DEJA VU
Disclaimer: All characters and settings, 'ceptin' the ones I create are the property of Mutant Enemy and FOX. No infringement is intended, this is done out of pure love and respect for the genius of Firefly. Please read and review.
ACT THREE
INT - SERENITY SHUTTLE II
Mal is at the controls. He is intently scanning the various monitors and flashing lights. With much effort he sets the shuttle down on a rocky path awhile outside of the inhabited part of the planet. Mal walks over to a large bag and opens it. There are several dozen explosives packed in it. He closes the bag and opens the shuttle door.
INT - NISKAS'S MANSION - TORTURE ROOM
Zoe stands in the middle of the room. It is similar to the room where Mal and Wash were tortured. She, however, is not bound and blindfolded like her men. She can see everything. Her jacket is missing and her shirt is ripped to shreds. There is a bit of dried blood on the corner of her mouth and her side aches. The guards decided to have a little non-sexual fun with her before they were ordered to stop. Zoe climbs on a padded slab and lies down with much effort. She sees no harm in doing this because she has been there for hours without any human contact. The door opens. Zoe jumps off the table, but quickly regrets the swift movement and clutches the table for support. Ayo enters the room carrying a large bag. She runs over to Zoe seeing the pained look on her face. Ayo tries to help, but Zoe pushes her away. Ayo continues as if she does not sense Zoe's hostility toward her.
AYO: The men who did that to you have been taken care of.
Ayo takes clothes out of the bag and sits them on the table next to Zoe.
ZOE: You kill 'em?
Ayo looks shocked at the insinuation. She starts to lie, but decides against it.
AYO: No-- not personally. Those are for you.
Ayo pushes the clothes on the table toward Zoe. She does not touch them.
ZOE: What are you playing at?
AYO: Shenme (What)?
ZOE: You and Niska. What kind of game is this?
AYO: No game. It was a test.
ZOE: Funny test. What for?
Zoe slides the clothes closer to her and begins to examine them.
AYO: To see if I favored you.
Zoe looks at Ayo and raises an eyebrow.
AYO: Niska somehow got the impression that we were lovers.
Zoe shakes her head and rubs the space between her eyes.
ZOE: May.
AYO: I suspect so. That's why I couldn't interfere in the line up. Any word on you behalf would have confirmed his suspicion.
ZOE: What now?
Zoe begins to put on the new clothes.
AYO: Niska has already left. The guards are busy trying to figure out what caused the security system failure, so we should be able to walk right out of here.
Zoe eyes Ayo curiously.
ZOE: That all?
Ayo hesitates.
AYO: Yes. we should hurry, your people will be here soon.
Ayo starts to leave the room but Zoe does not budge. Ayo stops.
AYO: You may not trust me, but believe this, I want off this world the same as you.
ZOE: I believe you.
Zoe finishes dressing and walks closer to Ayo.
ZOE: I also believe there's more to this than you're letting on.
They leave the room.
INT - NISKA'S MANSION - HALLWAY
Jaha is waiting for her mother. She is surrounded by several large bags.
ZOE: All set, huh?
AYO: That's what took me so long. I wanted to be ready to leave as soon as I retrieved you. Also, I sent a wave to some friends on Persephone. They're willing to take me in.
Ayo picks up a small bag and hands it to Zoe.
AYO: I think this belongs to you and yours.
Zoe opens the bag and finds the weapons Niska's men took from her and Mal on Corinth. Ayo picks up the rest of the bags and grabs Jaha by the hand. Zoe puts on her holster and takes out Mal's gun.
AYO: Vamanos. This way.
Ayo pulls Jaha down a side corridor. Zoe hesitates. Something isn't quite right, but she can't put a finger on it yet. Zoe runs to catch up with the mother and daughter who are now making their way to a large door. Zoe looks around. There is not a guard in sight. The eunuchs are also absent from their continuous patrols. Zoe approaches the door cautiously. Ayo and Jaha stand back and watch. Zoe pulls out Mal's revolver and pushes open the door. She scans their path before allowing Ayo and Jaha to exit.
EXT - NISKA'S MANSION - ROSE GARDEN
It is starting to get dark outside and the garden lights are not lit. Mal approaches the entrance to the rose garden carefully. He picks up a large stone and throws it in the direction of the gate. The electronic field does not activate so Mal walks into the garden and heads toward the entrance to the mansion. Voices can be heard on the other side of the door. Mal ducks into the nearest bunch of shrubs. The door opens and Ayo and Jaha walk out into the garden. Zoe follows with Mal's gun ready. They make their way to the garden's exit. Before they can make their escape Zoe hears a rustling in the bushes near the door. She motions for Ayo and Jaha to stay behind and she walks toward the sound. Mal jumps out of the bushes and tackles Zoe to the ground. Zoe looses grip of the gun and it goes flying into the grass. Ayo runs into the grass and searches for the gun. Mal pushes Zoe out of the way and scrambles in the direction of Ayo. Just as he reaches her, Ayo retrieves the gun and points it at Mal.
