A/N: Firefly bits here are from "Serenity" Part one, the initial pilot episode for the TV show, not the BDM. Any remaining scenes recycled from "Rose" still belong to the BBC, even if I completely change them around.
OtherMeWriter, If you look at River and Simon and then at the 9th Doctor and Riddick, you can sort of pick out the similar features… And of course they all dressed similar to give that notion even more weight. Plus Verity is sort of fudging folks' impressions a bit too.
Katya, Hello there. Yep it's the Doctor and his crew.
Reb, I got your email, welcome to the mutant plot bunny! I'm glad you enjoy this story.
Cassikat, every other chapter is fine. I just love the reviews, is all. Hey, didn't River, like, show Rose the spin of the earth? Oh Right. The Doctor did that, but it was River's idea. You don't go saving planets and Time Lords without becoming friends. Rose is fitting in because of her connections with Verity and Verity's taking River under her wing. What Rose doesn't realize is that she and Simon are doing more than a little of the filtering that the TARDIS and the Doctor have been doing. This leaves Verity and Thete with more energy to deal with the Parasite, hopefully. The situation with Jamie will be explored in dreams and conversations, as the Doctor is going to be thinking quite a lot about it. If you haven't seen the video yet the link to it is in TARDIS Parking under 'Overall Story Series Background Info: Or you might not know this but you should!' Post #9 (that's the forum and thread, link in my profile).
My Reflection, Um… Inara's Fire. She's the one that Verity brought them here to meet. And you guessed right about Mal (wow). The Furyan had no name, as he was too insane to remember it. And Dobson… well, he's involved rather deep, so redemption is unlikely.
Jelly Babies? :-D
Summary: The Doctor, reeling from the effects of the TimeWar as the last surviving TimeLord, stumbled into a situation he could not ignore when the TARDIS landed him inside a ship that was clearly in trouble. After the rescue, he's left with eight survivors that he must somehow get to safety. But the situation is not as cut and dry as he might like. His people may be gone, but the stamp he's made on the universe is still there, and he finds himself caught in a web spun of the choices he's made in his past…
Something in history has prompted humanity to explode out from their home world. Could the events of 2164 be responsible? Was Earth a myth or was it real? In fleeing Earth-that-Was, humanity scattered to the stars across the galactic arm. Initial survey teams targeted likely planets and systems for habitation and not all of them ended up on the same side of the sector. Blue Sun exists on one side, separated by a patch of 'wild space' filled with exotic binary and triple star systems, from the rest of civilized space. Few ships brave the route. But luck had it that one ship did. Risking a ghost run, the only contact that the two sides have, the Hunter-Gratzner crashed midway through the journey. Original Port of Departure: Eavesdown Docks, Persephone. Mixed Sino-Anglo culture. Original Port of Call: Tangiers-5. Darkside. Mixed Islamic-Anglo culture. Crew complement: Four. Passengers: Forty. Living 'Cargo': Two. Survivors: Eight plus One
So what happens in 2517 to Dr. Simon Tam, his brilliant but damaged sister, a convicted murder by the name of Richard B. Riddick, and Jack B. Badd now that they are on their way home? They end up slightly out of their own Time, on a ship filled with living sculptures and then a 'quiet' trip to 2005 London brings them face to face with living sculptures of another kind… And just how is this related to the TimeWar?
A Doctor Who / Firefly / Riddick crossover.
Features Doctor 9, companion Rose Tyler; The cast of Firefly; 'Jack B. Badd' and Richard B. Riddick…
Doctor Who and the Ties that Bind.
Part Thirty-One
Phlogiston
There was something in the air, she noticed, a feeling of energy that left her tingling. It was stronger as she guided the shuttle closer to Serenity. A curious sensation, altogether different than anything she'd ever sensed before. It wasn't physical, not totally, although her body responded to it in a fashion that was completely out of character. The dark headed woman was actually feeling a bit randy. She never felt like this. Her concentration on her physical reactions and the mental confusion it was causing led her to nearly jump in her seat as Wash's voice came over the com, "Inara. You're just in time."
She forced herself to appear and sound calm although her racing heart just wouldn't slow, and the fire in her earthy center was still building like molten lava. She sure hoped that she wasn't flushed, "Let me guess. We're in a hurry."
Wash is, of course, ahead of the game and could have had this boat in the air before Mal even asked him to. He works the controls like he was born on them; "Looks like. Port hatch green for docking." He observes as the Companion guides her shuttle into the port like she's a pro at that too. Then again, he has yet to find something that she's not good at, from firing a gun or bow to cooking, from mingling with high society to happening to locate the specific part in a junkyard they need and then managing to convince the owner of said part to give it to them. Really.
