Disclaimer: I don't own Firefly/Serenity or Stargate SG-1. I receive no monetary compensation for this work.

Author's Note: Yes, this is a cross-over fic. I am writing two parallel stories, so if you want to know what's going on in the other story-line, look for the same story title in the other fandom. This takes place post-movie and during the fifth season of SG-1.

Chapter 1 - The Switch

Inside the engine room, the engine was smoothly whirring away as both Kaylee and Simon were lying under a blanket in their hammock nearby. They were awake and held each other as they were sharing a quiet moment. Kaylee ran her hands through Simon's hair as he caressed her bare back.

"Thanks for your help last night," Kaylee said lovingly. "You've gotten to be right handy with a torque wrench."

"I had a good instructor," Simon amorously replied.

"Why, Dr. Tam," Kaylee said playfully, "is that your way o'flatterin' me? 'Cause if it is, ya know how far that'll getcha."

"Let me guess," Simon said wistfully. "Lying naked next to you in your hammock?"

"No!" Kaylee replied sharply as she allowed her lustful eyes to convey her meaning. "Much further!"

Simon grinned as Kaylee slowly leaned in to engage him in a soft, sensuous kiss. He took one of his hands and moved it up her back until it was gently caressing the back of Kaylee's neck. In a simultaneous motion, Simon dropped his other hand to take firm hold of Kaylee's rump. Kaylee responded by hooking a leg around Simon's hip and melding her body with his. Their kiss deepened and Kaylee moaned her pleasure against Simon's lips. The intimate moment between the mechanic and doctor would have become more intense were it not for the sound of Mal's boots stomping loudly into the engine room and him shouting, "Kaylee!"

Simon and Kaylee both broke off the kiss and opened their eyes wide in surprise. They stared at each other for a moment in silent shock before Simon silently and urgently mouthed to Kaylee to not inform Mal that he was there. Kaylee, likewise, mouthed that she wouldn't as she began to rise up out of their virtual cocoon. Unfortunately, her movements were not quick enough, because Mal shouted again more sharply, "KAYLEE!"

As he stood next to the engine, Mal saw Kaylee's head pop up out of her hammock. Kaylee smiled a little broader than usual as she drawled out, "Heeeeyyy Cap'n! What's up?"

"Kaylee, you do realize it's morning?" Mal countered.

"Oh, is it really?" Kaylee asked looking around innocently. "When I finished with the modifications last night, I only meant catch a bit of rest 'fore I went to my bunk."

"Well, it is morning, and your turn to make breakfast," Mal admonished. "Now hop to! I'd like to have my breakfast before we reach Providence."

"Well, Cap'n I'd love to, but I … can't," Kaylee blushed.

"Can't?" Mal asked with an incredulous expression.

"See, I had to take the shielding off the heating manifold to get at the port actuator," Kaylee explained. "It got real hot in here 'cause of it, so I had to strip down to my nethers."

"Mostly true," Simon whispered before Kaylee quickly covered his mouth with her hand.

Mal decided to press the issue a little more and commented, "Would be nothin' I haven't seen before, or are you forgettin' how we met?"

"Please, Cap'n!" Kaylee pleaded. "I's a married woman now! Ain't right for no one, 'cept my husband to see me that way!"

Mal rolled his eyes and shook his head before turning to the door and saying, "Fine! Don't take all morning."

Kaylee sighed slightly in relief as she watched Mal walk out of the engine room. She was about to turn to the still hidden Simon when Mal stuck his head back through the door, saying smirk, "Oh, and speaking of the good doctor, seein' as how doctorin' won't be needed this mornin', I'd like him to help with loadin' the Mule."

"I'll tell him the first chance I get," Kaylee replied hurriedly.

"That should be no trouble, since he's lyin' there right next to you," Mal grinned.

Kaylee blanched as Simon stuck his head up beside hers, and asked, "You knew I was here the whole time?"

"Your good sister was kind enough to inform me," Mal said tilting his head mockingly.

Kaylee's complexion reddened once again as Simon threw his head back and shouted, "She is such a brat!"