MAL: Hey now little girl. You shouldn't go pointing guns at..is that my gun?!
Zoe sits up.
ZOE: Mal!
MAL: Zoe?!
Mal spins around and is shocked when he realizes that was Zoe he was wrestling with before. When his back is turned Ayo sticks the barrel on the gun in the back of Mal's head. Mal disarms Ayo with ease, puts the gun in his holster, and runs over to where Zoe is laying on the ground. Mal attempts to lift her up, but Zoe slaps his hands away. Zoe lifts herself off the ground causing a great deal of pain.
MAL: Are you okay? Did I, do that?
Zoe puts her arms around her midsection.
ZOE: Wo hen-hao (I am fine). You didn't do it, but that little tussle didn't help.
Mal kneels in front of her, moves her hands, and begins to probe her injured ribs with gentle fingers. He touches a particularly tender spot. Zoe hisses and pushes him away. Mal steps back. Zoe looks around and him and sees Ayo and Jaha huddled together on one of the benches. She walks toward them.
ZOE: It's okay. This is the man I was telling you about, well one of them.
Zoe brushes a bit of hair out of Jaha's face. She motions for Mal to join them.
ZOE: This is Malcolm Reynolds, captain of Serenity and he is going to get us out of here. (to Mal) They're going with us.
MAL: Are they now?
ZOE: Yes, and we better hurry before we are missed.
Zoe grimaces as she picks up on of the bags. Mal notices, but he knows her well enough not to help. He grabs the rest of the bags.
MAL: (to Zoe) Shuttle's not too far out. How long till sunset on this moon?
Ayo speaks timidly avoiding direct eye contact with Mal.
AYO: We have just under an hour.
MAL: Then we best hurry.
Mal takes point and picks up the pace, but occasionally glances back to make sure Zoe doesn't fall too far behind.
INT - SERENITY - CATWALKS
Wash, Inara, Book, Simon, and Kaylee are standing along the catwalk that leads to the shuttle docking area. The shuttle has already docked, but the doors have not opened yet. They wait in silence. Jayne comes running up the stairs just as the shuttle doors begin to open. Zoe is the first to emerge from the shuttle. Wash rushes to her.
WASH: Lambie toes!
ZOE: Sweet cakes.
Wash tries to wrap his arms around her, but Zoe prevents him from hugging her.
WASH: What's wrong? Are you hurt? You're hurt!
Wash is beginning to get alarmed. Simon steps away from the rest of the crew who have remained silent in the background waiting for their chance to welcome Zoe home. Simon walks over to Zoe, he is also concerned.
SIMON: Are you hurt badly?
ZOE: I'm fine, really.
Zoe puts her hand to her side. Wash takes Zoe's arm and removes it from her side. He tries to touch her.
ZOE: Don't.
Zoe side steps out of his reach. Simon looks behind him at Book and Jayne.
BOOK: Jayne and I will get the stretcher.
Book taps Jayne on the shoulder and they head down the stairs and toward the infirmary.
ZOE: That's really not necessary.
KAYLEE: (to Simon) Is there anything I can do to help?
SIMON: Would you mind looking in on River. She's been too quiet.
KAYLEE: Sure.
Jayne and Book quickly return with the stretcher. They bring it over to Simon. He and Wash attempt to get Zoe to lie down on the stretcher.
ZOE: Problem's not with my legs Doc.
Everyone is too engrossed in helping Zoe to notice Mal emerge from the shuttle with Ayo and Jaha. Everyone, except Inara.
INARA: We have guests?
The crew turns around and finds the captain loaded down with bags and helping two strangers off the shuttle.
MAL: They're with Zoe.
Everyone directs their attention back to Zoe. Ayo picks up Jaha and stands close to Zoe. Zoe puts her hand on Ayo's shoulder.
ZOE: This is Ayo and the little one's Jaha.
JAYNE: Great more strays. (to Mal) you gon' make them crew too?
Mal smirks.
ZOE: We're just getting them away from Niska.
Book steps forward with an outreached hand.
BOOK: Nice to meet you. I'm Shepard Book.
Ayo looks at him, nods, and then quickly looks down at her hands.
JAHA: Hola abuelo (Hello grandpa).
Book chuckles. Zoe smiles. Everyone else is completely lost. Mal walks up and stands facing Zoe, he is still overloaded with bags.
MAL: Where do we put them?
ZOE: In the passenger cell closest to the facilities.
Mal nods.
ZOE: I'll take them.
WASH: No. You're taking yourself to the infirmary.
MAL: Doc?
The crew speaks over each other.
SIMON: She possibly has several broken ribs, but I'll need to examine her properly.
MAL: Fine, take her to the infirmary.
KAYLEE: I can show them to their room.