Her voice floats into his ears with only a slight bit of breathlessness that makes him wonder if she's still got someone with her, "Locked in five. Four. –" He turns his attention to making sure the ports seal.
As the shuttle locks into place the sensation building inside her nearly explodes into desire and electric prickles that race over her skin. She hurriedly toggles the com off before a moan escapes her throat. What is causing this? The 'Ifritah jerked her hands off the shuttle controls and looked at them, making sure that the flames were not visible. She shivered, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. Letting her body ride this out, Inara found the once red coin in her pocket and curled her fingers around it. The contact with the alien metal made the sensations snap and surge unlike anything she had ever experienced before. She felt like there were invisible lines of tension connecting her erogenous zones to something outside of her that was manipulating her like a puppet master. Oh, my – Seeking distraction from the raging inferno inside, her mind travels over the equations that connects her still to her people. Oh! The past and the future have crossed. He is here. As she, driven by the psychic energy flowing around Serenity, reaches a state of rapture, the only thing she can think of is that the Red Guardian as found her at last.
Unaware, Wash turns and calls to Zoë, "The Ambassador has returned!"
The second in command moves down the hall, through the dining area and out onto the catwalk over the cargo bay, "We got a full house, Captain."
The passengers are all in the dorm area selecting rooms, and Mal is with Jayne, stowing the supplies and cargo that Wash has brought aboard. He leaves Jayne with the last crate, which is small, and steps up to the airlock, "Kaylee, I'm locking it up!"
The mechanic has been trying to catch them more passengers and has had no luck. She looks around a final time, "All aboard..." she says softly before hitting the door lock with a firm fist. She then picks up her folding chair and slips inside the hold. She crosses the bay and smiles at Rose who is watching everything from the dorm port. "All settled in?"
"Yeah. So what do you do here?"
"I'm the mechanic," Kaylee says to the blonde. "So your dad's a Doctor?"
"Err… well, no. I mean, I'm a family friend, not one of Jon's kids. But Saritha and I are best chums." Rose looks at Kaylee, "I'm Rose. Rose Tyler." She offers to carry Kaylee's chair, "Maybe you could join us for some girl stuff? I mean, we're out numbered."
Kaylee smiles at her and accepts the help, "Kaylee Frye. Yeah, I'd like that. It's not often I get to spend time with gals my age. 'Nara's older than me even. And you've seen Zoë. She'd rather spend time with her gun or her husband than gossipin'." After a moment the dark headed teen bounces up behind Rose and smiles at Kaylee too. "Come on, I'll show ya my room."
Mal watches the three young, giggling, women head up to Kaylee's bunk, "Don't forget you're working!" He can tell though that the warning just slides past the cheerful Kaylee like most of his other threats.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The ex-ranger carefully noted which bunk Dobson had chosen and steered Jack, River, Simon, and Rose into rooms that were as far away as possible from him. Just instinct. He made sure that the bunk he shared with Thete was positioned in such a way that anyone trying to get to the kids would have to risk crossing his path first. He noted that the Shepherd, Book, seemed to catch onto his plan and took a room that helped to block off access to Dobson where the youngsters were concerned. His sliding door was currently open, as he removed what little he had in his suitcase and hung it in the storage area. Richard planted himself in the doorway in front of 'Jon' who was obsessing over the folded state of their clothes, being compulsive about the perfection of it. Better to let him be than to get him all in a dither. "So, you're a preacher?" he says to the dark skinned older man.
"From Southdown Abbey, yes." The gray clad man looked up at Richard, taking in the 'fighter's stance' and the extreme protective air that the bespectacled man puts off. He must be ex-military, Book figures. He's not being threatening at the moment toward him, but he's definitely guarding his – husband – with dedication. There's no doubt about it, at least not to Book's mind. And he's not overly sure how he feels about this. He knows that the upper crust is less tolerant of this sort of thing than the middle class. Neither man gives off 'upper-crust' airs, but it's clear that they are well to do by the very nice clothing that the pale man is putting away rather obsessively. Book's always felt that God chose a person's true love, no matter what gender, but so many relationships were based on lust. He wondered which this was.
"Overheard you telling the mechanic your name was Book. I figure it's not polite to know someone's name without tellin' your own. I'm Richard. Richard Smythe." He moved out into neutral turf, being the hallway, and offered his hand.
Book smiled and accepted the handshake, "So are the children yours?"
"Well, I don't want to offend anybody."
"I won't be. God's miracle no matter how they came to be."
Rich smirked, "All but Rose, the bottle blonde. She's sorta adopted. Hard to resist her brown eyes when she's crying."
