A/N: Thank you GUEST for your review! And here we come to the last episode of Firefly I've based a fic off of. The character Early is not my creation and many of his lines are from the episode "Objects In Space." (Added note: Sorry for the confusion, this is not the end of this verse. I meant this is the last storyline borrowed from a Firefly episode. There are still other adventures to be had.)

Summary: Still recovering from a gunshot wound, Athos finds himself hard pressed to defend his crew when a bounty hunter infiltrates their ship. And the man is looking for the captain.

"A Hostile Intruder"

Aramis counted the pulse beats in Athos's wrist for a minute before nodding in satisfaction and laying the hand back down. "Your vitals are strong."

"Then can I return to my quarters now?" Athos asked grouchily.

"When you can climb up and down the ladder without pulling out my fine needlework," Aramis replied, unfazed.

It had only been a couple of days since the disaster that left the ship stranded in space and culminated in Athos getting shot in the stomach. They'd repaired the ship and their captain would live, but Aramis was taking no chances and insisted he remain in the infirmary under Aramis's watchful eye. It had been too close. And he was considering it revenge for Athos ordering him to evacuate on the shuttle with the others, forcing him to leave his brother alone on a dying ship.

Athos thunked his head back against the headrest with a disgruntled huff. "Will you at least bring me some wine?"

"Absolutely not. You're hopped up on pain medication."

Athos shot him a surly glower. "Aramis."

Taking pity on him, Aramis offered to give him something to help him sleep. It was getting late and the others were probably retiring to bed if they hadn't already.

"I would sleep fine in my own bed," Athos muttered.

"If you behave, I'll move you to one of the guest quarters tomorrow," Aramis compromised, pulling a vial of sleeping medicine from one of the cabinets.

A noise came from somewhere outside the infirmary, followed by what sounded like a thump. Aramis paused, exchanging a look with Athos. When there were no further sounds, Aramis set the vial down and headed for the door.

"I'll be right back. Don't move."

Athos scowled.

Aramis stepped outside the infirmary and looked up and down the corridor. It was quiet. He headed toward where he thought the noise had reverberated from. If someone had dropped or bumped into something, he would have expected to hear a muffled curse to go along with it.

He rounded the juncture to the corridor of the crew quarters, and his heart plummeted into his stomach at the sight of Porthos unconscious on the floor. Aramis sprinted across the grate flooring and dropped down beside him, instantly reaching out to search for a pulse. He should have kept Porthos in the infirmary with Athos; both of them had nearly died from severe injuries though Porthos had been doing much better, just a little stiff and sore.

Aramis breathed out a sigh of relief when he felt a steady pulse. He started running his fingers through the dark curls in search of a head injury when the cold touch of a gun's barrel pressed against the back of his head. Aramis froze.

The gun moved away but only to shift into his line of sight as a dark skinned man in a red leather suit stepped around to face him. Aramis gaped in shock. They were in the middle of space. How…?

The man smirked. "It strains the mind a bit, don't it? You think you're all alone…" He took a few steps back toward the door to d'Artagnan and Constance's quarters, the gun still pointed at Aramis. With a few clicks on the control panel, he sealed the door from the outside. "That's the last of the crew all tucked in for the night. Now, where is your captain?"

Aramis clenched his jaw. He had no weapons at hand—why would he; they were in the middle of nowhere on their own ship. "Couldn't say," he said glibly.

The man took a few more steps backward, putting more distance between them, but even if Aramis wanted to make a run for it to their weapons locker, he couldn't leave Porthos. The intruder looked down the open hatch to Athos's bunk. "This is his room."

Aramis didn't see any point in denying it. "Yes."

"It's empty."

"So it is."

"So is it still his room when it's empty?" the man went on in a musing tone. "Does the room, the thing, have purpose? Or are we…what's the word…" He trailed off, gaze cast down at the hatch.

Aramis stared at him warily. If he weren't several feet away, Aramis might have tried to grab the gun, but he'd never make it without getting shot, and any move he made he'd have to ensure Porthos wouldn't get hurt.

The man lifted his head. "The plan is to take your captain, get paid for the job. Imbue, that's the word."