MAL: Need you in the engine room. Getting out of here fast would be better than slow.
BOOK: I can escort them.
Ayo touches Zoe on the arm.
ZOE: I should really be the one-
MAL: No.
Jayne leers at Ayo.
JAYNE: Hell, I'll show them.
MAL AND ZOE: No!
Kaylee smacks Jayne on the arm. Inara walks over to Mal.
INARA: I can accompany them. If it's okay with you.
She looks to Zoe. Zoe nods.
MAL: Great, that's settled. Now let's make wake.
Everyone starts off in their predetermined destinations. Wash starts to leave with Simon, Zoe, and Book.
MAL: Wash!
WASH: What!
MAL: You're an important part of my whole fast getaway plan. Maybe you forgot?
WASH: Right.
Wash gives Zoe a gentle kiss and then follows Mal up to the bridge.
INT - INFIRMARY
Simon and Zoe are in the infirmary. Zoe wears her own pants now and a black sports bra. She sits on one of the exam tables. Simon is wrapping her abdomen with a thick elastic material. Zoe is not enjoying this very much, but tries not to let the pain show.
SIMON: Try not to move around much.
ZOE: I don't think I can if I tried.
Zoe scoots to the end of the table and attempts to get off of the table.
SIMON: Maybe you should just rest here for a while.
ZOE: I think I'll be more comfortable in my own bunk.
Zoe reaches for her shirt on a nearby chair. This elicits an audible wince from the stoic soldier. Simon gently guides her back down on the table and helps her to lay down.
SIMON: Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with the people on this ship-
Inara comes into the infirmary and knocks lightly on the door unknowingly breaking up an impending argument. Simon, realizing an argument with Zoe is futile and somewhat dangerous, walks over to Inara.
INARA: Is it alright to visit?
Simon looks over at Zoe who is trying with much effort to sit back up.
SIMON: It's fine, but make sure she stays put.
INARA: I will.
SIMON: Good luck. Dealing with her is like dealing the captain sometimes.
Inara gives Simon a not so genuine smile. Simon speaks to both Zoe and Inara.
SIMON: I'm going to check on Kaylee and River.
He pats Inara on the shoulder before leaving. Inara waits until Simon is out of sight to walk over to Zoe.
INARA: You doing better?
ZOE: Fine.
Zoe manages to sit herself up and swing her legs over the side of the bed.
INARA: I'm surprised Wash and Mal aren't down here hovering over you.
ZOE: They're too busy making sure Niska's people aren't following. But they have been wearing the intercom out calling Simon to check on me every few minutes. So much so that Simon turned it off.
Zoe slides off the table slowly, walks over to a chair, and grabs her shirt. While her back is turned Inara takes a small metallic pack out of her robe. When Zoe turns back around Inara holds it out to her.
INARA: I've found that we are very much alike in some ways. You wouldn't want the others to know, or worry, or try something stupid for the sake of revenge. It's a standard Companion immunization packet. The instructions are pretty much explanatory and it will take care of you medically-
ZOE: It's not necessary.
Zoe and Inara share a look, possibly Zoe allowing herself to be "read" by the companion.
ZOE: Wo hen-hao (I am fine).
Inara smiles, she is satisfied. After a beat Inara speaks.
INARA: I like your friend, Ayo and her daughter is absolutely adorable.
Zoe puts on her shirt.
ZOE: Ayo's a sweet girl. I'm glad we are getting her away from Niska. I should probably go see if they are settled.
INARA: I'll accompany you.
Inara takes Zoe by the arm and they leave the infirmary.
INT - SERENITY BRIDGE
Mal and Wash are on the bridge. Mal is checking behind Wash, approving the course he's set for Persephone. Meanwhile, Wash is engrossed in an intense fight with T-Rex and Stegosaurus on the console.
WASH (T-REX): Ha ha. I have your wife and I mock you. Ha ha.
WASH (STEGOSAURUS): I will get her back you fiend if it's the last thing I do.
The dinosaurs fight with Wash making the sound effects. The stegosaurus wins and dances on the lifeless body of t-rex.
WASH (STEGOSAURUS): I do the dance of victory on your grave!
Wash places another dino on the console. It is a pterodactyl.
WASH (PTERODACTYL): Husband!
WASH (STEGOSAURS): Wife!
The dinos run in slow motion toward each other. They begin to make out furiously.
MAL: Course looks good. We have enough fuel-
Mal turns around. Needless to say he finds the whole dinosaur makeout session very disturbing.
MAL: Wash-
Jayne enters the bridge.
JAYNE: So where we going?
Mal shakes his head trying to forget the image of the dinosaurs.
MAL: Persephone. Hopefully we can get there completely out of the range of any radars.
Wash puts down the dinosaurs.
WASH: Tell me. Why are we going to a heavily populated planet where we are well known, and with two additional "fugees" aboard.
MAL: Zoe said the girl has friends there. They are going to take her in.
