Chapter 2

Reed was settling in real nice to Serenity. Within the week there was nothing that he didn't love about her. He helped out with just about everything on the ship from piloting to fixing the engine. The crew enjoyed having the boy's energy on the ship. He was even a little useful, doing chores and the little things.

Mal was becoming fond of the boy as well. He reminded him a bit of himself when he lived on Shadow. Of course, the boy wasn't a stubborn brat like he was, but that was the better part. Inara and Kaylee had seen to it that he didn't smell like a dump anymore and that he had some better clothes. Inara fashioned him a shirt out of an old sleeping gown. The boy was real grateful as well. He didn't fuss about much and stayed quiet like most of the time.

There were still some things that would set him off. A mention of a playing pool would set him off to ranting "please don't hurt me". When Kaylee asked him to open cans he went around pouring the cans out onto the floor. He got a couple of switches to the backside for that one. When they thought they were being followed by Reavers he climbed into the ceiling and wouldn't come out for hours. He cried out in his sleep. He wouldn't tell anyone where he came from or how old he was. Definitely something weird about that boy.

They were playing hoop ball after a day of retrieving goods for a customer. It wasn't likely that they'd get to finish the job today, so it was time to relax. Shepard Book had Reed on his shoulders and Jayne had Kaylee on his. Mal would pass the ball to Shepard and Shepard would give it to Reed and he'd throw it through the hoop.

The siren alarm for incoming ship rang overhead. "Transport Firefly class, this is the Alliance; we are requesting that you clear us for side by docking. We have reason to believe that there is stolen cargo on board. You also seem to be operating without proper identifications. Slow down and prepare for boarding." Wash followed the Alliance orders while Mal gave his orders.

"Kaylee, get Simon and River into space suits. You two know the drill. I believe we are in for a bit of scrutinizing. But we ain't got nothin hiding here. I intend that we do this quick and simple a' fore the government goes on their merry way." He turned to the boy that the Shepard was lifting off his shoulders. "Now you don't go actin up Reed, or there will be an amount of punishment to pay. That goes for the rest of you." He looked at Jayne before running up to the bridge.

Reed looked to the Zoƫ, "What about me? I got no proper papers. They'll put me in the system. I don't want to live in no Alliance shelter." He was getting tetchy.

"I'm sure the captain is coming up with something. Else wise he would have had you out there with the Doc and River." They went quiet after that until Jayne broke the silence with a remark about running around naked.

The captain came down to the cargo hold a couple of minutes later with a piece of plastic in hand. He slipped it to Reed before opening the door to greet the government squad. Reed looked at the plastic card.

Reed Reynolds

Birth: 3-23-2509

Birth Planet: Persephone

ID: 003-9475917588

Reynolds. What'd that mean? Reed was overjoyed at the fact that Mal considered him that highly. He slipped the plastic into his pocket and watched the Alliance officers stride in and take a look about the place.

"Is this your ship, Captain Malcolm Reynolds?"

"I do believe so." He handed him the certificate of ownership and the license.

"Are these real?" Reed almost laughed. Mal was too respectable to not have the real papers. "Of course they are sure. I wouldn't be showing them to you if they weren't."

The officer looked around at the crew as if he was looking for some hidden clue on their faces. He looked down on the pad he was carrying. "Captain it appears here that last time you were intercepted by a government cruiser you didn't have any children with you. Child, step forward. Captain who is this child?" Reed went over to the officer.

"Why sir, this is my son. Well, you can see he takes after his mother's looks, God bless her soul in heaven. He has just joined us seeing as my wife died. He lived planet side on Persephone with her until a week ago." The officer gave Reed a discerning look before turning to the captain again.

"I see the family resemblance. Hopefully, he doesn't take after you in the ways of scavenging. I don't wish to see a family trade at work here. Now I believe we have a search to be going on here. You better hope we don't find anything or your ship will be revoked."

"Sir, you wouldn't find anything of an illegal activity here. Just cruising along."

"Then if you'll follow my officers while we conduct an uninterrupted search of your ship. I'm sure you won't mind. And I'm sure you won't mind if we keep you in handcuffs for our assurance." Mal looked like he was going to punch him, but didn't do anything when the officer slapped cuffs on his wrists. Although, Jayne did punch the officer when he put his cuffs on. Not even the Shepard or Inara was left cuff-less. It didn't seem right.