"Yep! By all accounts, back to her old self," Mal needled as he turned to leave again. "Good work there, Doc!"

Mal smiled mischievously to himself as he made his way down the hallway to the dining area. On his way there, he was intercepted by Zoe carrying Baby Hoban as she came up from the Infirmary. Giving Mal a condescending look while holding her child, Zoe asked, "Tormenting the newlyweds again, sir?"

"Only so much as is needed," Mal replied defensively.

"If you say so, sir," Zoe said stern-faced as she and Mal continued together towards the dining area. "Just seems to me that you think much is needed."

"Look, it was time for them to be rousted, and even River thought it was a good idea, so I don't see what the fuss is about." Mal explained as he and Zoe with Baby Hoban made their way into dining area.

Zoe simply walked away to the kitchen to prepare formula for her infant while giving Mal a sideways glance and an arched eyebrow. Mal looked over the dining area and saw that Jayne was sitting in his usual seat polishing his revolver. River had walked in and, while taking a seat beside Jayne, placed a kiss on his cheek.

"'Sides, seems like everyone else on this ship has a hobby, why can't I?" Mal asked while eyeing the mercenary and assassin in front of him. "Take Jayne for instance,…"

"What about me?" Jayne asked at the mention of his name.

Ignoring Jayne's interruption, Mal continued, "…his hobbies are shining all manner of weapons and defiling young women pilots!"

"Jealous, aintcha?" Jayne said with a leer before River whispered something in his ear that caused him to look confused.

Mal turned to Zoe and said, "Yours is takin' care of the little bundle Wash left behind."

"Don't think of it much like a hobby," Zoe commented while balancing the squirming infant on her hip and stirring his bottle in warm water with her free hand. "More like a second job."

"Call it what you like, then," Mal replied as he noticed Inara entering the dining area from the forward entrance. "And Inara's is to look all fancible and pretty for no reason at all. How goes the 'sabbatical'?"

Zoe silently noted Mal's veiled compliment as Inara answered, "I'm finding the change of pace quite enjoyable."

There was a moment of silence as Inara and Mal stared at each other somewhat knowingly, before Inara asked, "My what?"

"What?" Mal asked in return snapping out of his momentary stupor to uncomfortably realize that everyone in the room was looking at him.

"You said that mine is to look fancible and pretty," Inara said insistently. "My what?"

"Oh, uh, hobby!" Mal replied.

"Oh!" Inara said with a couple of short nods before she decided to change the subject. "Well, I thought breakfast would be ready by now, did Kaylee forget about it?"

"Kaylee will be along soon," Zoe said carefully as she carried Baby Hoban and the now prepared bottle of formula out of the kitchen.

"Yeah, she was a might distracted this mornin'," Mal derided as he regained his usual humor. Suddenly, the sound of quick footsteps emanated from the rear door. Everyone turned to see Kaylee and Simon hurriedly running up the passageway from the engine room.

"Well, speaking of them," Mal mused as the couple ran into the dining area and headed straight for the kitchen. "Here's the rest of my hard-working crew. So kind of you to join us."

"I sees how she was distracted," Jayne said loudly with a chuckle earning him heated glares from the couple and a slap on the shoulder from River.

"Should have breakfast made in a few minutes," Kaylee said turning back to the kitchen. Simon was already ahead of her pulling out pots, pans and various food items.

"Seein' as we have a few minutes,. . .," Mal began to say as he noticed River producing a map of Providence seemingly from out of nowhere. He paused momentarily, but continued after receiving River's you're-a-boob-look, ". . . it'd be a good idea to go over the plan once more."

"Gorram it, Mal! Why's we gotta go over it again?" Jayne asked in exasperation.

"Jayne, this ain't a simple drop," Zoe reminded from her seat at the table.

"Zoe's right," Mal said taking a reinforcing stand beside her. "Them crop supplements are worth a fortune and all manner of folk would like to get their hands on them. The better we know this plan, the better we know when somethin's 'bout to go wrong."

