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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Continuing on the storyline I started with “New Blood” Read that first so you will know who is who and what has happened in the 'Verse.

Warning: This storyline includes 'gasp' fem slash. 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.

AN: Just some fluff... for a while anyway.

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Guardians

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Chapter Seven

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Serenity lifted smoothly from the surface of Whitefall, River and Xue sharing the flying duty. Officially, Xue could not fly the ship solo until she was sixteen unless it was an emergency. A loophole that had come into existence when she had scored her kill against the slaver frigate.

River had to grin slightly as she felt the thoughts from the other inhabitant of the bridge, Scott Baxter.

The young man had never been off world before his being taken by slavers and had wanted to see the takeoff from the bridge. It also let Xue show off a little bit for the handsome boy.

Thanks to Simon's ministrations, Scott's bruises were fading and River admitted that a few years ago, she would have found him quite attractive. But since she had Jayne...

Xue wouldn't have any competition for his affections. Even though Jessie thought Scott was quite swai, she had her eyes set on Admiral Harken's nephew, Jeff.

Scott had several long talks with Inara. After being sold into sex slavery for use by sly men, the obviously heterosexual, Scott was having some very conflicted emotions.

Even Zoë and Max agreed that flirting with Xue would do the boy a world of good in feeling like a man.

Jayne had also taken the young man under his wing. Instruction in the finer points of hand to hand combat, firearms and other 'Manly' subjects.

Meanwhile, Mal had a serious problem laying in his infirmary. A problem he intended to set to rights.

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