A/N: So, this chapter is the longest one thus far. 17 pages in Word! Enjoy! And I'm loving that everyone has been favoriting this story! :) I have no exams coming up like I have been this last week, so next update will be on the 7th unless something unexpected comes up!

Chapter 4: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

Bellerophon was about a week's travel from Persephone. Getting the TARDIS on board was pretty easy. Getting The Doctor, Donna, and Martha on board and into rooms was also uneventful. River got Serenity on course pretty quickly and everything seemed to calm down, much to the surprise of the Captain. He made his rounds of Captainy things and halted in a dead stop in the kitchen. The Doctor and Kaylee were in the kitchen. Laughing. And Cooking. This did not bode well.

"What do we have here?" He asked as he made his way to the two.

"Hey, Cap'n. The Doctor here has offered to make dinner. It's real stir-fry!" Kaylee announced excitedly. The Doctor smiled. Mal did not.

"Don't tell me you lot are eating that processed protein all the time? I couldn't handle all that on my stomach. We are going to have food with actual vitamins in it! Molte bene!" Mal took a sniff. The food looked really good. There was beef. Lord, he hasn't had real beef in months! He stood staring at the food as Donna walked into the kitchen and did a double take.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm cooking, Donna. What does it look like I'm doing?" The Doctor turned and went back to the wok, stirring the vegetables around. Donna walked up and looked over his shoulder and sniffed.

"Smells good. Don't burn down the kitchen, ok?" She turned and walked back out of the kitchen.

"Donna, I'm perfectly capable of cooking a meal. Otherwise, I'd be in real trouble." He called after her as she left.

"You want to help, Cap'n?" Kaylee asked. He was still staring at the meat. The Doctor chuckled. Mal started.

"Um, no thanks. I've got….Captainy things I need to be doing." That being said, he walked off to check on the engine room. Kaylee noticed his direction and winced.

"I had better follow him. He'll not be happy with my wiring job on the old girl." She made her way passed the Doctor. Simon was heading in as she left. He smelled the food and wanted to know what was going on. She kissed his cheek and whispered, "Be nice" as she walked past. He gave her a confused look. He'd been nice. The darker girl, Martha, was a doctor as well and they had been getting along pretty well. He turned back to the kitchen and saw The Doctor there. Oh. So that was why Kaylee said something. He was still very edgy around the Doctor for obvious reasons. Plus there was just something about him he didn't like. It wasn't something he could put his finger on, though.

"Well, are you going to come in, Doctor Tam?" He asked. "I won't bite, I promise. You can watch the veg while I finish the beef here." The Doctor moved over to his left where the beef was, making room for Simon to come in and watch the vegetables.

"I know that you and your sister are fugitives from the Alliance." Simon stopped, but didn't look up as he stirred the vegetables.

"You have nothing to fear from me. I don't work for them. I just want you to know that. I'm here because your sister is very...unique."

"She's unique? Well, then. By all means, I'll just let you take her and do whatever you want." Simon banged his wooden spoon as he set it down and turned to face the Doctor.

"She's not some science experiment. She's a person, with thoughts and feelings. She just wants to be a kid. I will not allow anyone to do anything with my sister's mind ever again. She's damaged enough as it is!"

"Whoa, whoa! I don't want to damage her!" The Doctor put his hands on Simon's shoulders. He attempted to get away, but the Doctor's grip was too strong.

"Listen to me, Simon Tam. I only want to help your sister. I don't want to do any harm. I find her intriguing because she is special. I hope that you will see soon that I may be able to help her in a way that you cannot and then maybe you will trust me." The Doctor took the meat off the stove.

"Now, we will just let this rest until supper. The vegetables only need another few minutes and then we can eat." Simon looked at him incredulously before walking out the door.

"Humans," the Doctor muttered as he moved the vegetables around the pan.

~`~`~`~Scene change~`~`~`~

The Doctor was making his way around the ship in the middle of the night. He really didn't need to sleep much, so found it therapeutic to roam around during the night. When he got up to the bridge, he was startled to find the captain sitting at the helm, drinking some homemade wine by the look of it. He thought Fireflies of this day and age had a standard autopilot at least. As though he felt his gaze, Mal turned around and noticed him.

"Well, well. What can I do for you, Doctor? You're not up here to cause trouble while everyone else was sleeping, were you?" The Doctor noticed that his hand twitched toward the gun he still had holstered. He went over to the window.

