Nine Days Earlier

Serenity had dropped off it's Captain and chef at the outskirts of town and on the instructions of Captain Reynolds had moved to some distance outside of town. Mal walked with Jia behind him towards Ranger's base of operations. It didn't take him long to realize something was wrong. He slowed to a crawl and then stopped. Noticing something must be wrong Jia was silent. Mal backed up into an alley way keeping her behind him. He took an alternate route thorough the back alleys. He continued to survey the situation.

There was no one in town. It seemed deserted. Nothing else was disturbed. Had it been a mess he would have called for an immediate pick up. A mess could mean Reavers. There were only a few left but they still left their impression on everyone's mind. It seemed as if everyone had just walked away.

They reached the headquarters still not having encountered anyone. Mal led silently through the doors and, having un-holstered his gun long ago, crept into the usual meeting room. There was nothing. He was about to leave when he thought he heard a noise from outside. He told Jia to stay and peaked out the door. He saw four Alliance officers pointing a very large gun at the door he was standing behind. He screamed for Jia to get down and hit the deck. They both covered their heads as the door behind them exploded in a barrage of gunfire. They both began crawling further into the building. Jia reached an indoor wall and helped Mal up behind it. He grabbed her hand and led her out back. He knew from their last visit that Ranger kept a shuttle an underground cavern for emergencies. He hoped the Alliance had not discovered it.

As they entered the underground room slowly it was obvious the Feds hadn't seen it. It was in tact and was surrounded by illegal goods. He climbed aboard and ascertained that it was in working order. Not good working order but good enough. He started it up and used the controller to open the overhead door. As it opened he closed the bay door in the shuttle. He told Jia to hang on to something. She strapped herself into the extra chair and held on. They rocketed out of orbit at impressive speed.

Jia put her head back in relief. She wasn't listening until she heard the computer ask for a destination three times. She looked over at Mal.

"Captain?"

He didn't respond.

"Sir?"

She got out of her seat and walked over to him. He was sitting there with a glazed look in his eyes staring into nothing. He was also holding his side. She lifted his hand to see he had a large shard of the former door lodged in his side. As she discovered this he passed out. She slowly heaved him off the chair and on the floor.

She checked he was breathing. She needed Serenity, or more specifically, it's doctor. She put herself in the chair Mal had just occupied. She looked at all the buttons in astonishment. She had not idea what to do. The screen in front of her showed a planetary chart of planets in range of the shuttle. She looked and found one she knew. She input the destination and the ship took off. Jia could only hope Serenity would follow them.

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The ship touched down a day later on Gemini. Jia peeked out the door and was relieved to know she did indeed know where the ship had landed them. Mal had never regained consciousness and Jia was worried. He wasn't bleeding anymore where she could tell.

Her only problem lay in their location. They were about ten miles from friendly territory. She didn't know how to use the shuttle. Besides it had told her it was low on fuel anyway. She left Mal in the shuttle with instructions she would be back given to his immobile form. She snuck the short distance to a town and went to a corral with several horses in it. She calmly approached one of them and was pleased to see it was friendly and well trained. She snuck to a nearby storage shed and stole two saddles and two bridles along with a length of rope. She saddled two horses and led them to the fence she had crossed to get in.

It was a simple thing to unhook the fence and re-hook it when she got the horses through. She was sweating heavily from the effort and her arms felt as though they would fall off, but it was done. Jia then took them to the shuttle. She hoped from the disused look of the equipment they wouldn't notice them missing or the horses. Perhaps not a strong hope, but it was enough.

She realized upon getting back to the shuttle she would never be able to lift her Captain by herself. She had to wake him.

She managed to get him awake enough to get him on the horse and tied to the saddle before he passed out again. She had bandaged his side as much as she could with his shirt. He still needed medical attention and fast.

As she led Mal's horse on her own and went as fast as she dared she wondered at the location of Serenity. She couldn't wait for them. She had expected to be stopped by them on the way there. The fact that she wasn't left her no choice but to move Mal even though she knew it wasn't a good idea.

The trek was long and very difficult. Thankfully Mal never fell off his horse. She went around the town of Angel to her final destination. She tied the horses to the back fence and wakened Mal once again. He was less coherent this time and she knew infection had set in and taken over. She smelled a sickly sweet odor coming from him and that wasn't good. She led him up the back stairs and opened the door with the key she knew was on top of the door frame.

She stumbled in and was confronted by a maid in the upper rooms. The small woman gasped and Jia shushed her.

"Tell Anna Jia is here, quietly."

The woman nodded and went to do what she was told. With great difficulty she opened the door at the end of the hall and led her charge in. She placed him on the bed as carefully as she could. He was now mumbling something she couldn't understand. As she started to situate him a blond woman in bright red came rushing in.

