Josephine left Mira's room and walked along the metal grating of Serenity's floors slowly, relishing the soft sway of the ship in space that she had missed so terribly. It was late, or at least she thought it was late, and everyone seemed to be in their bunks, sound asleep after another tiring rescue. She had gotten Mira cleaned up and washed away all of the blood and dirt of the day from herself while Mal waved Inara and let her know that Jo was safe now, though he didn't know what had become of the young man Inara had sent with her. She now wore one of the simple dark dresses Inara had given her, grateful for it's soft cotton material after the coarse white fabric she'd been forced to wear.
She shared a joyful reunion with the ever enthusiastic Kaylee, just barely managing to tear herself away from the young woman's happy air. She had spoken to River briefly, trying to understand how Mira had managed to get away from Pierce's men, but either the young psychic truly didn't know or simply refused to share her knowledge with Josephine.
She sighed as her footsteps echoed across the cargo bay and she climbed the stairs to the upper level and the crew quarters, in search of Mal's bunk. Somehow she knew he would be awake and that he had been waiting for her to come to him. She stopped just inside the corridor and glanced towards his bunk. The hatch was open and she could make out a faint light emanating from beneath it.
She hesitated there, unsure suddenly of how to proceed. Josephine knew she had to tell him now and anxiety washed over her. If only she could be certain as to his reaction, but the man was still very much a mystery to her, and she just wasn't sure. Would he be happy? Confused? Or god-forbid, outraged? She sincerely hoped it wasn't the last but doubted it would be the first. The hard part, she realized, wasn't necessarily going to be telling him she was pregnant, but telling him it might not be his.
She let the different scenarios play out in her head for a moment before taking a step in the bunks direction. Only one way to know for sure, she thought. The sooner I get this done, the sooner Simon can run his tests and, one way or another, we'll know.
She took another step and froze.
"His present... I should give him his present first," she whispered to herself. Ignoring the voice in the back of her head that told her she was simply delaying, she hurried back down the stairs to the cargo bay where the majority of her things still lay. She found the large white box propped up against some crates in the corner and lifted it with some difficulty. It wasn't particularly heavy so much as it was awkward and she struggled a bit as she made her way back up the steps.
Once she was back in the corridor, she made her way to the ladder leading into Mal's bunk and peered down, unsure if she should knock or not. She decided against it and made her way down the ladder one handed, the other arm doing its best to hold the box. She lost her footing on the last step and slid down, struggling to keep her grip on the box.
She jumped slightly when strong arms wrapped around her waist, steadying her and a soft voice spoke from behind her.
"You need to be careful, what are you doing hauling that guaiwu down here anyway?"
She froze at the sound of Mal's voice and the feel of his hands on her waist, her body reacting after being denied for so long.
"It's for you," she spoke, her voice breathy. "A gift."
"A gift?" Mal helped her the rest of the way down the steps and took the white box from her, carrying it over to the small desk and laying it down. "There was no need for that," he spoke softly, the surprise evident in his voice.
"I know," she said, pushing the hatch closed and following him, only to stop in the middle of the small room. "It's just something I wanted you to have."
Mal traced a large hand across the top of the box as he stared down at it. "What is it?"
Josephine smiled from behind him before answering. "Open it and see."
It wasn't wrapped, and he had no problem sliding the top off of the box, but it's contents were still hidden by a soft white paper. He peeled back the layers of tissue paper protecting the box's contents and stared down in surprise. His gaze flickered from the item in the box to Jo's face in shock and Josephine's smile widened at his reaction.
Mal reached down with both hands and pulled the leather brown overcoat out of it's box, turning in the process, and holding it in front of him.
"How... where... how...," Mal stuttered and Josephine laughed softly as she walked over to him.
"Try it on, I wasn't sure it would fit." She helped him slide his arms into the sleeves and smoothed the leather down his back before stepping back in front of him to see how it looked.
It wasn't an exact replica of the one she had ruined so many months ago. It was slightly shorter, resting mid thigh, a darker brown, and obviously less battle worn than the other, but it seemed to fit nicely.
Josephine watched as Mal traced his hands absently over the material and she began to speak rapidly.
"I know it can't replace the other one... it has no history with you. But it is a genuine antique, worn by someone in the resistance."
"How did you find this?"
"Inara... she helped me find it at an estate sale."
Mal looked up at her finally, his hands falling to his sides. "It's... I...," he trailed off, instead putting into his eyes everything he couldn't bring himself to say.
Josephine smiled again and met his gaze. "I'll try not to get blood on this one."
Mal smirked and walked the short distance to her, wrapping his leather clad arms around her waist and pushing his mouth against her ear.
"Don't go makin' promises you know you can't keep," he spoke softly, his breath tickling the sensitive flesh of her ear and making her squirm slightly. His mouth closed over hers and any thoughts of what she had come there to tell him fell away, replaced by a desire that had gone denied for far too long.
