Still Flying - Part IV

Disclaimer: Firefly, Serenity, and all related characters are copyright 2002-2005 Mutant Enemy, Inc., Universal Pictures, and 20th Century Fox. This is a work of fanfiction. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Mal and company waited in the cargo bay. Simon was pacing, waiting on River to get back. Kaylee was nowhere to be seen, having taken off straight for the engine room. Mal just wanted his two errant crew members back on ship so they could leave and do their job.

Badger and River finally showed up and it was all Simon and Mal could do to not rush River and start checking her for bodily harm.

“See, Captain Reynolds, I told you I’d have her back in one piece. Nothing to fret about.” Badger said, smugly.

“Thanks for the lovely evening.” River said, mimicking his accent.

“Any time you want, Lovie.” Badger said. “Well then, I’m guessing you have a job to do now, right?”

“We surely do. How’s about you take yourself off and let us get to it?” Mal said tightly.

“Will do.” He turned to River, kissing her hand. “Until next time, Lovie.” He smiled, and then left.

“Are we ready to go?” River asked Mal, in her normal voice.

“We’re just waiting on Jayne to get back now.” He sounded somewhat irritated. “You okay? He didn’t hurt your anything, did he? He kept his hands to himself, right?”

River rolled her eyes and looked at Mal as if he were an idiot.

“I’m fine. It was a nice evening. If he’d tried to hurt me he would be dead.” She said. “I can take care of myself.”

“Don’t you go rolling your eyes at me like that. You put this crew through a lot of worry, sneaking off like that. I don’t want this happening again, dong ma? You’re growing up, and there ain’t a one of us who are gonna fault you for that, but even if those warrants are defunct now, there are still people in this ‘Verse who want you back in that Academy. You’d better go and see to your brother. He’s been beside himself since you took of