"New Order"

Ch. 1

(A/N: Okay guys, this is my very first Firefly fic ever. I hope that you guys enjoy this one. If you have any idea's feel free to e-mail me. And, as always, please review. It means a lot to me. Enjoy!)

Rating: PG; PG-13 later maybe

Pairing: Mal/OC

Timeline: A/U Post Serenity. Spoiler Wash and Book are alive. But, other than that, what happened in the Big Damn Movie happened in the 'verse.

Summery: Mal hires an old flame to be Serenity's cook. But, like Mal, she's changed over the last eight years since they've seen one another. Trouble ensues.

Disclaimer: I don't own Firefly or any of the characters. They're Joss Whedon's. I do, however, own Abigail and Connor, and the Plot.

(Persephone)

The Docks at Persephone was busy. Even with the rain, thunder, and lightning. Serenity's Cargo Door was wide open, even when it was raining. There also was a woman in her early twenties with long brown hair tied up in a bun. She was sitting in a chair on the edge of the entrance.

Abigail Reynolds walked along the Persephone Docks, looking at all of the different kinds of ships with her pale blue eyes. She wore her, long, deep red hair in several tiny braids and carried her luggage that was covered with a black plastic tarp. Abigail wore a purple rain cloak. A flash of lightning made everyone around her flinch. But, it didn't bother Abby one bit.

Holding her hand was a seven year old boy. He had her light blue eyes, but had dark brown hair. He wore a deep green rain cloak. The boy had spotted several other children his age playing in a big puddle.

"Can I mom?" the boy asked.

"Don't wonder off out of my site, young man," she told her son firmly.

"I won't, mom. Promise,"

"Okay, have fun, Honey,"

Abigail watched him run over and start playing. She turned her attention back to Serenity. Her eyes examined the ship. It was a Firefly ship that looked like it's been through a whole lot of trouble and gotten out of that trouble less than easily. Abigail walked forward, closer to the ship. This was the ship. It was something about it that she couldn't quite figure out.

"Hi!" the brown haired woman stood up from her chair and greeted her. "My name is Kaylee," she shook hands with the red head. "And this here is Serenity." she pointed to the ship behind her.

"I'm Abigail," Abby greeted the woman named Kaylee. "Serenity is some ship."

"She'll get you where you need to go and she'll give you anything you need," Kaylee told her with a proud smile.

"You must be Serenity's Mechanic," Abby said.

Kaylee nodded and still smiled brightly.

"Of course Serenity can't run with out a solid crew, right?" Abby asked.

"Serenity has the best Pilot in the 'verse!"

"Really? Well, do you think Serenity could use a Cook? I mean, I don't have anywhere to go in particular. I just want to see the stars," Abby told her.

"I think we can arrange somethin', she smiled.

"I, of course, have plenty of money for food and Room and Bored. And I'll stay as long as I have the money or as long as your Captain will keep my son and I on board," she said.

"You have a son?" Kaylee asked gleefully.

"Yeah, he'll be eight in a few weeks time," Abigail said proudly. She then asked, "That won't be a problem will it?"

"Not at all! Welcome aboard Serenity!" Kaylee said cheerfully.

And for the first time in a long while, Abby smiled. She looked out on Persephone.

"Connor! Time to go, Sweat Heart!" Abigail shouted over another flash of lightning over her face.

Kaylee helped Abby get her things on board, before putting her chair away. She didn't think anybody else would be needing Serenity's service today.

A beautiful, tall, black woman and a handsome, brown haired man wearing black rain cloaks of their own approached Kaylee. Abigail recognized the man at once.

"We've managed to get a job," The man told Kaylee. "Is this our new passenger?"

The man took off his hood, as did the black woman. Abigail undid her cloaks clasp and took off the hood slowly. Another flash of lightning enhanced her features.

"Hello, Mal," Abigail spoke softly.

"Abby?" Mal said, clearly astounded.

His eyes wondered to her golden chain necklace that had a wedding ring attached. Mal put a hand in his pocket, where a similar wedding ring was kept and rubbed it gently. He stepped closer to her, to examine her more closely. Now he could see almost healed scars on her face.

"This is our newest passenger," Kaylee introduced Abby to the rest of the crew as the Cargo Bay door closed. "She's offered to cook our meals," she turned to Mal, "She's got real food and everything!"

But, the black woman didn't seem much to mind about that, she asked Mal, "Do you know her, sir?"

Mal's voice faltered when he spoke, "'Guess you could say that."

Connor stayed quiet and remained polite. The boy took off his cloak. Abigail put her hands around him, folding her hands on his chest. She could her the thunder from outside. There was silence before Mal asked Abby:

"And who's this?"

"He's my son, Connor," she told him.

"I thought that much. He looks so much like you, 'cept for the hair o' course," Mal told her. Mal then said, "Let's get Serenity into the air. We've got a job to do. Zoe, see that Abigail and her son gets settled."

"Yessir," Zoe said.

To be continued . . .