Author's Note

Hey, I figured I would try to put a little action into this chapter. Hopefully I did alright, because I know I didn't do great.

You got that right.

Shut it Kellen. I hope you know I can kill you in the story.

Ha! No one would read it if you did.

Little do you know. No one reads it except one dedicated follower who always leaves feedback.

Oh, yeah, it my babe, huh.

I don't think she would like you calling her that.

Hey, she was able to knock me down, it's meant to be. So, RionaEire, how you doing?

Whack! Kellen tumbles to the ground.

Sorry guys, but I was suffocating on his ego. Anyway, please, PLEASE, leave feedback, constructive is always the best. I want to get better as a writer, and your review's will help. Also, I don't own anything of the original cast of Firefly. Enjoy Charon. Oh, by the way, yes, RionaEire, so far you have been the only one to steadily give me reviews. I really appreciate it. Which is why I like to add you in the Author's Notes. Don't you feel honored? Hahahaha, also, thanks for reminding me that River was taken to the Academy at the age of 14. I forgot. So I went back and changed the age in Clarity. I think I should sit down and watch the series again. Help give me ammunition for my story, since NO ONE LEAVES ME FEED BACK! Come on guys, that is what helps me get inspired! Do I have to beg? Actually, that's pretty much what I'm doing now isn't it. Harty, har, har. Okay, anyways, again, hope you enjoy.

The next morning, I got up from where I sat in the infirmary. I rubbed my head as I walked toward the Dining room. I can't believe the noise won't stop; I hear Derek's thought, Chloe's and Payton's thoughts, ughh, everyone's thoughts on-board. It was hard to filter. I breathed deeply as I entered the dining hall and rubbed my temples. Zoe was there, drinking tea.

"May I sit."

"No one's stopping you." Zoe replied giving me a stern look. I returned the look, but was more curious than anything. Mal didn't tell her; everything I told Mal last night he didn't tell her. I looked down as a small smile appeared on my face. He respects that it's my demons.

"Demon's don't only come out at night." River stated as she walked in followed by Simon.

"You're right." I replied. To my surprise, River sat next to me and looked at me, before turning to look at Simon.

"So, how'd you sleep?" Simon asked as he started to get their breakfast ready.

"I didn't." I replied with a shrug.

"Headaches?" Simon asked looking at me as I started to rub my temples again.

"Among other things." Simon placed their breakfast on the table.

"Here, it's not anything great…" He said as he offered me a bowl.

"Thank you. You didn't have to." I replied. I was hungry, however, this…gook didn't smell so appetizing. Oh, well, it could be worse. Mal soon entered from the bridge and poured himself a cup of tea.

"We should be arriving in Charon in a few hours time." He said as Derek and his two girls entered the dining hall. "You can walk around the town, but don't go too far. We're only picking someone up."

"Yay!" Chloe and Payton shouted happy to be outside.

"We understand." Said Derek as he and the girls sat down to eat. Derek looked at me curiously and then at what I was eating. He made a disgusted face when he smelt it, I shrug and kept eating. When you deal with not having food for a week, you learn to eat disgusting things. It wasn't too bad.

(Cargo Bay - Hour Later)

As I sit alone in the cargo bay, I tried to quiet the thoughts. Lola kept flashing in my mind. 'We can try and get her.' Aaron said. 'It's too risky.' I replied. 'When you have a plan, Nadia and I are here for you.' 'Why?' I asked. 'What?' Aaron replied. 'I don't understand you. Why do you care so much?' 'Dustee, you care too, otherwise you wouldn't be where you are now. They haven't changed us completely. We decide how we feel, that's something they can't control.'

"Hey, what'cha doin'?" Jayne asked as he looked at Dustee who was staring intently at the wall.

"Nothing." I reply, as I snap back to where I am. Jayne looked at me skeptically.

"Whatever." He sat down on the bench press and started his set. "I got a question."

"No, Jayne." I said, already knowing his question.

"Stay out of my head." He growled at me. "What's the big deal anyway, all's I want to know is how you got there."

"I don't want to talk about it." I said, raising my voice to match his.

"Freak." He muttered.

"Baboon." I retaliated.

"Hey, what's goin' on?" Kaylee asked as she and Simon entered. Jayne kept glaring at me, but I kept looking at the wall.

"Nothing." I replied as I got up and jumped down from the crates.

"Jayne, what did you do?" Simon asked.

"What? She's the psycho-ward-academy-ninja-hybrid- thing, and I did something wrong? Wuh duh ma huh tah duh fong kwong duh wai shung." Jayne said as he angrily left to his bunk. "You guys better zhu yi, or it may be you she tries to kill."

"No one's tried to kill anybody." Mal said, standing on the catwalk. He had seen everything.

"All's I know, is she came from the exact place that moonbrain came from. Do you all forgot what she tried to do to me, on two occasions?" Jayne asked, looking at each of them.

"Dustee, doesn't seem like she would lose her focus." Everyone looked at Simon. "She's been having headaches, no doubt it's because of what they did to her. Remember how she said that there were some that were made into locators, readers, and shields?" Simon looked around as Kaylee and Mal nodded, Jayne just giving him an irritated look. "Maybe she's constantly blocking them out."

