Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Author's Note: Thank you to my reviewerers for your helpful comments. Also thank you to my beta reader, Wicked Willow.
Angela woke in a cold sweat, gasping for breath. She'd had the dream again and knew she wouldn't be able to sleep for the rest of the night. She reached over to retrieve the book she kept handy for nights like this. It was then that she realized that she wasn't on her ship. She stood, stretched and began to pace the room. She was on her brother's boat now.
She walked over to mirror. She had certainly changed since her days as a companion. The long, flowing dresses and her manners had been the first things to go. Multiple fights had added countless scars. She was surprised that Inara had recognized her. Of course, her bright green eyes were still the same, and she was still the same 5'7" that she had always been. She had gained muscle but she was still thin. How had she wound up on a firefly with both Mal and Inara? She picked up a brush and combed through her hair. It didn't shine like it used to. She examined the ends of her waist length hair. It was time for a haircut. She headed to the kitchen, hoping to find someone else awake.
Shepherd Book and Simon were in the kitchen when Angela arrived. Simon was the first to notice her. "Miss Reynolds, I figured you'd be asleep. You seemed exhausted after dinner." Angela shrugged. "Couldn't sleep. Hello Shepherd." Shepherd smiled. "Hello, Miss Angela." Simon turned to Shepherd Book. "Thanks for talking to me, Shepherd. I'm off to bed." "Goodnight, Simon."
Angela sat down, barely looking at Shepherd Book. Instead, she chose to stare at the table. The Shepherd let out a soft laugh. "You're worse than your brother." Angela's head shot up. She hadn't even been on Mal's ship 24 hours, and already she'd offended the preacher. "Don't be alarmed. Allow me to explain." He said apologetically, sensing her discomfort. "Mal has made it clear from the beginning that he isn't too fond of having me on board. However, he'll at least talk to me. He'll even give me orders. You won't even look at me. You act like you'd rather be six feet below the ground. I asked Mal about it, but…" "He said it was none of your go-… none of your business." Angela said. "Exactly." Shepherd replied with an amused look on his face.
Angela looked back at the table. "Maybe Mal's right, but we do have our reasons." "I'd like to hear them." Shepherd said encouragingly. "Mal and I didn't have a happy childhood. Our father was not a nice man. Whenever he got angry, he would either disappear to go drinking, or he would take it out on us. Eventually, it got really bad. Mal and I went to the local shepherd. We figured he would help us. We wrong; we were dead wrong. He to us we were trash and deserved whatever beatings we received. After that, he escorted us back to our father. He told him to teach us about honesty. Our father beat us within an inch of our lives, and I mean that literally Shepherd. Mal ran away soon after that. About a year later, I was shipped off to companion school. That's why we gave up on religion." She said as she looked back down at her hands.
Shepherd nodded. "I see." His face was etched in sadness and compassion. "That man wasn't a shepherd. He was a wolf. A true shepherd would have helped you." He said gently. Angela looked up at him. "Thank you, Shepherd." "My pleasure. Now if you will excuse me, I'm going back to bed." "Goodnight, Shepherd." Angela said softly.
When Shepherd Book was gone, Angela was left alone with her thoughts. Several minutes later, Jayne came into the kitchen. "You have a nice chat with the preacher?" Angela shrugged. "You know, this whole situation is pretty amusing." She looked up at him, eyes flashing. "What do you want! Are you here because I used to be a companion? Because that was a long time ago." Jayne sat down across from her. "While that is an interesting bit of information, it ain't why I'm here. I couldn't sleep, and when that happens I usually come down to the kitchen. Your company just happens to be an added bonus tonight." Angela looked back at her hands. "I see." She whispered, slightly embarrassed.
Jayne stood and walked over to the refrigerator. She was amazing. She had so much power in her small frame. She could probably take him in a fight. Hell, if she could knock Mal on his ass with just a single punch, he wouldn't stand a chance. He grinned, just thinking about that scene. She was cute too. Sure, he'd told Mal he understood his wanting him to keep his hands off. But if what Mal wanted and what little sister wanted contradicted each other, well, Jayne had never been able to resist a good looking woman who wanted him.
He grabbed some food out of the refrigerator and sat down across from Angela. "So, you couldn't sleep either?" Angela shook her head. "Bad dream?" "Nightmare." She corrected. Jayne swallowed some food before continuing. "I guess seein' your boat explode would do that." Angela shrugged. She'd let him believe whatever he wanted. But her nightmare had nothing to do with her firefly blowing up.
"You don't say much." Jayne stated. Angela looked up at him. "Not when there ain't nuthin' worth sayin'." Jayne grinned. "You're cute, you know that?" That comment startled her. She had been called many things by many men over the years. But Mal was the only one who had told her she was cute before Jayne. She didn't know how to respond.
"You're a very interesting man." Angela said as she stood to leave. "Leavin' so soon?" "Yes, I need some sleep. Goodnight." She said as she walked back to her quarters. Jayne watched her go. A goofy grin played at the corners of his mouth. That woman had been on this boat less than 24 hours, and, already, she'd stolen his heart.