Disclaimer: I am a high school senior, all I own are copies of Serenity, Firefly and Dark Angel Season 1. Everything else is owned by James Cameron and Joss Whedon, I only wish I owned Firefly.

Spoilers: Some for Serenity

Thanks to Dr. Shubert, my latest reviewer:

Charlie is a relic of an experimental cryo program that they talked about in DA. If you don't want a spoiler look away, part-transgenics are coming up to explain what has happened in the interim. Plus, I've decided to combine some of the further chapters because they are really short.

Jayne woke in the middle of the night to find that he was not alone. He sat straight up in the bed and whipped out a heavy grey revolver to point it straight at the intruder.

Charlie blurred and easily dismantled the gun before Jayne could blink. She laughed aloud at the surprised expression on his face as he stared at her.

Jayne stared at the grip of the weapon, still resting in his palm. He raised an eyebrow as he raised his gaze back up to her face. "Any reason you're in my bunk? Besides to show off?"

Charlie's grin faded. "I couldn't stay in that room, bruised ribs or not. After Manticore, I can't stand doctors or hospitals."

"I can understand that." Jayne ran a hand through his short hair, momentarily wondering what they had done to her there.

"Do you mind if I stay here tonight?" When she saw the look on his face, she hurried on. "I could just sleep on the floor."

"You'd be pretty uncomfortable." Jayne grumbled.

Charlie shrugged. "Slept on much worse."

Jayne woke the next morning from an embarrassingly adolescent dream, with Charlie playing a main role. He looked over to the floor beside his bed, and saw, nothing. He heard Mal pounding on his door to wake him.

Feeling completely awake, Jayne pulled on his clothes. Then a thought hit him, making him freeze. Charlie had been there all night and he'd been completely naked apart from a single blanket.

Charlie was working out on the weight bench when the captain approached her. She looked up as he neared, shelving the bar.

"Can I talk to you?" Mal asked, looking down at her.

"Sure." Charlie sat up, and wiped herself off with a nearby towel. "By the way, I hope you don't mind me using the weights."

"No, it's fine." Mal ruffled his hair with one hand. "I wanted to know if you'd join my crew. With your strength and abilities you'd be mighty useful on our jobs."

"It'd certainly be a surprise to your "business associates" if they tried to cheat you." Charlie grinned. "I couldn't help you with pure intimidation, but I'm a better bet for protection when you need to keep a low profile."

"They wouldn't see you as a threat, and that'd come in mighty handy." Mal caught her gaze. "You in?"

"In a heartbeat." Charlie shook Mal's hand as he extended it. "622, at your service."