Ongoing Path - Firefly Verse
By Stargatesg1fan1
Disclaimer: I own nothing of any recognized characters or universes within.
AN:
Harry's Mates-
Kaywinnit Lee "Kaylee" Frye is played by Jewel Staite
Inara Serra is played by Morena Baccarin
Saffron is played by Christina Hendricks
River Tam is played by Summer Glau
Zoe Alleyne Washburne is played by Gina Torres
OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP
Core World Persephone a few weeks later…
The crew had been busy turning the captured cruiser into a mobile base of operations for the past few weeks and were looking forward to a bit of fun on the Alliance planet Persephone. Part of the time working on the cruiser had also been used to plant crops on the moon where Harry had guided Serenity and the new cruiser named London (the ancient Brit's idea) to. The surplus of crops would fetch a good price on the core world and provide the Firefly's crew with some spending cash.
Harry followed Kaylee in the busy marketplace after Wash expertly landed their vessel. The tension between Malcolm and Inara was palpable. The telepathic warrior discerned the source after a quick peak in Reynolds' mind. The Captain had made more disapproving comments regarding Inara's chosen profession.
"Look at the pretties," Kaylee gushed as she came to a stop in front of a dress store.
"What am I looking at…the girls or the clothes?" Wash quipped.
"The clothes please," Zoe told her husband with a laugh on her lips.
"Say, look at the fluffy one," Kaylee drew the group's attention to a pink dress with lots of lace.
"Too much fufora on that one," Zoe observed. "If I were going to wear a dress I would want something with some slink."
"You want to slinky dress? I can buy you a slinky dress," Wash declared as he thought of the credits the resident genius Doctor had managed to negotiate out of a local food vendor not long before.
"I think that's a good idea," Harry spoke up. "Kaylee, Wash, Zoe, how about I take you to this dress shop where they'll make you a custom outfit to your liking," proposed the scientist.
"Do we have the credits for a custom outfit?" Zoe queried.
"It's my treat," the incredibly wealthy sorcerer replied.
"I won't say no to that," Kaylee spoke up.
"Neither will we," Zoe agreed while taking her husband's arm and dragging him after the departing couple.
Shortly after the quartet departed the monitoring charms the cautious sorcerer had placed upon his crewmates' holographic disguise generators (which were inactive at the time) alerted the enchanter that Malcolm and Jayne had been "invited" to a meeting with the notorious Badger, a low life mob boss wannabe on Persephone who had pointed the Serenity crew to disreputable jobs in the past. The warrior wizard was prepared to step in if things turned ugly since the last time Mal and Badger had met was under less than pleasant circumstances. As it turns out such worry was unnecessary because Badger simply needed Mal's assistance dealing with a Lord on Persephone who wouldn't deal with the low life but would probably be amendable to dealing with the more refined (relatively speaking) Captain Reynolds.
Meanwhile Inara was dealing with a client, a man named Atherton Wing. That evening the attractive Companion was attending a local ball with Wing. This ball just also happened to be the place where Mal could meet the Lord who wouldn't do business with Badger. This was how the warrior warlock found himself observing the ball invisibly while his mate and Mal were announced. Mal had asked to borrow Kaylee in one of her gorgeous new dresses in order to look respectable for the ball.
"Ms. Kaylee Fry and escort," the doorman announced.
"Kaylee," the perceptive sorcerer heard a surprised Inara whisper as Wing, a rather disagreeable dirt bag looked on. "Oh Gosa," the Companion cursed a moment later when she noticed Mal was Kaylee's escort.
"Does this outfit seem kind of tight?" Mal questioned Kaylee as he felt uncomfortable in his suit.
"It shows off your backside," Kaylee informed her Captain. "Did you see that hovering chandelier?"
Harry was amused by his mate's antics and also found it funny that she would be even more amazed if she could see her lover floating beside the light fixture. It had taken the skilled sorcerer a century of spell crafting to perfect the magic that allowed him to fly. Essentially the scientist was manipulating gravity by his willpower alone. By bending the spacetime the magician could cancel out, create, or push off of existing gravity fields.
"I don't understand why they would have a hovering light," Mal replied.
Kaylee had spotted the buffet table but was less impressed than she would have been a few months before. After tasting some of the delicious dishes her lover could whip up with his impressive array of foods the prodigal mechanic had a more developed palette.
"Ok…could you help me find our guy, Harrow?" Mal requested.
"Sure thing Captain," Kaylee agreed. "What does he look like?"