"Jia Li, what are you..." She noticed the figure on the bed and was silent.

"I need a doctor and someone to take care of the two horses out back. It needs to look like we are not here."

The older woman nodded and rushed off.

Jia sighed and threw herself into the chair next to the large bed.

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The doctor arrived shortly and examined the patient. He had a sizable hole in his side from the wood shard and a bullet in his thigh which Jia had never even noticed. Both wounds were brimming with infection. He removed both projectiles after sedating Mal. He protested at Jia's presence but she would not be deterred. He gave Mal a shot and after bandaging him, the doctor left after giving specific instructions to Jia. Mal was not to move from that bed for at least four days. He was to be given the medicine the doctor had given Jia twice a day for five days.

He left Jia with Mal and Anna. Anna motioned for Jia to follow her. Jia looked at Mal and hesitated.

Anna sighed, "He won't be waking for a while hon. I need to talk to you."

Jia nodded and followed Anna to her office down the hall. Anna sat down with a sigh behind her desk and Jia fell into the plush chair in front of it.

"Now what the hell happened?"

"He's the captain on the ship I'm working on. There was a problem so I had to go along on a job with him."

"I guess that explains the get-up."

Jia looked down at her clothing. She had forgotten about the outfit and the four guns strapped to her, "Yeah."

"Go on."

"Don't really know what happened. No one was there but Alliance and they started shooting at us. We took the shuttle and since he wasn't awake I had to pick a destination. I chose here."

Anna sighed again, "Are you alright?"

Jia nodded.

Anna got up and approached her chair. "It's ok hon. I missed you."

Jia got up and embraced the older woman with a lot of emotion, "I missed you too Anna. We really didn't talk much after Dad died."

"He was my best friend. I miss him every day. But I miss you too."

Jia broke off the embrace. "I'm sorry for getting you involved."

"Oh don't worry about that. Alliance isn't a friend in this establishment I can assure you."

"How do you get away with that?"

"We're far enough away from the base so we don't attract attention. Besides, they got their own girls there."

Jia shuttered and almost fell over. Anna steadied her. "Sweetie you must be exhausted. Come on you. Got a room all ready for you."

Jia was tired but still concerned, "You'll wake me if Mal wakes up?"

Anna nodded, "I give my word." It would be easy to keep since she knew he would probably be out for at least a day.

Jia nodded and allowed Anna to guide her down the hall.

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Mal woke up slowly with a throbbing ache in the left side of his body. He couldn't quite move and that he thought in this case was a good thing. He slowly opened up his eyes and stared at the ceiling . He instantly realized he wasn't in his bunk on Serenity. The bed he was on was about ten times more comfortable and the ceiling wasn't metal. He looked to his left to see his cook asleep in a plush chair. She didn't look hurt but Mal couldn't remember. As if sensing movement she woke up.

"How are you feeling?"

"What happened to me?"

"You were shot in the thigh and had a piece of door stuck in your side. Infection's getting better."

"Where is Serenity?"

"I don't know."

He attempted to get up. He laid back in incredible pain. If he had succeeded in getting up Jia would have pushed him right back.

"Where are we?"

"Friend of my dad's. She said we can stay here until Serenity gets here."

He looked around the room for the first time. It was decorated in deep blue satin and velvet. It was tacky and over the top.

"Where the hell are we Jia? Looks like a whore house."

"That's cause it is."

He slowly brought his gaze back to her, "Excuse me?"

"It is a whore house."

Mal blinked rapidly, "YOU brought ME to a whore house?"

Jia sighed, "She's the only one I knew in range of the shuttle. It's not so bad. Alliance will never know we are here."

"That's cause we won't be here." He attempted to get up again, and upon failing flopped back down, "Get us out of here."

"Mal settle down. You'll only hurt yourself."

Mal ground his teeth, "Jia..."

"It's all we got so live with it."

He looked over at her not pleased with either her tone or her refusal, "You shouldn't be here."

"Why not?"

"I ain't in any position to help if'n someone mistakes your purpose here."

Jia raised an eyebrow, "They have a huge bartender named Barney who could crush anyone gets too friendly. I will be fine. You can be moved anyway."

He tried to get up again and Jia got up and sat on the side of the bed, "You tear your stitches and I'll belt ya."

"Oh you will huh?"

"Yeah I will. I went through a lot to get you here. Least you could do is appreciate it."

Now he was yelling, "You are not staying in a Cat house!"

A voice came from the door, "Cat house? This is the best damn whore house in this sector thank you very much."

He looked around Jia as she turned. A blond woman dressed in red satin walked in and shut the door.

"If you don't mind keeping it down, it is rather early. I'm Anna, purveyor of this establishment."

