Disclaimer: I don't own The Lost World. I don't own Firefly. --
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Inara was not one to take insults. The hint of frivolity that had occupied her face only moments earlier now faded and fluttered away. She glared at the Captain; he was pounding with adrenaline, beads of sweat gliding down his temples, his hair tousled, yet somehow perfect... He stood up from his crouched game stance-- regret wallowed in his eyes, but it was too late for forgiveness.
The couple had danced this tango a million and one times. Inara thought she would've been used to it by now—would've built up a wall of defense strong enough to withhold his insults-- but his corrosive words still stung; that word always stung, whenever he said it.
How had such an innocent game of 'hoop ball' turned into a shouting match? Why had it taken such a vicious turn?
"I'm sorry, you must excuse me now. I have a client to prepare for." She stated formally, addressing crew (minus the insolent captain). Her tone was cold, serious. Inara swiftly turned, exiting the cargo bay and leaving the game.
Malcolm could only watch. She handled it all so elegantly. She hadn't even stormed out. But that didn't change anything. He'd stuck his foot in his mouth—AGAIN. But everything had been going so well! Why did this always happen? Dammit Mal. You blew it.
Kaylee glared disapprovingly at the Captain.
"Aw great Mal. Now we ain't got enough players" Jayne griped loudly, ignorant of the larger issue at hand. "Maybe we could get the doc's moon-brained sister to fill in." He chuckled menacingly at his last statement. "Where is she, anyway?"
All eyes turned to the upper deck. She had spent the past couple of days balancing on one foot on the railing. The area was now vacant…
"…River?"
Kaylee thought she detected a faint note of panic in Simon's voice. His eyes whisked around the room, wide with anxiety. Come to think of it, he hadn't seen her for several hours. "River?" the ship adopted a sudden, eerie silence as the girl's name reverberated ominously.
"Last time I saw 'er, she was wand'rin 'round the engine room." Kaylee half whispered to Simon. However, it had been loud enough for Mal to hear.
"Just what we need…" Mal grumbled almost inaudibly as he stared for the stairs. "River decides to tinker with the gorram engine and we all fall outta the sk"—
The ship jolted forward setting the whole crew off balance, and the lights flickered just before turning off completely. Kaylee's hands fumbled in the darkness for something to steady her, eventually latching onto an arm… Her heart skipped a beat. Simon's arm? …No, too muscular… too tall. Must be Jayne, she figured as she withdrew--disappointed.
A gust of air brushed past the crew. Kaylee shivered. All of them shivered, but not because the breeze was cold. In fact, it was quite warm. It was rich and enveloping, as if some sort of soft liquid filled the space around them, rather than air. Though this gust should have been calming, it was strangely disagreeable.
It's too… nice-- too good to be out here in space, in the middle of nowhere. Kaylee tensed as another arm met her in the darkness, climbing over her shoulder. This time it wasn't Jayne. It collected her into itself, and Kaylee gleefully sought refuge in the doctor's gentle embrace.
The lights sparked on again, revealing two guns, a knife, a crossbow, and the epitome of female rage staring Serenity's crew straight in the face.
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Author's Note: …"two guns, a knife, a crossbow, and the epitome of female rage" …Gee, I wonder what happened? Who could that be? I bet you know! devious grin… Time for the explorers to meet the crew! Reviews are like friends—one can never have enough!