What Doesn't Kill Us

based on the world of Firefly by Joss Whedon

Gecko was waiting. It had been a bad week, profits were low and he needed a serious pay off to keep in business. A call saved his life and once he completed this transaction, he'd have more than enough to keep running for a few months anyway. Maybe he would take a vacation.

His lackeys around him seemed a bit anxious, but who wouldn't be when they all knew Cat, the one who had taken his right arm was heading for them. Werzbowski was with her and everyone feared that pair, especially with the rumors that flew around about them both being genetic experiments. God, he was not looking forward to this meeting, but at least, he'd make some money.

****

The beast took strides equal to two of Jayne's human steps so the group had a hard time catching up. 'Ski stayed near the front, in case it reneged on the deal. Mal walked next to River, the girl a little squirrelly even since his lover turned animal. In a way, a very strange and slightly disturbing way, she was a bit sexy as this beast, but not enough to allow his guard to slip.

Her mind was going wild with the smells of blood, flowing over muscles; hearts, beating quickly with fear of what was in front of them. Oh, why had she made this deal with that creature, the reaver turned back to human. She had liked him as a Reaver, even fought to win the hand so she could face him. Granted, that episode might not have ended the way the human sides of them wanted, but damn it would have been fun.

Her nose got a whiff of something on the wind as she passed through the shadow of a low building. Joints and bones contorted with a sickening sound, the one that emerged from the shadow was a human. Mal walked over, but 'Ski grabbed him. “It's Cat, damn you. Let me go before we lose her again.”

“No, Mal. You're wrong.” He spoke gently wanting her to return to so he wouldn't have to come through with the deal, but as she turned, her eyes spoke volumes.

“Coming?” she growled, th