Capacity Chapter 9

By: Joly

Rated: R for strong sexual content

Summary: It’s a long story… Mal and Ruby bond some more, Xiaofan gets her new face and… then she leaves. Wash and Zoe have a chat and Jayne gets over his issues with Simon and Xiaofan.

Disclaimer: I no own. No sue. Thank you.

~~~~~~~

“Here for my next bed time story?” Ruby said, opening the door to her quarters.

Mal smiled at her and entered as she moved away from the door and settle on her bed.

“You don’t like coming out to the commons…” he remarked.

“Like to keep to myself.”

“Didn’t used to.”

She shrugged. “We all changed.”

“That we have,” Mal replied.

Ruby lay on her side on the bed, watching Mal settle in the chair opposite her.

“You don’t have to sit across the room,” she said.

“Room ain’t that big, not that far away.”

She raised an eyebrow and he scooted the chair closer to her bed.

“What’s the tale tonight?” she asked, pulling the light sheet to her waist.

“I believe it’s your turn to regale me with the stories of your adventures.”

She sighed and rolled onto her back.

“No adventures. Just working, living, breathing, eating.”

“Turning a harmless little tool into a high voltage device…”

She smiled.

“Hey, I’m a woman on my own, gotta take care of my business.”

Mal’s smile faded.

“I’m sorry about your folks,” he said.

She turned to face the bulkhead, hoping she wouldn’t burst into tears.

“Your Ma, too.”

“We’re gettin’ off track. There are adventures that need to be told,” Mal said, trying to lighten the mood.

Ruby rubbed her eyes and turned back to Mal.

“For instance?” she asked.

“Why you decided you needed a high voltage screwdriver?”

“Abaddon station was the lowest point in my life. At first I had to fight every day. But an old Tech took me under his wing and taught me a few things. First few who wanted to try me out after I got my toy modified got their asses handed to them.”

“Why did you stay?” Mal asked, incredulous.

“And go where?