"She's a time bomb, Mal." Jayne said. Mal looked at Jayne and turned to leave for the bridge. Jayne looked at Kaylee and Simon, before leaving to his bunk.

"Well, we sure know how to clear a room." Kaylee said in a soft voice.

(Charon)

"Alright, you have two hours to go about town, if you're not back then this will be your new home." Mal said as he opened the door. Dustee was hiding in the shadows, she needed to get out. Mal and Zoe were going to stay with the ship. Derek and his two girls were going to walk into town. Jayne, Kaylee, Simon, and River were going to get some things that they needed. Although Simon was hesitant, he was able to relax when Mal told him it was brown coat territory. Alliance would never come here. I watched as everyone went their own way.

"Aren't you goin'?" Mal asked me. Without looking at him, I broke in a run and headed into the dry wilderness. "Huh."

"I don't trust her, Sir."

"No one says that you do." Mal said, he turned to look at Zoe.

"So, we're just goin' to keep her on, Sir?"

"She paid for her ride to Beaumonde."

"I don't like it, Sir." Zoe said before heading to the bridge, leaving Mal to his own thoughts.

It felt so good to run. I picked up speed as I jumped off a rock and over a crevice. I kept running, faster and faster, till everything got quiet. I slowed down and started to jog to a huge rock. I placed my left hand on it as I took a few deep breaths. 'Not even sweating,' I muse to myself. I looked around to see that I was in the middle of nowhere. I slumped against the wall. Peaceful! I let my eyes close and let myself drift to sleep.

"Hi, Mal." Inara said, after connecting her shuttle to its appropriate spot.

"Hey," Mal said as he took in the sight of her; still beautiful.

"Anything fun and interesting?" Inara asked with a hint of a smile.

"You could say that." Mal answered. "How's your friend?"

"She's doing good." Inara said simply. Since Miranda, she hasn't taken any jobs of being anyone's companion. "I still have a few questions, but I'm sure I'll find the answers soon enough."

"That's go…" Jayne and his group arrived in the hover craft followed by Derek and his daughters on foot.

"Passengers?" Inara asked, eyebrow raised.

"Yeah, well, we all need to eat." Mal said as he looked at who came in. "Did any of you see Dustee?"

"Dustee?" Inara asked.

"No, Cap'n." Kaylee answered, at the same time. "She's not back yet?"

"Jayne, see if you can find her. She headed that way." Mal said walking up to Jayne and pointing in the direction that Dustee had run off to.

"Uh, do I have to?" Jayne asked, Mal answered him by giving him a stern look. "Ai-yah tyen-ah."

Jayne followed the tracks; however, he couldn't believe what he saw. There was no way in hell someone could run this fast. He prayed that she didn't go too far, but then again he could just return and tell Mal he couldn't find her. Mal, though, might throw him in the airlock or do something equally as stupid. He thought to himself as he kept following the tracks. Why did he care so much? Maybe he wants to bed her. She wasn't bad looking. In fact, he'd probably do her. She had curves in all the right spot and he wanted nothing more that to run his hands through her hair. Although he still hasn't seen it down. Her eyes were so beautiful, big, round, and brown; and her skin. Jayne grinned at the thought of her naked in his arms. Jayne stopped walking as he saw her up ahead. She was lying with her back facing him. He quietly came up to her and saw her sleeping. She looked so peaceful! He knelt behind her, watching her. He put his hand on her hip and started to gently shake her.

"Dus…" Before he could finish she had him under her with her hands menacingly around his throat.

"Goram it, girl, it's me." Jayne watched as I came to realize what I was doing. I looked at Jayne with wide eyes as I let my grip around his throat go. I stay seated on him as I looked down, my hands on his chest.

"Duibuqi." I said.

"Yeah, well, sorry doesn't cut it." I got off from him and stood up. Jayne glared at me from where he lay.

"I didn't hear you." I stated in my defense.

"Let's go." Jayne said angrily leading the way. We didn't talk as we walked back to the ship.

(ship)

"River?" Simon asked as he saw River in a corner shaking with wide eyes, what's wrong.

"Reavers!" River and Dustee exclaimed at the same time.

(Jayne and Dustee)

"What? Where?"

"We have to hurry to the ship." I said as I started to run, leaving him behind.

(ship)

"Mal!" Zoe yelled from the bridge. "We've got Reavers." Mal looked at the scanner and saw them come into range. Everyone had followed him to the bridge.

"We're going to die!" Derek cried out, while Chloe and Payton started crying.

"What do we do?" Inara asked.

"Let's go!" Derek said panic stricken.

"We can't, Jayne and Dustee are still out there." Kaylee answered.