Jayne comes further into the room and stands in front of Mal and Wash.
JAYNE: What's with those two?
Mal and Wash look at each other. They're lost.
JAYNE: Zoe and Ayo. It ain't like Zoe to go round making friends easy. You think they had something going? You know.
Jayne leers.
WASH: Jayne! No--
Wash looks at Mal for help.
MAL: She helped Zoe out. She was the lead girl in the harem, had influence with Niska-
JAYNE: You mean she was a whore?
MAL: Well, yes--for the lack of another word that you would be able to understand.
JAYNE: Oh. I'm going to my bunk.
Jayne leaves the bridge rather quickly. Wash returns to his dinosaur soap opera scene.
WASH (PTERODACTYL): I want you to tear all my scales off.
WASH (STEOGOSARUS): Will do!
The dinos start to make out again. Mal watches in disbelief.
MAL: Wash.
Wash doesn't look up.
WASH: What Mal.
MAL: Why don't you go look in on your wife and get some sleep.
Wash looks up at Mal and puts down the dinosaurs.
WASH: Yeah yeah!
He smacks Mal on the back and leaves the bridge with a smile. Mal sits in the pilot's chair. He picks up the pterodactyl, shakes his head, and smiles.
INT-POLICE INTERROGATION ROOM
The room is small, about the size of two jail cells put together. The place is clean unlike the rest of the Alliance detainment camp. Zoe stands in the middle of the floor. She is wearing a plain brown prison uniform. The room is full of about twelve Alliance policemen. They surround Zoe. The three officers with the highest rank sit at a long table directly in front of Zoe. One of the officers gets up from the table and walks over to Zoe. She remains still with her eyes forward, not moving. The officer looks at Zoe, but addresses the other men.
OFFICER #1: I don't think this lady Browncoat takes us seriously. I think we should show her what we're made of.
The men begin to hoot and holler and shout vulgar insults at Zoe. She doesn't move. The officer moves in close to her, very much invading her personal space. He speaks in a whisper.
OFFICER #1: You know we can do this by force, but I have found that it is more pleasurable for everyone if you comply. Strip.
ZOE: Not likely.
A young eager policeman leaps from his position in a far corner and approaches the officer.
POLICEMAN #1: Let me do it for you boss.
The officer waves him away.
OFFICER #1: I think I might know what will persuade her.
Zoe hears the doors open behind her, but she does not look. The men begin to scream and cheer. Zoe can hear three men approach. She does not move her eyes until something is thrown down at her feet. A voice tells her not to look, but she cannot resist. For the first time since they'd been ordered to surrender, her face betrays her emotion. She's tough, but not as hard as she'll learn to be in the years to come. At her feet she finds a beaten and bloody Mal begging her not to look. The officer walks over to Mal and kicks him in the face. Mal now lies on his back facing Zoe. The officer speaks to Zoe.
OFFICER: Strip.
Zoe cannot remove her eyes from Mal's pitiful form. She is visibly shaken, but she still does not comply. The officer takes out his service revolver and points it at Mal's head. Mal stammers.
MAL: Don't look Zoe. Just don't look.
Zoe once again looks straight ahead out into nothing. Slowly she begins to unbutton her shirt. There is nothing underneath. The men around her begin to cheer and argue over who's going first. She wants to close her eyes, but that would only give them an added advantage over her and they already have too many. Zoe unties the strap around her waist, which allows her pants to fall effortlessly to the floor. She has the urge to find Mal's eyes again, possibly to gain an ounce of strength from them. Two policemen have Mal propped up now. They force him to watch. Zoe sees something in Mal's eyes that she's never seen before. She can't read him. She's too caught up in him. Zoe fails to sense the two men who jump her from behind. They each take one of her arms and hold her so she cannot move. In a flash all of the men are on her. She can hear a voice that she doesn't even recognize as her own screaming and calling Mal's name. She can hear Mal screaming her name and cursing the officers. Suddenly Zoe can no longer hear her own voice above the voices of the men grunting and cheering. The officer walks away from the mob, stuffing himself back into his pants. He speaks, mostly to himself.
OFFICER #1: (laughing) It's like killing two birds with one stone, like they say. Ah, the spoils of war.
Zoe's body is now numb, numb to the hands and other body parts invading her inside and out. When she is able to feel again all she can feel is the cold floor beneath. She cannot see Mal anymore, but she can hear him breathe. Only, he sounds too close, closer than he was before.
INT - SERENITY - WASH AND ZOE'S BUNK
Zoe and Wash are asleep in their bed. Zoe wakes up and looks around. Wash is breathing softly in her ear. She tries to move, but Wash's hand grips her hip. Without waking him, she wiggles out of his grasp and gets out of bed. Ignoring the pain her broken ribs are causing, Zoe wraps herself in a blanket and climbs up the ladder and out of her bunk.