"Nope, no trouble. Just wanted to see the stars. Not sleepy." Mal hummed in response.

"I like it when it's like this. It's quiet, which you are hard-pressed to find in this ship." The Doctor smiled and sat in the co-pilot's chair. They sat together in a mutual, comfortable silence before Mal spoke.

"Doctor, I can't help but ask you something."

"Ok."

"Where did you fight in the War? I've been trying to place your face, but I have yet to be able to." The Doctor frowned, curious as to what he was talking about. Surely, Mal wasn't talking about the Time War. He looked down at his hands and noticed the sleeves of his jacket. Oh, yes. The Browncoats. Mal must've been one. He was about the right age.

"Oh, I'm not a Browncoat, Captain. I didn't find in the Unification War. I just have a coat that happens to be brown."

"Really? That's odd, because you have the look. The look of a man that's seen too much action in his lifetime." Mal's voice became sadder at the end of that sentence. He looked up to see if the Doctor had any reaction. What he saw startled him. The Doctor's face had a look that Mal couldn't place. It was not an emotion he knew to name. For that moment, his face didn't even look human. Then, it was gone. Maybe he had imagined it.

"Oh, I've seen some action. Not the same kind of action you've seen, but I've seen some action." The Doctor gave him a wry smile. Mal took another sip of his wine.

"This is a fine crew you have here." The Doctor said. Mal nodded and smiled.

"They are something, aren't they?"

"Poor Zoe, though. She hides from all of you so that you won't see that she's broken. Can't really blame her. She's just doing what she's always done. Carried on. Do you think her original family was British back on Earth-That-Was?" The Doctor rambled until he noticed Mal staring at him. That wasn't good. No. That was bad. Bad with an extra helping of bad.

"Why would you say that about Zoe? How would you know that?" Mal narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. The Doctor knew that move. That was a classic human aggressive lean. It was quite an intimidating move, if you were a human. Good thing he studied human behavior for so long, or he might have missed it.

"Because I'm smart, Captain."

"You a reader, Doctor?" The Doctor gave him a confused look.

"Well, yes, I suppose so. I like to read. Reading is good. You know what I love? Those posters with all the celebrities on it. They hold up a book and it says
'Read' on it. Brilliant, they are! You know, I think I've held up enough of your time. Goodnight!" With that ramble complete, the Doctor wandered off, giving Inara the chance to come in. He heard her coming up and wasn't dumb. He could tell that they wanted each other. Far be it from him to play third wheel.

"What was that about?" Inara asked with a laugh. Mal turned around in surprise. He didn't hear her come in. He was still distracted by the Doctor's answer. Reading posters? What was that about? All of a sudden, there was a hand in his face.

"Mal? nǐháihuózhema?"

"Dang-ran. Just trying to understand that fellow. There's just something about him. I can't place what it is that gives me the creeps. Inara, wanna make yourself useful?"

"Hm, don't I already?" She leaned into the controls and smiled at him.

"Of course. But, do you think you could try and get a read of this guy? You know, use your wiles? I just want to know if he's going to stab us in the back."

"No problem. Should I go and bring him into the shuttle too? Give him a free thrust so that you'll be satisfied?" She huffed and made her way out. If he wasn't belittling the life she had chosen before being suspended, he was trying to use it for his own purposes. Mal stood up and grabbed her arm.

"No." She whirled around, fire in her eyes.

"What?"

"No, I don't want you to take him to your shuttle. I would not be satisfied if you give him a free thrust." Mal said, not taking his eyes off her. She calmed down a little, but her eyes were wide in a mix of fear and want. She decided to take a chance.

"Then what would satisfy you, Mal?" She licked her lips and her heart skipped a beat when she saw his eyes follow the movement. They stared at her mouth for a moment before coming up to meet hers. What she saw there was a little scary. The scariest part was that she liked the look in them. She wished he would look at her like that every day for the rest of her life. That was scary.

"Tyen shuh duh" he muttered before going in. She met him halfway.

~`~`~`~Scene change~`~`~`~

"So you're just the tough guy around here?" Donna asked Jayne while he was working out the next morning.

"Yup. That's what I get paid for. What's your job?" He replied.

