CHAPTER 15

River quickly checked her bandoleers were full, then dipped her head under each, left then right, settling them across her chest. She'd known the instant something had gone wrong at Badger's, and while Hank and Simon had to stay with the ship to protect it, and Kaylee had never been happy using any kind of firearm, she knew the rest of her family needed her right now.

She reached for her guns, but Hank's voice interrupted her over the com. "River ... uh ... we've got company."

Immediately she tensed, pulling her mind back from the danger to her surrogate mother and father, and concentrating much closer to home. Five men, one in charge, four subordinates. She could take them all, but it would be messy.

Her eyebrow twitched as she Read their intentions. Interesting. She shrugged out of the bandoleers but picked up little Victor, tucking it into her thigh holster.

====

Cat started down the stairs, her enhanced senses switched to full, letting the air tell her what was going on further down. It wasn't enough, though, for her to predict the step beneath her foot giving way, pitching her forwards. Rough hands grabbed her, pulling her back to relative safety.

She looked over her shoulder, ready to thank Mal, but her eyes widened as she realised it was Declan, and for a moment she could clearly make out the slight Indian heritage from his mother's side. "Uh .. thanks."

"My pleasure." He smiled, and just that simple action made her belly clench with desire, but not for the son before her.

She shook herself. "Get your head in the game."

He looked surprised. "Who, me?"

"No. Me. Not like this."

He watched as she changed, just a little, and something his father had said all at once made sense. 'She'll take your breath away, first time you see her for who she really is, and that moment will tell you whether you can handle being with her or piss your pants running the other way.' His blood raced. "Cat ..."

"Better," she growled.

"Damn."

Mal,