Archangel Chapter Twenty-Three

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and no copyright infringement is intended. Fanfic only.

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The crew gathered around the galley table the next morning. Jayne and Kaylee had prepared breakfast together, and Mal had watched the two from the passageway door for a few minutes before making his presence known.

Kaylee was still her bubbly self, but seemed more, there, than before. Like she was suddenly whole, Mal thought. Maybe Jayne was the charm for her, too, he decided.

Thinking on how nearly he had wrecked that gave him pause.

“Well, now,” he said, walking on into the galley. “Seems like you two are in fine fettle this morning.”

“Mornin’ Cap’n,” Kaylee kissed his cheek, hugging him. Mal noticed that Jayne had no reaction to that other than a smile. Interesting.

“Mornin’, mei mei,” Mal smiled in return. “Mornin’ Jayne.”

“Mornin’ Cap’n,” Jayne nodded, smiling. “Sleep well?”

“After all that, it’s a wonder I slept at all,” Mal admitted. “It’s enough to make a body’s blood run cold.”

“Is that,” Jayne agreed.

“None o’ that til after we eat!” Kaylee scolded. “I mean it, so don’t be frownin’ at me like that, either, Cap’n,” she added when Mal’s brow creased. “Ain’t no need o’ talkin’ ‘bout reavers an’ such over breakfast.”

“Fair enough,” Mal nodded. The rest of the crew wandered in, and soon breakfast was over with. Mal pushed his plate back, and rested his elbows on the table.

“All right, Kaylee, breakfast is over, so it’s time we started talkin’,” he smiled. Kaylee grinned back, and nodded.

“Reckon everyone knows what’s goin’ on,” Mal said. “We need to decide what we aim to do. What we ain’t gonna do, is go anywhere near that Operative,” he added, and noted the looks of relief on everyone’s face.

“Well, that’s a relief,” Simon nodded. River agreed silently. Jayne’s face was stony, but he nodded as well.

“So what else is there to do?” Inara asked. “If we aren’t helping him, then what can we do?”

“Been thinkin’ on that,” Mal replie