"Well, I'm the Doctor's companion. I just travel around with him." For some reason that Donna couldn't figure out, Jayne was all of a sudden giving her a look. She knew that look. You couldn't grow up in Chiswick and not know that look.

"Oy! Keep your hands to yourself, mate!" Donna said, backing away. Jayne looked her up and down with a smile that was downright filthy.

"So, you're exclusively the Doctor's companion then? What about the other woman then? Is she his companion too?"

"She was. Before I came along, but not anymore. The Doctor and her were just catching up. What? What's so funny?" Jayne was laughing.

"That is unfair. So, is this thing exclusive, or do you still get to have other clients?"

"Clients? For what?"

"The sexin'."

"The what?"

"You know? The sexin'. You're his companion, right?" Donna's jaw dropped before she burst out laughing. He gave her a confused look, which made her laugh harder.

"You think I'm sleeping with the Doctor? That skinny streak of nothing? No. No way. Not in a million years."

"But you said you were…" Jayne started.

"His friend. That's it. Why does everyone think we are a couple?" Donna just kept laughing. Jayne leered at her.

"So, he's not your type." He took a step towards her.

"Nope." Donna took a step towards him.

"What is your type?" Jayne took another step. They were nose to forehead now. Donna looked up at him and smiled.

"I like real men." She leered at him. He smiled. She raised her hand. WHAP! And slapped him hard across the face.

"Real men who don't assume all women are for sale." With that said, she stormed off. Jayne held his hand up against his stinging cheek and watched her depart.

"Huh…" he grunted as Kaylee walked in.

"Hi Jayne!"

"I'll be in my bunk." He grunted as he hurried off to his bunk.

"Oh, ok. Bye then!"

~`~`~`~Scene change~`~`~`~

"Good morning, Doctor." Inara said as she walked up to him in the hallway. He was leaning up against the railing that faced the cargo bay, thinking. He turned and smiled at her. He knew what she was up to, thanks to superior Time Lord hearing. She looked exhausted, probably from staying up all night obsessing about that kiss and the awkward parting after it. Of course, she didn't know he knew about that either.

"Good morning, Inara."

"You remembered my name. I'm impressed." She smiled and made her way to lean against the railing next to him, making sure to brush up against him "accidently." She figured if she at least got an impression of the Doctor, that she would have some reason to talk to the Captain and then maybe they could move on to more interesting topics, like last night. She was still reeling from it. Well, these were not the thoughts one should be having in her head if Mal was right and the Doctor was psychic. She shook her head and looked at him.

The first thought she had when she looked at him was that he was older than he seemed. While his physical appearance gave an age between 30 and 40, his eyes told her that he was a lot older, which didn't make any sense. He dressed well, which gave off the impression of money. That police box from Earth-That-Was also gave that impression. Though it looked a bit worn down and rickety, if it was from Earth-That-Was, it was worth a lot of money. If he had money, it made little sense to be traveling on a boat like this, unless he was running. He talked as though he had schooling, but his accent was like nothing she had heard before. The closest comparison she had was Badger, but it was more proper. He also didn't react to her brushing up against him. That was interesting.

"So, Doctor? I have been listening to you and your two female friends talk, and I cannot place the accent. Where are you from?"

"Oh, we travel a lot. Place to place, not really from anywhere." Great. A deliberately vague answer. That was interesting. Why be vague about where he was from?

"Are they related to you?"

"No, they are my friends." He deliberately didn't call them his companions. He knew the context she would take it and didn't want word to get back to either Martha or Donna that he considered them prostitutes, even if they would be high-end prostitutes.

"Ah, that's nice. It's good to have people you can rely on outside of family." She smiled at him.

"Yes, it is. It's amazing the things you would do to be around people you can rely on. Like being on this ship, when being in an upper class on a Core planet you could have a more dignified position." The Doctor turned to her.

"What gives you the impression that I'm from an upper class on a Core planet?" Inara asked. She was confused. How did the Doctor turn the conversation around like that?

"The perfume you're wearing? That's usually only worn by Companions or extraordinarily wealthy wives because of how rare and costly it is. Considering the ship you're on and the fact that you don't share lodging with anyone else on the ship, I'm guessing the former rather than the latter. I would guess if you were a Companion then you are probably from Sihnon." The Doctor smiled into Inara's shocked face. It only showed for a second before she schooled her features into a neutral look.

