based on the world of Firefly by Joss Whedon

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Chapter Seven

Stars shone through Serenity's window as Cat slid into the bridge. She could hear him breathing in the pilot's chair and for a moment memories of another time flooded her with emotions, but only for a second. This was not her ship, this was not her home, and he was not her captain. "Permission to enter the bridge."

She could hear him catch his breath, forgetting that this again wasn't her Mal. He hadn't learned to smell for her instead of listen, for vanilla and brown sugar mixing with her own feral scent. A smile on her face masked the sorrow as she stood awaiting his reply. "Sorry. Not used to anyone askin'."

"Not my ship." Her voice carried gently as she slid in so he could see her, the soft light playing with the red hues in her hair. "Beautiful night."

He considering leaving the bridge, but stopped. Dammit, it was his ship, he told himself roughly. And he was more than capable of having a normal conversation with this woman without running. His eyes ran up and down her form for a moment, the old shirt tossed over her shoulders, then he deliberately turned back to the dark sky. "Always is."

"Yes."

He could feel her watching him. "So, your ... Batha ... she's made friends."

"The children. Yes." She stopped herself from saying cubs, knowing he wouldn't understand the relationship.

"Is she ... safe?"

"When she sleeps."

Mal shot her a glance, but was relieved to see her lips twitching. "Right."

"Batha's unique and takes offense when one turns her into a house cat."

"So I gathered."

"She's independent, but some needs even she can't resist."

"Independent, huh? Seems to be a theme around here."

"That doesn't change."

"And she needs to play with the kids?"

Cat shrugged. "It fulfils something for her and she will protect them as if they were her own."

"Good. I conjure there's a story behind it, though."

"Always is." Cat knew she was going to have to explain