DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, it all belongs to Joss, and I'm merely borrowing his creation for my own twisted pleasure. Also I'm making no money.

This is my attempt at a Halloween piece; I've never done a holiday story before so I hope this doesn't suck. Season wise, this happens sometime after Trash, but before The Message.

Enjoy.

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BADDEST BOOTS

Serenity set down on Persephone. Little boutiques that sold just about anything you could think to sell, lined both sides of the dusty, crowded streets; and in the midst of the throngs of people where those that had the push cart stores, rolling over people's feet, shouting in English and Chinese about the things they had.

Here Malcom Reynolds was going to try and fence the Lassiter, the forerunner of modern laser technology. It wasn't going to be an easy thing to get done. It was a famous piece of metal and wire, and besides the big price tag, who's gonna bye a piece of equipment they can't show anybody?

Well it wasn't of much concern to Simon Tam, Serenity's only doctor. He was out here, wondering a bit, for reasons of his own. Reasons he'd taken to the Captain to offer as not only a point of bonding, but as a show of a freer, fun loving side, and a'course Mal wasn't one to turn down a good time, specially when there wasn't any harm in it. Well…maybe later there'd be harm, namely to Simon, but he figured he'd deal with it when it got there. He was the only doctor for the crew of nine.

He knew Persephone to be a source of the less than savory type, and there for home to more disreputable men, stores, and even a black market. Which isn't where he was headed, he wasn't going to go quite that far; he just needed the stores.

This brought him to his current location: Bartholomew's Bin. Sounded more like a bar to Simon, but he'd been told this was the place to do his shopping, so he went in.

--

After another deal gone sour, Mal, returned to his ship; the Lasitder still in hand and burning a hole in his hull. He went right on down to his quarters and put the useless weapon away.

Least he had better things to look forward to once they'd reached the relative safety of the black. He knew it would do nothing but put Simon in a tougher spot then the boy was already in, but he wanted to throw a Halloween thing, he'd managed to get the whole crew behind it too, excluding a few people. They may be less inclined to help the scheming doctor, but they sure wouldn't be missing out on the action.

Mal smiled to himself, it would be quite a thing to see. He climbed up the ladder to the hallway above, and headed up to the bridge. Wasn't sure if anyone'd be there, he'd told 'em all they was free to roam about for a bit, but to be back in a few hours time.

Sure enough the bridge was empty, Wash never missed an opportunity to go planet side, or spend time with his wife for that matter. He figured the only souls left on Serenity was his own self, Book and River.

He leaned back in the chair, where he rarely sat, and waited for them to return.

--

Later on, after they'd taken in all the parts and food they'd bought and headed back to vastness of the 'verse, Simon had come to Mal and told him what he'd found, and his plan for using it.

Course Mal knew why the boy was doin' it, wasn't sure how the kid had found out but it was a fair bet to say his sister had something to do it with.

And Simon, being the educated man that he was didn't let Mal down with his plan. He really did have an evil mind when he was up to it, didn't never miss a detail. It was sure to be a memory to last the ages and anything else that may come their way.

--

Jayne had been in bed all'a fifteen minutes it seemed 'for the ship shook like she was trying to loose her self from a net. He wrapped his arms back around his pillow and dug his head on in, let Wash worry 'bout the flying, it's his job.

But then when Wash's voice came echoin' down to him through the speaker system, Jayne forgot all 'bout sleep. Shaking was something he could sleep through – dying wasn't.

Reavers.

He sat bolt upright, and pulled down the flimsy cloth he had covering his weapons…or at least where his weapons shoulda been.

"What the hell?" he jumped off his bed and move over to the truck where he kept his others. He sure as hell didn't know where everything had got to but everything couldn't be disappeared…only they was. Every gun, every knife, all of it was missing. "GORRAMIT!" he shouted. He couldn't even find his holster…or Vera.

This was no time for someone to playing with him, and if they lived he'd take it out their hides. Reavers wasn't no way for a man to die. There was a few guns out in the cargo bay. Sure hoped he made it that far.

He climbed out his room and looked up to the bridge, it was sealed off. Meaning Wash was there still trying to fly them out but also that the worst had happened and they all might as well just give up – they'd been boarded.

He made his way toward the kitchen. It was eerie and quite. Where was everyone? He didn't hear no screamin' so maybe they hadn't been boarded…yet. And then he tossed that thought when one them creatures came tearing through the kitchen, coming right at him, knockin' all sorts of stuff over in the process. Jayne slid the door closed with a loud click and locked it.

He supposed that'd at least buy Wash a bit more time, and he still had another way to the cargo bay. To bad for him he didn't take a second look at that Reaver, he might have noticed that when it pulled at it's flesh there was some sort'a smile there. And Reavers don't smile none.

