**I do not own anything! All rights go to the genius that is Joss Whedon! I only own the OCs! This is for enjoyment purposes only!**
Serenity
"Welcome aboard Mr.-," said Kaylee.
"Dobson," replied the man walking onto the ship.
"Hello," said a brunette walking up to Kaylee. "I see y'all are headed to Boros."
"Yes, we are. Are you traveling there?" asked Kaylee.
"Yes, and I have the money to make the trip," said the woman.
"Then welcome to Serenity," said Kaylee with a smile.
The woman smiled back at her and grabbed the bags that were sitting at her feet.
"Mal, this is Simon," said Kaylee as Mal walked up to the ship. "Simon, this is our Captain."
"Captain Reynolds," said Simon eying him.
The woman was standing just behind Simon.
"Mal this is," started Kaylee. "I didn't get your name."
"I didn't give it, but it's Janelle," she said.
Mal nodded to them. "Welcome aboard." He turned to Kaylee, "This all we got?"
Janelle followed Simon onto the boat with Kaylee bringing up the rear and closing up Serenity.
"All aboard," she said quietly as the door closed.
Janelle stood off to the side by herself. She brushed the dirt from her dress. She had her hair pulled back into a simply bun and a pair of sunglasses on her face. Her dress was different shades of browns and greens. She would've been the epitome of society on one of the border planets or moons, but on Persephone she was just another person. While her dress ended a few inches before the ground she'd still collected and insane about of dust.
"That looks uncomfortable," said Kaylee.
"What?" said Janelle looking up at the mechanic.
"Your dress," said Kaylee nodding to the nodding to the cincher Janelle was wearing.
"You get used to it," she said with a smile.
"Why do you dress like that? Not that it's not pretty," said Kaylee.
Janelle smiled. "I grew up out on one of the border moons. It's what I'm use to wearing," said Janelle. "I see no need to change who I am to fit into other people's lives.
Janelle's dress had a tan skirt that flared slightly at the bottom. It was topped with an earth tone green and brown top with a cincher that set just under her bust. She had an earth tone green over skirt that was held up by two straps in the front to make it easier for her to walk.
"I have more similar to this if you ever want to try them out," she said. "We look to be about the same size."
Kaylee smiled. "I'd like that."
"Meals are taken up here in the dining area. Kitchen's pretty much self-explanatory," said Mal. "You're welcome to eat what there is any time. What there is is pretty standard fare – protein in all the colors of the rainbow."
Janelle smiled at his comment. She didn't much care for straight protein, but she wasn't going to complain. She was getting this trip for a third of what another ship's captain would ask.
"We do have sit-down meals – next one being at about 1800," finished Mal.
Kaylee mentioned something about the Shepherd helping prepare their dinner.
"As I said, you're welcome to visit the dining area anytime. Apart from that I have to ask you to stay in the passenger down while we're in the air," said Mal. "The bridge, engine room, cargo bay – they're all off-limits without an escort."
"Some of my personal effects are in the cargo bay," said Simon.
"I figure you all got luggage you're gonna need," said Mal. "Soon as we're done here, we'll be happy to fetch'em with you," he said pushing off the wall. "Now, I have to tell you all one other thing, and I apologize in advance for the inconvenience."
Janelle had taken at seat that the table by this point. While she liked her clothes, her feet were killing her. Three inch boots are not something you wear when you know you're going to be walking a lot.
"Unfortunately, we've been ordered by the Alliance to drop some medical supplies off on White Fall," said Mal. "It's the fourth moon on Athens. It's a little out of our way, but we should have you on Boros no more than a day off schedule.
"What medical supplies?" asked Simon.
"I honestly didn't ask," said Mal.
"Probably plasma, insulin – whatever they aint got enough of on the border moons," said Zoë.
"Alliance says jump -," said Mal.
"All right," said Simon.
"Zoë, you want to take them to the cargo bay?" asked Mal turning to look at her.
"Yes, sir," said Zoë.
Janelle grabbed her bags and quickly made her way to the passenger dorms. She really wanted to get her boots off. As she turned the corner she bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry," she said bending to pick up the bag she'd dropped.
"Yeah," said the man.
He was tall and muscular. He didn't look much like a people person. He stepped around Janelle and continued on his way. Janelle watched him until he disappeared around the corner.
"No," she said to herself. "Do not get attached. You are getting off on Boros."
She took a deep breath and continued on her way to her room.
"Oh, I'm starved," said Mal.
"This is incredible," said Zoë.
"It is great," said Mal agreeing.
"It's not much. I had a garden at the abbey," said Shepard Book. "Thought I should bring what I could."
"It all looks great," said Janelle. "You and Kaylee did a fantastic job."
Kaylee smiled. She liked Janelle, even her fancy clothes.