Mal rubbed his face with his hand, "It ain't that I don't appreciate it Ma'am but it ain't safe for her here."

"My home is a safe for the girl I consider like a daughter to me. She's as safe as she can be with you around."

He looked at Jia. She was trying unsuccessfully to hide a smile. "Could you contact my ship and tell them we are here."

"Could do that if you want Alliance knowing it too. Base is not ten miles from here."

"That's just great. Nice hiding spot Jia."

"Friends close, enemies closer Mal."

He scoffed, "Sure."

Anna came and sat on the chair Jia had recently occupied, "Doc says you'll be fine in a few days."

Mal didn't want to talk about the doctor, "How'd you know Mason?"

"Friend since forever. Grew up together. Know Jia here from frequent visits."

Mal looked over at her disbelieving, "James Mason brought his little girl to a whore house?"

Anna laughed, "Never at night, just during the day. Makes all the difference."

Mal smiled condescendingly, "Sure it does. We need to get back to our ship. Any suggestions?"

She sighed, "I've been thinking about that since you got here. I still have no ideas. Sorry Captain Reynolds."

It wasn't until then Mal noticed something wrong. He lifted up the sheet a bit and quickly clutched it back on his chest. "Where are my clothes?"

Jia blushed bright red. Anna just laughed, "They were too torn to wear again. I'll get you some new ones when you leave."

Anna got up, "I'll leave you two to talk."

She closed the door behind her. Mal looked at Jia who was still blushing. He narrowed his eyes at her, "Why are you blushing?"

She looked at the floor.

He slowly smiled, "How did my clothes get off Jia?"

She stood, "I'll go get you something to eat."

She rushed out of the room. Mal just laid back and smiled.

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"Bastard." Jia said as she entered the kitchen. Anna stood at the counter and laughed at Jia's entrance.

"How is he?"

"Better."

"I got a question you are not going to like."

Jia looked at her with a scowl, "Then don't ask it."

"You know me hon I have to. Anything going on between you two?"

Jia looked away, "Nothing."

"Has he kissed you?"

Jia's eyes widened but she still wouldn't meet Anna's gaze, "No."

Anna sighed, "You love him?"

Jia threw up her hands, "Absolutely not. He is my boss nothing more."

Jia stormed out, forgetting Mal's meal.

Anna sighed again, "This is not going to be fun."

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Jia nursed Mal back to health and put up with his bitching for three days before telling him off.

"I am not helping you anymore. You are a pain in the ass."

Mal sat up, "So are you but I put up with you."

Jia whirled and glared at him, "Put up with me? You do more than put up with me."

"What?"

She came closer, "You know exactly what I mean." She came even closer. "I do more for you than I should." She tried to turn away but Mal's arm shot out and grabbed her. He pulled he to the side of the bed and sat her down.

"I don't remember you complaining."

She didn't move. He released her arm and brought his hand to her face. She didn't move as he leaned into her and touched his mouth with his. She only stayed frozen for a moment before responding. He moved his arms to around her waist and pulled her closer. She put her arms around his neck and threaded her hands through his hair. He deepened the kiss. She didn't protest but moved closer. He moved his hands under her shirt and pulled it off. He looked in her eyes and remembered the last time they were in this position. She wasn't uncertain or embarrassed. He pressed her closer and joined their lips again.

He laid back and brought her with him. His hands moved over her back and to her front. When she moaned into his mouth he moved his hands to her breasts. She took a sharp breath in and moaned again. He attempted to turn and pull her under him when his side was stretched. He broke off and fell back in intense pain.

Jia looked into his eyes. "Are you ok? I forgot you were injured."

She ran her hands down his side to his bandage. She was relieved he hadn't started to bleed again.

Mal caught her hands and held them away from his body. "I forgot too damn it."

Jia smiled, "Maybe later when you feel better."

He released her hands and pulled her down so her head was on his shoulder. "Oh you can bet on that."

Jia giggled a little. "I hope you feel better soon."

He looked at her surprised. He half smiled, "That was unexpected."

She shrugged, "It's surprising I feel the same way you do?"

"Well, yeah." He leaned down to her ear. "If you wouldn't mind may I have some pants now?"

Jia suddenly shot up. She colored a bit, "I'll see what Anna has."

She got up and started to walk out.

Mal called after her. "Something with a cottony feel please. I'm not a fan of silk. At least not on myself."

Jia looked back at him, "I'm not sure what she has but I'm sure you can have leather if you want it."

Mal looked as though he considered it for a bit, "OK, but nothing too revealing. Don't want to start a riot you know."

Jia turned to him in the door way, "I'll bring you something I would like to see you in."

She slid out the door when Mal raised one eyebrow and smiled.