Author's Note: Sorry this chapter is shorter than what I usually post. I haven't been in the mood to write lately, due largely in part to the problems posed by my spring-time allergies and a very seriously ill pet. My allergies are starting to clear up, but I'm still trying to make a decision about my pet's future. I suppose because of all of that, the words just didn't seem to want to come to me. Plus, I'm in a situation where I'm not quite sure I like where the story in my head in going. I'm not even sure I like Mal the way I've written him here. Anyway, enough of my troubles -- I hope you enjoy this chapter.

CHAPTER 2

About a week later, Serenity touched down in a secluded canyon not far from the capital city of Jiangyin. As had been previously arranged, Mal sent a wave to Sean Hawkins, Liam's brother to inform him of their arrival. The men agreed that Sean would bring Marie and the cargo out to Serenity later that day.

In anticipation, Mal gathered the crew in the galley to discuss strategy. "The plan is to get Hawkins' daughter onboard and the supplies loaded as quickly as possible and get outta here. I don't want to have to spend any more time on this rock than we gotta. My gut's still tellin' me something's off." He looked over at River and Simon. "I want you two to stay on the boat and outta sight."

"Why do River and I have to stay on the ship? We'd enjoy the opportunity to leave this ship for a while like everyone else," Simon protested.

Mal glanced over at River and noted with mild curiosity that her facial expression hadn't changed with his order. It was almost as if she had been expecting it. Turning to Simon, he stated clearly, "we ain't gonna be far from those hill folk who wanted to burn you and your sister at the stake. I don't want them spottin' you two and gettin' any ideas. 'Sides, you get yourself snatched again, I might just leave you this time."

"You left us the last time we got snatched," Simon protested, still not happy with the captain's orders.

"Yeah, but we came back for you, didn't we. Maybe next time we won't" Mal indicated that topic of conversation was over by turning to look at Jayne and Zoe. "I want you to keep your eyes and ears open once we land. Ain't no reason for us to be taken by surprise."

A while later, Mal and Zoe stood at the mouth of the canyon where Serenity was hidden. Jayne was on a rock ledge high on the canyon wall to act as a spotter and sniper, if necessary. The skin on the back of Mal's neck was crawling, and he didn't like the sensation one bit, especially since he hadn't been able to find any information on what Liam Hawkins might be planning.

Soon they heard the sound of an engine approaching, and they quickly realized that the engine noise didn't quite drown out the sound of a teenage girl's cursing. The cursing became even more apparent when a mule carrying two men topped a rise in the terrain about 500 feet away. One man was driving, while the other one, who looked enough like Liam to be his brother, had a grip on the arm of a struggling teenage girl.

"Let go of me you tah mah duh won dahn. I'm gonna feed your liver to the first Reaver I find." The girl swung a fist at the man. He easily ducked it and shook the girl in response.

Mal and Zoe exchanged a glance. They could only assume this young harridan was Hawkins' daughter. "Ta ma de," Mal exclaimed. "Whatta you wanna bet that Hawkins knew exactly what his little girl was like?"

"I wouldn't take that bet, sir," Zoe responded. Although it wasn't likely, she just hoped this was the only surprise that Hawkins had in store for them.

Mal stepped forward just as Marie managed to break free and jumped from the mule. The man who had lost his grip on her arm took off after her, and Mal joined in the chase. She only got a short distance before the captain grabbed her by the arm and hauled her back to where Zoe was standing with the driver of the mule. The other man quickly joined them and introduced himself as Sean Hawkins. Mal motioned toward Serenity, just visible in the canyon. "Why don't you gentlemen take the supplies on to the ship. Folks onboard'll show you where to unload them." Sean started to protest but Mal turned to him. "I think Miss Hawkins and I need to have a little discussion about how I expect her to behave while onboard my ship." Hawkins nodded and the two men drove off in the direction Mal had indicated.

Mal then turned to Marie, who was still trying to break the grip he had on her upper arm. He gave her another shake. "Little girl, you'd best listen and listen close. Your daddy hired us to take you home to him, and that's exactly what we aim to do. You pull anymore of that tzao gao, and I'll personally see to it that you'll sorely regret it."

Marie once again tried, unsuccessfully, to pull her arm out of Mal's grasp. She didn't know what her father had planned, but there was no way in hell she was going back to him. She couldn't help but wander if Captain Reynolds and his crew had any idea of what they were involved in. "You ain't got any right to treat me this way."

"You can take that up with your daddy when you see him. While you're on my ship you will live by my rule. That means you don't try and run, don't fight me or any member of my crew, and you watch your mouth. Dong le ma?"

