River's Friend
Life is finally going Mal's way. Not only did their wave about the Alliance creating the Reavers get the Alliance off their backs but it has made the crew heroes in the eyes of many. He was really afraid the Alliance would take revenge no matter what the Operative had said. Instead, Parliament is busy fighting over who to blame for the Reaver scandal and the military are keeping a low profile trying to avoid starting another war. It makes Mal's heart swell with pride to see some many people pissed off at the government. End result: less Alliance in his life which is always a good thing.
Work has been flooding in, some of it even legitimate. The crew just finished a well paying job for Badger who not only took the goods without any complaint but paid what he promised. Heck, things have gone so well, he gave the crew a few days of while Serenity is docked at Persephone.
Kaylee is using the time to buy all the things she ever wanted for Serenity. She has been dragging her Doc husband all over Persephone buying parts and upgrades. Kaylee has been in pure heaven.
The Doc doesn't seem to mind. He seems to enjoy indulging his wife. Mal thinks not having to look after River all the time has taken a huge load off him. Simon even laughs these days.
Mal is worried about Zoe. She has taken Walsh's death hard. She has not been her normal self at all. When Mal told her to take some time off, she went to the nearest bar and has not left since. He wishes he knew what to do or say to help her. He just doesn't have a clue what to do. He tried to talk to Inara about it but he ended up with two women he does not understand not talking to him.
Inara has taken up residence once more in one of the shuttles. At first Mal was happy to have her back but they quickly fell into their old pattern. Now he is stuck once more. He is unable to let her go but not man enough to go to her. She is driving him nuts. Lately, she has been keeping her distance which has only confused him more. He didn't ask her to come back. She did that on her own. He forces his mind to another subject as to not ruin his good mood.
Jayne is Jayne. He loves all the free drinks and attention being a hero brings. More than one lady has graced his quarters in the last few days. Jayne couldn't be happier.
River seems to be doing very well. She is almost a real girl now. Her and Kaylee play their silly games. She laughs and makes sense most of the time. Her flying ability is better than even Walsh's (something he would never say out loud of course). She has settled nicely into the role of pilot. She has not even looked at a weapon since the whole incident.
Unfortunately, Mal's good mood comes to a sudden end when he sees River walking up to the ship with a man Mal doesn't know. They make an odd pair with her in a light summer dress holding the arm of a man all of Mal's senses scream is dangerous. This stranger is wearing several guns and knives strapped about his person. A pair of swords stick out over his shoulder. The body armor he wears has clear signs of recent combat damage. Worst of all is the coat he wears. Despite the fact it has been dyed black, the coat is clearly independence issue. No one wears the Brown without being a veteran and nobodies dares to dye the coat. Mal's hand slides down to his gun.
"Hi Mal. I found a friend. He needs a ride." says River with her usual charm and innocence.
Mal replies "I don't know where we are headed next darling. He may not want to go where we are headed." Mal gives the strange a look that he hopes says you don't want to mess with me. His hand never strays from his gun. .
"That is ok. He is just here for the ride. I am going to show him my room." River says.
While Mal tries to come up with a response to that comment, they walk to the passenger section of the ship. Not sure how to best handle this, Mal decides back up would be a good place to start. Mal wakes Jayne who still sleeping off his celebration the night before and sends him to get Zoe. "Sober her up fast if you have to" Mal tells Jayne.
Mal is relieved that Simon and Kaylee are off the ship at the moment. He is not sure how Simon would react to his sister showing this gentleman her room but he can imagine Simon would do something stupid. Mal knows Kaylee would never forgive him if he let Simon get himself killed.
Mal is pacing the cargo bay trying to figure out what to say when Jayne returns with an only slightly staggering Zoe. Mal informs them of River's guest. The three of them then head back to River's room. River's door is open and they can here talking.
She is showing him all her souvenirs. Most are harmless junk but she did save that Reaver's axe. She describes her fight with the Reavers in the same happy tone she used to describe riding that Ferris wheel. The stranger is just sitting on her bed listening.
"Don't worry captain. I am being a gentleman" the stranger says without turning around as Mal and company step up to the door.
