Trouble in Heaven
Meg sat at the table, a forced smile at her lips. Oh how Aunt Sage loved to put her on the spot. She brought her cup to her lips, taking a light sip, she sighed, laying back relaxed as the warm liquid warmed her. She looked up, noticing Mals smile and kind eyes. She worked up an actual smile, and glanced to her aunt who was explaining things to Zoe. She turned to Jayne, who still had the same look since he first arrived. He was such a large man, and boy was he strange. From what she gathered, Zoe was a beautiful woman, who was married to the very handsome Mal, and Jayne was their help. Interesting. She quickly looked up, hearing her name mentioned. "Isnt that right Margaret?"
"Hm. Oh-yes," she replied, not knowing exactly what she nodded to. Mal sat forward, interested in the subject she just falsely agreed with.
"You can shoot a gun, can you?" he said, quirking a brow. Meg straightened up, nodding, pressing her lips together. Jayne was now very aroused by this.
"Hill folk, they like to steal, kidnap and the like. My father, he was in the war, he taught me how," she said, closing her eyes, the mention of her beloved father made her heart skip. Oh how she missed her family. She wanted to return on wings to them, embrace them, pet the children and tell stories of the dull life at Aunt Sages. Mal nodded, glancing to Zoe.
"Do you have any good peic-," his words were cut short by a commotion outside. Meg stood up, strolling to the door. She reached out, lightly touching her revolver. She glanced to Aunt Sage.
"It's the Charlie Brothers," she whispered, opening the squeaky door and grabbing her weapon. Aunt Sage quickly waddled behind her, stopping to apologize to her guests. Mal nodded, and said it was no problem.
Once outside, Meg watched the no-good threesome with a glare from the porch. They chased the dogs for a moment, before casually riding up into their yard. Aunt Sage looked them all down, a thin line crossing her forehead. Meg fingered the gun, looking at the three men nervously. Inside, Mal, Zoe and Jayne argued over what to do.
"Hey there darlin', what say you me and the boys go down on old man Dawson's farm and skinny-dip," one of the scrawny men snickered, addressing Meg. She scoffed, rolling her blue eyes.
"Not if you paid me, you rotten thief," she retorted, her Aunt hushed her. Sage knew how easily angered the men were. They were violent as well. Meg looked away, "Now go, or your going to be more than sorry you came trespassing around here again," she said, her more southern accent tipping off. The men all laughed. Meg steamed in her spot. She pulled the hammer back on her gun, "Leave," she repeated. The men ignored her, one of them stepping off their horse. Meg looked up, seeing the tip of the ship in the distance. She wondered why the boys hadn't gone off to bother them, and not her. The man headed towards the porch, touching a knife on his waist. Meg pushed forward, "Don't move, or so help me I will shoot you down right here," she whispered, the barrel in his face.
"Little feisty, I like that," he said and kept moving towards her. She pulled the trigger, but it only clicked. Ta ma de, she forgot to load it! Before she could react, the man had pulled his own gun and fired it. The sound echoed, and all was still. Meg glanced down, dropping her gun in the dirt. She looked up, then man astonished he had done it as well. She looked back down at the gaping hole and swallowed, falling over. Aunt Sage screamed and ran down to help her niece. Inside, Mal and Zoe jumped to the ready. Jayne followed.
"A tussle," he said excitedly, pushing past the two. They all came through the door, to see Meg laying in the dirt, Sage bent over her, and the three men fleeing. Mal approached Sage,
"What happened?"
"The Charlie Brothers…they shot her," she said in between sobs. Meg lay on the dusty ground , her eyes lolling. Mal glanced to Zoe, and Jayne to Mal. He sighed, nodding to Jayne. Jayne bent over and heaved the girl up, who in return let out a squeal of pain.
"We have a doctor, if you let us stay, we'll heal her up good," he said nodding to Sage. Sage took a breath, relieved, but a look of worry present.
"Yes, please just help her," she pleaded, looking from Zoe to Mal to Jayne.
Mal lead the way, Jayne in suit followed by Zoe. "Be careful Jayne," Zoe reminded him, stepping over a dead cactus. Mal approached the cargo bay, Kaylee stood in it.
"W-what happened," she said, looking at the young Meg as Jayne passed by. Zoe stopped, looking at the grease smudged mechanic.
"She got hit, some troublemakers came by the owners house," Zoe replied, quickly following. Meg gasped, touching her wound, but Jayne grabbed her arm, holding it back. Quickly walking into the Infirmary, Jayne laid her down, glancing to Mal who was explaining things to Simon.
Simon grabbed a needle and put it in her arm, pushing the plunger down. "She has a stomach wound, I can fix it, but she wont recover quickly," Simon said brushing past Jayne. Now curious, Inara, Kaylee and River gathered around the glass outside. Jayne studied her gaping hole, but was soon ushered out with Zoe by Simon. Meg faded in and out, murmuring ridiculous things, until she finally relaxed, her eyes lolling. Simon glanced to Mal, who watched closely. "Concerned?" Simon said, putting on an apron. Mal exhaled, smirking.
"We loose her, we leave," Mal replied, though deep inside, he knew he was concerned. Like he had been with many women who fell to unjust deaths. Women, children, murdered before his eyes. By men is masks, and uniforms. He looked at Simon, who was busy at work. He headed for the door, and opened it, slipping out to meet the crew. Once outside, he was bombarded with questions.
""Who is she?" Inara whispered, looking in at the operation. Mal glanced to the watching crew. He cleared his throat, heading to the stairs, followed by Inara.
"Names Margaret Worth, not sure, wasn't payin attention really. Someone shot her," he said flippantly, heading to the helm. Inara rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I can see you are very articulate."
"I try," he said with a smirk. Inara looked back down the stairs.
"Really think this is a good idea?"
"What could happen?"
"Who knows with you," she sighed with a little smile. Mal chuckled and reached the helm. He looked over the controls, glancing to Rivers spot, where there sat a bouquet of flowers. He leaned over, inspecting them. She must have left the ship. He looked out at the gorgeous rolling hills, Inara coming up behind him. "Beautiful," she said softly. Mal nodded, those distant memories inching back to him.