"Kind of stocky, an older gentlemen wearing a red sash crossways," Mal replied.
"I think Harry told me that the sash worn like that signifies our guy is a Lord," the mechanic announced.
In truth the telepathic mage was being helpful by inserting the knowledge directly into his lover's mind.
"That's good to know," Mal declared.
"And that must be him," Kaylee suggested while casually nodding towards a gentleman that fit the description, unaware that her favorite male was the one directing her attention to the target.
"Good job Kaylee," the Captain praised. "Why don't you go mingle while I go try to get Harrow to warm up to me."
Kaylee nodded her agreement before walking around a bit. Soon enough the friendly mechanic noticed a group of young woman around her age.
"Hello," the gorgeous brown haired mechanical prodigy greeted.
"Have we been introduced," the female at the head of the quartet of wealthy females inquired.
"No but I'm Kaylee," the friendly Serenity crew member greeted while shaking the lead girl's hand.
"I'm Banning and this is Duster, Cabot, and Zoe," introduced the posse's leader.
"Don't you just love this party? Everything is just so fancy," Kaylee announced with a laugh.
"It's not as good as last year," one of the snobby women pointed out.
"Oh really, what did they have last year?" Kaylee questioned, missing the cruelty in the eyes of the four women.
"Standards," the snob replied.
"Who made your dress Kaylee?" Banning inquired.
"One of my boyfriend's friends," Ms. Frye responded. "I don't remember the name of the place."
"Well you ought to not go back there. They made you a dress that looks like it was mass produced," Banning declared.
Harry decided it was time for him to come to his mate's rescue. The handsome wizard suddenly became visible but none of the mortals noticed his sudden appearance thanks to a gradually diminishing notice me not charm. The classy magician stepped up beside his partner looking like a billion credits.
"Sorry I'm late Darling. I had a deal to close that will probably earn me another billion. These backwater little planets are so poor," the last Potter declared as he looked at the four women disdainfully.
"I don't believe we've had the pleasure of being introduced," Banning spoke up, greed and lust shining plainly in her eyes.
"Yes, well there's a reason for that. I don't make a habit of associating myself with common trash who don't have a skill to their name and who sit around gossiping about and sniping at others. I earn my money. I suggest you make yourself scarce whores before I focus my efforts on ruining you," growled the mage while focusing his telepathy on the four women.
The bitches scurried away swiftly at the intimidating presence of the warrior mage.
"Harry…what are you doing here? And how did you do that?" Kaylee whispered, immediately wet for her boyfriend.
"Why a man has to keep some secrets doesn't he," suggested the warlock with a wink and a smile. "Now I suggest we keep a closer eye on Malcolm since it looks like he's having a bit of trouble with Sir Warwick Harrow."
Kaylee took her favorite male's arm and let him guide her over closer to where Harrow was talking with Mal, Inara, and Inara's customer Atherton Wing. Harry pressed a tiny ear bud into Kaylee's ear which immediately allowed the mechanic to hear the conversation taking place with the Captain's group.
"Captain, this is Atherton Wing. Atherton, Captain Malcolm Reynolds," Inara introduced the two men.
"Pleased to meet you," Mal greeted Atherton with a handshake. "Inara, I didn't realize you were going to this party."
"It's the only party," Inara pointed out.
"And I can see why. How about that floating chandelier," suggested Mal, showing his lack of refinement. "It almost outshines our girl here." Atherton was squeezing Inara's arm tightly as he showed his true jealous colors. "Ath…can I call you Ath? Inara has spoken of you to me. She made a point of your generosity. Given that I'm sure you won't mind if I ask Inara the favor of a dance."
It took a moment but finally Atherton agreed, "Of course."
As Inara and Mal went out to dance, Sir Harry informed Atherton, "You're a brave man."
"I know what's mine," Atherton declared.
"This isn't going to end well," Kaylee muttered. "He wants to turn Inara into his personal sex slave."
"I won't let that happen," the magician assured his partner.
As Inara and Mal danced the Companion informed the Captain about an offer Atherton made to have her stay on Persephone as the arrogant bastard's personal companion. Meanwhile Atherton stood and glowered at the Captain the entire time. Mal and Inara showed the chemistry they shared because by the end of the dance they were laughing together. Atherton immediately swooped in and started to pull Inara away.
"Woh now…watch yourself. There's no needs for hands on," Mal warned.
"Excuse me, she's not here with you Captain," replied Atherton. "She's mine."
"Yours," prodded Mal. "She doesn't belong to anybody."