"And your – spouse?"
"Jon? Of course they are his. Ours. No convoluted inanity about it."
"Must have been expensive."
"Worth every credit. And I'd do it again in a hot flash, if Jon even hinted at wanting more."
No, not simple lechery. No one could have put out that much effort over that much time during the civil war, and call it lust. The shepherd looked past the bronze skinned man at Jon who glanced up from his unpacking and gave him a broad grin, "Hello." He turned back to the shirt he was folding, shook it out and started over. And that there was a man far too happy to be in a bad relationship.
Book let a smile settle on his own face. When he'd first seen the couple and their children he worried about the nature of their relationship, but having talked to them, even briefly, he determines that they truly, totally, are faithful to each other. It's not the sort of match that two souls can fight against.
"Thankfully the compulsive streak has only seemed to pass down to Saritha, and I'm trying to nip it in the bud." Richard laughs. Book joins in the warm happiness. This is going to be a fine trip.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Finally in space and out of the local sphere of threat relating to being stopped by any manipulations Badger might have pulled Mal calls everyone, passengers and crew alike, into the dining area. It's peaceful out here in the black. Cold and void. Not quite 'deep space' but space none the less. Mal's one of the few that feels totally at home here, like this is his element. He's got folks at the table and around the seating area off to the side, and thus he's slightly at an angle to them both. The Smythe family is paying him full attention, children gathered around their fathers like any normal family. The preacher and the businessman are scattered among the crew, more or less, with the holy man leaning surprisingly toward the couple as if he's perfectly fine with it.
Mal notes too that Zoë's got that look in her eye that screams how badly she wants a family too. Seeing the Smythes with their kids looking happy is enough to make anyone want kids, Mal reckons. He's not totally immune to it, either. Actually he's been thinking thoughts along the lines of how nice it would be to have some young 'ins underfoot, and that's not really a good thing, seeing as he's totally single. And totally broke. Right. Better get on with the rules before his brain starts heading off about how good a mother 'Nara would be. Hell… "Meals are taken up here in the dining area, the kitchen is pretty much self explanatory, you're welcome to eat what there is any time." He looks at them all, "What there is, is pretty standard fare, I guess, protein in all the colors of the rainbow. We do have sit-down meals, the next one being at about 1800."
"I think Shepherd Book has offered to help me prepare something," Kaylee pipes up.
The captain looks at Kaylee then over at the individual she's indicating, who he knows is a preacher, but to find he goes by 'shepherd' kind of throws him, "You're a Shepherd? Which Abbey?"
"Southdown. Thought the outfit gave it away. Is it a problem?"
Mal's shaking his head, just because God's left him behind and made a shattered mess of his soul doesn't mean he has a problem with others who still have faith, such as it is. Kaylee jumps up to reassure Book, "Of course not!" She looks back at Mal and sees he's not trying to make an issue of it, just that he's surprised. Looking back at Book, "It's no problem, 'cause it's not."
"Certainly, it's not." Mal says trying to sooth the ruffled feathers. Kaylee settles back down, Book gives him an understanding expression and then reassures the mechanic with a smile. Turning to address everyone, he continues, "As I said, you're welcome to visit the dining area any time. Apart from that, I have to ask you to stay in the passenger dorm while we're in the air. The bridge, the engine room, cargo bay – they're all off limits without an escort."
Simeon leans over, "Dad, we've still got stuff in the cargo bay."
"Yes, this is true, son. But I'm sure there will be time for us to get what we need, and opportunity to beg an escort if necessary," Jon tells him.
Mal nods, "I figure you all got luggage you're gonna need to get into. Soon as we're done here we'll be happy to fetch 'em with you." This seems to relieve the younger Mr. Smythe. "Now I have to tell you all one other thing and I apologize in advance for the inconvenience. Unfortunately, we've been ordered by the Alliance to drop some medical supplies off on Whitefall. It's the fourth moon on Athens, a little out of our way, but we should have you on Boros no more than a day off schedule."
"If I may," Jon pipes up, waiting until Mal is looking at him, "What medical supplies? I'm a doctor, my son Simeon is in advanced training as a field surgeon as well and if they are having a medical situation on Whitefall we're willing to donate services."
This tosses in a wrinkle… "I honestly didn't ask, but we can send them a wave and find out."
Zoe steps in; "Likely it's just a standard supply run to replenish the clinics. You know, plasma, insulin, whatever they ain't got enough of."
Those intense blue eyes lock on hers and Jon says, "Ah. Well I suppose in that case our services won't been needed."
"Probably," she manages to get out.
"Alliance says jump..." Mal says, trying to give his second some breathing room. He's going to have to talk to her later about her reaction.
