Hi guys! This is my first fanfiction, also the first time I've ever put any of my writing up for public view so thanks so much for checking it out! I love Wash a lot so I couldn't leave him dead so I just took out Serenity's crash landing to make my heart feel better. The first two chapters will be in Simon's point of view and then it will switch to the OC's POV. I would love to hear what you think so please review. I apologize for the short first chapter. Much love xx.

Disclaimer: I'm a poor college kid. I certainly don't own Firefly or Serenity. I'm only here because Jayne Cobb kidnapped me and now I can't leave.

Everything was happening so fast. By the time I had processed an emotion it was gone and I was feeling something entirely different. Horror, though, that emotion was pretty constant. It's been sitting quite firmly in my chest since we found Haven destroyed, that horror. Flying into Reaver space – horror. Miranda and everything we learned there – horror. Flying into an Alliance blockade with Reavers hot on our tail – horror. Nearly crashing into Mr. Universe's moon, running from and fighting Reavers – horror was the only constant emotion through it all. Watching my sister lock herself away with those attacking monsters, well, that was the worst horror yet. Almost before I could register what it must mean for River, my mei mei, to be alone with all those savages the blast doors were opening again. But not to unleash death upon us, no, to give us hope, for there she stood, not a breathing Reaver left. And then before the horror could be replaced by relief there they were. Guns pointed at my sister, the person I had given up everything in order to protect, and they were asking for a kill order. Never before had I considered that two simple words could bring me such elation, but when a gruff "stand down" came to my ears I barely choked down a sob.

One by one weapons began to lower, some slower than others, some so fast you would think the wielders were relieved. It took me only a moment to realize that still others didn't lower at all. Then I heard it, the sound of a gun cocking. None of us had moved, waiting with baited breath. One of the lowered guns rose again, no longer aimed at River, but at the soldier who stood point, one of the few who hadn't followed the Operative's order. It was a gruff, commanding voice that followed the action. "You heard the man, stand down." There was no response as the soldier continued to hold up a shaking gun trained on River.

Another weapon raised another voice speaking. "I ain't much for shootin' young girls. Not much for lettin' others shoot 'em neither. Drop it."

This time there was a twitch of facial muscles before a grating voice came spilling forth. "They've fed you all lies. The Operative has been compromised. The Alliance is just, the Alliance is true, the Alliance - "

We didn't get a chance to find out what else the Alliance might be as the soldier crumpled to the ground, dropped by a well placed blow to the temple with the butt of a third gun. This time the ensuing voice was decidedly feminine. "Shut your trap why don't ya?"

The three turned, weapons raised and the first gruff voice spoke again. "Anyone else got any warm fuzzies 'bout the Alliance they'd like ta share? No? Smart. I think we ought to just let these fine folks be on their way then shouldn't we? We're thinkin' maybe the Reavers got to ya. Best of luck out there." The regiment marched back out the way they had come, taking the last vestiges of horror with them.

An eerie silence settled, broken by a sweet, if slightly slurred, voice. "Well that was real nice of 'em, standin' up for us and all. What say we head on back to Serenity? I'm sure she's a mite worried where we all ran off to so quick." That was all it took to get us moving. Zoe and Wash helped each other up off the floor, never letting go. River made her way over and around corpses to stand with us. Mal lifted Kaylee up from where she lay on the crate, leaving me to offer a hand to the merc. Without the usual look of contempt, he reached up with his good right arm and clasped my forearm, using the grip to haul himself off the floor. He kept his left arm tucked against his torso as he slung Vera over his good shoulder before patting my shoulder and walking off after the others, leaving inara, River and I to follow. We walked in exhausted silence to Serenity.

Miraculously, she still looked to be in one piece, setting aside the Reaver makeover. We trudged up the ramp and stood for a moment at the entrance to our home. Even the air around us seemed to breathe a sigh of relief at our arrival. From beside me, River spoke in that breathy voice that hardly ever uttered sense, "space monkeys". With a giggle and a smiling glance around the cargo bay she walked off into the ship. The rest of us shook our heads in confusion but chuckled anyway and followed her on board.

Thanks a million for reading! xx