"Your best option is to hide in Inara's ship. Most Alliance crews don't search there," Zoe said. "You're gonna have company," she said.
"The Tams," I said. "That's fine." Zoe went off to go tell Simon and River they needed to hide.
On my way to Inara's I ran into Mal. He had a worried look on his face that I had never seen before. He put his hand on my shoulder.
"You just be careful, okay?" he said. "Hopefully we'll convince 'em to leave before they start a search, but just in case, you just keep quiet and calm." I could tell he was worried. I nodded.
"I'll be fine," I assured him. His expression still looked grim.
"Let's hope so," he said, and walked quickly away, calling Jayne's name. His words didn't really give me much comfort, which probably wasn't the best for my nerves.
Simon appeared, leading River along quickly. She was laughing, but his expression was serious. He looked at me. I tried to give him a reassuring smile, but I'm not really sure he interpreted it that way. We quickly clambered up the steps to Inara's ship, and got inside.
Simon took River's face in his hands. "Okay, mei mei," he said quietly. "We have to be very quiet." River nodded.
"I know, Simon. They want us to see. But we won't. Not for them." Simon sighed, frustrated. We sat in a silent circle, and listened to the rhythmic noises of the ship. We heard the Alliance board, and raised voices. I slowly stood.
Quick footsteps were approaching. I listened closely. I heard Inara arguing with an Alliance crew member.
"-can't enter here," she said, firmly. There was a bit of rustling, and a gruff voice replied.
"I have the authority to search wherever I want. I have special business to finish with this fugitive," he said. That was a voice I would never forget. That voice was the voice of a traitor. He was the reason I was on the run. River seemed to recognize it. She quickly put her hands up to her ears and rocked back and forth. Simon put his hand on her shoulder to comfort her. He looked up at me. "Did you lock the door?" he mouthed.
The door started to rattle, and I ran to the controls. "No," I said. I quickly hit a series of buttons and moved up some switches. Simon was quickly by my side.
"You didn't lock the door? What-" he began frustrated. I put my hand up to silence him.
"If you're so worried about the gorram door, go lock it yourself. I'm trying to get us out of here!" We were in a dangerous situation. The door had stopped rattling, which meant we had some time. I pulled us away from Serenity as fast as I could. Operating the small shuttle was fairly easy.
As soon as we were a good ways away from Serenity, I let out a relived sigh. We didn't have enough gas to get anywhere, except the planet we had just come from. I hoped the shuttle could handle the trip. I turned to face River and Simon. Simon didn't appear to be too happy. River looked at us intently, a curious expression on her face.
"Mackenzie," Simon began. River grabbed his wrist.
"No fighting," She whispered. "They will see us."
"Look," I said. "I'm sorry for snapping. I was just trying to get us out of there. I don't want to get caught." Simon hesitated, unsure of what to say.
"Thank you," he said finally. "I don't want to get caught either. Not after… all this."
"After what?" I asked. He sighed and sat in the co-pilot's chair.
"It's just, River has come so far since being in the hands of the Alliance. I would hate to lose all that progress. Your brother," he paused and laughed a little. "I can't believe I'm actually saying this. River and I owe him so much. I gave up everything for her. Not that I regret it for a single moment, I just- well- your brother makes sure it wasn't in vain."
"He doesn't come across as that kind of a person, huh?" I asked, laughing a little to myself. "I've missed him," I admitted.
"What happened between you two?" he asked. I sighed. I had never really talked about this with anyone. "If you don't want to-"
"It's fine. I should probably get this off my chest anyway," I said. "Mal and I were inseparable. I only have memories of him, since my parents died shortly after I was born. He took care of me until the war. He volunteered and saw the war as a way to protect me I was only eight when Mal was deployed. I was left in the care of one of my father's friends. I stayed there for six years, but then I left. The war was long over by then, but I'd had no contact from Mal."
"Reconstruction after the war took a long time," Simon interjected. I nodded.
"I thought he was…dead. It was the worst feeling in the world. So I ran. I met Dax Shrever, the captain I flew with for three years. I joined his crew, quickly learned, made friends and enemies, and hoped, as I flew around the 'verse, that I'd find Mal. I never did. I got what satisfaction I could from stealing from the Alliance.
"When I was sixteen, we were in a particularly dangerous position. We were middle-men for this job that involved helping an Alliance prisoner escape. I was supposed to pretend to be an Alliance friendly. The Alliance minister took a liking to me, despite the fact that I was a Reynolds. One of our crew members, the Alliance captain trying to get in here, was feeding the Alliance information. Long story short, I was caught, and held for three months. To get out, I killed my captor; the Alliance minister. It took the Alliance three years to figure out I was the killer and issue a warrant. When I was eighteen, I left Dax and his crew, and went on my own. I got several jobs and was able to support myself. On one of my first jobs, I met Inara and learned that my brother was alive. I was afraid to find him. He would be upset that I ran away and got involved with Alliance opposition. I kept in contact with Inara for these past two years. I came back to Mal, glad he welcomed me, though no doubt I have put the crew in greater danger. Obviously, I have," I said, taking a deep breath. "Just my luck. I have come all this way to find Mal only to lose him again."
"I'm sure he'll look for us as soon as he can," Simon reassured me. He leaned forward towards me, his elbows resting on his knees. "He wouldn't want to lose you either. You're, well, smart, brave," he sighed. "Everything that Mal looks for in a crew member." His voice was soft and reassuring. He meant what he said.
Without intending to, our lips met. It was sweet, but short. I broke away. He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"I- I'm sorry," I stammered. "I didn't mean-"
"Me neither," he said quickly, standing. "I, uh, I should look for River," he said, and walked off. I didn't have much time to sit and wonder why we kissed because we were ready to land. I navigated us to a seemingly uninhabited area, densely forested, and began the descent.
The landing happened quickly, it was bumpy, but successful. I stood, and Simon re-entered with River. I unlocked the door, and we stepped into the sunlight. My assumption was incorrect, the area was indeed inhabited. The locals were waiting for us as soon as we stepped off. They were armed, and didn't look like they were about to put their weapons down. My hand twitched towards my holster, but it was empty. I had left my Colt on Serenity. Simon looked at me, and put his hands up slowly. I followed suit. River stood still, but the villagers didn't seem to be worried about her.
One of the villagers spoke up. "Who are you?" he asked. "And why did you find it so gorram important to trespass?"
"We're friends," I said slowly, trying to appear calm. The villagers didn't seem to believe me, and some even armed their weapons.
"Wait," said a voice that was quite familiar. "Don't shoot yet." A tall, lean, black haired figure was pushing his way up to the front. He looked at River and then Simon. When his eyes rested on me, I was relieved. I remembered this man only too well. He looked different since I had last seen him. His hair was longer now, pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck, he had a scar running from his temple to his jaw, and was a little taller.
Dax?" I asked. "Is that you?" The man broke into a grin. He signaled to the others and they put their weapons down. "How in the hell did you wind up here?" I asked him.
"Long story," he laughed. He motioned for us to follow and led us deeper into the heart of the woods. We were safe. For now.