Disclaimer: I don't own anything, and I don't get paid.
Author's Note 1: Set A/U sometime between the series and before the movie.
Author's Note 2: Since I recieved so many reviews saying that the original format was hard to read, I have now reposted. Enjoy.
Don't slow down. Run faster! The woman thought to herself. Where did I park that blasted boat? She glanced over her shoulder as she turned to the right. Four Alliance officers were chasing her. "Stop her!" One of them yelled. She spotted the firefly just ahead of her. The hatch was closing just as she reached it. With a burst of speed, she jumped inside and hid behind a crate just as it closed. The four officers watched the firefly start up. "Should we stop them?" One of them asked. "Nah, she's harmless enough now that she without her crew." The other officers laughed.
The woman slowly calmed as the ship began to lift off the ground. "Well now, ain't you cute?" A tall burly man asked. "Back off!" She snapped without looking up. "Fraid I can't do that. I have to take you to the captain." She stood and brushed her long, brownish blond hair out of her face. "You blasted idiot, I am the captain!" Jayne folded his arms in amusement. "Funny, you don't look like him." She looked confused. "Him? What the?" She made a dash for the bridge. Jayne was right behind her. "Hey! Come back here!"
Once on the bridge, she raced to a window. She spotted her firefly, the one she was the captain of, taking off. Without warning, it exploded. She jumped in shock. Slowly reality hit. "Dash it!" She muttered as she slumped to the floor. Her back was next to the wall and her face in her hands. Her crew was gone. Her firefly was gone. "Where did she go?" Jayne gasped. Zoe nodded in the general direction. "Where'd you learn to run so gorram fast!" She looked up at him. Everything I learned about runnin' I learned from my brother. The biggest jerk in the universe, Malcolm Reynolds!" She said as she got to her feet. Jayne, Wash and Zoe exchanged an amused look.
At that moment, Mal entered the bridge. "What in blazes was all that racket about, Jay-…?" He stopped short as he saw the woman and Kaylee nearly bumped into him. She was not who he had expected to see. "What's she doin' here, Zoe?" He asked. "Question of the day, sir." Zoe replied. The woman glared at Mal. "You double-crossin' traitor!" She said, socking Mal in the jaw and knocking him flat. Kaylee stepped out of the way to avoid being knocked over as Mal crashed to the floor.
He looked up at the angry woman in surprise. "Where'd you learn to punch like that?" He asked, rubbing his sore jaw as he stood to his feet. "As if you didn't know, Malcolm Reynolds. You son-of-a…" She lunged at him again, and it was all Jayne could do to hold her back. "As if I didn't know what? And who are you anyway?" Mal asked. "You know darn well I'm your sister! You off to the war and left me at home in the hands of our father. He's the reason I learned how to punch back!" Mal looked stunned, as did the rest of the crew. "Angela? It can't be you." "You know it's me! Don't play stupid with me Mal. I learned the stupid act from you, so I can see right through it!" Mal looked nervous and confused. "Still doesn't explain what you're on my boat."
She calmed a bit. "I thought it was my ship. I didn't take time to read the name because the hatch was closing." "Well then, I guess we best turn around so we can get you back on your boat and off of mine." "That's very noble of you, Mal." Angela said sarcastically. "But I'm afraid that's impossible seein' as how my ship just exploded!" "Is that what that noise was? I thought it was just an engine backfiring." Angela glared at him. "You know gorram well what an explosion sounds like, Malcolm Reynolds!" She said through clenched teeth. Jayne was still holding her back by gripping her arms. She turned on him next. "Get your paws off of me you over-grown ape!" Mal was desperate; he couldn't have her take out his entire crew.
Inarra chose that moment to come onto the bridge. Her eyes widened when she saw Angela. "You… what are you doing here?" Mal's shock grew. "You mean you two know each other?" Inarra turned her attention to Mal. "Of course, she's a companion." Jayne burst out laughing. "Just what is so gorram funny!" "It's just… Well she sure don't dress like no companion. Don't act like one neither." Mal looked at his sister. "You're a companion?" "Former… I'm a former companion." She said defiantly refusing to look at Inarra. Mal didn't know how to respond, so he turned to Kaylee. "Kaylee, would you show Angela to the room next to Shepherd's?" Kaylee grinned glad to have the fighting over. "Sure thing, Cap'n. Follow me." She said turning to Angela. "You can tell me all about yourself as we get you settled."
When the two women had gone, Jayne started laughing again. Mal glared at him and Wash started to laugh as well. "Please enlighten the rest of us as to what is so gorram funny!" Mal snapped. Wash shut up and didn't say a word. Mal glared at Jayne. "Well? You gonna answer me, Cobb, or do you want to find another ride?" "Sir, it's just you never mentioned you have a sister, and, well… she's a helluva lot prettier than you." "Is that fact?" Mal growled menacingly. Jayne grinned. "First, I don't recall whether it's any of your gorram business whether or not I have a sister. But seein' as how she is my sister, you'll do well to keep your grimy paws off. Got it?" Jayne nodded, and Inarra stifled a laugh. "Somethin' funny, Inarra?" "Mal, I've just never seen you this protective before." Mal's expression turned from menacing to flustered. "Well… uh… She's my sister, of coursed I'm gonna be protective." He said and stalked off the bridge.