END OF ACT THREE
Disclaimer: All characters and settings, 'ceptin' the ones I create are the property of Mutant Enemy and FOX. No infringement is intended, this is done out of pure love and respect for the genius of Firefly. Please read and review.
ACT THREE
INT - SERENITY SHUTTLE II
Mal is at the controls. He is intently scanning the various monitors and flashing lights. With much effort he sets the shuttle down on a rocky path awhile outside of the inhabited part of the planet. Mal walks over to a large bag and opens it. There are several dozen explosives packed in it. He closes the bag and opens the shuttle door.
INT - NISKAS'S MANSION - TORTURE ROOM
Zoe stands in the middle of the room. It is similar to the room where Mal and Wash were tortured. She, however, is not bound and blindfolded like her men. She can see everything. Her jacket is missing and her shirt is ripped to shreds. There is a bit of dried blood on the corner of her mouth and her side aches. The guards decided to have a little non-sexual fun with her before they were ordered to stop. Zoe climbs on a padded slab and lies down with much effort. She sees no harm in doing this because she has been there for hours without any human contact. The door opens. Zoe jumps off the table, but quickly regrets the swift movement and clutches the table for support. Ayo enters the room carrying a large bag. She runs over to Zoe seeing the pained look on her face. Ayo tries to help, but Zoe pushes her away. Ayo continues as if she does not sense Zoe's hostility toward her.
AYO: The men who did that to you have been taken care of.
Ayo takes clothes out of the bag and sits them on the table next to Zoe.
ZOE: You kill 'em?
Ayo looks shocked at the insinuation. She starts to lie, but decides against it.
AYO: No-- not personally. Those are for you.
Ayo pushes the clothes on the table toward Zoe. She does not touch them.
ZOE: What are you playing at?
AYO: Shenme (What)?
ZOE: You and Niska. What kind of game is this?
AYO: No game. It was a test.
ZOE: Funny test. What for?
Zoe slides the clothes closer to her and begins to examine them.
AYO: To see if I favored you.
Zoe looks at Ayo and raises an eyebrow.
AYO: Niska somehow got the impression that we were lovers.
Zoe shakes her head and rubs the space between her eyes.
ZOE: May.
AYO: I suspect so. That's why I couldn't interfere in the line up. Any word on you behalf would have confirmed his suspicion.
ZOE: What now?
Zoe begins to put on the new clothes.
AYO: Niska has already left. The guards are busy trying to figure out what caused the security system failure, so we should be able to walk right out of here.
Zoe eyes Ayo curiously.
ZOE: That all?
Ayo hesitates.
AYO: Yes. we should hurry, your people will be here soon.
Ayo starts to leave the room but Zoe does not budge. Ayo stops.
AYO: You may not trust me, but believe this, I want off this world the same as you.
ZOE: I believe you.
Zoe finishes dressing and walks closer to Ayo.
ZOE: I also believe there's more to this than you're letting on.
They leave the room.
INT - NISKA'S MANSION - HALLWAY
Jaha is waiting for her mother. She is surrounded by several large bags.
ZOE: All set, huh?
AYO: That's what took me so long. I wanted to be ready to leave as soon as I retrieved you. Also, I sent a wave to some friends on Persephone. They're willing to take me in.
Ayo picks up a small bag and hands it to Zoe.
AYO: I think this belongs to you and yours.
Zoe opens the bag and finds the weapons Niska's men took from her and Mal on Corinth. Ayo picks up the rest of the bags and grabs Jaha by the hand. Zoe puts on her holster and takes out Mal's gun.
AYO: Vamanos. This way.
Ayo pulls Jaha down a side corridor. Zoe hesitates. Something isn't quite right, but she can't put a finger on it yet. Zoe runs to catch up with the mother and daughter who are now making their way to a large door. Zoe looks around. There is not a guard in sight. The eunuchs are also absent from their continuous patrols. Zoe approaches the door cautiously. Ayo and Jaha stand back and watch. Zoe pulls out Mal's revolver and pushes open the door. She scans their path before allowing Ayo and Jaha to exit.
EXT - NISKA'S MANSION - ROSE GARDEN
It is starting to get dark outside and the garden lights are not lit. Mal approaches the entrance to the rose garden carefully. He picks up a large stone and throws it in the direction of the gate. The electronic field does not activate so Mal walks into the garden and heads toward the entrance to the mansion. Voices can be heard on the other side of the door. Mal ducks into the nearest bunch of shrubs. The door opens and Ayo and Jaha walk out into the garden. Zoe follows with Mal's gun ready. They make their way to the garden's exit. Before they can make their escape Zoe hears a rustling in the bushes near the door. She motions for Ayo and Jaha to stay behind and she walks toward the sound. Mal jumps out of the bushes and tackles Zoe to the ground. Zoe looses grip of the gun and it goes flying into the grass. Ayo runs into the grass and searches for the gun. Mal pushes Zoe out of the way and scrambles in the direction of Ayo. Just as he reaches her, Ayo retrieves the gun and points it at Mal.