Aramis couldn't tell if this guy was slightly unhinged or whether his demeanor was meant to unbalance his victims. "So you're a bounty hunter."

He shook his head. "No, that ain't it at all."

"Then what are you?"

He leaned back to glance up into the bridge before turning back. "I'm a bounty hunter. Name's Early. I'm known to some. Probably not your set though."

Okay, now Aramis was leaning toward this guy being completely mad. How the hell had he gotten onto their ship?

"Why are you looking for Athos?"

"Because that's the job. So tell me where he is."

Aramis snorted. "How should I know? The captain's his own man."

Early stalked closer and pointed his gun at Porthos. "You're going to help me search this ship for him, or I'm going to visit all kinds of violence upon the rest of your crew. You understand my meaning?"

Aramis gritted his teeth but slowly nodded.

The bounty hunter reached his free hand into his jacket and pulled out some zip ties, which he tossed on the floor in front of Aramis. "Secure him to the bulkhead."

Aramis's blood boiled with fury, but he slowly picked up the plastic and shifted Porthos's arms toward the wall. The man didn't even stir and Aramis worried about a concussion or worse. He slipped the zip tie around a pipe along the bulkhead and then cinched it around Porthos's wrists.

"Now put those on yourself," Early said, gesturing to the other zip tie.

Aramis picked it up and looped it around his own wrists, pulling it tight with his teeth. Early then indicated with his gun for Aramis to stand.

"Now, let's go find your captain."

Aramis pushed himself up, keeping his movements slow and steady. He turned around and started down the corridor. Then, at the first juncture, he nonchalantly went left toward the kitchen and away from the infirmary.

o.0.o

When Aramis didn't return right away, Athos grew impatient. He might currently be an invalid, but he was still captain and he knew his limits. He wanted to get out of the infirmary and away from these sterile walls he'd been staring at for the past few days. Not to mention the reclining chair was not the most comfortable bed. He slowly sat up, wincing as his still healing stomach muscles pulled. If Aramis walked back in now, Athos was in for an earful.

But there was no sign of the medic. Athos slid off the chair, socked feet pressing into the cold floor. His abdomen twinged but he staunchly ignored it and shuffled for the door. It took more effort than he wanted to admit, and he could feel a cold sweat breaking upon his neck. Aramis would be furious.

And as loathe as he was to accept it, climbing down the ladder to his own quarters was probably outside his limitations at the moment. He just needed to get to one of the guest rooms and get himself settled so it would be too much of a hassle to force him back to the infirmary.

As he limped through the quiet corridor, the timbre of a voice that did not belong on his ship stopped him in his tracks. It didn't sound as though it was coming through a comm link, and Athos braced a hand against the wall as he listened.

"I'm a bounty hunter. Name's Early. I'm known to some. Probably not your set though."

"Why are you looking for Athos?"

"Because that's the job. So tell me where he is."

Athos tensed, his blood running cold. A bounty hunter had infiltrated the Luciole? How was that even possible?

"How should I know?" came Aramis's flippant reply. "The captain's his own man."

"You're going to help me search this ship for him, or I'm going to visit all kinds of violence upon the rest of your crew. You understand my meaning?"

There was no response.

"Secure him to the bulkhead," the intruder instructed.

Secure who? Where were the others? Athos couldn't hear anyone else speaking though, and he would make too much noise trying to get closer to look. This man was here for him, but why? Athos had broken no laws, though he had his share of men he'd pissed off in his time. A revenge bounty?

Athos leaned more heavily against the wall, cursing the tremble in his limbs. He was in no shape to fight, not to mention he didn't even have his weapons on hand. Plus, anyone who could sneak up on a ship in the middle of space and board without being detected had to be formidable. Athos would have to think of another way to deal with this bounty hunter without endangering his crew. Aramis was already a hostage, and likely someone else. The quiet of the ship was unnerving.

Clenching his jaw, Athos forced himself to turn around and retreat down the corridor.

o.0.o

Aramis stepped out of the shuttle after it'd been searched, confirming Athos wasn't in it. They were gradually running out of places and Aramis didn't know how much longer he could stall.

They crossed the catwalk in the cargo bay and Early shone a flashlight around through the darkness. A locker against the wall was ajar, and he yanked it open, raising his gun. But it was empty save for some space suits. Early stepped back, his gaze roving over the walls. He spread his arms and lifted them in an arc.