Getting in Mal's face Atherton declared, "Money changed hands which makes her mine tonight. No matter how you dress her up she's still."
Wing never got to finish that thought because Mal's fist connected with the arrogant prick's face. The party ground to a stop.
"Turns out this is my kind of shindig," Mal quipped to Inara.
"Oh Mal," Inara sighed.
"What, the man was out of line," the Brown Coat declared as Wing picked himself off the floor.
"I accept," Wing declared.
"That's great…what?" Mal questioned, completely ignorant of protocol.
"There has been a challenge," another man called out.
"I hope you're prepared Captain," Wing warned.
"What…you're all talking about a fight. That's fine. Let's get it on right here," Mal urged as he took off his jacket.
"It's not a fist fight Mal," warned Inara.
"The duel will be met tomorrow morning at Kadrie pond," the man who had announced the challenge informed Reynolds.
"Well why wait? That guard collected a whole mess of pistols," suggested the still ignorant owner of Serenity.
"If you require it any gentlemen here can give you use of a sword," the master of ceremonies at the aristocratic party informed the challenger.
"Use of a sw…?" Mal prompted, suddenly realizing he was in deep shit.
OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP
"So I take it I just unknowingly challenged Inara's frequent client to a sword duel?" Mal inquired from his ship's resident genius as the green eyed magician joined the Captain next to Sir Harrow.
"Yes, Captain you did," replied the ageless Potter. "You'll be put up in lodgings for the night so you don't run off."
"I wouldn't blame you if you did," Harrow put in. "Wing is most definitely a spoiled psychopath but his skill with a sword is immense. Over a dozen men have died by Wing's sword."
"I'll be your second," the warrior wizard declared.
"What does a second do?" Mal probed.
"He fights if you refuse," Inara explained.
"Inara, come with me please," Atherton interrupted.
"Captain Reynolds, I have to say that your messing up of Atherton's face has endeared you to me by a small amount. If you manage to survive this incident we might just do business," Sir Harrow informed the leader of the Serenity crew.
"Inara," Wing called loudly while holding up his arm like one would treat a misbehaving dog.
"One way or another Wing will die tomorrow. If you don't take him out Captain then I most certainly will," growled the skilled veteran of many battles while glaring at the pompous womanizer.
"Captain, I'll be by to visit you a little later," the wizard assured his friend as the two men walked a short distance away from Kaylee and Harrow while Inara left with Wing.
"I don't suppose you have any methods of teaching me how to become a master of the blade in a matter of hours?" Reynolds asked hopefully.
"As a matter of fact I do Captain but it's a rather drastic measure to take. I wouldn't even offer it unless I liked you. You're a good man Captain. You'll have to give up something to master the blade but you'll also gain something in return," warned the mysterious immortal.
"Well being cryptic aside…giving up anything has to be better than giving up my life," pointed out Mal.
"Indeed," agreed the mage before he left and escorted Kaylee back towards Serenity.
A short distance from the Firefly class vessel the couple was intercepted by Badger and his posse.
"I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting but judging by your appearance I would conclude that you are Badger," the Potter male said to the ruff looking brunette as a small group of thugs surrounded the two partners.
"And right you'd be. You see we've heard of Captain Reynolds' negotiating style and we're here to make sure your crew doesn't do anything stupid," Badger declared.
The telepathic mage didn't need to hear anymore.
"Kaylee close your eyes tight," warned the warlock.
The intelligent young mechanic did as instructed while the very fast sorcerer clamped his hands over her ears. A moment later the small device Harry had tossed on the ground on his way to cover his girlfriend's auditory openings went off. The modern day equivalent of a flash bang grenade emitted a high pitched sonic wave and an intense flash of light that knocked the group of criminals unconscious. Before Kaylee had time to process the situation she was being dragged on ahead by her lover towards Serenity.
"What was that?" Kaylee demanded.
"And invention I'll tell you about later. In the meantime I need you to bring the crew up to date. But tell them to do nothing. Don't let anyone on or off the ship until I contact you through your holographic bracelet," instructed the magic wielder.
"It can communicate too?" A surprised young prodigy questioned.
"It can do a lot of things, just like its creator," assured the powerful wizard.
