A/N: Most of the characters in this story belong Mutant Enemy and the genius Joss Whedon. I took a little poetic license in creating a background for Mal, although I would love to be proved wrong in the case that UPN picks up the show. Enjoy. Reviews are always welcome.
The fiancé
Simon, Zoë, Wash, and Kaylee were sitting around the table in the mess, talking and basically just passing the time after dinner. Jayne had wandered off in search of something more interesting to do. Inara had turned in for the night, claiming that she had some researching to do on her newest client that she was supposed to be meeting on the planet that they were heading towards currently. Mal had left for the night as well; to make sure everything was in order before heading to bed. Shepard Book and River had also retired for the evening.
"I have a question …" Simon ventured, unsure as to whether or not he should ask the trivial question that had been nagging him recently.
"Shoot." Wash encouraged.
"I've noticed that the Captain doesn't particularly like being called by his full first name, I was wondering if any of you knew why." Simon asked. Wash and Kalyee just shrugged and mumbled that they didn't know, but Zoë went silent as if thinking on whether or not to reveal the answer. Sensing that she knew the motivation behind this, everyone in the room turned toward her, expecting an answer.
"Well, probably because his fiancé used to call him 'Malcolm', and likely dredges up bad memories." She finally answered.
"Why what happened to her?" Kaylee pressed.
Before answering, Zoë look out the door to make sure that the Captain wasn't in hearing distance. "All I know is that her ship was captured by the alliance and she as well as the rest of the crew were pronounced dead. I was there when he got the letter, took it real hard, harder than I ever seen him take somethin'. Other than that I don't know anymore."
An awkward silence filled the room for an antagonistically long few minutes until Wash rose from his chair announcing that he was going to bed. Following her husbands lead Zoë too rose to leave. Simon and Kaylee sat in silence for an indeterminable amount of time. "Well… I never knew he wa' ever that serious about a lady. I mean he never really seem to be interested in them, except for in passing reference or looks." Kaylee finally broke the tension.
"That would explain why. So, … how are the engines running …" Simon responded, changing the subject wishing he had never brought it up in the first place.
**Many Years Ago**
"You promise you don't mind me goin' on this mission?" Edeline asked, as she was standing in front of the catwalk that led to her new ship. She and Mal had been dating for over two years, and they had been planning on getting married in 3 months, but the war had finally broke out, postponing the wedding. Both of them had believed passionately in the independent's cause and had both enlisted their services. Unfortunately having very unique talents, each of them were sure to get separated. Edeline was a phenomenal engineer and was therefore assigned to a ship, where as Mal being a natural leader of men, had been assigned to infantry. They were now parting, as she was about to go on a long mission, to try and survey the border planets near the front. Although they both knew that their missions were very dangerous, Malcolm never suspected that it was the last time he would ever see her again.
Edeline had felt horrible not joining the Independent's intelligence corps where she would have been nearer to the infantry division, not to mention out of direct danger, but the fleet needed engineers and mechanics desperately to keep the ships flying and battle-worthy.
Mal would be shipping off to Hera soon, yet she did not want to be the first to leave. "I'm sure … You're needed on the Anderson. We'll see each other soon, and I promise to write." He said, trying to reassure himself more than her. They leaned towards each other to capture one last embrace. As their lips brushed against one another, their kiss deepened, driven by a need that neither knew they felt. They broke and stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity, before Edeline whispered an inaudible goodbye and turned toward the docking port and walked onto the ship never to be seen by Malcolm Reynolds again.
A few months later he would receive a letter from her mother breaking the news that the Anderson had been captured and all on board had been killed.
**Present**
Mal awoke in a cold sweat, just having relived some of the worst times of his life. He breathed deeply as he looked around at the comforting scenery of his bunk. "Captain, were comin' up on the planet." Wash's voice came over the comm. as Mal was getting dressed. He quickly finished up and headed towards the bridge.
"We're comin' up on the planet, sir, should be landin' as soon as my Husband here, gets permission from ground control." Zoë said as Mal walked through the door.
"Sounds good to me. I take it you already contacted them considerin' you seem to be waitin' on that permission."
"Yep, all we need is the a-okay" Wash responded.
Mal then headed down to the engine room to let Kaylee know that they'd be landing soon and to get a list of the new parts that they needed.
By the time they touched down, everyone but Wash, who was planning on staying on the ship, was gathered in the cargo bay. Mal had already given out an advance on their monthly wages, and everyone was ready to go.
As soon as they opened the door, the crew ventured out on their separate paths. Jayne, the first to disappear, headed for the nearest bar. Inara and Kaylee headed towards the general store, along with Zoë, who had finally agreed to spend a girl's night out, a rare occasion since she had married Wash. They were going to go by the general store, then stop by the parts store, and finally head to a local bar and eatery. The Captain, as usual, went out in search of cargo for Serenity, hoping to tap into some old contacts. Simon and River went directly to the medical supply store, got what he needed and headed back, cautious not to be recognized.
"I can't believe I let myself get talked into this" Zoë said as the searched for 3 open seats in the packed room. They ended up finding one next to a woman with what looked like an independent engineer's coat on (it was an ex-independent friendly planet).
"I still can't believe we talked you into it." Kaylee shouted gleefully.
They sat down and ordered. Kaylee struck up a conversation with woman next to her. "… So you're an engineer?" she asked.
"Yeah, bout the only thing I got left from the war."
"You look like you just got out of it, like you haven't eaten for weeks."
"I just escaped from an alliance camp about 4 months ago."
"But I thought they released everyone."
"They released everyone that was "alive"."
At this Kaylee look rather befuddled. Zoë joined the conversation to explain, "What she means is, the alliance had a tendency to publish that captures were killed and then torture them in camps, and never even admit that they existed. I'd heard rumors about there still bein' camps, but I never actually met anyone that was in one. What ship were you on?"
"The Anderson, I'm Edeline …"
"Zoë."
"Nice to meet you, I take it you were in the war?"
"Battle of Serenity" At this they both shared a moment of silence.
"Zoë, Ede here is looking for a ride to somewhere, she's willin' to pay and work in the engine room. You think Cap'n would be willin' to let her onboard? It'd be great to have a real engineer in there to help; maybe we could spruce Serenity up a bit."
"Well I don't see why not. Why don't come back to the ship, and you can talk to Captain Reynolds about it." Zoë said in reply.
"Thank you." It can't be the same man, he's dead, I saw it with my own eyes. Maybe they faked the tape! What if he really is alive? I shouldn't get my hopes up, but I can't help but want to ask. Edeline thought to herself. "I know this is a long shot, is that Malcolm Reynolds from Shadow, fought at the battle of Serenity?"
"Yes, you know him?"
"Know him, I almost married him." And with that single sentence, Zoë jaw literally dropped. She quickly collected herself and pulled out her radio.
"Sir, you might want to high tail it over to the ship, I got someone you are definitely gonna want meet again."
"Zoë, I'm kinda in the middle of findin' us some cargo, so unless that person is about to pay us money then they can wait." Mal said on the other end as he made a placting face to the rather menacing men who were waiting to conclude their dealings with something that would not even come close to patience.
"Malcolm, I am more than willing to pay whatever your passenger rate is." Edeline took the radio from her.
"Edy?…" Malcolm whispered.