MEETING

Chapter 2

Mal met Willow several months ago while he was captured by some of Badgers' men. Willow was also in their company. When he was shoved into the same cell as Willow, most likely to scare her. What woman wouldn't be scared to be enclosed in a tiny space with a man easily twice their size, the threat of man-handling (woman-handling?) could have been very real. No doubt their captors were aware of this and perhaps they were looking for her to make a deal and give them the information they needed.

They obviously didn't know Mal - or Willow.

When they tossed him in she rushed to his side to assist him in maneuvering his battered body into a more comfortable position. She started to chatter on about being treated better by Psychotic Blood Suckers ( you could feel the capitals ), his first thought was that she must know the Alliance. His second was that she was psychotic because she began to tear at her clothes.

First it was her sleeves then the lower layers of her skirts then she started to clean him up and brace his ribs - that he most emphatically informed her of their broken status. She helped him take care of the worst wounds on his torso first then moved to delicately work on his face. Her sleeves and under skirts had long since disappeared Leaving her to rip lengths from her long outer skirt.

When his face was mostly wiped off she finally really looked at him and gasped, dropping the rag. She scuttled back on her knees and pressed herself against the far wall. Startled by this reaction he cracked a joke, "Damn girl, I knew I was bad off but I ain't never thought I'd scare a female. She looked at him, fear in her gaze for the first time, and he hadn't touched her, heck could barely breath. "You're not him?" she asked, then quickly answered herself, "Can't be. Can be touched."

Slowly she seemed to regain her calm and he dared not move for fear of provoking her. She leaned closer and almost whispered, "What is your name?"

"Captain Malcolm Reynolds, Miss. And you are?"

"Willow Rosenberg." Regaining some of her faculties she crept closer. "I'm sorry you just... reminded me of someone."

"No offense taken, Miss Rosenberg." He had remained in the exact same position, fearing that she would well... fear him.

"Willow, please. So, What'er ya in for?" She gave a weak attempt at impersonating a 'bad guy' making her voice all growly and scowling.

Despite the situation, or possibly because of it, he laughed and immediately regretted it. Wincing he sat up a little straighter and she again rushed to his aid. "Had a run in with Badger a while back and he seems to think me 'uppity'. Threw me in here because he could, and I think to frighten you. Not very bright."

"No he isn't. Thats why in approximately 3 minutes we will be leaving without the company of an escort." At his confused look she continued, "The guards change then, spoke about their lunch break, loudly. Will you be able to walk?" Nod. "Okay. Operation Free Willow is under way." Mal nearly laughed again when she rolled away from him, crawled low to the ground a few paces, then jumped back against the wall on tip toes, humming under her breath. When she reached the door she placed her ear against it, mumbled something then turned the nob. That's it, just turned the nob. No lock picking, no guns, nothing. Hoisting himself up he ambled along behind her as she, in her terms, 'scouted ahead'.

Just as they neared an exit a blast rang out and Mal tackled Willow from behind taking some debris from the explosion. When he rolled over and raised his head it was to confront Jayne and Zoe who were just as shocked to see him. Before he could inform Jayne and Zoe that he was okay, Jayne pointed his weapon at a struggling to rise Willow. One minute Willow is freezing under Jayne's glare and the next she has him dangling from a guard rail. We were all so shocked that neither Zoe nor myself could think to defend the big lug.

"That's just bad manners, pulling a gun on an fellow Badger hater. You look like an intelligent fella, You have a choice play nice and help us get out of here or don't and say night-night."

Jayne gulped and said, "Ain't no harm done, just taken care to protect myself Ma'am. I'd appreciate being placed nice and easy like on the walkway." Willow gently placed him on the walk and he responded with an appropriately cowed look and, "Thank you kindly." So shocked by the display Zoe nearly was hit with the opening door.

We all turned toward the door as Zoe knocked the entering goon out solidly with the stock of her shotgun. We made our way out of doors and towards the now shuttle; just when we were in reach of the shuttle Badger's men reached the exit and we were under fire. While running up the ramp Jayne turned to give us cover fire, Willow just ahead of him saw the goon hiding behind a nearby cargo container, taking aim and dove to push him out of the way. Jayne oblivious to the flying red head was taken off guard and stumbled sideways slightly but did not fall.

Instinctively catching the woman he felt her body jerk just after she had settled. She took a bullet for him.

He slung her over his shoulder followed the trajectory of the bullet to the weasel in hiding and lit him up but good. Backing into the aircraft he hit the button to close the shuttle.

They reached 'Serenity' quickly and docked. Everyone with the exception of Wash was on the grating outside the shuttle door. Jayne hadn't even set Willow down when Simon directed him and myself to the infirmary. When Jayne placed Willow on the hospital chair and backed up i could see the blood running down his arm and side where she had been draped. Sitting on the counter I watched the doc work on her, and I watched Jayne standing silently in the corner, decidedly out of the way clenching his fists. Wondering at his reaction and although I'd be loath to admit it apprehensive and slightly jealous that he might have feelings for his pint size hero.

Simon had stabilized Willow and took care of his injuries commenting on their exceptional treatment with the lack of materials. While Willow recovered I filled the crew in on the events and the troubles with Badger as best I could.

She had been with us ever since. We have meet some of her family along our travels and right now we are housing not only Willow but a few of her family as well. We have learned about her and her family's past, even who they are. After some initial disbelief and Wash's observation that it sounded like science fiction she received unexpected support from Zoe with a calm, "You live on a space ship, dear," followed by, "So, a portal huh?" And the rest is, as they (whoever they are) say, history.