There was no further conversation as the immortal brought his mate back to the Serenity and ushered her inside before sealing the vessel with a few charms. With Kaylee safe the magician apparated away and reappeared in the air several dozen feet above the location he could sense Mal and Inara were in. Wing's home was an opulent affair but Harry didn't expect any less. As he floated above the structure wrapped in a notice me not charm the warlock peered down through the roof and observed Mal toying with one of the swords he had been provided to practice with. The skilled warrior winced at how badly the Captain's training was coming. A moment later the brilliant green eyed scientist floated down towards the roof and channeled a charm into his body which allowed him to become intangible, a creation of Harry's from long after the fall of Earth.
"Hello Mal," the warlock greeted as he dropped the notice me not charm and settled onto the ground in front of his friend.
"What…how…what are you?" Malcolm Reynolds questioned, shocked to see his new Doctor float through the ceiling in front of him.
"That's complicated. Take a load off," suggested the enchanter as he casually conjured two comfortable chairs facing each other and sat down. "First of all…I'll be blunt. I'm over five centuries old and am immortal. I was born on Earth in the year 1980. When I was around eleven, I discovered I was part of an alternate evolution of humanity that could wield powers they called magic. Now…I doubt it's actually magic but I know science isn't advanced enough to explain all the abilities my kind possessed."
As the Potter male paused in his tale a moment to give Mal time to digest this information the Captain said, "You just said possessed."
"Yes, I became disillusioned with my people and left Earth for a time to find myself. When I came back I couldn't find any trace of my kind. Until recently I thought maybe they'd somehow managed to wipe themselves out in the time I was gone. I left our hidden world before the start of interstellar travel. I was the one who gave interstellar travel technology to humanity. I'm not so sure any others of my kind could have come up with the same technology given their overall abhorrence of science and technology," explained the ageless male.
"What made you suspect they hadn't been wiped out?" Mal queried.
"River," replied Harry. "River is of my kind, or at least what they have become since the fall of Earth. Her powers are untrained and focused more internally than outwardly but she is definitely of my race."
"I take it she's not your sister," the Captain suggested.
"No, just a remarkable young woman I became pen pals with," agreed the enchanter. "The Alliance obviously discovered the existence of my kind to a certain extent. It's obvious to me from what they did to River that those Alliance assholes didn't know fully what she is but they realized she was special. River was intended to be a weapon but I put a stop to those plans."
"You don't like the Alliance very much either I take it," Mal pointed out.
"I've been around since their inception Captain. I helped set up the Alliance computer systems and put measures in place to make sure I would always have access. I know a lot of the evil shit those in charge do behind the scenes. I have no love for the Alliance but up until now I've never really taken a personal interest in the leadership. I'm very interested in whoever harmed River," the warrior immortal assured with a feral smile on his handsome face.
"Well we can discuss this more later. Right now I'd like to know how I'm going to master the sword and survive my duel tomorrow," suggested the Brown Coat.
"Well Captain…I happen to have a way in which you can access all my powers and knowledge. You see when I was younger I had to deal with these nasty creations called Horcruxes. A Horcrux is a device in which a being attaches a portion of their soul. This was done so that the creator a Horcrux would become essentially immortal until both their body and the Horcrux was destroyed. The Horcrux was so nasty because its creation required murder and the splitting of the creator's soul which inevitably led to insanity. Since my younger days I've become quite skilled at inventing if you couldn't tell. And one of my inventions is in effect a Horcrux but with none of the downsides. Instead of splitting off a portion of the creator's soul an extra piece is generated in the creation process. Therefore the madness is negated. No murder is required in the generation of a Horcrux. If I was to place a portion of my soul in you Mal, I could mentally link with you at any time from any distance. Furthermore when necessary I can also take control of your body. Say you were rendered unconscious due to injury. I could come in and take possession of your body and get you out of harm's way," explained the enchanter.
"But you could also take control of me against my will couldn't you," suggested the perceptive Brown Coat.
"Well yes…nothing can ever be all good. But think about this Captain…I would also act like a Horcrux to you in the sense that your soul wouldn't pass on even if your body was destroyed. I have cloning technology and methods I could use to create you a new body and put you within a new form. I also have the means to make it so you don't age anymore like I do. Furthermore…in my considerable years I've learned how to make women happy in every sense of the word. I know you'd like to stop dancing around a certain attractive Companion like you have been. I also know you'd like to see her quit her current profession but financial matters hinder that transition. I'm wealthier than you can imagine," replied the dark haired warlock.
Malcolm Reynolds was contemplative for some time before he asked one more question, "Why are you doing this?"