"I like the way the walls go out," he remarked. "Gives you an open feeling. Firefly's a good design. People don't appreciate the substance of things. Objects in space. People miss out on what's solid."

"You're out of your mind," Aramis muttered. The inane musings and misinterpreted phrases throughout their search had only cemented that conclusion for the field medic.

Early threw him a warning glance. "That's between me and my mind."

He turned to look down into the cargo hold. Aramis straightened as he realized the man was standing close to the edge where there was no rail. If he just…

Early's gun snapped up to point at him before he'd barely taken a step. The bounty hunter turned his head with a wry smirk. "I know you're a soldier. Survived the massacre of your unit."

Aramis stiffened, the oxygen stealing from his lungs.

"I do research on my targets," Early explained. "Including everything to do with them. I can respect your gumption, might even be eager for you to try it." He paused, eyes narrowing pointedly. "But it's not your moment."

He gestured with his weapon for Aramis to get moving again. They were coming around the other side of the ship now where the infirmary was located, and his heart started racing. Athos was in no shape to defend himself, nor, Aramis realized belatedly, did he know whether the bounty was for Athos to be taken alive or dead.

The doors opened with a pneumatic whoosh and Aramis stepped inside, only to pull up short in shock when he found the room empty. A blanket lay pooled in the chair in the middle of the room, but otherwise it wasn't obvious that someone had been residing there.

Early tutted. "Not here either."

Aramis honestly didn't know whether to be utterly relieved or furious that his patient had disobeyed direct orders to rest after nearly dying. Granted, he was glad Athos still remained removed from Early's clutches, but now Aramis had no idea where he was or whether he was going to hurt himself further doing something stupid.

Early paced the length of the infirmary, not that there were any hiding spaces in the small room. Then he waved his pistol at Aramis to back up and keep going.

They made their way up to the bridge from the deck below, having checked the whole ship. Aramis was a little flummoxed at Athos's sudden disappearance, though he was grateful for it too.

"How can one captain give me so much trouble," Early grumbled.

"Athos is a constant source of trouble," Aramis replied blithely as he sat at the comms station. "I feel your pain."

The bounty hunter pointed his gun at Aramis's head again. "The plan wasn't to shoot you. The plan was to get the captain. If there's no captain, then the plan…well, it's like the room."

Aramis held the man's gaze but didn't say anything. When Early moved away, Aramis tried to see out into the corridor where Porthos was still lying unconscious, and his stomach tightened with worry for both his brothers. At least d'Artagnan and Constance were currently safe, though that could quickly change.

"Now I know you're on this ship so here's how this goes!" Early suddenly shouted. "You show yourself and we finish this exchange, or your brother's brains'll be flying every which way." He turned to Aramis. "You understand, I'm sort of on a clock here, it's frustrating."

Aramis held his tongue, watching Early carefully for an opening in which he could try to take the man down.

The intercom suddenly crackled and Athos's voice sounded through the speaker. "Who are you and what are you doing on my ship?"

Early startled slightly at the unexpected response. "Name's Early. I'm a bounty hunter. And I'm being paid to take you in."

"For what?"

"Don't know. I'm just doing a job."

"Who's paying you for this job?" Athos persisted.

Early shrugged. "A woman. She didn't give her name. She seemed rather serious in her intentions, put a high price on retrieving you."

Aramis frowned. He had no idea who this woman could be. Someone from the nobility in Athos's past? What could possibly be the reason for sending a bounty hunter after him now?

Athos was silent on the comms.

Early furrowed his brow. "Will you come along quietly? Then I won't have to hurt any of your crew."

The intercom remained quiet.

"Captain?"

Nothing. Aramis tensed as concern coiled around his stomach.

o.0.o

Athos stared at the frozen image on the vid screen of the bounty hunter's ship, captured from the last transmission the man had received. It was his ex-wife. Athos would recognize her anywhere, though she looked different, dressed in a dark green dress, sable colored hair done up elaborately. Her eyes were hard, cold, a stark contrast to the soft green orbs that had pleaded with him when he'd turned her over to the feds.