"It's very kind of you to share with all of us," said Simon.
"It won't last," said Book. "They're not the same when frozen. The important thing is the spices. A man can live on packaged food from her till Judgment Day if he's got enough rosemary," he said. "Captain, do you mind if I say grace?"
"Only if you say it out loud," said Mal looking up at the Shepard.
Janelle closed her eyes and said a quick prayer along with everyone else. When she opened her eyes the man she'd ran into earlier today was looking at her. He cleared his throat and turned his attention elsewhere.
"So does it happen a lot?" asked Simon. "Government commandeering your ship telling you where to go?
"That's what governments are for – get in a man's way," said Mal.
Janelle smiled as she at her dinner.
"Well, it's good if the supplies are needed," said Mr. Dobson.
"Yeah," said Janelle. "The border planets and moons aren't known for their high tech advancements."
"You've been to them?" asked Zoë.
"Yeah," said Janelle finding her food interesting at that point.
"I hear a lot of the border moons are in bad shape – plagues and famine," said Dobson.
"Some of its exaggerated and some of it aint," said Zoë.
"All those moons, just like the central planets they're as close to Earth-That-Was as we can make'em. Gravity, atmosphere and such, but -," said Zoë.
"Once they're terra-formed they'll dump settlers on there with nothing but blankets, hatchets – maybe a herd," said Mal. "Some of them make it. Some of them -"
"Some of those moons have done well for themselves," said Janelle looking over at Mal. "Despite their simple livings."
"Then I guess it's good we're helping," said Simon.
"You're a doctor, right?" said Kaylee changing the subject.
"Oh, uh, yes, I was a trauma surgeon on Osiris in Capital City," said Simon.
"Long way from here," said Mal.
"You seem so young to be a doctor," said Kaylee, fascinated with Simon.
"Yeah. You're pretty young to be a ship's mechanic," said Simon.
"Know how," said Kaylee with a chuckle.
Janelle had been watching the guy. He had a knowing look on his face as he listened to the conversation.
"Machines just got workings, and they talk to me," said Kaylee with a smile.
Janelle could tell that Kaylee loved what she did and knew she was good at it. She was still trying to figure out the rest of the crew. Zoë was obviously the first mate and had known Mal long enough not to question him if she didn't need too. Wash, was obviously the pilot, since his lack of presence at the table gave that away. Kaylee was the mechanic, but she couldn't figure out the man. She didn't know what he did.
"That's a rare gift," said Shepard Book.
"Well, not like being a doctor," said Kaylee. "Helping fix people – that's important."
"He's right," said Janelle. "I'm sure this ship wouldn't be in the air without you."
Kaylee smiled at the complement.
"Little Kaylee here just wishes you were a gynecologist," said the man cackling.
Kaylee looked up at him, her face turning a slight shade of pink at the comment.
"That was crude," said Janelle.
He just looked at her.
"Jayne," said Mal. "You will keep a civil tongue in that mouth, or I will sew it shut. Is there an understanding between us?"
"You don't pay me to talk pretty. Just because Kaylee gets lubed up over some big-city dandy…" said Jayne.
"Walk away from this table. Right now," said Mal.
There was a tense moment of silence as the two men starred at each other before Janye reluctantly left the room.
"What do you pay him for?" asked Simon.
"What?" asked Mal.
"I was just wondering what his job is on the ship," said Simon.
"Public relations," said Mal.
Janelle leaned over a put a hand on Kaylee's, "It's okay," she said with a smile. "Some men are Neanderthals."
Kaylee smiled slightly at the comment.
Janelle was walking around the passenger dorms and found Kaylee sitting on a couch by herself. She walked over and sat down next to her.
"You okay?" asked Janelle.
"OH, yeah, I'm fine," said Kaylee with a forced smiled.
"No you're not," said Janelle. "I know that look. Listen, most men don't understand women. And I think this one, Jayne, is one of those."
Kaylee smiled, "He's hard to get along with a first, but once you get to know him he's not that bad."
"Hmm," said Janelle as Kaylee stood up and left.
She was only alone for a few minutes before Jayne came walking through the area.
"You're a very crude man," said Janelle standing up from the couch.
"Like I said, he don't pay me to talk pretty. And it doesn't matter what you think, you're getting off on Boros as soon as we get there," said Jayne gruffly.
"Yes, I am," she said. "And the sooner the better," she said brushing past him.
Jayne watched her as she disappeared into her room. Since he first bumped into her earlier in the day he couldn't get her off his mind. There was something about her that just drew him to her. The sooner she was off the boat the better, and then he could get back to his normal self.
"So you're a companion?" asked Janelle as she sat in Ianra's shuttle.
"Yes," she said smiling. "Is that a problem?"
