Disclaimer: I don't own Firefly/Serenity characters, places and things. Only Liara is a creation of my own.

A/N Thank you Angeldovey for reviewing! You made my week. Here is another chapter albeit a shorter one. It starts in Mal's POV and switches to Liara's. Enjoy and review. Please!

" Right Wash. Keep this course and heading. We shouldn't run into any Alliance cruisers on this route." Mal said, peering over his pilot's shoulder.

"Yeah, well we shouldn't but we might. They seem to find us no matter whether we are looking for them or not."

"Right you are. Keep an eye out. Don't forget to get some grub when you are done. We'll see how good Liara's cooking is." Mal turned to go.

"Anything's got to be better than Simon's cooking." Wash muttered, turning back to his controls.

"Sir may I speak with you?" Zoe had stopped on the stairs to the bridge.

"Bout what?"

" Liara Hawke sir."

Mal cocked his head and crossed his arms. " What about her."

" I just don't see the sense of bringing another member aboard right now sir. We just got things quieted down and off the radar with River. I just don't think taking on a stranger, as crew was the best idea. I don't see how we can trust her."

" I thought you liked her."

"She is pleasant enough. Has a nice way. But we don't know anything about her. Remember those other times taking on new members or passengers? Call to mind where that got us? Two fugitives, an Alliance spy and a thieving hussy who nearly did us all in." Zoe crossed her arms.

"And now we have a doctor, the Alliance is off our tail for a while and Saffron wasn't exactly invited aboard if I recall correctly." Mal replied.

"Why did you ask Liara aboard?"

"You questioning my decision Zoe?"

"Just curious as to why Captain, that's all."

"Serenity could use a decent cook and the girl needed a job."

"That's all sir?"

"Trust me and trust her." Mal went to his hatch and pushed it open. "Zoe, I don't think she's an escaped prodigy from a secret Alliance project, do you? Don't forget you didn't take a liking to Wash when I first hired him on either, and look how that turned out." He stepped down into his quarters and the door hissed shut. Mal went to his Com screen and overlooked the Wave he had gotten from a regular contact on Boros without really seeing it. His mind took him back to those endless days and nights ducking enemy fire and trying to keep his troops alive. The days he truly didn't want to remember but never wanted to forget. Zoe was a constant reminder, albeit a good one, as was the very ship that was his home and haven. He was hopeful that it would be the same for this girl who had become a part of his crew. Only time would tell if his words to Zoe of Liara would ring true or come back to bite him.

I made my way to the galley and took stock of what there was for me to work with and prove to my new crewmates that I knew how to make a decent meal. In the coming months sometimes it would be hard to get much besides molded protein, especially if jobs were hard to come by. I looked through all the locker compartments and gathered some ingredients together that I could work with. A few crates stowed under the stove area yielded a few more. I tugged my apron knot a little tighter and tucked a stray hair into my scarf and got to work. Every now and then I would pause and wait as a wave of dizziness swept through me but I shook it off and went back to cooking. It wasn't anything I hadn't felt before. In no time at all I had a nice Pad Thai along with dumplings and bau ready for dinner. I turned as I heard someone enter the galley. It was Kaylee. Instead of her coveralls she wore a pretty green knit top with ruffles on the cuffs and her cheek was free of grease. She greeted me with a cheery smile.

" It smells great in here. Thought I'd help set the table." She went to one of the lockers and pulled out mismatched dishes.

" I'd be much obliged, thanks." I glanced down at my hands and frowned. They were trembling again. I shoved them into my apron pockets and cleared my throat. "How long have you been on Serenity, if you don't mind me askin'." I put the meal fixings in a large bowl Kaylee handed me.

"Oh, it seems so long now. Been a few years and I just lose count. Haven't seen my family in ages 'cept for a wave now and then from my pa."

I glanced up in surprise. " You left home to sail on Serenity? Left your family behind?"

"Yeah, I wanted to see the 'Verse, see what was on all those stars I used to look up at every night. Serenity is home now."

"But doesn't your family miss you?"

"Sure, doesn't yours?"

I paused as I placed dinner on the table on either side of the lamp. I was saved from answering as the crew started to trickle in. Mal came down into the galley. "Couldn't wait for you to announce dinner or nothin' had to come and see what smelled so good."

"Amen to that." Shepherd Book said as he sat down. Jayne came in next. He walked over to a locker and pulled out a bottle. He glanced over at me and winked. I gripped the handle of the wooden spoon and couldn't resist brandishing it just a little. Zoe, River and Simon came in and took their places. Inara floated to hers and smiled at me as I set out mugs and chopsticks for everyone. Wash darted in last.

"Our course is set Captain. We should be to Boros in a week and a half. Wow. Are those dumplings?"

Book bowed his head in grace and the crew dug in. I wiped down the countertop but made no move to join them. I looked up and found Mal looking at me. He finished his bite of dumpling and came over. The crew talked and laughed as Wash shared a joke. "Do you need anything Captain?" I asked glancing up at him.

"You made a fine meal. Come and have some yourself." He said quietly.

"Oh. Right. Of course." I stammered. You forget where you are, I thought to myself. You don't have to wait for everyone to leave; don't have to wait for scraps like a dog. I felt another wave of vertigo sweep over me. I gripped the counter but my expression never wavered. I won't have him thinking me weak. I tried to focus on something else but when I glanced up it was into my captain's eyes. They were very blue and very focused on me. I felt a blush start to warm my cheeks. I really have to get myself under control. I cleared my throat and smiled thinly. I untied my apron and left it on the counter and gently took my headscarf off and shook out my hair. Then I went to take a seat that Kaylee had thoughtfully set out for me.

" Liara, this is just wonderful." Inara said as I sat.

"Sheh Sheh." I said quietly, taking up my chopsticks and taking small bites.

"Yes, it is delicious." Added Simon.

Jayne belched and took another swig of something out of his mug. "Yeah sure tastes good with Mudder's Milk."

"With what?" I asked.

"Mudder's milk. You want a taste?" Jayne asked with a smirk.

Kaylee leaned over to me. "You really don't, believe me."

"Seems to me that you and Simon enjoyed it back on Canton, ain't that right Kaylee." Jayne said. I noticed Simon go pink.

"Jayne is a girl's name." River said in the quiet that settled over the table for a moment. I almost choked on my rice noodles. The rest of the crew had a chuckle as Jayne glared at River.

"Don't go startin' that again." Jayne jabbed a finger in her direction.

I tried to get back to my dinner. The small bites sat in my stomach like lead. It had been too long since a good meal. But even as hungry as I was my stomach clenched around the small amount I had eaten and faintness rose again. When Simon passed me the water pitcher I could feel his eyes take in my almost untouched plate.

Soon the crew had finished off what was left and began to get back to where they were needed. "Thank you for a fine meal Liara." Zoe said on her way out. It was the first time she had spoken to me since we had all met on the bridge. When I cleared the last of the plates Simon was speaking with Mal about medical supplies he might need and Kaylee was headed back to the engine room. " Liara, don't forget to pop in before you take to your bunk." She waved and trotted down the corridor. Kaylee was certainly easy to like. I had placed the dishes on the counter when sharp pain radiated through my stomach followed by lightheadedness. I swayed and turned my back to the captain and Simon as I fought for breath. This will pass, I thought. But another wave of pain made me double over and when I struggled to stand upright the dizziness had increased. I noticed Mal glance over and say my name as my legs crumpled beneath me and I passed out.