She was obviously no longer in prison.

And she had sent a bounty hunter after him. But why? Revenge? She was the one who had betrayed him, not the other way around. What other choice did he have but to call the authorities when she'd been found standing over his brother's dead body, the murder weapon in hand?

"You are going to make me hurt this man!" the bounty hunter shouted through the open channel.

Athos snapped out of his stupor. "Don't," he warned, wracking his brain for a plan. He had to get Early away from his crew. "I'll go with you."

"Athos," Aramis spluttered.

"I want your word you'll leave my crew unharmed," Athos said, raising his voice over the marksman's protests.

"Of course," Early replied. "I only hurt people 'cause they keep getting in the way of finding you. Tell him."

"What am I, your advocate?" Aramis's disdainful tone came through the comm.

"You are starting now."

Athos heard the hammer of a gun being cocked.

"Yes, he's really very gentle and fuzzy," Aramis said sardonically. "We're becoming fast friends."

Athos could have rolled his eyes if the situation weren't so dire and he wasn't fighting back an increasing throbbing in his stomach. Putting on a space suit and exiting the Luciole to board the bounty hunter's ship may not have been his brightest idea, but he'd wanted to get a sense of his adversary and find out who he was working for. The shock of what he'd discovered, however, was doing him no favors.

"I think you took this job because you like hurting people," he said, trying to buy time while he attempted to locate the source of the transmission from his ex-wife. "These trinkets—a girl's bracelet, a pocket watch…" Athos flicked his gaze at the various knick-knacks decorating the man's console. "They're souvenirs, aren't they?"

"Well I'll be a son-of-a-whore," Early cursed. "You're on my ship!"

"It's a nice ship," Athos replied dryly. "Full of so many switches and configurations." From what he could tell, the transmission had come all the way from the Core planets. Narrowing it down further would take more time though.

"No, no, don't go touching any of that," Early said frantically.

"I won't, if you leave my crew and ship alone." Athos looked at the image of his ex-wife, his heart giving a pang even after all these years. "And I'll go quietly."

"Alright then."

"No!" Aramis shouted.

There were sounds of a scuffle, grunts, and crashes against metal.

"Aramis, stand down!" Athos ordered.

A gunshot echoed through the speaker.

"Aramis!"

Heavy breathing filtered over the comm. "I respect your tenacity," Early's voice broke through the static. "But I always get my man."

Athos scrambled out of the pilot's seat, grimacing as his stitches pulled under the torquing movement. He put the helmet of his space suit back on and sealed it, then climbed out of the bounty hunter's smaller craft. It was in a stationary hover above the Luciole, and Athos had to gently push himself off the hull to glide back down to his ship. At least the no gravity made it easier to move around in his weakened state, except when the magnetic grav hooks in his boots made contact with the Luciole's outer shell and anchored him. Chest heaving as his breaths became more labored, Athos forced himself to shuffle along.

A few moments later, the hatch behind him opened up and a man in a red space suit climbed out, attention focused on the ship above.

"You made the right move, Captain," Early said through the comm link now routed into Athos's helmet.

"You think so?" he said, straightening right behind the intruder.

Early turned and Athos shoved him in the chest, knocking him off the hull and sending him careening into space, limbs flailing as he grew smaller and smaller.

Athos moved toward the hatch and descended back into the ship. Once the airlock was closed he took the helmet off, dropping it on the floor and nearly doubling over from a wave of pain. He sucked in a sharp breath and forced himself to move, limping through the corridor.

As he drew closer to the bridge he heard shouting. Athos staggered around the corner and found Porthos lying on the floor, hands zip tied to a pipe in the wall and yelling Aramis's name. Athos looked toward the bridge and could see a body on the floor.

Banging reverberated up through the wall along with d'Artagnan's muffled shouting from below. Athos knelt on one knee, gritting his teeth against the fire in his abdomen, and pulled the small knife that Porthos always kept in his boot. He quickly cut him free and drunkenly waved at the locked crew quarters as he staggered to his feet again and lurched toward the bridge.

Aramis was lying on his back, eyes squeezed shut as he clutched at a bullet wound in his thigh.

"You idiot," Athos chided as he dropped down beside him.

