This take place after Objects in Space and after Book and Inara leave the ship. It’s more of a “What if…” It’s kinda bad. I’m still not used to the fan fic writing. It was just an idea I wanted to play with.

I don’t own these characters…I just like to use them for my own amusement. :)

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“Captain, there is a message coming in for you,” Wash, the pilot’s voice sounded over the intercom.

Mal was cleaning out Inara’s old shuttle so he asked to take it in there. He turned on the screen to see a girl, about the same age as River with darker features,brown hair and big brown eyes. She had a familiar face but he had never met her before.

“Captain Malcolm Reynolds?” the girl said.

“This is he. How can I help ya, darlin’?”

She cleared her throat.

“Mal, I know you’re on your way to Lilac to do that job for Fanty and Mingo, but don’t. Please, don’t.”

Mal was bewildered as to how a young girl he’d never met knew exactly what they were doing. “I’m sorry?”

“Please, Mal, don’t do it. I beg you.”

“I don’t even know who you are,” Mal stated calmly.

“That’s not important right now. I just need you to do this for me, please.”

“Fanty and Mingo won’t be so kind when I tell them that a teenage girl told me not to do the job they wanted me to do. Now, what’s the deal? Why don’t you want us to do this job?”

“Captain, if I tell you something will you promise not to tell the rest of your crew?”

“I can’t make such promises, but let me hear what you have to say.”

“This will sound crazy, but I know everything about all of you. I know you and Zoë fought in the war together, I know Jayne’s favorite gun is named Vera, I know your pilot like to play with toy dinosaurs, I know you’re in love with Inara…”

“Whoa, hold on just a second, anyone could have told you that stuff, are you friends with Inara? Are you a whor…I mean companion too?”

“I know the Tams are on your ship and that they are wanted by the Alliance.”

Mal’s heart stopped beating for a split second. Was