He made it to the cargo bay with out seeing another one, but soon as he set foot at the top of the steps and on the platform, there one was, looking to lift it's self a gun.

Stupid things them Reavers are though, the ain't got no though process, just some sadistic primal urge, so when it couldn't open the locker it turned to Jayne, must'a smelt the fear. Again Jayne wondered where in the hell anybody was. He turned to go back down the stairs, and that was a no go, here came one of them, walkin' all crazy and lopsided up the steps.

Maybe he'd get lucky and they'd be all full on the doc and his moon pie sister, too bad Reavers didn't take no prisoners. He had one more out – the other way turn around and run up them catwalks and pray to God he runs into someone with a weapon. Only he was pretty sure he'd be dead before that.

Option three was 'bout as productive as running into a meat grinder. He was surrounded, they was closing in on him all slow like, savorin' the feel, lettin' him know what was a'coming. But thank the lord almighty there was Mal across the way, gun in hand and takin' aim!

Only thing was…well, there was a Reaver coming up on Mal. Jayne yelled to him and Mal turned around just in time to get a lot Reaver in the face, he yelled as he went down under the things body.

Then the lights flickered, and the ship shook some more and then the lights were gone. Then the emergency lights kicked in, the two or three there was, left just enough light to see his death comin'. An' to make matters worse, there was banging on the hatch door. There was more on the way in, wouldn't be long now 'fore they was overrun and any one who ain't dead will be. Jayne was sure he had to be dreamin', wasn't no way this was like to happen to them, they'd outrun Reavers before, wasn't no call to be done in this time.

By now Mal had stopped yelling, he hadn't even got to fire a shot at the thing that'd ate him. It was a dream, had to be, no way Mal would go down with out a shot. Jayne remembered something he'd heard along time ago, about not being able to get hurt in a dream, so he kicked his shin up into the bars of the railing, and crumpled to the floor holding his leg.

"Gah!" they was getting closer now, and gun or not he'd fight 'fore they tasted him. Even knowing that he could hide the fear on his face, you didn't see a Reaver and pretend it didn't scare you to death. He didn't understand why they was taking their sweet old time getting to him, so he figured he'd give himself a last ditch effort and try to run right past their slowness. When he went to stand back up, he couldn't. Some mighty fierce pain shot up his leg. "Gorramit Jayne, why you gotta kick so hard…"

They was less than three feet away now so Jayne did the only thing he could think of. He prayed.

"God…don't kick me out, give me a chance to explain. I done a lot a things bad, but I done some good too..." the moved closer still, and he sped up, "Ain't got much time. I'm sorry for all them terrible things I done, real sorry-" they were on him! "Oh GOD!" his arms reached up to cover his face, it was a natural reaction, he'd forgotten all about fighting them.

He waited for the feel of their claws and teeth to dig into his flesh, and then he waited some more. He moved his arms just slightly to see the lights was back on and three of the most hideous faces stood over him.

Simon, River and Kaylee.

"What the…" and they broke out in laughter, and on the rafters behind him Mal stood with Wash, who'd also removed his horrible mask. Zoë was coming down from the bridge, a smile on her face too, and Book and Inara were emerging from the other side of the opening hatch.

"Kaylee you got all that on the capture, right?" Zoë asked from across the way, Wash's disfigured arm over her shoulders.

"Sure did." Kaylee smiled into the capture, reliving every terrifying moment Jayne had just experienced.

"What the hell's wrong with ya'll?" Jayne shouted, standing up and bearing the now dull ache in his leg. He was furious. He pushed past the three in front of him, making sure to hit the doctor the hardest, this whole thing reeked of him. He went down the steps, "I want my weapons back, NOW!" He shouted back. Simon followed him down.

"Can't really say you didn't deserve it. You've done worse to myself, and others I'm sure." Jayne turned on the young man, walking up to him and hovering over him.

"This some revenge then? Takin' a man's fears and making light of them? Boy you're lucky I didn't shoot you dead where you stood. Luckier I ain't doin' now. Best watch your back from now on son, this ain't over."

He limped away from him. Simon had never seen him so angry, and he sure knew something was on store for him, something worse.

As Jayne's feet disappeared up the steps, Simon thought maybe he had gone a little far. Reavers were everyone worst nightmare and no one should have to deal with their friends making them live it. He knew he'd have to apologize, but he had to wait till the man calmed down.

Could be a long wait.

--

Ok, I realize this is less Halloween then it should be, but I think the terrifying Reaver deal is Halloween enough. I originally meant for Simon to come up with a haunted house of sorts to get back a Jayne for the Ariel incident, but eh…didn't happen. There is a second part to this, so keep and eye out!

Oh and PLEASE REVIEW! I'll love you forever! (does that work past the age of five?) Do it anyway!

Oh yes, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!