"No," said Janelle. "I've just never met one before. At least not knowingly."
Inara smiled. "We don't exactly flaunt what we are. WE are subtle about it. It's something we learn when in training."
Janelle nodded her head. She was about to speak when they heard shouting.
"What is that?" asked Janelle standing up.
"What is – ?" said Kaylee walking through the door to the cargo bay.
Dobson turned towards her and fired his fun, hitting her in the stomach.
"Kaylee!" shouted Inara running down the steps.
Janelle grabbed her shirt and ran down the stairs after Inara as Mal let go of Simon and took off towards Kaylee.
"How do you feel?" asked Simon setting her on the ground.
"A little odd," said Kaylee.
"Be still. Be still," said Simon unzipping her vest.
"Oh, wow. That aint hardly a mosquito bite," said Mal.
"Big mosquito…" said Kaylee softly.
Inara took off her robe and placed it under Kaylee's head.
Kaylee, stay with me. Stay with me," said Simon. "Can you move your feet?"
"Are you asking me to dance," she said.
"She's going into shock," said Janelle from the other side of Mal. "If you're gonna help her, you have to do it soon."
"Kaylee. Mei-mei you have to focus," said Inara holding Kaylee's head.
"Doc, you're running out of time," said Janelle. "Kaylee, keep your eyes open."
"The infirmary working?" asked Simon.
"Yeah, we got it stocked," said Mal.
"Captain, we've been hailed by a cruiser – ordered to stay on course and dock for prisoner transfer," said Wash over the intercom.
"What is going on?" asked Janelle looking at Mal.
Mal just grunted and ignored her.
"Change course," said Simon. "Run."
"Hell with you," said Mal. "You brought this down on us. I'm dumping you with the law."
"Mal," said Inara.
"She's dying, Captain Reynolds," said Janelle.
"He's not gonna let her," said Mal keeping his eyes on Simon.
"Yes, I am," said Simon.
"No, you can't," said Mal.
"No way the feds'll let us walk," said Zoë.
"Then we dump him in a shuttle and leave him," said Mal.
"Everybody's so mad," said Kaylee.
"It's okay baby," said Inara. "Mal…"
"Do you know what s stomach wound does?" asked Simon.
"I surely do," said Mal.
"Then you know how crucial the next few minutes are," said Simon.
"For the love of God, would you two stop it! She's dying!" shouted Janelle standing up.
"Stay out of this!" shouted Mal.
"You let her die, you'll never make it to the feds," said Zoë.
"She'll still be dead," said Simon.
"You rich kids," said Mal. "You think your lives are the only thing that matter. What'd you do? Kill your folks for the family fortune?"
"I don't kill people!" said Simon.
"Then do your job!" said Mal.
"Turn the ship around!" shouted Simon.
"Enough!" shouted Inara standing up. "Mal, do it."
"Don't you ever tell me what to do on -," started Mal.
Kaylee started crying Janelle dropped back to her knees and grabbed her hand. "Shh, it's going to be okay Kaylee. Just breathe."
"Zoë, change course," said Mal.
Zoë walked over to the com and told Wash to change the course. Wash immediately changed the course and took off in a different direction.
"Help me get her up," said Simon.
Mal reached down and helped Kaylee off the floor. Inara and Janelle stepped back from the body as they carried her from the room. Janelle and Inara followed close behind. Once they had Kaylee on the table and doped up Janelle quietly made her exit. While she'd come to like Kaylee in few hours that they'd been on board, she didn't know her well enough to butt in between Inara and the Captain.
She wondered around the outside of the infirmary and stumbled across Jayne. He was crouched down looking in one of the windows watching the doctor.
"She'll be okay," said Janelle.
"I aint worried," he said gruffly, but didn't leave his position.
"Yes you are," she said crouching down next to him. "It's written all of your face. I would be worried if you weren't worried about her. Even just a little."
"And why is that?" he said glancing at her.
"You've spent an unknown amount of time on this ship with her. I can see it in Captain Reynolds' face when she was shot and I see it in yours now," said Janelle. "She's family."
Jayne just nodded.
"Sitting here isn't going to help things," said Janelle placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't matter, not going anywhere," he said shaking her arm off.
"They don't hire mediocre doctors at the hospitals in Capital City," said Janelle walking away.
Janelle stood up from the couch and dropped her book when she heard yelling. When she emerged in the cargo bay Mal was standing over an open crate and Simon was struggling with Jayne.
A/N: Here is the first chaper. I've been on a Firefly kick the past couple of days and the story of Janelle kind of came to me in a dream...so here we are. Yes, it is going to follow the series as close as possible. I'm, obviously not going to put every thing from the show in the story, only the bits where i can squeeze Janelle into. So, review and let me know what you think! ~Kat