"Oh, right." Jon's profound gaze doesn't seem to dig in as deep on him, but maybe that's because Mal doesn't feel any guilt about the lie and Zoë still has problems with the life they are leading. Or maybe it's because he finds a sort of morbid thrill in the agonizing depths of those eyes that he relishes too much to be distressed over. They lock into each other for a moment and that electrifying sensation courses through him again. Then the pale man turns his head and looks at Richard with a small grin.
Mal swallows and looks to his best friend, "Zoë, you wanna take 'em to the cargo bay?" God, did that sound like someone had a squeezing hand on his balls? He sure hopes not.
The expression he gets is a strange one, like she'd rather not. But she says, "Yes, Sir," anyway and gets to her feet.
He tries again, hoping his voice don't go all funny like kid with hormone changes, "Anything else you need, just...ask. We," his voice squeaks, "uh, we're here to serve." Hell. What the blazes is wrong with me today? Zoë leads the others out, leaving Mal and Wash to head up to the cockpit together. The strawberry blonde is giving him a strange look, as if he's noticed the effect that Jon's having on him. Before he can say anything Mal asks, "Did you send word to Patience?"
Wash's expression doesn't change, but he replies to Mal's question instead of digging him about his odd reactions, "Ain't heard back yet. Didn't she shoot you one time?"
"Everybody's makin' a fuss."
"Well, yeah," the pilot says. "Because I'm seeing here, this little problem in which this very possessive man, who happens to be an expert knife fighter, tries to carve out your heart…" He looks at Mal, "And thinking about the Old Lady's shooting you is safer."
Mal freezes, "What? No." He looks at Wash, "Ain't like that. Jon's been through a war, I can see it his eyes, and it's like looking into my own soul. Nothing like what you're thinking."
"Oh, good. Because Richard's been through that same war and he'll kill you for stepping in on what he considers to be his." The expression the pilot wears is friendly, but serious. "Frankly, I like working for you, Mal. Even if it does cause problems between Zoë and I about – things, I do like working for you. I'd hate to find you dead in your bunk with various body parts shoved down your throat. Like your intestines. Or your family jewels."
"Do you know this guy?"
"Yeah. I do. Fought in the Wailing Wars with him. He saved my life." Mal stands there blinking. He knows Wash has experience with more ships and more regions of space than he's let on. And he knows the man hides scars behind his humor. But this is the first time he's mentioned his past in any detail aside from the piloting. He almost misses the next words, as they are spoken so softly; "I'm trying to return the favor."
"And Jon?"
"Might've been. There were hundreds of us, Mal. He took on odds that we all figured would kill him to give us time to get away. Rescued us from a POW camp. It's possible Jon was someone I didn't see, or involved in another area. Rich is a good guy, just a tad possessive." Mal notes that Wash is focused on the stars like the experience happened yesterday. He puts a hand on the man's shoulder and gives it a squeeze.
"Let me know when Patience does contact us." Absently, the pilot nods.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Zoë led the passengers back into the cargo bay. She had no problem with this. None at all. She stops on the central landing while the others are collecting what they think they need. Jon's moved over to the large blue wooden box and placed his hand on it. It's still covered with the tarp, she notices.
Kaylee joins her on the landing, "What's bugging you?"
"Nothin'," she replies. Her eyes are roving over the Smythe children who are digging out non-essential things, like cards and games, and gadgets, and one even has what looks like an old-style book. "They must be very well off."
"Saritha said they get a lot of flack, because of them having two dads. So they're home schooled. And that book is a web book, with changing stuff inside. Kinda cool. They're using it to keep Jacob's schooling up."
"Those are hellishly expensive."
Kaylee shrugs, "So?"
"Mei-Mei, people with that kind of cash just don't fly on ships like this." Actually, people with that kind of cash could buy the ship right out from under them.
"Well – these do," She says defensively. "Jon said he goes to border moons and helps out where he can, because there's no sense in being a Doctor if you don't – doctor folk. Besides, I like them." Zoe looks at her. One thing Kaylee is good at is judging people. If she likes someone then chances are that someone is an honest person. " – But, you know, I think there's something else going on with them. Wash brought them back to the ship, and I don't know if you noticed but your husband has been quiet ever since." She raised an eyebrow at the engineer who is staring at Jon and Richard. The pair are watching the kids, but not gathering anything themselves. "You know, Jon kinda – glows."