MAL: Hey now little girl. You shouldn't go pointing guns at..is that my gun?!
Zoe sits up.
ZOE: Mal!
MAL: Zoe?!
Mal spins around and is shocked when he realizes that was Zoe he was wrestling with before. When his back is turned Ayo sticks the barrel on the gun in the back of Mal's head. Mal disarms Ayo with ease, puts the gun in his holster, and runs over to where Zoe is laying on the ground. Mal attempts to lift her up, but Zoe slaps his hands away. Zoe lifts herself off the ground causing a great deal of pain.
MAL: Are you okay? Did I, do that?
Zoe puts her arms around her midsection.
ZOE: Wo hen-hao (I am fine). You didn't do it, but that little tussle didn't help.
Mal kneels in front of her, moves her hands, and begins to probe her injured ribs with gentle fingers. He touches a particularly tender spot. Zoe hisses and pushes him away. Mal steps back. Zoe looks around and him and sees Ayo and Jaha huddled together on one of the benches. She walks toward them.
ZOE: It's okay. This is the man I was telling you about, well one of them.
Zoe brushes a bit of hair out of Jaha's face. She motions for Mal to join them.
ZOE: This is Malcolm Reynolds, captain of Serenity and he is going to get us out of here. (to Mal) They're going with us.
MAL: Are they now?
ZOE: Yes, and we better hurry before we are missed.
Zoe grimaces as she picks up on of the bags. Mal notices, but he knows her well enough not to help. He grabs the rest of the bags.
MAL: (to Zoe) Shuttle's not too far out. How long till sunset on this moon?
Ayo speaks timidly avoiding direct eye contact with Mal.
AYO: We have just under an hour.
MAL: Then we best hurry.
Mal takes point and picks up the pace, but occasionally glances back to make sure Zoe doesn't fall too far behind.
INT - SERENITY - CATWALKS
Wash, Inara, Book, Simon, and Kaylee are standing along the catwalk that leads to the shuttle docking area. The shuttle has already docked, but the doors have not opened yet. They wait in silence. Jayne comes running up the stairs just as the shuttle doors begin to open. Zoe is the first to emerge from the shuttle. Wash rushes to her.
WASH: Lambie toes!
ZOE: Sweet cakes.
Wash tries to wrap his arms around her, but Zoe prevents him from hugging her.
WASH: What's wrong? Are you hurt? You're hurt!
Wash is beginning to get alarmed. Simon steps away from the rest of the crew who have remained silent in the background waiting for their chance to welcome Zoe home. Simon walks over to Zoe, he is also concerned.
SIMON: Are you hurt badly?
ZOE: I'm fine, really.
Zoe puts her hand to her side. Wash takes Zoe's arm and removes it from her side. He tries to touch her.
ZOE: Don't.
Zoe side steps out of his reach. Simon looks behind him at Book and Jayne.
BOOK: Jayne and I will get the stretcher.
Book taps Jayne on the shoulder and they head down the stairs and toward the infirmary.
ZOE: That's really not necessary.
KAYLEE: (to Simon) Is there anything I can do to help?
SIMON: Would you mind looking in on River. She's been too quiet.
KAYLEE: Sure.
Jayne and Book quickly return with the stretcher. They bring it over to Simon. He and Wash attempt to get Zoe to lie down on the stretcher.
ZOE: Problem's not with my legs Doc.
Everyone is too engrossed in helping Zoe to notice Mal emerge from the shuttle with Ayo and Jaha. Everyone, except Inara.
INARA: We have guests?
The crew turns around and finds the captain loaded down with bags and helping two strangers off the shuttle.
MAL: They're with Zoe.
Everyone directs their attention back to Zoe. Ayo picks up Jaha and stands close to Zoe. Zoe puts her hand on Ayo's shoulder.
ZOE: This is Ayo and the little one's Jaha.
JAYNE: Great more strays. (to Mal) you gon' make them crew too?
Mal smirks.
ZOE: We're just getting them away from Niska.
Book steps forward with an outreached hand.
BOOK: Nice to meet you. I'm Shepard Book.
Ayo looks at him, nods, and then quickly looks down at her hands.
JAHA: Hola abuelo (Hello grandpa).
Book chuckles. Zoe smiles. Everyone else is completely lost. Mal walks up and stands facing Zoe, he is still overloaded with bags.
MAL: Where do we put them?
ZOE: In the passenger cell closest to the facilities.
Mal nods.
ZOE: I'll take them.
WASH: No. You're taking yourself to the infirmary.
MAL: Doc?
The crew speaks over each other.
SIMON: She possibly has several broken ribs, but I'll need to examine her properly.
MAL: Fine, take her to the infirmary.
KAYLEE: I can show them to their room.
