Disclaimer: anything recognizable is property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. The story, however, is mine. Also, I had to take some creative liberties, but only on stuff not explained in the series. I also used my own translator for the Mandarin, so it may be off (although it's still comical). Feedback (good or bad) is of course welcome. On to the story:

“Figures. No one saves me any dinner.” It was the middle of the night. We were in space, and I was in the dining room, the only human awake like usual. My eating times can sometimes get erratic, so I don’t usually eat with the crew. Actually, I don’t think the crew eats together either. From what I’ve seen, they pop in to eat whenever an opportune time presents itself. Anyhow, I grabbed myself a small can of sugar-preserved fruit (not fresh, but sweet enough to make it bearable). A few minutes later, it was eaten.

Throwing the can into the recycler, I walked out the fore door. The bridge door was closed, so I decided I’d spend my time up there. Turns out I wasn’t the only one up. When I opened up the bridge door, I saw Sydney curled up in the pilot’s seat, studying the displays. “You know, I’d kinda like my pilot well rested.”

Sydney didn’t budge. “I don’t sleep much. Never have. Apparently you don’t either.”

“Alliance made me that way.” I took the seat in front of the port console. “Parents musta hated your sleeping habits.”

“Wouldn’t know.” She pressed a few buttons. “Never had them, Mister Mind-Probe.”

“Oh, sorry.” I turned to look out the big window. “For the record, I haven’t read your mind at all. Other than in the club when I found out your age. Which sickened Tobias when I told him.”

“It was enough to live off of.” Sydney wanted to change the topic. So she turned to the rather conspicuous red button on top of her console. “It helps if you tell me what this does. Especially if you don’t want me to touch it.”

“Activates my warp drive.” I went back to our original conversation. “I know the feeling of doing odd