Rating: PG-17, action/graphic violence

Remarks: Set following my most recent story “The Birthday Gift”, after “Objects in Space”. Inara has departed from Serenity and things on board ship are getting more difficult. Click on my name to read the backstory. They’re all backstory.

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Leaps of Faith

Chapter Eight

“Mal, we’re on the ground.” Wash announces their landing in the hilly, tall grass prairie of Aberdeen.

Mal grabs the handset. “This is the Captain. We’re on, people. Wash, you keep ‘er hot, ready to pick us up mid-air if necessary.” He claps his hands together and hits the buttons to open the cargo bay doors and lower Serenity’s ramp. “Let’s get rollin’!”

Striding down the ramp, he surveys the land that spreads out before him, thinkin’ what good cattle country it would make. Wave after wave of rolling hills march to the horizon, undulating in shades of green and gold under a cloudless turquoise sky.

Zoë slips the second shuttle free of her moorings and brings the little craft around to land right in front of the ramp. She slides the shuttle’s hatch open and nods to the captain.

“Shuttle handles good, Sir. Whatever Kaylee did really seems to have improved her maneuvering.”

“Let’s get her loaded up, then.”

Jayne and Kaylee stand at the back of the bay, concealed behind the stack of crates. He’s geared up for the job, his best sniper rifle slung across his back, a semi-automatic Deckler 9 millimeter on his chest, the heavy belt around his hips loaded with more weaponry and ammunition. His mind’s already on the tasks ahead.

“Jayne…” Kaylee anxiously grabs his elbow, tugs. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

The merc studies her wide chocolate eyes for a moment, then oh-so-briefly kisses her before he turns and says over his shoulder with the practiced bravado of a professional gun, “Would