight into the arms of danger.” Mal pointed out.

“That why I had Jayne. Si vis pacem, para bellum. If you want peace, prepare for war. Didn’t I already explain that part.” River cross her arms over her chest clearly getting annoyed.

“Look Mal we know what we did was wrong. But that guy owed us.” Jayne said.

“He was also the only one that could get us on and off Niska skyplex safely. With our men. The loot was just a bonus. A very good bonus.” River said eyeing the two bags. “We promise to never do anything like this again. Don’t we Jayne?”

When Jayne didn’t speak, River hit him in the gut, “Hey…yeah we promise.” Jayne massaged his stomach while he talked. “Don do that.”

“Please don’t make me leave. I want to stay on board Serenity. It’s my home.” River begged.

“This is my home too cap’n. Can’t rightly picture my life anywhere but here.” Jayne slowly admitted.

“I don’t know if I can trust either of you to stay on my ship. You’re both a mite unpredictable at times. That could get me in trouble.” Mal turned his back on the two. “But I suppose since we came out all right in the end I can trust you a little bit. Only a tiny bit though. If either of you ever pull something like this again…you’re gone. No waiting for a port or planet, you are just gone. Got it?”

“Yeah I got it.” Jayne agreed.

“Yes Captain.” River gave a mock salute, before smiling.

Jayne mumbled. “Still want my cut though.”

“Alright. Just remember what I said. You mess up and you’re gone.” Mal said turning back to face them. “Make sure you put these bags in the armory.” Mal opened the door and exited the bridge.

“That went well.” River said.

“I guess.” Jayne hoisted both bags and lead the way to the armory. “Thought there’d be more yelling though. Maybe a punch or two.”

“Uh Mal we got a problem.” Wash’s voice echoed through the ship. “You’d better get to the bridge immediately.”

Mal ran from Inara’s shuttle to the bridge. Inara was following close behind him. As he burst through the door, he was greeted by the entire crew. “What? What is it?” he asked nearly breathless.

“The Alliance.” Wash said.

“What about them?” Mal asked.

“River intercepted a cortex broadcast from the IAV Liwei to one of its gunships. They’ve been searching for two weak transmissions, from possible escapees.” Zöe told him.

“So Wash and Book were bugged.” Jayne said.

“Yes, but I think I can quickly locate and remove them.” Simon told them.

“Well do it then.” Mal yelled. “What else?”

“They are close by. If we can’t get the bugs removed and destroyed in 20 minutes, we’re humped.” River said. “The orders I intercepted were to capture and subdue any and all persons with the escapees. That means if they catch us there is no escape.”

“Then we need to get to it. River try to keep them off us for as long as possible. Book, Wash and Simon to the Infirmary immediately. We need to get those out as soon as possible.” Mal ordered.

“I’ll come with you. Offer any assistance I can.” Inara said.

“Jayne, you got any empty shells?” Mal asked.

“What for?” Jayne asked her face showing his confusion. Sudden it light up and he asked, “We gonna shoot the bugs inta space?”

“Right. River just keep up the fancy driving, and maybe well make it out of this one alive.” Mal ordered as he left the room.

Simon is examining Wash’s shoulder in the infirmary. His face contorted showing his extreme concentration. Kaylee stands beside him ready to hand the scalpel and tweezers. Suddenly his face lights up and he extends his hand. Kaylee immediately places the scalpel in his waiting hand.

“You found it right?” Kaylee asks, even as Inara swabs Wash’s shoulder and injects a needle into the same spot.

“Yes I believe so. Wash make sure you stay absolutely still. It looks like they placed it along the shoulder blade.” Simon cut a two inch long incision. Again Simon held out his hand this time for Kaylee to place the tweezers in. In one swift motion Simon reached in with the tweezers and pulled the transmitter out. Just then Mal walked in.

“So, how much longer?” He asked.

“We’ve gotten the one out of Wash. Just Book left. I’m pretty sure that they placed them in the same spot in both men. They have identical scars in the exact same spot.” Simon told the captain as he washed and sterilized his hands again. “Zöe can you sew your husband up while I removed Book’s transmitter?”

“Of course. Lets move over here, out of their way.” Zöe said as she pulled her husband off the exam table.

“My turn I suppose.” Shepherd said from the door.

“Yes indeed. Assume the position.” Simon half joked.

“Send Inara up with the transmitters when you’re done.” Mal said as he again left the room. He quickly scaled the stairs and met Jayne in the dining room. “You gonna need the extra suit for this?”

“Nah got an attachment for Vera. Thought it might come in handy after last time. It’ll only take a minute to attach.” Jayne said placing a rectangular box beside his favorite gun.

“You thought we’d run into a problem like that again?” Mal asked.

“Being on this boat, you never know what might come in handy. You do have a habit of finding trouble.” Jayne never looked up from assembling the gun as he spoke.

“I always thought trouble had a way of finding me.” Mal commented.

Inara came running through the door with the two transmitter’s, placing them on the table before she sat down to catch her breathe. “Simon’s…sewing…him up…now!”

“These the things. You want two cartridges, one each with an explosive charge?” Jayne asked.

“Yes. Can you set a timer on them. Set them off after we’ve gotten away.” Mal asked.