Jayne grudgingly nodded his assent and while pointing to a location on the map, Mal continued, "Now, Baxter and his people have already chosen this place for a meet. Some old, abandoned Alliance facility where they'll be waitin' inside. River, you'll land Serenity at the mouth of this canyon, here."

River nodded knowingly as Mal continued, pointing to Zoe, River, Jayne and himself as he said, "That's where the four of us will drive in with the cargo. When we're half-mile away, Jayne, you and River will set down with the Mule, while Zoe and I walk in to make the deal. When it's done, we'll call you in. You and River will drive in, unload the goods, pick us up, and drive out."

"And while you are all off making the deal, Kaylee, Simon and I will be watching Serenity," Inara added causing everyone to look at her curiously. "I will be on the bridge should anything go wrong. Correct, Mal?"

After a momentary pause, Mal cautiously replied, "Seein' as you'll be only one left to fly the ship, and if you don't mind gettin' your hands dirty."

"Not at all," Inara assured warmly. "In fact, I would enjoy the opportunity to do something useful."

A rare smile graced Mal's face as Inara beamed back at him, and the moment would have lasted longer if Jayne hadn't interrupted, saying roughly, "Well, that's shiny an' all, but how's about tellin' us what we do if the deal goes south."

Snapping back to the matter at hand, Mal suppressed some of his annoyance and said, "Supposin' that happens, Jayne, you and River will drive the cargo out of the canyon and keep it safe, here."

"What about you an' Zoe?" Kaylee asked concernedly from the kitchen.

"Likely we can hold off whatever comes until Inara can get Serenity to us," Zoe said as she nodded to Mal.

Mal nodded back to Zoe, as he turned to Kaylee said, "Nothin' more than a short hop, but I'll need you to keep the engines warm just in case. Inara,. . ."

"If you do need me, I will kick up as much dust as possible to cover your escape," Inara nodded.

"Then you will rendezvous with us, and we will fly out together," River said to complete the plan.

"And I will be waiting to treat all the cuts and scrapes that you will incur during this little adventure," Simon added sardonically from the kitchen.

"Good!" Mal said with a pleased look on his face, "Guess there's not much left, 'cept for the preparin'. How's breakfast comin', Kaylee?"

"Almost done!" came Kaylee's hurried reply. With that everyone assumed their seats around the table.

A few hours later, their plan was running like clockwork. River had landed Serenity near the opening of the canyon. Inara took over the bridge as River and Mal descended into the cargo bay where Zoe, Jayne, and Simon had finished loading the cargo onto the Mule. After receiving wishes of good luck from Kaylee and Simon, Mal, Zoe, Jayne, and River set out for the meet with Baxter's men, stopping half a mile away for Mal and Zoe to walk in.

At the location that they had been given, Mal and Zoe found a single man standing outside the opening to a cave. There were two large metal doors hinged on the cave opening marked clearly with the alliance flag and the words 'No Trespassing" in both English and Mandarin in faded paint. The man had stringy blond hair, sunglasses, a pair of dusty coveralls, and a menacing rifle, which he pointed at Zoe and Mal. Mal and Zoe responded by stopping and slowly raising their hands. The man said, "Far enough, who're you?"

"Malcolm Reynolds, first mate Zoe," Mal replied. "Here to do business with Marcus Baxter."

"Good to see ya made it," the man said. "He's waitin'."

The man lowered his rifle, and, with a nod, Mal and Zoe approached the entrance to the facility. Looking past the open doors, they saw a long dark passage that seemed to go on forever. Zoe commented, "Long and dark."

"Yeah," Mal agreed. "Was hopin' for a few more lights."

Without warning, lights that framed the passage flickered on, starting from the entrance and moving back. Mal and Zoe looked at each other in startled amusement. They then looked back at Baxter's man who looked equally startled. Mal then said, "Tell Baxter, thanks."

The man nodded slowly as Mal and Zoe turned and walked down the now illuminated passage. They walked a few hundred feet until they reached a large open chamber that was lined with four square pillars on each side and were offset from the walls. Looking inside, Mal and Zoe saw that there was a raised portion of the floor in the center of the room between the pillars. On top of the raised portion of the floor appeared to be an odd-looking stone table. Strewn around the room were various lanterns that were still lit. What concerned both Mal and Zoe, however, was the absence of Baxter and his men.

