New Life:

The portal they sent me through landed me somewhere that looked like desert. No grass, no vegetation and was in the middle of what looked like nowhere with a small shuttle Whistler set me up with. 'Where in the hell did they put me?' Whistler insisted I was dressed appropriately for this place. Black T-Shirt, Cargo type pants, gun belt and knife in holster on opposite hip. I looked like a modern day gun slinger. This was seriously making me question agreeing to this. I maneuvered the shuttle after a lot of trial and error across the terrain. Finally came across a town, I parked the shuttle a little outside of it out of the way. I ventured out to see who there was to find.

As I walked through the town it looked like something out of a Mad Max movie. This was definitely not Earth or my time. Everyone watched me, I guess they didn't get strangers here. I noticed I wasn't the only one getting stare's. There was a small group of people who just walked into a pub. I was about to follow when I heard the shots ring out. A tall woman with black hair and a big guy with a tank top came running out back towards where they came. About a minute after them a man with brown hair, came out firing back at them yelling in another language. He looked like Caleb! He ran in the opposite direction of the other two in my direction. They were on him fast. He was shot in the leg. I maneuvered around the corner of the building I was next to and grabbed him. He pointed the gun at me.

"Hey ease up I am trying to help." His eyes met mine and I knew this wasn't Caleb. He had kind eyes. The men chasing him passed us. "I have a shuttle. You are hurt. Come on." I pulled him up and put his arm over my shoulder to help him up. We made our way to the shuttle within a few minutes and I got him inside. Sealed up tight, I took off. He was sitting next to me, staring at me. I almost wanted to ask him if he spoke English but was hoping he would just talk.

"So why'd ya help me?" he finally spoke

"Cause you looked like you were in need of helpin." I shrugged at him and he smiled. It was a crooked cute smile.

"Mighty nice of ya. You got a name?"

"Buffy. You?" His smile got bigger at that, like he wanted to laugh.

"Mal. I have a ship round here somewhere lookin for me I bet. This shuttle of yours aint makin it far."

"You wanna call um?" I handed him the radio. He nodded.

"Reynolds to Serenity. Come in."

"You are full of surprises. Where you at?" It was Zoe's voice over the intercome he smiled at it.

"Shuttle near by. Meet ya on Moon."

They didn't respond and I looked at him questioning. "They know what you meant?"

"Always have a back up plan Bao Bei." He winked at her and the winced as he checked out his leg.

"What did you call me?" I asked confused. "Before you answer that there is a med kit under your chair and um which moon am I aiming at?"

Mal gave a good laugh at the questions.

"Much appreciated for med kit. Aim for that one there." He pointed to the bluish tinted moon on the right. I nodded. "Bao Bei means darling or sweetheart. You don't speak Chinese?"

My eyes were probably as big as saucers. Chinese oh shit. I barely passed Spanish I.

"Um no."

"Hmm odd. Where you from?"

"You ask a lot of questions there Mal. Let's say that is a long story much longer then we have for this trip." I unconsciously winked at him and smiled. Turned my attention back to where I was going hoping not to embarrass myself and crash. He was crudely putting a tunicate on his leg which didn't look right, but I really couldn't help him at moment.

"I will keep that in mind for later then." He said as he continued his patching on his leg. "This shuttle ain't going to get ya far. When we land we can fit this in the cargo bay and we can give a lift somewhere?" He was really hoping she said yes, something was really pulling on him to know more about her.

"Got nowhere in particular that I am going, just going where the waves take me." My instincts where telling me to go with him.

"Your welcome board my ship. Least I can do for savin me."

"Thank you." I whispered as I gave a slight nod. For some reason this was making me miss Sunnydale. I landed the shuttle on the moon. I could see his ship already set down waiting for us. He had a big smile and looked relieved to see his ship.

I opened up the shuttle and helped Mal up. As we made our way out we were greeted by his crew.

"Capt'n happy to see ya well sir." Zoe smirked at him. "We should get you on board and have Simon look at that leg."

"We need to get Buffy's shuttle into the cargo bay. She is going to ride with us." He didn't let go of Buffy. "I will show her round on the way to Simon."

"Alright sir we will take care of it." Zoe raised a questioning eyebrow to him but let it go.

"Um Mal, I can move the shuttle they don't have to do it for me." I said uncomfortable having someone do it for me.

"No they can. That way I know you don't bang up my ship." He said half kidding.

They both made their way to the ship. Buffy was trying to over support him and give away too much. As they walked onto Serenity, Buffy couldn't help but be in awe of the ship. It seemed homey. There was a small group of people waiting on platform as we made our way onboard.

"Cap'n" Caylee shouted. "Your hurt. Who's that?" Simon must of heard Caylee because he appeared on the corridor as we made our way up the stairs.

"Let's get you to medical." He looked at Buffy wanted to ask questions but focused on Mal.

They made the way to medical with Caylee following and as we put Mal down on a bed River appeared. 'It was her' We locked eyes, she smiled at me and the proceeded to skip away. 'Guess I am in the right place.' I brought my focus back to helping Simon with Mal.

End Two