Mal put his gun away and knelt down to her. "How old is she?" he asked River. "Nine years two months and three weeks, two days, one hour and seventeen seconds" she replied.
He nodded as he stared the girl. "Ok, you sneaked onto my ship" he started. He leaned forward as he whispered, "I'm very impressed, by the way for your age."
She didn't show any sign of laughing, but she stopped shaking and moving. She stared at him, like she was trying to read him. "What your name sweetie?" Kaylee asked, kneeling down. The girl looked at her not answering. Kaylee slowly got closer to her as she said "it's ok honey. None of us are going to hurt you, we want to help you."
The child then looked back at Mal as she said "survivor" her voice was croaked and sore. Almost like she was out of breath. Mal stared at her and asked "What?" "I survived the devastation. As did you."
Mal looked up at Zoe. They both shared the same expression of concern, wonder and intrigue into the girl. He then looked at River. She seemed to be excited from the smile on her face. "She's unique" she said. The girl looked at her as she said "as are you." Simon stepped next to River as he asked "hang on. Are you two similar?" "No, we are not. She is so much more special" she smiled.
Everybody then looked at the small child. "So, what is your name?" he asked, gently. She took a few deep breathes before she answered "Karoshi. Karoshi Lilth." "OK well it's nice to meet you Karoshi. I would like to know how you got on my ship?" he said. "Are you going to shoot me?" Karoshi asked, staring at his gun. "No, I won't" he promised. "I might though if you don't teach me to be sneaky like you" Jayne said. Everybody stared at him, before she said "I don't like you."
"Ok kiddo, how did you get on my ship?" Mal asked. She started shaking as she explained "I was running away. Running for a long time. Saw your ship land, jumped up on it and snuck in, while you all had your backs facing it." "Wash!" Mal said. "Yes captain?" he asked, stepping forward. "Keep our course on track. Zoe go help him. Simon, take your sister to your rooms, enjoy the night. Kaylee go work on the engine. Shepperd, go pray. Jayne, go away."
Jayne looked frustrated and grunted as he walked away. When everyone was gone, Mal looked up to see Inara looked down from the stares. She looked concerned for the child. Karoshi looked up to see her. "Your very pretty" she said. Inara smiled in shock and tried not to laugh as she said "thank you sweaty. So are you."
Karoshi looked back to Mal. He stared at her as he noticed, she seemed to have an interest in him. "Ok, let's get you washed up" he said, offering her his hands. She stared at them for a while not knowing what to do. "I'm not going to hurt you. No one here will ever hurt you. I will not let anyone ever hurt you" he said, trying to gain her trust. "you promise" she sniffed, trying not to cry.
Mal smirked as he leaned forward and said "hey, my name is Malcom Reynolds. I run this ship, I got a crew who are like family. I've done a lot of thing and keeping promises is absolutely one of them. I promise to protect you, as do my crew." This convinced the small child, as she took his hand and stood up with him.
As they walked to the stairs he noticed, she had a black long coat on. "I like your coat" he said. She looked up at him as she said "really?" He nodded as he explained "oh yeah. I've got a nice brown one." "Oh yeah?" she smiled, nervously. "Yep, mine cost an arm and leg. How'd you get yours?" he asked. She smirked as she said "I stole it." Mal laughed as he said "I like your style kid."