DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, with the exception of Pierce.
Captain Malcolm Reynolds felt older than life that morning, not only did his old battle wounds ache, but his self proclaimed 'finely tuned' muscles as well. Rubbing the back of his neck with one hand and grimacing at the slight pain that burned beneath his fingertips, the Captain made his way to the kitchen to tame his growling stomach. Out of the corner of his eye, Mal spotted River's blurry form. "Mornin' little one," he mumbled, his voice still thick from sleep. She didn't respond, as usual, and so the Captain instead fumbled through the drawers to locate a knife. Reaching for an apple from the pile on the counter, he cut a slice and popped it in his mouth. When he turned to look at River, he saw another figure sitting cross-legged on the table. The apple caught in his throat, and the poor Captain found himself suddenly choking, he pounded his chest with one tight fist while struggling desperately for breath. River placed her arm around Pierce protectively, recalling Mal's past efforts to rid the ship of herself and Simon. "Dung ee-maio," he gasped, "Who the hell is that?" "Pierce came to visit," announced River simply, "she missed the smell of spaceship." She exchanged a smile with Pierce while the Captain attempted to make sense out of the situation.
"Mornin' Captain," called a chipper voice from just beyond the doorway. A moment later, Kaylee bounced into the room. Her eyes shown with a strange sense of youth as she glanced questioningly at the two girls, "We takin' on new recruits, Cap'n?" "No," came Mal's sharp reply, "but River here was just gonna explain how in the 'verse this little jien hw-" "Pierce," River interrupted, her mouth set in a firm line. "Does matter what her name is! Point is – I ain't takin' a liking to people sneaking abroad my ship." He pointed an accusing finger at Pierce, "You're off when we stop at Beylix, got that?" "But Cap'n," Kaylee began. "No," said Mal, "Now there ain't no discussion on this, no arguments, the girl could be a danger to our operation." "Pierce," River interrupted again, irritation flooding her. How was it he could remember thousand of planets names and connections with outsiders, but couldn't keep a name in that empty cranium? "Capn's right," Jayne's deep voice cased them all to jump. Even River, with her strong sense of clairvoyance, found herself momentarily stunned, though for a different reason. "You don't even know her!" Kaylee cried, "How could you know she's a danger?" "I might not know her," he stated hotly, "butRiver does – and as far back as my mem'ry…remembers, that ain't never served well for us before." His physique was purely masculine; Pierce distantly noted the scent of sweat and dirt. "Perhaps we should consider this with a more rational approach." Inara's refined presence was undeniable; Kaylee and River's cause had just won. They knew, the Captain knew, even Jayne couldn't deny the fact that Inara would have Mal's consent within the hour. Yes, he'd fight it, but she had always been Malcom Reynold's weakness.
Pierce remained considerably calm, silent, through the entire ordeal. Though Serenity's crew held her fate in their hands, she showed ambivalence to that fact. River held onto her tightly, pleased to have her friend with her, to know that she could at least offer protection for her. The argument between Inara and the Captain was short-lived, heated words and insults were swapped with the clear intention to wound, but it was a custom for the crew. And soon, Kaylee grabbed Pierce's hand and chattered incessantly, while leading her to the spare room. "Shiny, ain't it," she bubbled, "We haven't had a guest in ages!" Pierce smiled politely and nodded, while secretly asking herself how anyone could understand what the mechanic said when excitement fueled her. Their destination was reached, and when the door slid open, Pierce stepped inside, looking around slowly. Quiet hung in the air as the observation continued. "It's the best we've got," Kaylee said with a shrug, taking the girl's silence for displeasure. "It's perfect," Peirce whispered, her thin fingers traced over the bunk's quilt, her quilt. Kaylee smiled brightly before she turned to leave. "Someone else stayed here," the girl's words caused Kaylee to halt, "Someone cherished, and imperative…I'm sorry, for your loss." Kaylee left, swallowing the obstruction that tugged at her throat. The room chosen for Pierce had once been Sheperd Book's.
Dung ee-maio (Wait a minute)
Jien hwo (Cheap floozy)