"Captain. I told you he is my friend." says River as she moves to the doorway and stamps her foot.
"He is just being a good captain River. He knows a bad man when he sees one." the stranger says while still sitting on River's bed. His hands rest casually on his lap far from his weapons but even his casual tone seems dangerous.
Mal is relieved to see Zoe change to a more alert stance. Clearly, she is thinking the same thing he is. This guy is dangerous.
"None of his business. I am grown and can have friends." River says as she gets face to face with Mal.
"Now darlin I didn't say you can't have friends but this is my ship and I decide who is on my ship." Mal says with as much authority as he can. Jayne and Zoe have taken flanking positions on the doorway. The growing tension is almost visible.
"My name is Max Captain Reynolds and I promise I am not here to hurt River." says the stranger. He gets slowly off the bed while keeping his hands loose at his sides.
Before he reaches the door River says in her told you so voice "See he is my friend. Now go" and she pushes Mal out of her doorway. Mal sees a smile cross Max's lips as River slams her door.
Feeling a bit foolish standing outside River's door they all head back to the cargo bay. There Zoe asks "Well Captain, what do we do now?"
"Hell, I don't know why I had to get woke up for this. If it comes to it, my money is on River. You saw what she did to those Reavers. One guy won't even cause her to break a sweat" says Jayne and he heads back to his bunk.
"Jayne has a point Captain. River can handle herself." Zoe says as she holsters her hogleg.
"Well, just keep an out for Simon. I don't want him meeting her friend without talking to me first." says Mal.
"Will do Sir." Zoe replies with a mock salute.
Zoe starts to head back to the bar when Mal says "Zoe you could stay awhile and keep me company. Don't you want to see the look on Simon's face when I lay this out for him?" A smile creeps onto Mal's face.
Zoe pauses, lowers her head to think a moment then says "Sorry Captain. Still too much in my head already. Don't worry I will be ready when it is time to fly." She heads back to the bar to try and dull the pain tearing her apart. She misses him so much.
Watching his best friend stumble back to her bar makes Mal miss the old Zoe. This one is just so tore up. "It all Walsh's stupid fault. How dare he get himself killed." thinks Mal.
Mal decides to hang out in the cargo bay so he can talk to Simon as soon as he gets back. Sitting here Mal finds his good mood slowly returning. It will be funny to see Simon's face when he finds out about River's friend. Unfortunately Mal's fun is ruined when he sees River and Max coming out of the passenger area just as Kaylee and Simon are pulling up in the hover mule. Cursing his luck, Mal says "Welcome back. Get everything you wanted darlen?"
Before another word is spoken, Simon notices River is holding the arm of a heavily armed stranger. "Who is this?" he asks.
"Hi. He is my friend." says River with innocence only she can manage to Simon and Kaylee.
Kaylee and Simon exchange a look and then look to Mal who just shrugged his shoulders. Simon jumps out of the mule and approaches River and Max. Kaylee throws a concerned please do something look at Mal. Mal throws back a: What I am supposed to do I am just the captain look.
"Hi. I am Simon. Glad to meet you. Just where did you meet my sister?" he says as he offers his hand. He is using his most assertive tone and body language which is about as threatening as a wet kitten.
Max shakes Simon's hand and replies "I know her from school. Small universe to run into her here."
Everyone except Max and River tense at Max's statement. As Mal expected, Simon does something stupid and he throws a punch at Max. Max does not even blink when Simon's fist connects with his face. Simon, however, shouts in pain and he cradles his fist.
"Now everyone should just calm down" says Mal as he tries to take control of the situation. He moves to get between Simon and Max but stops when Max turns to him.
Max says "River tells me you're a good man. She tells me you respect other people's privacy. She tells me you are someone worth of trust. For these reasons, I would like to book passage on your ship. Can we go somewhere private to discuss the details?"
This is not the reaction Mal was expecting to Simon attacking Max. It is like Simon is not even there. He is not sure if he wants to fly with Max but talking to him privately might at least give him some answers as well as keep Simon alive.
"This way." Mal says and he walks up the catwalk and into the galley. Max follows.