MAL: Need you in the engine room. Getting out of here fast would be better than slow.
BOOK: I can escort them.
Ayo touches Zoe on the arm.
ZOE: I should really be the one-
MAL: No.
Jayne leers at Ayo.
JAYNE: Hell, I'll show them.
MAL AND ZOE: No!
Kaylee smacks Jayne on the arm. Inara walks over to Mal.
INARA: I can accompany them. If it's okay with you.
She looks to Zoe. Zoe nods.
MAL: Great, that's settled. Now let's make wake.
Everyone starts off in their predetermined destinations. Wash starts to leave with Simon, Zoe, and Book.
MAL: Wash!
WASH: What!
MAL: You're an important part of my whole fast getaway plan. Maybe you forgot?
WASH: Right.
Wash gives Zoe a gentle kiss and then follows Mal up to the bridge.
INT - INFIRMARY
Simon and Zoe are in the infirmary. Zoe wears her own pants now and a black sports bra. She sits on one of the exam tables. Simon is wrapping her abdomen with a thick elastic material. Zoe is not enjoying this very much, but tries not to let the pain show.
SIMON: Try not to move around much.
ZOE: I don't think I can if I tried.
Zoe scoots to the end of the table and attempts to get off of the table.
SIMON: Maybe you should just rest here for a while.
ZOE: I think I'll be more comfortable in my own bunk.
Zoe reaches for her shirt on a nearby chair. This elicits an audible wince from the stoic soldier. Simon gently guides her back down on the table and helps her to lay down.
SIMON: Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with the people on this ship-
Inara comes into the infirmary and knocks lightly on the door unknowingly breaking up an impending argument. Simon, realizing an argument with Zoe is futile and somewhat dangerous, walks over to Inara.
INARA: Is it alright to visit?
Simon looks over at Zoe who is trying with much effort to sit back up.
SIMON: It's fine, but make sure she stays put.
INARA: I will.
SIMON: Good luck. Dealing with her is like dealing the captain sometimes.
Inara gives Simon a not so genuine smile. Simon speaks to both Zoe and Inara.
SIMON: I'm going to check on Kaylee and River.
He pats Inara on the shoulder before leaving. Inara waits until Simon is out of sight to walk over to Zoe.
INARA: You doing better?
ZOE: Fine.
Zoe manages to sit herself up and swing her legs over the side of the bed.
INARA: I'm surprised Wash and Mal aren't down here hovering over you.
ZOE: They're too busy making sure Niska's people aren't following. But they have been wearing the intercom out calling Simon to check on me every few minutes. So much so that Simon turned it off.
Zoe slides off the table slowly, walks over to a chair, and grabs her shirt. While her back is turned Inara takes a small metallic pack out of her robe. When Zoe turns back around Inara holds it out to her.
INARA: I've found that we are very much alike in some ways. You wouldn't want the others to know, or worry, or try something stupid for the sake of revenge. It's a standard Companion immunization packet. The instructions are pretty much explanatory and it will take care of you medically-
ZOE: It's not necessary.
Zoe and Inara share a look, possibly Zoe allowing herself to be "read" by the companion.
ZOE: Wo hen-hao (I am fine).
Inara smiles, she is satisfied. After a beat Inara speaks.
INARA: I like your friend, Ayo and her daughter is absolutely adorable.
Zoe puts on her shirt.
ZOE: Ayo's a sweet girl. I'm glad we are getting her away from Niska. I should probably go see if they are settled.
INARA: I'll accompany you.
Inara takes Zoe by the arm and they leave the infirmary.
INT - SERENITY BRIDGE
Mal and Wash are on the bridge. Mal is checking behind Wash, approving the course he's set for Persephone. Meanwhile, Wash is engrossed in an intense fight with T-Rex and Stegosaurus on the console.
WASH (T-REX): Ha ha. I have your wife and I mock you. Ha ha.
WASH (STEGOSAURUS): I will get her back you fiend if it's the last thing I do.
The dinosaurs fight with Wash making the sound effects. The stegosaurus wins and dances on the lifeless body of t-rex.
WASH (STEGOSAURUS): I do the dance of victory on your grave!
Wash places another dino on the console. It is a pterodactyl.
WASH (PTERODACTYL): Husband!
WASH (STEGOSAURS): Wife!
The dinos run in slow motion toward each other. They begin to make out furiously.
MAL: Course looks good. We have enough fuel-
Mal turns around. Needless to say he finds the whole dinosaur makeout session very disturbing.
MAL: Wash-
Jayne enters the bridge.
JAYNE: So where we going?
Mal shakes his head trying to forget the image of the dinosaurs.
MAL: Persephone. Hopefully we can get there completely out of the range of any radars.
Wash puts down the dinosaurs.
WASH: Tell me. Why are we going to a heavily populated planet where we are well known, and with two additional "fugees" aboard.
MAL: Zoe said the girl has friends there. They are going to take her in.