"Ta ma de! Nimen de bizui!" Mal yelled. He headed out and grabbed a gun on the way. Checking that it was loaded. Zoe followed grabbing her guns and checking them. The Reavers had already started to dismount their ship and run towards Serenity. Mal and Zoe started firing. Simon and Kaylee left the bridge and found guns they could use to help. They stood behind Mal and Zoe firing at the Reavers. The Reavers were still a few yards from the ship, but they were closing in fast. Strike that. Serenity was surrounded. They fended them off from entering the ship. They heard a loud explosion as a grenade went off to the right of the Reaver party. In the clearing Jayne and Dustee could be seen running in their direction. Dustee looked fierce, as she narrowed her eyes and ran faster than anything they had seen. She did a forward hand spring and a scorpion kick as she landed knocking out a Reaver. Jayne stood next to Mal as they continued firing. The Reavers started to surround Dustee.

"Get back inside." I yelled as I continued jabbing, punching and kicking the Reavers. Mal held his ground continuing his firing, as some Reavers tried to enter the ship. I sprung out of the circle that they were cornering me into, and landed a few feet in front of Mal. I kicked continuously at a Reaver who was about to attack Mal. Jayne was fighting two Reavers; Zoe was firing and then started to fight a Reaver who was trying to get past their line of defense. I threw down three Reavers that were headed towards Kaylee. Jayne threw another grenade; at the pack that was heading towards the ship. I weaved myself around the Reavers bringing down two or more as I did so. The Reavers started to focus on me. River all of a sudden ran out and did a butterfly kick, landing next to me. We looked at each other and began the dance. We fought side by side; the Reavers circled us. However, we would not be interrupted. We kicked and dodged each attack that was thrown at us. River struck a Reaver in his eyeball before grabbing his blade and parting his neck. Mal and the rest kept firing, reloading their guns as soon as the clips were finished.

"Last clip." Mal yelled. Jayne kept firing, while trying to see if he had another one.

"I'm all out." Jayne said, using the remaining bullets on the ones that were closest to them. Kaylee started backing away; her gun was empty.

"Here." Zoe yelled as she threw her last clip to Mal. Reloading his gun he started to fire at the Reavers. A Reaver got passed them and headed toward Kaylee.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Kaylee screamed as he grabbed her. Simon tackled him down to the ground punching as hard as he could. His gun was knocked out of his hand.

"Kaylee, get the gun." He shouted towards Kaylee. The Reaver hit Simon and knocked him on his back. Raising his blade to Simon, a shot was heard and he keeled over. Kaylee ran to Simon as he rubbed his jaw.

River did a scorpion kick and sliced three Reavers when she landed. I did an aerial and jabbed at the pressure points of two Reavers, before breaking the neck of a third one. The fight was dissipating.

"Huh!" River gasped, simultaneously being thrown out of her reverie. I knew what she saw. I picked up a blade that was on the ground and sliced three Reavers heading toward River. Grabbing River's hand, we ran toward the ship. I kept clearing the way with the blade and additional kicks and jabs.

"We need to leave." I said to Mal. He was taken aback by my calm voice.

"Kaylee, I need you to fly the ship!" Mal said over his shoulder to Kaylee, as he fought another Reaver trying to get past them. Kaylee ran to the bridge. Inara held her dagger out, and relaxed when she saw it was Kaylee. Derek and his daughters were standing behind Inara in fear. Kaylee powered up the ship as she saw another Reaver ship hit atmo.

"Ta ma de." She muttered as she started to move the ship.

"Goram it." Jayne cried out as a Reaver slashed his right leg, while another one headed towards him with a blade. I let go of River's hand and ran to the Reaver before he could slice Jayne. I kicked him and he stumbled on to his back. Then, with the blade still in my hand, I slashed the other Reaver across the neck. Going back to the previous Reaver who was starting to get up, I slashed him on the back and then pierced him with the blade, making a clean cut to the front. I pulled the blade out and his blood splattered on my face. I kicked him off the ship.

Mal pressed the button and the ramp started to rise, closing us in the safety of Serenity. Everyone ran up to the bridge. Mal took over for Kaylee while Zoe sat in the co-pilot's seat. Mal steered passed the Reaver ship heading towards us, evading their attacks.

"Head towards the canyons." I tell Mal. He steers toward the canyons and weaves the ship around the crevice and jagged rocks.

"We lost them." Kaylee said relieved.

"Not quite." Mal said, as the ship came back into view, a few yards away. "Hang on." He powered the ship and continued dodging the dangerous rocks around us. I leaned over Mal and pressed the gas button. "What are you doin'?" Mal asked, but I put my hands over his and steered us through the canyons swiftly and speedily. I let go as soon as I know we are out of danger.

"They stopped." I said as I verify their thoughts in my head. Amazing, that those…creatures, would have thoughts. I look at River, 'remember when they said they weren't real.' River looked at me and cocked her head to the side. Her eyes still wide with fear, and nodded. "Good job, River."

"I felt like dancing." She replied as the fear subsided and she started to smile. I smiled in return. Mal powered the ship and headed for the sky.

MANDARIN TRANSLATIONS:

Wuh duh ma huh tah duh fong kwong duh wai shung = Holy mother of god and all her wacky nephews

zhu yi = watch your back

Ai-yah tyen-ah = merciless hell

Goram = goddammit

Duibuqi = I'm sorry

Ta ma de! Nimen de bizui = Everybody shut the hell up