"What a minute. You can't consider" Simon tries to say but River punches him square in the face knocking Simon onto his back. Dazed Simon hits the deck with a thud. Kaylee rushes to Simon's side and is using a rag to wipe the blood pouring from his nose.
"Don't hit my friend" River says and then storms off to her room. The slamming of her room's door echoes into the cargo bay.
Once in the galley, Mal closes the doors so they can talk privately. "You have to understand Simon has powerful feel'ns about how that school treated his sister. He don't take to kindly to anyone who might be a threat to her. To be honest me and mine have grown fond of her as well. Why don't you tell me what is going on here?" Mal says.
Max replies "I was a student like River. We got to know each other over all our sparring matches. She is an amazing fighter. I have never met anyone as fast as she is. (Mal notices a look in Max's eyes all to similar to how his look when he thinks of Inara dancing.) I ran into her here on Persephone. I told her what I was looking for. She told me about Serenity and here we are." There is no deception in Max's eyes that Mal can see.
"No offense but you don't seem as unique as our River. Why might that be?" asks Mal
"They made River into a Reader. Me they just made into an assassin." replies Max.
The calm, unemotional way Max says that unnerves Mal a bit. Trying to appear calm Mal put his feet on the dinner table. To keep his hands from finding their way to his gun, he puts them behind his head. Mal says in as casual a voice as he can "Well, like I said before. I don't know where we are headed next so how do you know you want to go with us?"
"I have 3 months off so I am just looking for someplace to relax. River recommended your ship. Reliable people are hard to come by." says Max in a very matter of fact way.
"I wouldn't call our normal travels as relax'n." says Mal. His appearance of calm is briefly broken when he leans too far back in his chair and has to catch himself. If Max noticed he doesn't show it.
"To me it sounds prefect. I will pay you 5,000 platinum and I will bring my own food. If one of your crew is willing to cook meals, I will share my food." Max says plainly.
Mal nearly does fall over at that offer. "5,000 for one passenger. Luxury liners don't get that much." Mal thinks. Money symbols dance thru his head for a moment but he shoves them to the back of his brain. He can't be bought he reminds himself in a firm mental voice. A small voice from somewhere in back of his mind asks if he can be leased.
"That is a lot of money for one passenger. That passenger must come with a heap of baggage." says Mal. He takes his feet off the table and assumes his serious pose with feet planted firmly on the deck.
"Finding someone you can trust is priceless Captain." replies Max with a frighteningly cold look.
"What about Simon? I don't want no trouble on my ship." asks Mal.
"Simon is River's problem. I wouldn't dare interfere with how she handles her brother." Max replies with a smile on his lips.
It seems Max is like River after all. The way his voice moved from threatening to whimsical in the space of a sentence is plain disturbing. Still River has proven to be an asset. Particularly, since that Miranda business was put behind her. Also, 5000 is a lot of money. Having made a decision Mal says "I guess I can let you fly with us but on a few conditions. One: All that hardware your wearing ain't really to help in makin friends. Why don't you take it off? Two: No trouble with any of the crew. First time there is a problem off you go port or no port understand. Three: take that coat off."
"I don't feel comfortable without any "hardware" but I can tone it down while on ship. I will wear just my pistols and a couple of knives. The body armor never comes off. As for the crew, I am not looking for trouble. The coat stays Captain. A good man died in this coat. Best I have ever met. I dyed it black to mourn him. I won't throw it away."
"You don't seem to understand that those who fought for the independence find anyone wearing the brown who didn't fight offensive. Disrespecting the coat by dying it black is just plain asking for trouble." Mal says with heat in his voice.
Getting right into Mal's face, Max says in a firm voice "I don't much care what the rest of the verse thinks. I do what I need to do. Anyone who wants to make an issue of it is welcome to try."
Sure this guy is crazy but Mal can't help but like him. Mal lives the same code. Do what you have to because you have to and to hell what anyone else thinks. "Maybe this will work out after all" thinks Mal. Then Mal laughs and says "Just don't wear it on board ship and I reckon I can live with that. Welcome aboard." Mal offers his hand to seal the deal.
