Chapter 1

I snuck around the alleyways of the city. My contact had told me that there was a Firefly transport ship somewhere close and if I wanted to get off the planet I would have to board the ship, telling them I had a job for them. The captain was Malcolm Reynolds. The rest of the crew wasn't important. I glanced around the corner and almost got my head blown off by an Alliance bullet. I pressed against the wall and tried to calm down my pounding heart. I hate the Alliance so much it's insane. I walked the opposite direction and saw it. The firefly with a girl sitting in a folding chair. I ran up to her and smiled politely.

"Hello, is this the transport ship?" I asked trying to be nice.

"Why, yes it is. Ain't it a beauty?" she asked smiling up at me.

"Yes it is. Is Malcolm Reynolds here? I have a job for him." The girl lost her smile and looked back.

"Captain. This here girl says she's got a job for ya," she said. Malcolm came out of the ship and I was astounded. I expected him to be slightly more…unattractive. He had beautiful blue eyes and brown hair. He didn't dress as well as he should've, but who was I to complain?

"You have a job for me?" he asked.

"Yes, can you help? It's not exactly legal," I replied.

"That's fine, where do we pick the cargo up?" he asked. I hadn't thought of that part.

"It's in a box in that alley. It's not much, but I would really appreciate it if you would deliver it to a different planet," I replied. I put a bag of money in his hand. "There will be the details of where to take it in the box." I walked off and went to the box that was tossed into the alley. I quickly jumped in and closed the cover before anyone saw me. I felt stupid sitting in a box for no apparent reason, but hopefully they'll open the box after take off.

I heard men's voices, one of them being Malcolm's, coming towards the box. The other man's voice was unknown to me. I quieted my breathing and didn't move as I felt myself being carried somewhere.

"This box is kinda light. Ya think this is a bust?" the other man asked.

"Well, the girl paid in advance and it was a very good amount. Besides, we don't have any other takers in this place," Malcolm replied. The box was dropped and I winced as I heard the door close. "Wash, get us off of this rock." I swallowed hard and closed my eyes. When he finds out that I'm the cargo, he's going to throw me out of the ship for sure. Without meaning too, I fell asleep.

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I woke up to yelling. I opened my eyes and noticed the lid to the box was open. I shifted in the box and knelt in it, hearing my back cracking. I looked out and saw probably the entire crew talking. Well, Malcolm was shouting. The black one made a gesture with her head toward me and Malcolm turned around to face me.

"Would you like to explain to me why you're in your own box?" he asked.

"I'm the cargo. I couldn't be seen. I told you it wasn't exactly legal," I replied stepping out of the box. "You're not going to take me back are you? Because I already paid."

"No. I don't need anymore attention drawn to me," he said almost growling. I thought about laughing at him, but I decided that wasn't appropriate. Someone moved above me and I looked up at a girl. She was staring at me with wide eyes, but they weren't in fear. They seemed to be in longing. I tilted my head and then my eyes grew wide too.

"River?" I asked.

"Nana," she said. Everyone looked at us shocked. Even I couldn't believe it. It was River, the girl I met at the Academy.