“No problem.” Jayne quickly opened the empty cartridges putting the transmitters in and closing them with an explosive set in each. “Meet you in the hold.”

Inara looked worried and was still slightly out of breathe. “Will this really work Mal?”

“I’m hoping it does. Relax for a minute. I’ll see you when it’s over.” Mal walked out the door to go speak to River.

“You know that’s becoming an annoying habit of yours.” Inara called after him.

Sticking his head back through the door he had a puzzled look on his face. “What is?”

“Giving an order or speech and then immediately leaving the room. Do you always have to do that?” Inara laughed at him.

“Do I really do that?” Mal joined in her laughter before turning away. “You know we’ll have to talk about that later. That’s an order.”

“You sure this is going to work?” Jayne questioned Mal. They were positioned in the airlock, suits on, waiting for the signal from River.

“Yeah I’m pretty sure.” Mal shrugged. “You sure your new gadget will work?”

“Yeah, pretty damn.” Jayne retorted.

“Cap’n, River says we’re in position. Opening the doors now.” Zöe told them over the speaker.

As the doors opened the two men braced themselves holding on as the atmosphere around them was sucked out. After a brief moment, they repositioned themselves adjusting to the lack of atmo. Jayne positioned ‘Vera’ and rapidly shot twice. Jayne and Mal watched as the shells rocketed through empty space.

“Close it up Zöe.” Mal called out. As soon as the outer doors closed, he was radioing River. “Alright get us out of here, Little Albatross.”

“Right away, Captain.” River’s voice echoed throughout the ship. “Your plan appears to have worked. I intercepted a transmission calling all ships back to the Alliance IAV Liwei. I appears they are going after the transmitters.”

“This went surprisingly well.” Mal mumbled.

“Don be jinxing us now.” Jayne was the first to enter the hold, brushing by Mal. “I better put Vera away.”

Sitting around the table later that night, everyone was happy and joking. The group was finally complete again. Kaylee was all bubbly happiness as she set the bread on the table. “Hey capn I was lookin over some of the upgrades and I think there are a few we would like to make.”

“That’s a discussion for another day, Kaylee.” Mal stood up and looked around the table. On his left sat Zöe and Wash. On his right Inara. Kaylee and Simon sat next to her while Jayne and River were seated across from them. Directly in front of him was Shepherd Book. “Today is a day for celebrating. We no longer have that dog Niska after us. Somehow Wash and Book were returned to us. We snuck past another Alliance cruiser and we walked away a lot richer. To good friends and good family.” Raising his glass he toasted with the others, before sitting down.

“Does this mean I can’t fly anymore?” River asked. Peaking past Jayne’s large form.

“I’m sure Wash wouldn’t mind sharing the flying duties. It’ll definitely allow him more catching up time with me.” Zöe told her kissing Wash.

“Are you going to be sticking with us, Book?” Mal asked, dishing food onto his plate before passing it on.

“I think I would like to do that. Was hoping to maybe move into the unoccupied crew room.” Book said.

“We might be able to arrange that.” Mal said. “How about the rest of you? I know you all originally said you wanted to stay but maybe you changed your mind.”

“I’m staying, I don’t think I could leave Kaylee. And this is where she wants to be.” Simon said looking at her before continuing. “Not that I would want to go anywhere else.”

“We already told you our answer Captain Daddy.” River told him adding in her nickname.

“I’m set to stay, too.” Jayne added.

“I don’t think I could get Zöe here off this boat. She’s married to it I think.” Wash said. “And I really like it here too. There’s no other ship out there like our Serenity here.”

“Inara? How about you?” Mal asked already knowing her response.

“I’m staying of course. How about you?” Inara asked.

“Oh I’ve decided to sell this bucket of bolts. She’s getting to be too much trouble.” Mal’s face was extremely serious. The rest of the crew stared at him in disbelief.

Jayne spoke up. “Aww who the hell you think you’re kidding anyway Mal. You ain’t never getting rid of this ship. You are gonna die on it and request it to be buried along with you.”

Mal burst out laughing. “Very insightful of you Jayne. But you are right. So off to Persephone to upgrade the ship? Everyone agreed?”

“Yes.” They all said at once.

“Alright then let’s eat.” Mal said.

The End

(For Now)

I am posting a sequel called "You're What?" involves big changes in the lives of the crew of Serenity.

Latin translation

Si vis pacem, para bellum.

Chinese Translation

Go se - shit

hwoon dahn bu fen de pi hua - Bastard piece of shit

Shen me di yu zui jin fa sheng - what the hell just happened

De er zi yi mu gou - son of a bitch

hwoon dahn - bastard

Wo wu fa xiang xin ta - I can’t believe it

Wo ren wei wo yong yaun shi qu liao nin - I thought I had lost you forever

Wo ai ni - I love you

Wo ai ni fei chang - I love you so much

Lao tian - oh god

bao bei - sweetheart

mei mei - (little) sister

Dong ma - understand

Xiong - (elder) brother

zhang fu - husband

Woh de ma - Mother of god

Shen me di yu shi nin er ren wei - what the hell were you two thinking
- If you want peace, prepare for war.