Max shakes Mal's hand and doesn't even seem to notice Mal is using is death grip on him. Mal is surprised by how Max's hand feels. It is almost like it is made of steel. Behind his back Mal flexes his hand trying to work feeling back into it.
Max gives Mal a bag of platinum and says "I will get my cargo and be back in an hour or so." Max heads out the galley and exits the ship thru the cargo bay without another word.
Mal is surprised to see all 5,000 in the bag. "This guy is being awful trusting of someone he just met. I suppose what he and River went thru at that school must have been similar to Serenity Valley for Zoe and me so I guess I can see why he takes her word about us." Mal thinks. His good mood returning once more, Mal heads up to the cockpit.
While still holding Kaylee's greasy rag to his nose, Simon goes to talk with River. Kaylee wanted to cone along but he needs to do this himself. He knocks on River's closed door. "Can I come in?" he asks. He winces as he catches a glimpse of his reflection in the door. He gingerly checks out his nose and is fairly certain it is not broken. He will have raccoon eyes for a day or so.
River opens the door and says "I am grown. I can have friends. Not for you to decide who!" River stands with her arms crossed and her best I am mad at you face. She stomps her foot once to emphasize her words.
With a repent tone Simon replies "I am sorry I handled that badly. You know your brother is an idiot. I just worry about you so much I don't think. Can you forgive me?"
River hugs her brother while mumbling "Love you too." As they break the hug, River grabs Simon's nose and moves it side to side. "Definitely not broken" she says.
The pain of her action cause's Simon's world to spin for a second. "Do you mind telling me about your friend?" Simon tentatively asks while holding is now throbbing nose. "At least it is not bleeding anymore." passes thru his mind.
"Not much to say. They cut my brain and his body. We learned things together." She says with one hand twirling her hair.
Simon is shocked to see a smile on her face when she speaks of this Max. It reminds him of how Kaylee looks at him. "You like him?" asks Simon while fighting his must protect little sister urge.
"Of course. He is my friend." she replies with a bright smile.
"I mean do you like like him" Simon clumsily asks.
Her smile fades as she thinks about the question. "Not sure. Been awhile. Have to see. He might like Inara better. He used to talk about her a lot." River replies seriously.
"How is space does he know Inara?" Simon asks not really believing what he is hearing.
"They sent him to the training house to learn stuff. He told me she was nice to him. He told me to look for her when it was my turn to go. He talked about her all the time. Can't blame him. She is so beautiful and all right in the head." River says as a bit of sadness creeps into her voice.
"They sent you to train with Companions!" Simon tries not to shout. All sorts of new nightmares about disgusting old men pawing his sister start to form.
"No. You saved me first. Didn't get my turn. Sad sometime. Would have liked all the dancing." River states plainly and she gives Simon a quick hug.
"Have to get ready. He will be back soon. Promised him we could as soon as he gets back." she says as she pushes Simon out of her room and closes the door.
Simon did not like her last statement but he is not sure what to do about it. He wants her to be happy but this Max seems like trouble even to Simon. "Maybe Kaylee can help." he hopes. He heads to the engine room to enlist her help.
"Well she is grown Simon. She got needs just like you and I. I am sure nothing bad will happen." Kaylee says much to Simon's disappointment.
He really hoped she would agree that River is not ready for a sexual relationship. It takes all of Simon's doctor impartiality to even discuss his sister having sex. He knows Kaylee is loving his awkwardness particularly because of their relationship. Still he does not hesitate to take shelter in her arms while he tries to process this new development with his sister. "Oh crap. I don't know if anyone ever had "the talk" with her." he thinks before Kaylee's kiss pushes all other thoughts from his head.
As Mal is sipping coffee on the catwalk, Max shows up with several cargo haulers. He brings in 16 large cargo containers of various sizes and shapes. Some of which he plugs into the ship's power system.
"What is all this? No wonder you don't fly commercial." Mal says.
"My cargo is off limits except for these 5 containers. (He points the 5 out) I have 3 freezers of frozen food and 2 frigs of fresh. If one of the crew will cook, I will be happy to share." Max says.