"Baxter!" Mal called. "It's Mal Reynolds, here to do some business!"

There was a moment of uneasy silence as Mal and Zoe looked into the apparently empty room. Then a voice echoed from Mal's right, "Reynolds! Over here!"

Cautiously, Mal and Zoe entered the large chamber and walked to where they thought the voice had come from. Passing between the pillars, they saw a short stocky man standing just outside of what appeared to be another passageway. The man had salt-and-pepper gray hair, blue eyes, and a grizzled beard, obviously grown over the past few days. The man wore a long, gray trench coat that appeared to be a size too big and a large, oversized pistol belt that slanted across his waist. As he approached, Mal asked, "Marcus Baxter, I presume?"

"Yep, that's me," Baxter replied nervously as he eyed Mal and Zoe with suspicion. He raised a hand and four men slipped out silently from behind the pillars on the far wall. Seeing this, Mal questioned, "What's this?"

"Sorry, but a man can't be too careful these days," Baxter replied. "So where's my goods?"

"Can't expect me to just come right in with em'," Mal replied. "They're safe. You'll get them when I see payment."

"And you can't expect me to pay for something I don't see!" Baxter said agitatedly. "What proof do you have that you even got them?"

Mal moved to pull something out of his coat, causing Baxter and all of his men to reach for their guns. Mal froze as Zoe gripped her weapon. After a tense moment, Mal said, "Just gettin' the proof like you asked."

With a nervous nod from Baxter, Mal slowly produced a small, square, silver package from his coat. He carefully tossed the package to Baxter who caught it with both hands. After a quick inspection, Baxter looked to the closest of his four men and held out a hand. That man tossed Baxter a bag of coins, which he in turn tossed to Mal.

Mal caught the bag of coins, and did a quick count of the money. With a look of satisfaction, Mal reached down to the talk-box on his belt and said loudly, "Alright Jayne, bring it in."

"S'that mean the rest of our purchase is on its way?" Baxter asked anxiously.

"It does in fact," Mal replied. "Your man outside should be seein' it here in a couple minutes."

Baxter twitched an eye to one of his men who in turn picked up his own talk-box. As Mal and Baxter nervously eyed each other, the man said into the communicator, "Sandy, it's comin' your way."

Outside, the previously unnamed man stared through his telescopic site as he held his own talk-box. Through his site he saw Jayne and River approach in the Mule with several metallic green boxes secured in the back seat. Sandy lifted his talk-box to his mouth and said, "I see it. I count five of them, like you said."

Sandy watched as the Mule drove up and came to a stop in front of him. He especially took notice of River as she stood up to assist Jayne with unloading the cargo. Quickly making a move to straighten his hopelessly tangled hair, Sandy approached River and Jayne with a broad smile, and said, "Hey there! Thems the goods we're buyin'?"

River gave Sandy a polite smile as Jayne curtly replied, "Sure are!"

Ignoring Jayne, Sandy looked at River appraisingly and said, "Didn't think someone like you'd be makin' the delivery."

Jayne slammed the last crate down and barked, "Better mind your business, fella!"

River sensed the trouble about to brew and jumped down between the two men. Facing Jayne, she was able to say, "Jealousy is not warranted. . ." before she gasped and half-stumbled.

Ignoring the interloper, Jayne caught River by her shoulders and asked concernedly, "Girl, what's up?"

"Trouble," River said enigmatically as she fixed Jayne with a furtive stare. "Trust me?"

"Always," Jayne said without hesitation. With that, River pushed herself back from Jayne and walked backwards to the already confused Sandy. She stopped about a step in front of him, and with a quick wink to Jayne, sent her left foot flying to meet with Sandy's jaw. The force of the collision sent Sandy careening into the Mule, which he hit head-first, and then to the ground in an unconscious heap.

After giving the unconscious man a quick look, River looked to Jayne again and urgently declared, "The Captain and Zoe are in trouble, but don't know it yet!"

