(Untitled)

[tightpantscapn]

There was all manner o' diān goin' on outside. Mal'd taken Shadow up the path t' the paddock near the compound where the goats n' other livestock were bein' kept t' water her when e'erythin' seemed t' go straight t' dì yù. Thin' Mal ain't e'er seen 'fore were runnin' 'bout the island causin' more havoc'n the Alliance bent on unification.

Comments

[gorramcheerful]

Why did it do this? Why did such terrible, strange things happen here. Most of the time it was so nice here. She liked it here.

Kaylee was practically tiptoeing about Serenity, as though someone was going to jump out at her, she'd heard about what was going on and she wouldn't leave the ship to see, she didn't want to see. Here it was safe, Serenity was safe. N'Cap'n would make sure no one could get in. He'd promised he'd come back when Kaylee looked horrified at the thought of him leaving them

[tightpantscapn]

Mal had been tyin' Shadow's reins t' the rail in the cargo hold when l'il Kaylee came in, lookin' for all the world a fright. 'fore she e'en said a word, Mal knew somethin' (other'n the obvious outdoors madness) weren't right.

He opened his mouth t' ask her what was vexin' her, but then she beat him t' the punch n' laid it all out plum clear. n' he didn't like what he heard, not one bit. Closin' his eyes, Mal felt his stomach drop considerably. If'n River weren't on board, that meant she was out 'mong all the gorram insanity.

A beat.

Mal's eyes opened n' fixed on Kaylee.

"Twice 'round Serenity n' no River. Y'r sure?" Eyes searchin' her face, Mal knew she were sure, but he still had t' ask, a small part o' him clingin' t' the hope she'd been wrong.

[gorramcheerful]

Kaylee hunched nervously, clutching her own forearm whilst she shook her head slowly as Mal kept his gaze fixed on her's, clearly he was hoping she'd say something else, or suggest somewhere safe she thinks River might be.

Instead she blinks quickly, her eyes looking a little glassy. She can hear what's going on outside. And she knows it's awful and worse that even River has faced before. "Cap'n, she's out there." Kaylee's voice suddenly a little strangled. She can't be helping his panic. She drew in a shaking breath. "But, she's tough, River is. Ain't she Cap'n? We'll find her safe n'sound, prob'ly keepin' other folk safe. Just like she done for us b'fore." She was offering this positivity, this optimism she could almost always conjure, but this time she couldn't manage a smile as best she tried, and her voice was still failing.

[nevermarried]

Book had heard Mal come in, the hooves on the floor of the cargo bay. Book walked up slowly, quietly. He listened to the conversation, his brow furrowing. River. He watched Mal get ready, could see the physical signs of the Captain gearing up for a fight. Kaylee, on the other hand... She was panicked, afraid.

Book took a step forward, laying a warm hand on Kaylee's arm, looking firmly at them both. "C'mon, Kaylee, let's make sure everyone is settled in." He glanced up at Mal. His voice lowered, serious. "The Captain knows what he's doing, and he'll go get River." He saw that fear in Mal's eyes. The man wouldn't stop until he had River back, and safe. He straightened up, his back military fierce, and his mouth a firm line. "Kaylee." He caught her eye, his face warm and strong. "We have to protect Serenity. Come on, now."

[gorramcheerful]

Cap'n was going to go looking; all that was going on he'd need Jayne to help keep things under control ..and when Simon found out, he'd want to find his sister and then he'd be gone too. It was for River she wanted her back safe and sound no question, no matter what it took. But she couldn't help being scared. What could she do here? She couldn't help anyone

[tightpantscapn]

Mal felt a bucket o' relief wash o'er him when the Shepherd stepped in. Though Mal normally was good at dealin' with his mechanic when she got out o' sorts, there weren't no time for that now. River n' plenty o' others were out there gettin' themselves in the line o' danger n' Mal weren't 'bout t' let nothin' bad happen t' River n' Inara n' any o' his other friends. As soon as he found Jayne, they'd fix t' get out there n' do some o' 'em thrillin' heroics.

"Y' won't let Serenity down," Mal said, watchin' the Shepherd take Kaylee under his wing. "Just like y' won't let me down. You n' the Preacher do what needs done here. Leave the rest t' me n' Jayne."

[nevermarried]

Book caught Mal's eye. "We won't let y'down, Captain." He paused. "Y'bring 'em home, now." He trusted Mal to do anything he could to bring River home safe. He knew they both had that glint around them; the fighter's glare in their eye. He wanted Mal to know that Serenity was safe; he wasn't about to lose ground. It simply wasn't an option.

"The captain's right, Kaylee. We'll be fine."

[gorramcheerful]

Kaylee gave a slightly forced smile as Book promised on both their behalf, that Serenity would be safe, but her gaze was steadied at least, in the Shepherd's presence she'd lost her startled, wide-eyed stare.

She nodded toward Book, but spoke so both he and Mal could hear. "After all, we gotta make sure River's gonna come home't things the way she left 'em." She wasn't yet her normal self, but trying to sound surer than she felt that she could help to keep things under control; River was gonna to be okay, Cap'n would find her, he'd bring her back to a Serenity that was safe and sound.

Kaylee stood by the Shepherd as she watched the mule loaded up, helping where she could here and there. She told them to be careful, Before seeing them on their way in the mule, out into the madness of whatever was really going on out there to get River safe back home. Still in silence Kaylee let Book lead her away from the doors so the cargo bay could be barricaded with whatever they could find.