Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Maxine. She's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

-

A new story line to recharge my Muse. Set outside my “Allanverse.” Just to see what happens. Set about a year and a half post Serenity. Story line has the standard pairings of Mal/Inara, Simon/Kaylee. Also has River/Jayne. Zoë... we'll you'll have to read it.

-

A/N: Warning This story line from here on out will include 'gasp' fem slash (Like you didn't see it coming). It won't be graphic but I know some are offended by any depiction of homosexuality. If you don't like this kind of thing... Stop reading right now.

-

New Blood

-

Chapter Eight

-

Maxine and Kaylee teamed up and made a real birthday cake for River. Knowing the pilot's birthday had been coming, Maxine had picked up the proper ingredients on Salisbury. Mal had even paid for them.

Of course, River had known she was having a cake. Even without being a reader. The smell emanating from the galley was making everyone's mouth water.

After a hearty dinner, the cake was trotted out. Chocolate with vanilla icing, twenty candles surround a small figurine of a ballerina. The smile on her face lit up the room.

After the cake had been consumed, out came the presents.

Jayne, true to course gifted River with weapons. A thin stiletto she could wear against her thigh. Even Mal was taken aback at the second gift. River squealed with delight and kissed Jayne after he had presented her with a very high quality reproduction Samurai sword. It even came with a harness so River could wear it across her back.

“Ain't you got a sword already, Albatross?” Mal asked.

“Appropriated Reaver weapon has too many bad memories,” the little reader replied. She shared a sad smile with Zoë.

“Open mine next, River,” Kaylee gushed.

Carefully pulling the paper from the box, River found a beautiful new summer dress.

“Thank you, Jia-mei.”

Simon's gift was next. He had found a pendant with the Chinese characters for Se