With that, she turned and sprinted into the cave with Jayne hot on her heels.

Inside the chamber, the mood was still tense as Mal and Zoe and Baxter and his men eyed each other cautiously. Unable to stand the situation any longer, Mal spoke up and said, "See the goods have been delivered. My people are handin' them to your man as we speak. Supposin' this means our business is concluded."

"Supposin'," Baxter said warily.

Catching the other man's tone, Mal asked curiously, "If you don't mind me askin', why are you and your men actin' so tetchy?"

"Well, if ya hadn't noticed, the lights are on!" Baxter replied agitatedly.

"Didn't know that was a problem," Mal commented as he looked about the chamber. "You sayin' that's none of your doin'?"

"I'm sayin'," Baxter replied with added fervor.

"Bax!" one of Baxter's men cried out as he ran up carrying a large metallic, conical shaped device. The device had a large white, glowing bulb at its apex and several other flashing red and blue lights flashing about its exterior. The man dropped it front of Baxter and Mal with a large crash, but the device appeared to keep functioning. Baxter then looked at Mal with fury in his eyes.

"That ain't either!" Baxter barked as his men quickly cornered Mal and Zoe. "You know what that is?"

Mal nodded in shock, and said, "Long-range alert beacon."

"By now it's called every Alliance ship in the quadrant!" Baxter yelled furiously. "We've been usin' this place as a drop point for months, and ain't none of this happened till you arrived!"

"Look," Mal said as he and Zoe began to size up their situation. "We're reasonable folk. I'm sure there's some way we can work this out."

"Sure is," Baxter said with an evil gleam in his eye. "You can start by tossin' back the coin I just gave you."

After a look to Zoe, Mal carefully reached into his coat, pulled out the sack of coins and tossed them back to Baxter, who caught them easily. Then with a satisfied grin, Baxter said, "Next, you can die in pool of your own blood."

All of a sudden the chamber was a flurry of action. As Baxter's men reached for their guns, River leaped out from the pillars behind two of them and quickly took them down. Jayne also jumped out and shot down a third one who was training his gun towards River. Zoe and the fourth of Baxter's men drew simultaneously and exchanged shots. Zoe was knocked to the ground as the bullet hit her low in her side. The other man was hit in the shoulder, but still stood and took aim to finish Zoe off. Fortunately, he was shot down by both Jayne and Mal. Incensed, Baxter grabbed Mal and threw him hard against the back wall. Mal was stunned by the impact and could not resist as Baxter picked him up and punched him hard in the gut before throwing him into the chamber in the middle of the back wall. Jayne cursed his lack of a clear shot and began to run towards the two men as River ran to Zoe. Mal struggled to regain his footing has he noticed Baxter drawing his own gun. He looked down and saw his pistol at his feet. Mal picked it up in a hurry, but saw that Baxter already had his gun trained on him. Mal closed his eyes and said, "I sure don't want to be here right now."

Without warning, the chamber filled with a blinding white light and River let out a shriek. Baxter raised his arm to cover his eyes and backed away slightly until the light subsided. Jayne used the momentary distraction to deliver a pile-driving blow to Baxter's head, causing the other man to collapse in a heap and jarring the sack of coins loose from his belt. Seeing this, Jayne grabbed the sack and said, "Mal, I got the coin, but Zoe's been hit, and. . ."

Jayne's voice trailed off as he took notice of the man standing in the chamber. It was certainly not Mal. The man was older and wearing some kind of sand-colored fatigues and combat boots with a matching combat vest. He was carrying a black gun of some sort and had on an odd brown cap that covered his salt-and-pepper hair. After a quick assessment of the man, Jayne raised his pistol and said, "Ruttin' hell! Who're you?"

The man responded by shouldering his gun and saying, "Ah, ah, ahhh! How about you tell me who you are!"

"Hey! I asked first!" Jayne barked.

"Well sorry, but I don't feel like answering!" The man yelled back.

Jayne's temper was flaring when River came up and grabbed his arm. Both men suddenly took notice of the diminutive raven haired woman as she calmly said, "His name is Jack O'Neill . . . and we need him."

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