"Yes, well, I spent some time as a Companion. I'm taking a break from that life for now. So, here I am. Would you care for some tea?" She grabbed his arm and walked him to the kitchen. He nodded and happily went along. She brewed some tea and they sat down and drank.

"Ah, love those tannins and free radicals. Everyone should drink a good cup of tea, I always say." The Doctor rambled on, Inara noticed.

"So, Doctor, where is your family?" She asked. He started and looked up from his tea to stare at her.

"What? You know where I'm from. It's only fair." She smiled. He gave her a sad smile and drank his tea again before answering.

"No family. Just me and my friends, I'm afraid. And you didn't tell me where you were from; I guessed." He gulped down the rest of the tea, placed the cup on the table, and stood up.

"Well, Inara, this was nice, but I should go and make sure my friends aren't getting in any trouble." He calmly walked out.

Inara considered what she had learned, which wasn't much. He seemed to know that she was fishing for information and was very careful about what he said and how he said it. He also had a confidence in himself and held his presence in a manner that made him more attractive. These were things taught to Companions. Seeing how he dressed and acted, Inara would consider him a Companion himself if she didn't know any better. Didn't she? Maybe he was. He's had some kind of training.

Maybe he belonged to this Martha and Donna. It was not unheard of. In this day and age, it was still hard for women to be in charge without shedding a lot of blood or money, or both. If they kept the Doctor, they may have him take public charge for their own protection. Inara made a mental note to talk to them. She also made a mental image of Mal's face when she tells him about the possibility of the Doctor being a Companion. That thought alone made her laugh into her mug.

~`~`~`~Scene change~`~`~`~

Martha was having a hell of a time hanging with Simon in the infirmary. It didn't help much that the mechanic Kaylee kept coming in with problems to keep an eye on them. She was exploring the different medical equipment he had. It was far more advanced than anything she's seen, apart from the TARDIS of course. She was pretty sure she was looking pretty dumb in front of Simon as well because of the looks she was getting. She was gobsmacked by things he probably saw as standard.

"So, Martha, how long have you been a doctor?" Simon asked. He was currently reorganizing the drugs. Jayne had been in here again, looking for something. He noticed the look Martha had when she came in here. He didn't know what was so fascinating. Any doctor's office in the Verse had the same equipment. Better equipment, even. But she was looking like she had never seen a laser saw before. He made a note to not leave his extractor lying around. She might have a heart attack.

"I passed my exams almost a year ago. It still feels weird sometimes when people call me Dr. Jones." They both laughed. Simon stuck his hand in his pocket, feeling his watch. He remembered when he became a doctor. He and River laughed at him being "Dr. Tam" for two days. Too bad she won't ever be like that again. Martha noticed Simon put his hand in his vest pocket. He seemed to do that a lot. She wondered what he had in there. It must be a sentimental trinket of some sort. What would a man like Simon keep as a reminder? Simon looked over to see her staring at his hand.

"Oh, sorry. It's an old family heirloom that I keep with me. I dunno why I keep it, since it doesn't even work." He took the watch out of his pocket and showed it to Martha. Her eyes bugged out when she noticed the design on the front, but only for a second. She knew that pattern. It was the pattern of the Time Lords. If she brought his attention to it, bad things could happen. She needed to talk to the Doctor. Now.

"It's lovely." She smiled. "You know, I'm a little hungry. I'll be around later." She calmly turned around and made her way out.

"Ok, see you later." He went back to reorganizing the drawer, paying no never mind to the woman who ran like her life depended on it the second she was out of sight.

~`~`~`~Scene change~`~`~`~

"Hello, Mal." Mal started and looked up to see the last person he wanted to see right now. She was the last person to see because she was the first person he wanted to see. Inara made her way to the table as Mal finished his breakfast.

He really didn't know what to say to her. After the kiss they shared, they both made their excuses and she got out of there like she was on fire. It was supremely awkward. He knew how he felt. Hell, everyone on this gorram boat knew how he felt about her. He wasn't good enough for her though. She was a woman with learning. She deserved to find someone that wouldn't put her life in danger every minute of every day.

"Morning, 'Nara." You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. She sat down next to him.

"I spoke to the Doctor." He leaned forward, a suspicious look on his face that he desperately tried to hide. Jealousy was not becoming on him. She said she had talked to him. That didn't mean anything other than the fact that she talked to him.