His kisses were slow and deliberate at first; a small nip at her bottom lip, quick pecks at the corner of her mouth, but soon they became more heated. She parted her lips hungrily and fisted one hand in the short wispy hairs at the top of his neck, tilting her head for better access. Josephine shivered when she felt Mal's tongue slide into her mouth and she pressed herself against him, suddenly wishing there weren't so many layers of clothes between them.
As if reading her thoughts, he released her waist and began shrugging the new coat off his shoulders. Josephine took his lead and pushed it off his back. He stepped back and pulled the coat completely off, laying it over the back of his desk chair before turning back. He reached out to pull her to him again, but she batted his hands away gently and put her own hands on his chest to undo the buttons of his shirt. She worked them quickly and pulled the fabric aside. An almost physical shock went through her as she laid her palms against the warm planes of his chest, finally connecting with the flesh.
He crushed her to him, trapping her arms between them and devoured her mouth with a new found fervor that she eagerly returned. In one swift motion, Mal lifted her off her feet and walked them the short distance to the bed, laying her down quickly. He went to his knees beside her, never breaking the kiss, and slid one hand to her stomach, still covered with the fabric of her dress. Mal skimmed his fingers across her stomach before raising his hand and cupping her breast through the dress. He moved his mouth to her neck, sucking and biting gently.
Josephine moaned but still she wanted more. She sat up halfway, her hands going behind her to undo the fastening of her dress. When she had it freed, she pulled her arms free of the sleeves and slid the top half to her waist, crying out when Mal's mouth closed over the soft flesh of her right breast.
She shivered again when she felt Mal's hand on her leg, slowly pushing the skirt portion of her dress up her legs. He paused a moment, fingering the brand on the inside of her thigh. He continued until the dress became little more than a belt around her small waist and ran his hand back down, over her undergarment, in teasing circles. Finally, Mal palmed his large hand over her most sensitive region and pulled his mouth away from her nipple in surprise.
"What's wrong?"
Mal stared down at her a moment before answering. "You're so wet," he spoke softly, his voice husky and low.
Josephine stared back at him through half-lidded eyes. "For you... only for you."
Returning to her mouth, Mal kissed her deeply, slipping his hand beneath that final layer of clothing as he did. Wetting his hand with her juices, Mal slid his fingers up to her center, rubbing it gently.
Josephine cried out in frustration and broke the kiss, giving Mal pause. He ceased his ministrations and stared down at her in surprise.
"We've plenty of time for that Mal. Right now, all I want is for you to be inside of me."
Mal's eyes rolled back into his head slightly at her words and the need in her voice. He violently tugged at her undergarments, ripping them in the process, until they slid down her legs and over her feet. He tossed them on the floor and pushed himself off of her. Josephine put her hands at his waist, fighting with his belt for a moment, before pushing the fabric of his pants over his hips and down his legs, to pool around his ankles.
She grasped his freed erection, making Mal shudder as he kneeled between her legs, and pulled slightly, leading him to her entrance. Her hand fell away as she felt the edge of his member nudge her folds and she let her head fall back to the thin mattress.
Mal hesitated and glanced up at her. Never before had he wanted to drive himself into someone with such reckless abandon, but he had no desire to harm or frighten her either. Josephine noticed his hesitation and pushed herself up until she was resting on her elbows and could see clearly into his eyes.
"You won't hurt me qing ren. Give me what I need... what we both need," she pleaded.
Mal closed his eyes for a moment, fighting with his desire to lose control, before finally giving in. He used both hands to grab beneath her knees and pull her to the edge of the bed, impaling her on him in the process.
Josephine cried out in surprise at the suddenness of it, but was soon crying out for a completely different reason. Mal left her legs bent, forcing them higher and higher until she could place both her ankles on his shoulders and he moved his hands from the soft side of her knees to her waist, to keep her from sliding away from him with every thrust.
Josephine had never felt anything like it before, the angle of her legs making it impossibly delicious every time Mal pounded into her. He seemed to be reaching places inside of her that were never meant to be touched. Each time he pushed himself into her completely, only to pull out almost entirely, and push himself back again. Josephine's breaths came in short gasps and she thought she heard a low keening moan every few seconds and wondered where it could be coming from, before realizing it was her who was making those sounds.
Mal's own breaths came out in quick grunts every time he thrust himself into her and he knew he couldn't keep up this pace much longer. He almost exploded every time he looked down at her flushed face, her breasts bouncing with each of his strong lunges.
Josephine began to feel the familiar sensation radiating from her core, and knew she was close. As though she were a cup that had simply gotten too full and was threatening to burst over the edge. She clenched her muscles involuntarily in an attempt to keep from overflowing and Mal moaned in pleasure and, impossibly, began to push harder. He knew he wouldn't be able to hold out much longer and wanted to make sure she fell over the edge with him. Moving one hand from Josephine's waist, he ran his thumb over her clit repeatedly and she began to tremble beneath him.
