A/N:So here is the next installment! There's some back story and more Mal/Charlotte sparring. Hope you all like it and please comment (tell me what you think of Charlotte because I love writing her but you may not like her after the next few installments!)

Thanks to Leaisky for beta-ing and swimming through all the commas.

Disclaimer:Not mine, just writing for fun

Link to http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=12148>Runaway:Part 1

Simon deposited Charlotte in his old dorm room, telling her he would be right back, and closed the sliding door behind him. As he turned, he found himself standing face to face with Mal. Simon motioned to move away from the door, not wanting to disturb his cousin while she took a few quiet moments to collect herself.

They walked into the infirmary, where Mal promptly confronted Simon, “What’s goin’ on here?”

Simon crossed his arms over his chest and sighed deeply before responding, “I have no clue, Mal, I‘ve had two minutes alone with her and I haven't seen her since before I broke River out of the Academy."

"You think she's in some kinda trouble?"

There was concern in Mal's voice, but it wasn't for Charlotte. Simon shrugged his shoulders, "I know she wouldn’t leave her wedding for anything less than life threatening.”

“Last time I had an errant bride on my ship, we were almost fried alive. Now since she’s family, I’ll let you tend to the situation, but I need to know what’s goin’ on here, and right quick. Soon as we’re outta atmo I will send River down to y’all, though I’m sure she already knows what’s what by now.”

Simon nodded his agreement and left Mal to return to Charlotte.

She sat on the edge of his bed, her hands folded on her lap. She had discarded Mal’s brown coat, leaving it to hang on the back of a chair. Simon noticed that she had washed her face and had tried to fix her hair, but the wayward strands kept dangling down her back, some new ones added for her efforts. She looked fragile to him but not broken