"And?"

"He's had training. He was very good at concealing everything from me. He didn't react to anything I said or did. I barely got any information from him, while he gave the impression of an open book. He carries himself as though he's been trained at the Guild. He may be a Companion or at least, trained to be one." Inara said to him. Kaylee walked in the room.

"Who could be a Companion?" She asked as she grabbed some protein from the cupboard.

"The Doctor." Inara said at the same time as Mal said, "Nobody."

"Oh, I could see that. He's pretty shuai. And he talks like he's had some learning. I wouldn't put it past him. You think those two women hired him?" She asked Inara, excitedly sitting down. She was a fan of gossip.

"Could be. They may just let people think he's in charge. You know how it is out here, Mal. Women in charge are taken advantage of." Inara turned to him. Mal was chewing thoughtfully.

"All I got from him is that he doesn't have any family. He doesn't seem to have any resentment for the women, so it must be a mutual transaction. He's not around them against his will."

"Who's not here against his will?" Donna asked as she came into the room. She noted to herself as they all stopped talking when she said something. That was suspicious. Did they also think that her and Martha were prostitutes? This could be awkward. But why would they say him?

"Nobody important." Mal said as he rose from his seat. He brought his plate to the sink and washed up. Inara got up as well, and Kaylee just nonchalantly ate her protein.

"Ok. Well, I just had a chat with your friend Jayne and I want to clear something up about me and the Doctor. We're not a couple. We are not having sex. You lot all need to get your minds out of the gutter. There is no sex to be had! That's just…ew." Donna didn't look at any of them as she said this. She just went about making her tea. She didn't turn around until she heard Kaylee laughing hysterically while Mal uttered a gasp and stared at Donna with wide eyes. She shrugged.

"What? It's not like any of you are very subtle. I could tell you wanted to know. I'm telling you all this because Jayne outright asked me. How's about instead of sneaking around, unsuccessfully I might add, you just ask us. We're not about to do anything harmful to anyone." She blew over her mug and sat down across from Kaylee.

"Donna, have you seen the Doctor?" Martha ran into the room, gasping. She had a wild look in her eye that sprang everyone into action.

"No, why?" Donna asked. Martha looked around the kitchen pointedly and shook her head.

"It's nothing. I just need to find him." She turned to leave the room. Everyone heard her run out and turned to look at Donna again. She shrugged.

"Now, see. That is subtle. You have to do years of training to perfect that!" Kaylee laughed.

~`~`~`~Scene change~`~`~`~

The Doctor was looking around the engine room when River found him. She watched him putter around silently. He stilled for a moment, thinking she was Kaylee. Then he felt the presence in his mind, smiled, and turned to her.

"Hello, River. You've been avoiding me lately." He walked over to her and she hugged him. He awkwardly patted her shoulder. She pulled back and looked at him.

"You can help me? They went in my head with their thoughts and needles and I can't make it stop. They are always screaming. I thought Miranda would help, but I need some silence." She sat down, exhausted. He sat down across from her.

"I can try, little one. I can't make any promises though." He raised his hands to her face. She grabbed his hands and put them on her head in the perfect spot for the connection. That was interesting, he thought to himself.

"Ok, River. I'm going to need you to imagine a door to let me in. If there is anything you don't want me to see, I want you to put it behind another door and close it. I won't look. I promise." They both shut their eyes.

"Oh, dear. What have they done to you? Why would they do this to a young girl? This doesn't make any sense." Image after image flooded the Doctor's mind. Several "experiments" that seemed like mindless torture that she had endured, along with the vision of Miranda. He also saw some visions of her and Simon, laughing together.

He went along her neural pathways, getting to the root of her psychic abilities. He wanted to erect some shielding for her and then teach her how to use it on her own. That way, she will be able to use it in the future when and if she wants to.

There was a flash before he got to the controls. That was odd. He went back and immediately severed the connection. He opened his eyes and stared at River, backing away from her.

"How do you have a vision of Gallifrey in your head?"

Chinese phrases used:

nǐháihuózhema?: Are you alive?

Dang-ran: Of course.

Tyen shuh duh: God knows what

Shuai: Handsome

Questions? Concerns? Guesses? Criticism? Blatant disregard for my feelings and this story? Requests? I welcome everything! Hit the little review button...you know you want to!