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

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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/Maxine

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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.

A/N: A lull in the action but more is coming.

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New Blood

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Chapter Fourteen

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“Mal... what just happened?” Inara asked. She had been confused at the Captain's orders to hover the ship at high altitude and then dip the nose.

“Just takin care of a loose end, Darlin”

“Loose... what happened to Badger?”

“Reckon he's tryin to figure out how to fly without a ship.”

“You... fengle shagua!” How could you do that to me?” Inara exclaimed. Her hands were shaking now, “I'm... I'm culpable in his death!”

Mal rubbed his hand through his hair, “”Nara... I'm sorry. I needed you to fly the boat. Badger done wronged us too many times. Wangbadan tried to sell Max and River into slavery just today. Imagine what he'd a done tomorrow 'iffin he found out where we were. You knew going into this, the man was goin to die.”

Inara willed her shaking hands to stop, “I know. I just didn't expect to play a part in it.”

Mal stepped close behind Inara as she sat in the pilots seat, he gently rubbed her shoulders, “My fault, Ai-ren. I should not have put you in that spot.”

Inara sighed with Mal's touch. She knew Badger had stepped over a very large line by attacking Zoë, “It... it's alright. I just wasn't prepared for it. To be honest, I might have done something to him myself if it came down to it.”

Mal grinned as he continued to massage Inara's tense shoulders, “You okay to land the b