Aramis cracked his eyes open. "Athos," he breathed in relief.

"Did you really think I was just going to go off with him?"

Aramis closed his eyes and bit back a groan. "Well, you do have a penchant for self-sacrifice."

"You're confusing me with yourself." Athos pressed both his hands over the wound to help apply pressure, needing all of his body weight to do so, as his own strength was rapidly failing. Aramis choked on a garbled cry.

Porthos wobbled in a moment later, followed by d'Artagnan and Constance.

"What the hell just went on?" d'Artagnan exclaimed. He quirked a confused brow at Athos. "Why are you wearing a space suit?"

"Later," Athos replied. "Aramis needs medical attention."

"Porthos," the marksman blurted out. "He was unconscious. Head injury."

"I'm fine," Porthos said with a touch of fond exasperation as he knelt down to cut the zip tie around Aramis's wrists. "Bastard got the jump on me." He reached up to rub his jaw. "Knocked me out with damn ninja moves."

"How did he even get on board?" Constance asked in alarm. "And why was he after the captain?"

"It's a long story." One Athos wasn't sure how to tell. He waved at Porthos and d'Artagnan to help Aramis up, as that was beyond him now.

"Did you tear your stitches?" Aramis asked accusingly, somehow managing a stern glare through pain-filled eyes.

"I assure you, the only one bleeding all over the place is you."

Athos rocked back and scooted away so Porthos and d'Artagnan could move in and haul Aramis off the floor. Constance reached for Athos to help him gain his feet, and they all hobbled their way to the infirmary.

Athos eased himself down in the alcove bed as Aramis was laid on the exam chair. Porthos ripped the back of his pants open to get a look underneath.

"No exit," he said grimly.

"I can feel the bullet," Aramis confirmed, breathing harshly through his nose. "I'll talk you through an extraction."

Porthos's eyes widened and he stepped back. "That's all you, d'Artagnan."

The pilot sputtered at him.

"You'll do fine," Aramis assured. "The instruments are in that drawer over there."

Athos watched as Aramis directed d'Artagnan on what to get. The medic rigged up his own pain drip so he could control how much to give and still keep his faculties through the procedure. D'Artagnan looked nervous but stoically followed Aramis's instructions as he dug the bullet out and then proceeded to stitch the wound closed.

When it was all finally done, Aramis dropped his head back against the headrest. "I think I'll pass out now."

"Go ahead," Porthos replied. "But I'd like to know what the hell just happened."

Everyone's eyes turned to Athos.

"I'm sure you heard through the intercom," he began. "Someone hired a bounty hunter to come after me."

"Who?" d'Artagnan asked.

"A woman," Aramis mumbled.

Athos pursed his mouth. This was not something he liked to talk about, with anyone. But he knew he couldn't keep it from his crew. If his ex-wife was going to come after him again, they could all be at risk.

"My wife," he grated out as though the words were broken glass. "She was the one who hired the bounty hunter."

His crew threw each other incredulous looks.

"I thought she was arrested for murdering your brother," d'Artagnan bravely spoke up.

"She was, but apparently she's no longer in prison." It burned his heart to think she was now free, her crimes prematurely pardoned. He also couldn't fathom what she would be doing, how she could even afford to send a bounty hunter after him. There was no way the Guild would take her back as a registered Companion.

Porthos's expression was grave. "So what do we do?"

Athos lowered his gaze. "I don't know."

Silence filled the room.

"Well," Aramis said after a few moments. "The verse is big. And if she comes after you again, she'll have to get through us."

Athos gave him a wry look. Going through them was exactly what he didn't want happening. But it wasn't like he wouldn't do the same for any of them.

Aramis's eyelids were fluttering and d'Artagnan patted his shoulder.

"You should get some rest."

"Mm. Athos is still not fit to leave the infirmary!" he rallied.

Athos rolled his eyes and lay back in the alcove. "At least now I'll have company in this wretched place."

Aramis didn't respond, already out.

D'Artagnan came over with an apologetic look. "Please let me check your stitches."

"Fine." Athos closed his eyes and consented to the examination. He was so exhausted that he drifted off before it was even complete, able to rest easy in the knowledge that his family was right beside him.

No matter what.