Mal waited for her response. The long he waited, the angrier he became. Zoe sensed that the confrontation between Mal and Marie wasn't going to end well, so she stepped between them. "I think it's time we took Marie up to the ship. Give everyone time to cool off before anyone does something they'll regret." She looked pointedly at Mal.

Zoe's calm voice of reason sank through the red haze of his temper and he released Marie's arm and took a step back. "Fine, but this discussion ain't over. You'd best watch yourself little girl, or you ain't gonna like what's gonna happen." Mal spun on his heel and stalked off in the direction of Serenity, leaving Zoe in charge of getting Marie to the ship.

"You want to tell me what all that was about?" Zoe asked the teenager.

"You gonna do anything about it if I did?" Marie asked in turn, already sure of what the answer was going to be. She knew she would most likely have to gain the trust of at least some of the members of Serenity's crew before anyone would help her. She would have to wait and meet everyone before she could determine who might best work for her plan. All she knew was that she had to get off the ship before it landed on Gaelach and she was turned over to her father. Also, she didn't know what supplies were being loaded aboard the ship. But, if she had to hazard a guess, she figured it was something illegal.

Zoe studied the girl for a moment then replied. "I don't know. Depends on what you tell me." When Marie remained silent, Zoe motioned toward Serenity. "Come on, let's go. Captain'll be wanting to take off as soon as those supplies are stowed away." The two started off toward Serenity. Marie was slightly surprised when Jayne joined them a few minutes later. She had had no idea the large man had been anywhere around.

Mal looked up as the three entered the cargo bay. The crates had been removed from the mule and stacked in a corner, and Mal was in deep conversation with Sean Hawkins. When Marie entered the cargo bay with Jayne and Zoe, Sean excused himself and moved to speak with his niece.

"I don't have the foggiest idea why your da is wantin' you brought home now. But, you take care." He glanced over at Captain Reynolds and the other members of Serenity's crew. "My gut tells me you can trust these people to help you, but they ain't gonna do that if you keep fightin' them. You gotta tell 'em what's goin' on. " He pulled Marie into his arms for a hug.

"I don't know who to trust, Uncle Sean. For all I know, these people know exactly what my father has planned, and I'm the one completely in the dark," she said into his shoulder.

"What does your gut tell you?"

"That's just it, Uncle Sean," she said, stepping back out of his embrace. "My gut's telling me he's using them as much as, if not more than, than he's using me. My gut's also telling me that whatever's in those crates is something that could cause a whole lot of trouble if the Alliance should find it on this ship."

"Aye, and I warned him of that very thing," Sean stated. He pulled Marie to him for another quick hug. "Think about what I said, lass. Captain Reynolds and his people would probably help you if you asked." With that, Sean Hawkins turned and left the cargo bay. The driver and the mule quickly followed, leaving Marie to watch as the cargo bay doors were closed behind them.

"Jayne, get those crates stowed away where they won't be found if the Alliance comes nosing around," Mal's voice interrupted the silence. "Get the doc to help you, if you need it." Mal ignored Jayne's insulted curse and turned to Zoe. "Go find River and get this boat in the air. Set a course for Gaelach, with a fuel stop along the way."

"Yes, sir," Zoe responded and, with a glance at Marie, headed up the metal stairs to the upper level of the ship.

Finally, picking up the bag that was resting at his feet, Mal turned to Marie. "Come on, I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew and find you a bunk. You can get settled in."

Marie nodded and followed Mal to the doorway at the end of the cargo bay. She was surprised to find herself walking into what appeared to be a common area consisting of a lounge and galley.

Mal placed her bag on the galley table and turned to study the girl for a moment before continuing. "We already talked about some of the rules aboard my ship." He didn't miss Marie's exaggerated eye roll, but chose to ignore it. "The rest of the rules are that you don't go anywhere you ain't supposed to be. You can have free run of the common area and the passenger dorm, but you ain't to set foot in the cargo bay, engine room, or bridge unless I've given you leave. You got that?" He waited for her reply. Marie simply stared at him, giving him no indication that she understood the new rule. "I asked you a question, and I expect an answer, or do we need to have us a little discussion about consequences?" He deliberately put his hands on his belt buckle so Marie would have no trouble understanding his meaning.

Marie's eyes widened at the implied threat. She couldn't believe this man would threaten her that way. The intent look in the captain's eyes told her he was more than willing to carry out the threat should she force his hand, so she quickly answered. "Yeah, I get it."

Mal thought about demanding respect for himself and his crew, but since he didn't demand it from his crew he decided to let that one go – for now. He picked the bag up off the table and gestured for Marie to follow him. "Let's go."

TBC