Jo felt the pressure explode from within her and cried out, her upper body raising a few inches off the mattress as she shook, wave after wave of pleasure coursing through her. Mal pulled himself back and thrust one final time, calling out her name as his seed shot into her tight passage. He stayed inside of her, body shaking, as he rode out the orgasm.
Josephine's ankles slipped from his shoulders and fell to the mattress as Mal finally pulled himself out of her. He paused to kick his pants off of his ankles and laid on his stomach next to her, burying his face in the crook of her neck.
She could feel his ragged breathing tickling her neck as the last vestiges of pleasure subsided and were replaced with a warm tingling sensation. He tried to speak, but the words were muffled into her skin.
"What was that?" She asked quietly, still on her back unable to move.
Mal pulled his head back so she could hear him clearly. "I may be getting too old for that sort of thing."
Josephine smiled. "Nonsense." She turned onto her side slowly so she could see his face, wincing in the process.
Mal's brow furrowed in concern as he looked at her. "Did I hurt you?"
Josephine paused to chose her words carefully, not wishing to worry him, but actually surprised at the ache she felt in that region. "No... well, only in a good way." He didn't look as though he believed her, and she frowned when she saw shame creep into his eyes.
She scooted closer to him, until her body was pressed into his side and their faces were practically touching. "Mal, I'm fine, honestly. It was wonderful, it was exactly what I wanted. I'll just be a little sore tomorrow is all." She placed a hand on his back, running her fingers up and down over his skin as the sweat began to cool.
She had to admit she was surprised herself at how much she'd enjoyed him being so rough with her. It seemed that although Bryce Rawley was well and truly dead, some things still lingered. She couldn't even begin to understand it, not sure if even a therapist from the core could, so she pushed it to the back of her mind. There were more important things to discuss.
"Mal," she began quietly, "I need to tell you something."
He turned onto his side so he could face her and she stared into his eyes for a moment, unsure how to proceed.
"Mal, I... love you."
He smiled. "I love you too." He moved his head forward, searching for her lips, but she put her hands on his chest, stopping him.
"Wait, there's more," she swallowed, forcing herself to continue speaking. "Mal... I'm pregnant."
Mal froze and blinked at her a few times before speaking. "What?... How?... Just now?... How?"
Josephine sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "Malcolm Reynolds... I know your mama told you where babies come from," she paused, reopening her eyes. "And no... not 'just now'."
He opened his mouth to speak but she put a hand to his lips, silencing him. "No... let me get this out."
Mal looked as though he wanted to argue but let his mouth fall closed as Jo continued.
"I've been pregnant for over three months, but I only found out about a week ago, or I would have told you sooner. I know I should have just waved you and let you come and get me but I was scared... I'm still scared. I don't know why I didn't except maybe I didn't want to face you, I was trying to delay it."
Mal opened his mouth to speak again but she shook her head and continued.
"No, there's still more. Three months Mal. Three months ago was when Rawley found me, and... and... there's a chance the baby could be his." Her bottom lip wobbled as she finished and she couldn't help the tears that crept from her eyes as she waited for him to speak.
"So you came back," he began slowly after a few seconds, "to get a paternity test..."
"No," she interrupted, "I came back because I love you... that's just something that needs to be done."
Mal rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling above him, making Josephine's tears flow harder. He stayed silent for a long moment and Josephine reached out to touch him, letting her hand drop half way.
"Mal, please... I'm so sorry. Talk to me please, what are you thinking," she spoke urgently, openly crying now.
He continued staring at the ceiling in quiet shock before speaking finally. "I'm thinking... I'm going to be a father," he spoke softly, his voice slightly numb.
"But what if you aren't that father?"
"I am... I have to be... the 'verse can't be that cruel."
"It can..." she whispered, more to herself than to him.
Mal jumped up suddenly, startling Josephine. His feet landed on the floor and got tangled in the pants he had thrown there. Jo went to her knees in worry as he slipped and fell to the floor loudly. The whole situation might have been funny, under more pleasant circumstances.
"Chu xu sheng!" Mal cursed as he hit the floor.
"Are you alright... what are you doing?"
Mal got to his feet, grumbling, and pulled his pants up around his waist, buckling them as he did. "I'm going to get Simon."
Josephine's mouth fell open in surprise. "Mal, Simon's asleep... I haven't told anyone else. It can wait till morning. Just please... come back to bed," she pleaded.
Mal turned to her, seeing her clearly for the first time since she had begun her confession. There she sat, naked on his bed except for the dress-belt, every scar visible to the naked eye and tear tracks smudged along her cheeks. He could see now that she'd gained weight, a slight bulge to her stomach, and didn't know how he could have missed it before.
He knelt back on the bed and took her in his arms, crushing her against his chest. He pulled her down until they were laying, her head on his chest, and used one hand to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"I'm sorry... I don't know what I was thinking. Just tell me what you want me to do..."
"Just hold me," she whispered against him. "Hold me and make me forget..."
Mal tightened his arms around her as she drifted off to sleep, a million different thoughts still racing through his mind, but only one main concern for the time being; the tired young woman in his arms.