"For a number of reasons Captain," the wizard began. "As I said before…you're a good man. I wouldn't like to see you die tomorrow. I've been alive a long time. I find good friends are rare commodities that shouldn't be wasted. Also good women shouldn't be wasted. Inara is a very beautiful woman. It would be more interesting if I carried a relationship with her through you. I mostly plan on taking a back seat when it comes to you. Think of the situation as more of a symbiotic relationship than a dominating one. You will experience everything that happens when I'm in control."
"Well seeing as how my only other option likely ends with me being gutted then I think I'll take you up on your offer," Mal finally agreed.
"Good," Harry declared with a grin.
"So how do we do this?" The Captain questioned.
"Well…Inara was planning on sneaking down here to see you after Atherton went to sleep. Atherton has been rather frustratingly trying to perform as a man up until this point but has been unable due to me making him impotent," explained the magician, earning a wide grin out of the Captain. "I've just put Mr. Wing to sleep for the rest of the night and Inara is currently sneaking down here. I'll be sitting in the corner invisible. I can take possession of you for a few hours without taxing my strength too much using the conventional methods my kind possessed before the creation of my improved Horcrux, which I call a Soulstar by the way. I could use my power to generate the extra soul portion necessary to complete our arrangement but that would drain my energy reserves quite a bit. The best alternative is quite simply extracting the energy from two beings engaging in copious amounts of sexual activity. I'll possess you and seduce Inara. Prepare for a fun night Captain."
As he finished his explanation the sorcerer caused his chair to slide back into a corner before he became invisible and intangible. At that moment Inara snuck into the room.
"Mal," Inara brought the pensieve Captain's attention to her from his intense gaze into the corner of the room opposite the door. "What are you doing?" The Companion inquired as a shiver went through her body at the bright gaze of the man she harbored a secret attraction for as it was focused on her.
"I was contemplating life," replied the immortal in Captain Reynolds' form. "I have to say I haven't treated you very well Inara. I've let my jealousy of your lovers overwhelm my actions and for that I'm sorry."
Inara's breathe caught as her crush admitted that he desired her. The handsome Captain's words inspired hope for the young woman's own desires.
"Apology accepted. But now we have to get you out of here. There's a back door and the desk clerk is on alert. He'll let us out," Inara explained.
"I guess my actions give you the impression that I'm worried about tomorrow," suggested the sorcerer as he stood and stepped closer to the scantily clad Companion, noticing her nipples harden with arousal thanks to her lack of bra. "I'm confident I'll win the day given the help our resident genius has provided me. Inara," the man whispered as he stepped closer, pressing the beauty up against the door while cupping her cheek with his right hand. "I want you so badly."
The experienced Companion didn't hesitate and leaned up to capture the handsome Captain's lips in fiery kiss. The intelligent male deepened the lip lock and probed the woman's mouth with his tongue.
Smut Scene Here (See hpfanficarchive or ficsite for erotic version)
OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP
Kadrie pond the next morning…
The early morning fog clung to the marshy ground as Harry in Mal's body drew the sword of Gryffindor from its scabbard. The enchanted blade was able to shift form to match its wielder's desire in the case of any sword design. Currently the magical tool was in the shape of a brilliant jeweled saber.
Atherton was standing opposite the warrior wizard, testing his sword with a few swipes while an arrogant smirk adorned his face. The two opponents faced off. Atherton struck first; intent on playing with what he thought was a lesser opponent. But the incredibly powerful immortal was not constrained by human strength or speed standards. With a burst of energy to his limbs the ageless magician battled aside Wing's weapon before flipping back his enchanted tool to slice across his opponent's throat. Wing dropped his sword immediately and clutched at his ruined skin while precious blood drained along his neck.
There was no playing in combat when the stakes were death. While it might take a hell of a lot to destroy the immortal warrior's body he saw no reason to even risk it when it was easier to dispatch the enemy. When the Brown Coat sorcerer turned to face Inara and Sir Harry he registered the shock on both their features.
"Nobody treats a woman like he did in my presence," growled the mage.
"Since you seem able to defend what you consider your responsibility I'll have my property in your hold by midnight," Harrow declared as he recovered his composure.
"Your cargo will get to its destination safely Sir Harrow," assured Harry as he shook the nobleman's hand firmly.
The couple returned to Serenity to a warm greeting by the relieved crew. Harrow made good on his word and delivered a precious herd of long horned cows to the Firefly's cargo hold. That night Inara moved into her handsome lover's quarters but it would be some time before the rest of the crew noticed the change in the former Companion's residence. It wasn't official yet but the dark haired beauty's days of entertaining other men were over. Inara was a one man woman from that night on Persephone onward.
OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP – Firefly – OP