Zoë laughs, "That's the harsh lights on his very pale skin, hon." Kaylee didn't say anything, but she shook her head slightly. This made Zoë turn her attention back to the pair. Jon was leaning against the blue box; arms crossed over his chest, smirking at the two sisters as they bounced around him like they just discovered some secret packed in their luggage. Although the bounce and smirk quickly changed to defensive protecting a second later, and Zoë was hard pressed to tell if the father was protecting his girls or if the girls are protecting their father.
Richard was over near Simeon and Jacob glaring daggers at Dobson. The honey haired boy is on the floor with his arms around his older brother with a similar glower on his face, clearly protecting the young man. The ex-ranger's deep voice carried with steely cold, "Stay the fuck away from my kids. Don't touch them. Don't look at them. Don't even breathe on them. Dong Ma?"
"I said I was sorry." Dobson was saying.
"Your gorram bags are over there on the other side of the cargo bay. There's no reason for you to even walk over here." The bronze man planted himself between the merchant and the boys, his face looking like someone who could kill. Zoë darted down the stairs.
Mal is just coming in at those words. He steps up to protect Kaylee even though she's well out of the way. Dobson stammers "I – just…"
"Mr. Dobson, why don't you head to your room or the dining area if you have everything you need," Serenity's second in command suggested. The businessman trips as he backs up. Then he turns and leaves.
"God-damned pratfall," Richard says. "He's been warned."
"You sure?" Zoe isn't sure why but this man makes her think of herself. She feels a kinship with him that can only come from shared experiences. He's seen the worse of life and death, maybe even more than she has, and it's very clear that he'll protect his own.
He looks at her. "No one is that clumsy. Walked straight over here and 'tripped' into my boys to see what they were doing. It's not his business if they got something on the way here. Would you want some nosy bastard lookin' at something you bought for your husband if he nearly knocked him over to do it?" She shakes her head as Book heads up the stairs with a bag and box in his hands. He gives them both to Kaylee, who smiles a huge smile before scampering off toward the kitchen. "She reminds me of Rose and Saritha. On too much sugar."
Zoë laughs. "She's very special to us."
"Oh, I imagine so. Sunshine like that don't come along very often."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Kaylee Frye is a home-educated young lady. Raised around a big family, the youngest girl, and her mother's special 'unexpected' child. Her daddy spoiled her in some ways, letting her do things that her older sisters would have gotten in major trouble for doing.
Then again, she had pegged every one of them when they'd gotten knocked up in spite their daddy's best efforts. Now she was sensing stuff again. And she really hoped it was Zoë… She knew it wasn't her, she'd been off the live boys now for a while. It was hard to catch someone for a relationship when Mal didn't set down in one spot for more than five hours at a time, at the most. Shore leave? They didn't do soil kissin' on this boat. Most times she didn't mind, honestly. And she knew if she wanted a live man there was Jayne, all she had to do was ask him. Not that she would. He was too much like a brother to her.
She was pretty sure it wasn't Rose or Saritha. She'd spent enough time with them to pretty much clear them off. Rose had mentioned a boyfriend, but also said she'd been very careful about that when Kaylee had asked if they'd ever had an 'opps' moment. Saritha said she'd never had a boy at all although she'd listened with rapt attention to Rose's and Kaylee's stories about it. No blushing kid, was she. Kaylee figured eventually Saritha would find a special boy and that would be that. Until then she'd make sure that no one took that away from her. And that just about covered all the women… 'cept 'Nara. She doubted the Companion would be careless like that, anyhow.
Her senses must be off, because there's no other options really. She settles the bag and the box down and spends a few moments putting the fresh goods away into the hampers for it. So rare was it for them to have stuff to put into those hampers that she had to clean them out. But tonight, and perhaps a few nights more, they would have fresh stuff to go with the packaged. That done, she folded the bag neatly so she could return it to Book.
She then turned her attention to the small box. This was why she'd let Book come aboard. She'd have paid for his passage out of her own pocket for what was in this little box. She opened the box lid and practically swooned from the smell of the freshly picked delicate fruit inside. Oh, oh yes. She'd been thinking about this since she set eyes on them. She carefully, so as to not bruise the others that she would share, she lifts out a perfectly shaped, luscious, ripe, strawberry.
This was, in her opinion, every bit as good as hot bouts of sex. She smells the fruit, taking her time to really enjoy every aspect of it. Then very slowly, like she's actually worshiping it the way she might a perfectly formed example of manhood, she puts in into her mouth feeling the perfectly ripe flesh, smooth skin, and little seeds with her tongue. She lets the faint flavor tease her for a moment before slowly working her teeth into the berry. Her eyes roll up in her head and close as the juice washes over her tongue in an explosion of flavor. Oh, Yes! Maybe even better than hot sweaty sex. Unless… it was hot sweaty sex with two very sensual men under the turbine…