Jayne comes further into the room and stands in front of Mal and Wash.
JAYNE: What's with those two?
Mal and Wash look at each other. They're lost.
JAYNE: Zoe and Ayo. It ain't like Zoe to go round making friends easy. You think they had something going? You know.
Jayne leers.
WASH: Jayne! No--
Wash looks at Mal for help.
MAL: She helped Zoe out. She was the lead girl in the harem, had influence with Niska-
JAYNE: You mean she was a whore?
MAL: Well, yes--for the lack of another word that you would be able to understand.
JAYNE: Oh. I'm going to my bunk.
Jayne leaves the bridge rather quickly. Wash returns to his dinosaur soap opera scene.
WASH (PTERODACTYL): I want you to tear all my scales off.
WASH (STEOGOSARUS): Will do!
The dinos start to make out again. Mal watches in disbelief.
MAL: Wash.
Wash doesn't look up.
WASH: What Mal.
MAL: Why don't you go look in on your wife and get some sleep.
Wash looks up at Mal and puts down the dinosaurs.
WASH: Yeah yeah!
He smacks Mal on the back and leaves the bridge with a smile. Mal sits in the pilot's chair. He picks up the pterodactyl, shakes his head, and smiles.
INT-POLICE INTERROGATION ROOM
The room is small, about the size of two jail cells put together. The place is clean unlike the rest of the Alliance detainment camp. Zoe stands in the middle of the floor. She is wearing a plain brown prison uniform. The room is full of about twelve Alliance policemen. They surround Zoe. The three officers with the highest rank sit at a long table directly in front of Zoe. One of the officers gets up from the table and walks over to Zoe. She remains still with her eyes forward, not moving. The officer looks at Zoe, but addresses the other men.
OFFICER #1: I don't think this lady Browncoat takes us seriously. I think we should show her what we're made of.
The men begin to hoot and holler and shout vulgar insults at Zoe. She doesn't move. The officer moves in close to her, very much invading her personal space. He speaks in a whisper.
OFFICER #1: You know we can do this by force, but I have found that it is more pleasurable for everyone if you comply. Strip.
ZOE: Not likely.
A young eager policeman leaps from his position in a far corner and approaches the officer.
POLICEMAN #1: Let me do it for you boss.
The officer waves him away.
OFFICER #1: I think I might know what will persuade her.
Zoe hears the doors open behind her, but she does not look. The men begin to scream and cheer. Zoe can hear three men approach. She does not move her eyes until something is thrown down at her feet. A voice tells her not to look, but she cannot resist. For the first time since they'd been ordered to surrender, her face betrays her emotion. She's tough, but not as hard as she'll learn to be in the years to come. At her feet she finds a beaten and bloody Mal begging her not to look. The officer walks over to Mal and kicks him in the face. Mal now lies on his back facing Zoe. The officer speaks to Zoe.
OFFICER: Strip.
Zoe cannot remove her eyes from Mal's pitiful form. She is visibly shaken, but she still does not comply. The officer takes out his service revolver and points it at Mal's head. Mal stammers.
MAL: Don't look Zoe. Just don't look.
Zoe once again looks straight ahead out into nothing. Slowly she begins to unbutton her shirt. There is nothing underneath. The men around her begin to cheer and argue over who's going first. She wants to close her eyes, but that would only give them an added advantage over her and they already have too many. Zoe unties the strap around her waist, which allows her pants to fall effortlessly to the floor. She has the urge to find Mal's eyes again, possibly to gain an ounce of strength from them. Two policemen have Mal propped up now. They force him to watch. Zoe sees something in Mal's eyes that she's never seen before. She can't read him. She's too caught up in him. Zoe fails to sense the two men who jump her from behind. They each take one of her arms and hold her so she cannot move. In a flash all of the men are on her. She can hear a voice that she doesn't even recognize as her own screaming and calling Mal's name. She can hear Mal screaming her name and cursing the officers. Suddenly Zoe can no longer hear her own voice above the voices of the men grunting and cheering. The officer walks away from the mob, stuffing himself back into his pants. He speaks, mostly to himself.
OFFICER #1: (laughing) It's like killing two birds with one stone, like they say. Ah, the spoils of war.
Zoe's body is now numb, numb to the hands and other body parts invading her inside and out. When she is able to feel again all she can feel is the cold floor beneath. She cannot see Mal anymore, but she can hear him breathe. Only, he sounds too close, closer than he was before.
INT - SERENITY - WASH AND ZOE'S BUNK
Zoe and Wash are asleep in their bed. Zoe wakes up and looks around. Wash is breathing softly in her ear. She tries to move, but Wash's hand grips her hip. Without waking him, she wiggles out of his grasp and gets out of bed. Ignoring the pain her broken ribs are causing, Zoe wraps herself in a blanket and climbs up the ladder and out of her bunk.
END OF ACT THREE