Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Maxine and the rest of my OC's. they're 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:

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New Blood

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Chapter Eighteen

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For Jessie, the first three days after leaving Meadow had seemed like an adventure. She was traveling in space for the first time and spending time with her second cousin, Kaylee.

The fourth night, the realization of what had nearly happened to her had finally hit home.

River sensed the teenagers distress and quickly made her way down to the passenger dorms where Jessie was staying on board.

River held her as Jessie cried. Soothing the girl both with words and thoughts. Since Jessie was a natural reader, River could push her own thoughts to the girl much easier than she could with someone who was not.

After about an hour, Jessie had finally drifted off to sleep. In Jessie's mind, River had seen some of her insecurities. The fear of not being able to protect herself was one of the largest. It was however one of the easiest to rectify.

Between River, Zoë, Maxine, Inara and Jayne, Jessie had some of the best instructors in fighting available.

The next morning at breakfast, River mentioned some of her ideas.

“Jessie needs to learn how to protect herself,” River stated.

Kaylee nodded, “Reckon you're right, River. Someone ever finds out what Jess can do, might get rough.”

“I want to be strong,” the teenager said, pushing her blonde hair out of her eyes.

“I was thinkin along the same lines,” Mal r