The Monkey Chased The Weasel

Summary : Six months after the events on Miranda , the crew come across an abandoned spacecraft obviously attacked by Reavers. River, despite Mal's orders, attempts the rescue of a lone survivor. Only she can hear his tears and his song. But can she convince them that he is not a threat? Can each of the crew face the ethical and moral implications that are presented to them and save the life of another broken child of the Alliance?

Warning : Later chapters may Mention of sexual abuse and Physical torture. May contain the Corporal Punishment of a minor and teenager.

Disclaimer: I do not own Firefly . Joss Whedon does, "The master" and creator of female heroes. So does Tim Minear ( a genius, writer and producer )) under Mutant Enemy Productions inc….. And 20th century Fox , but they don't deserve them. ( for axing the series only after 14 episodes.) Firefly is an American space western. Mutant Enemy Productions also produced of Buffy the vampire Slayer , Angel and Doll House.

Chapter One: No Blame

Most of the crew were in the cargo bay playing ball. They played two against two, Mal and Simon against Kylee and Jayne, cheating and shoving each other to dunk the ball in the rough looking ring attached to the scaffolding.

Jayne dribbled and turned while Simon and Mal flanked on either side attempted to steal the ball. Jayne might be slow but every time they get near him, he takes it in the air well above their reach. Mal and Simon continued to hassle him, hoping to wear him out so he has to pass to Kaylee.

"Kaylee!" Jayne called as he passed the ball.

Kaylee caught the ball, dropped then made a run for the ring with Mal and Simon chasing, figuring to steal the candy from the baby. Things are to close for Jayne, so he bolts and bust through the attackers, lifting Kaylee with the ball while she slam dunks it and then is left hanging by the ring, while they all argue about a foul.

River watched the crew play the game, but is then drawn away into her fuzzy mind …."round and round the mulberry bush the monkey chased the weasel… "She hummed and sang quietly.

Out of the corner of his eye Mal looked at River. Where are you now little one? he thought to himself. The sounds of laughter interrupted these thoughts and he looked to the mezzanine where Inara and Zoe joined to watch the antics below. He continued to ponder at the sight of Zoe, her stoic demeanour slightly relaxed, more than it had ever been since Wash's death. Good to see you smile again my loyal peng. His gaze panned to the smiling face of Inara, the most beautiful face, even when smudged with what looked like the remnants of the meal they would all sit down to later. He wiped the sweat from his brow and smirked, thinking about her and what they might do after dinner, caressing her b…..

"MAL! She's going to fall!" yelled Inara.

Mal snapped back into the moment and ran to catch and scoop up a falling Kaylee in his arms. As he stood her on her feet, she placed her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek.

"My hero."'

Simon rushed towards her, "Kaylee are you alright? "

" Fine … duh PEE-yen .." she snapped back, then smirked as she walked towards Jayne and gave him a hi five " Nice going 'Pard!"

The laughter of the entire crew bought River out of her "Fuzzy mind." She walked towards Mal and the others. Mal spotted her and smiled as she approached.

"Very naughty Captain!" chastised River, shaking her finger at him and flicking her eyes to Inara, who is above them.

Mal actually blushed then frowned at River, then returning a scolding finger. " No, naughty Xiao Mei Mei ,...no getting inside my head."

River quickly switched topic as only she could do. " She doesn't blame me you know."

" I know... nobody blames you, " said Mal.

Simultaneously they both said, " They just worry...We all miss him!"

Looking at each other's eyes a slow and gentle smile came to each of their faces.

"She's thinking of you and what it would be like to squeeze a soapy warm coral sponge over your sweaty hot shoulders and watch it ripple slowly over your six pack," teased River.

" What ! ZOE ? " Mal exclaimed.

River started to giggle uncontrollably.

Mal blushed for a second time that day. "Oh Inara … Hmmmm Inara?. He then immediately turned his gaze towards River with a menacing smile.

"Looks to me like there's a little albatross bout to get her tail clipped."

River ran giggling and was still giggling when Mal caught her. He tucked her under his arm and playfully swatted her tail twice, then proceeded to tickle her belly. He plopped her down puffing and chuckling. "Now … mei, mei...River you gotta try and stay out of peoples head. Their private thoughts are their own. Dong ma?

River suddenly stiffened. Her eyes grew large and her facial features hardened. " REAVERS!"

Everybody heard. Within mili seconds the perimeter alarms blared. Everybody snapped their bodies into motion and took off as Mal shouted.

" ZOE ! " Zoe was gone , already in the pilots chair , already flicking switches and checking the readings on the consoles.

"JAYNE!" already gone.! He'd grab "Bertha" and then hit the armoury for grenades.

"KAYLEE engine room now. Make sure we can spin this bird on a copper yen if need be."

"On it Cap'n" called Kaylee from the corridor to the engine room.

"Simon go with her!"

Inara take River and lock yourself in your shuttle. You have any doubts bout what's going on out here, you fly that thing outta here as fast as you can. Don't hesitate. GO!"

"But Mal, the Oven!"

"Ma- Shong; NOW !"

But, River was already gone too. She almost glided up the stairs and headed towards Inara's Shuttle with Mal right behind her taking two steps at a time. He headed straight to the cockpit.

Inara ran to her shuttle, watching River slip through the door with speed. Thank the Holy men, she thought. However, when she got there it was locked. "Good girl, River, but let me in first."

River didn't respond. Inara's frustration turned to absolute horror when she heard the familiar sound of her shuttle engines firing up. "RIVER, RIVER OPEN THIS DOOR! Ta ma de, NOW!" Then she heard the release clamps crunch and click as the shuttle disconnected from Serenity. "AiYa!... Ai Ya ! "

Mal almost bounced into the co-pilots chair. "What we got Zoe?"

"We got fuel traces and trails, and what looks like a dead ship, Sir."

"We gotta a visual?"

"Coming up."

From the large port holes in front of them, they could see a "G" Class cargo carrier with no lights and no life signs.

Thank their lucky fat Buddha, there was also no Reaver ship in sight, however they had been there. Besides the fuel trail they'd left behind with their leaking toxic ships, the cargo ships damage was indescribable.

" Wuh de tyen ,ah; Dear god in heaven. Ok, Ok we're safe, but we 'aint 'staying for any salvage. That is a toxic waste and those Reavers ain't been long gone. We'll take no chances with them 'commin' back."

" Kaylee " get us outta here."

Suddenly Zoe Yelled "CAPTAIN!"

Mal Turned to look back through the large windows, thinking, Tamade; no they're back. But, what he saw was totally unexpected and unbelievable. " Gwai- gwai long; what the …"

Inara's shuttle came around starboard and into view. It was headed straight towards the cargo ship.

" INARA !"

Inara arrived at the door " No its RIVER! "

"Zhu Ah, Ni Ming Ming Zhi Dao Wo Shi Bang Ni Zuo Shi, You He Bi Zhao Wo Ma Fan Ne? "

Oh Lord, you clearly know I'm helping do your Work, so why do you find me trouble?

TBC

Thanks to Night fire for his firefly Chinese slang list.

Chapter 2- Congratulations it's a Boy

Apologies for changing tenses too much, I went through it all but I think I missed some. I keep forgetting to save my edits before I upload. I'm still learning and looking for a beta reader.