Jayne opens one of the freezers. "Real beef. I like you already." he says to Max as he pats him on the shoulder.
Mal notices Max is still wearing all his hardware. As if he is reading, Mal's mind Max opens one of the off limits cargo containers and starts putting some of his weapons into it. Mal is stunned to see all the weapons in that one container. Jayne looks like he has died and gone to heaven. True to his word, Max puts the coat into the container.
"Is that the new Peacekeeper." Jayne asks eyeing the silver metal finish of a large handgun.
"It is" replies Max. He takes the pistol out of the container, twirls it on his finger and casually tosses it to Jayne. Max never even looked at Jayne but his throw is dead on.
"Wow This is one sweet piece. It even has the new air cartridge system so it can fire without atom." Jayne says lovingly.
"You like it so much keep it." says Max while still going thru his cargo container.
"You're not pullen a fella's leg are you?" Jayne asks as he loving holds the gun to his chest.
"No Keep it. I have plenty of guns." Max says in a friendly way.
Jayne runs off to show Zoe his new gun. He looks like a little kid on Christmas morning.
"Oh good your back! I am ready when you are" says River as she enters the cargo bay wearing only a sports bra and panties. Her hair is loose and flows behind her.
Mal's breath is stolen by seeing River so exposed. He knew she was an attractive woman but wow! Her body is perfectly toned with enough curves to leave no doubt she is a woman. Mal swears he is going to hell for the thoughts popping into his brain right now.
"Right here" asks Max a smile coming to his face.
"Yep" River says with one of her steal your breath smiles.
Max drops his coat on the floor, removes his gun belt, then his knives and starts to remove his armor.
Mal does not like where this is going. "Uh Wait a minute." he starts to say but River cuts him off.
River looks up at him and says "It is ok if you want to watch Captain. We won't mind."
Embarrassment and panic overwhelm Mal causing him to run from the cargo bay. He does hit the door close on his way. "Simon is gonna have to talk with her about proper place for things." thinks Mal as he searches the ship for Simon.
Finding Simon with Kaylee in the engine room, he is relieved to see he is not walking into something else. Simon is just sitting with his back in Kaylee's lap while leaning back to kiss her. Mal coughs and stammers "You need to speak with your sister. Her and her new friend are well their um "using" the cargo bay. That ain't proper. You got to talk to her."
"Right there in the cargo bay. Hmm interesting things in the cargo bay." says Kaylee with a mischievous grin. Simon turns bright red which causes Kaylee to burst out laughing. Mal just shuts his ears.
"This ain't a laughing matter. I got a ship to run. Can't run it without the cargo bay." Mal says trying to stay serious. Although the look of mortification on Simon's face is pretty darn funny he thinks as he smiles to himself.
Simon heads to the cargo bay not sure what to do. Kaylee and Mal are close behind. Taking a deep breath Simon opens the bay door and the sight before him freezes him in his tracks. Simon is relieved to see River is not having crazy sex as Kaylee called it. His relief is short lived when it dawns on him that River and Max are fighting. It is the most incredible thing he has ever seen. River has always been graceful and fast but the two of them are a blur. They trade blows faster than Simon can follow. There is a frightening beauty to their fight. Their fight is like a deadly dance. Each moves with/against each other in silent rhythm.
Suddenly, River sweeps Max's feet out from under him. Max falls onto his back and River jumps on his chest. She raises her fist to strike but Max catches her arms. She laughs with pure joy. "Told you have been practicing." she says as gets up off Max.
Mal is bent over laughing. In between laughs the words "so that is why she said I could watch" can be heard.
Kaylee claps for lack of any better idea. She has never been comfortable about killing and watching the way those two moved spooked her. She is trying hard not to show it for Simon's sake. She places a comforting hand on Simon's arm as much for herself as for him.
River takes a grand bow while Max stands up. Max is smiling as he picks up River and twirls around with her. "You were amazing. I didn't even see that last trip coming." he says clearly proud of River.
"We should clean up. Come this way." a blushing River says to Max. Max picks up his armor and weapons and follows River.
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