Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan. He's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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This story takes place nearly four years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Follows after Big Blue.

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A/N:

Thanks again Chris for the Beta.

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Birthday

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Chapter Three

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After a quick com call from Reggie. Mal, Jayne, River and Zoë returned to Serenity. While they had been gone, looking for Allan around the restaurant where he was supposed to meet Winslow, another hit came in from Allan's beacon. It was off world and moving fast.

Ground crews had refueled Serenity and Inara had re-docked the detached shuttle while Mal and the others had been gone.

“Let's get in the air Albatross,” the Captain ordered as he exited the hover truck as soon as it stopped in the cargo bay.

“Mal... we need to wait a few minutes,” Reggie said as he began to help Jayne secure the truck for storage.

“For what?” Mal snapped. Zoë just glared at the former Fed.

“Got an extra gun hand on the way.”

“What? Who in the hell do you think you are? You ain't no Alliance officer no more Reggie. You're not even officially crew!” Mal snapped , “You ain't got no say in who comes on this boat!”

Despite her own anger and fear over Allan, Zoë, as ever, was the calm voice of reason, “Who are we waiting on?”

“Sargent from my time in special forces. One of the best damn shot's I've ever seen and a cool head in a crisis. Got retired like I did after getting hurt.”

“Another gorram purple belly,” Mal snarled.

“That's right! Just like me. Just like Oso,” Reggie snapped back, “We're welcome on this boat, why not Sgt. Vorrasi?”

“Because... I'm the Captain!”

“I've no doubt of that... Captain. But remember this. Because of Sgt. Vorrasi, we know where to look for Allan and what ship is carrying him.”

“Huh?” Mal sputtered.

“How did this, Sgt. Vorrasi get this information?” Zoë asked.

“Because I work in the office over yonder,” Said a woman's voice.

The whole group turned as a unit to look at the newcomer. Standing at the bottom of the ramp stood Marion Vorrasi. She had changed out of the business suit she wore to the office into black cargo pants and boots. Topped off with a maroon tank top. Her bare arms were well muscled yet feminine. Marion's olive skin tone hinting at her Mediterranean heritage.

A large duffel sat at her feet and a pistol sat low in a holster on the womans right hip. Slung over Marion's shoulder was a Callahan assault rifle. Jayne couldn't help but gawk at the newcomer. Until River smacked his arm.

Laying the rifle on top of her bag, Marion approached Zoë with her hand outstretched, “I'd like to help you get your husband back Mrs Bryant. He seemed like a good man when I met him this morning... besides, If I didn't offer to help out, Uncle Jacob would tan my hide.”

“Shen-me?” Zoë questioned, ignoring the young woman's outstretched hand.

“Jacob Buford is my Momma's Uncle.”

Even Mal's jaw dropped at that statement.

“Marion was the best NCO I had working for me in Special Forces,” Reggie said quietly, “If not for her getting a foot blown off by a grenade, she would have been working for me on Londonium at Executive Protection. If she had been, she would have been neck deep in this whole mess anyway.”

"Reggie makes a valid point Captain,” River said quietly.

Mal stood staring at the young woman who looked to be no older than River and reminded him, not just a little, of Zoë at that age. After a moment's consideration, he made up his mind, “Fine. Get your gear. Albatross get us in the air.”

“Xei-xei Captain,” Marion said as she hefted her rifle and bag.

Reggie handed Marion's information about the ship carrying Allan to River before the pilot ran for the bridge.

As Jayne closed the ramp, Zoë stood, arms across her chest, glaring at the newcomer.

“Y'all Jacob's grand niece huh?” she finally said as the ship lurched slightly during River's take off.

“Yep.”

“How come you were a purple belly?”

“Military is in the blood. Independents were long gone by the time I was old enough to sign up. Only Army in town.”

Zoë snorted, “How old?”

“Twenty three.”

“I meant when you signed up.”

“Oh, seventeen.”

A slight smile curled the corners of Zoë's mouth. She had done the same thing at the same age.

“You need to know a few things around here. Captain's word is law and I'm his long arm. Crew may back talk him some but they've earned that right. I'll make one thing perfectly clear right now. If you keep me from getting my husband back... I will kill you. Dong-ma?”

“Crystal Ma'am.”

“Good enough,” Zoë replied, “I'll see you to one of the dorms. Then I have work to do. Stay out of the bay, engine room and the bridge unless invited. Dinners at seven. Till then, store your gear and take it easy. I 'spect someone will come by to chat.”

“Lead the way Ma'am.”

“My name is Zoë.”

“Call me Marion.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Zoë walked into the galley almost in a daze. She had been able to focus for a while but the strain was telling on her.

When she was younger, it was easy to hide her emotions. Become a hard ass bitch. It kept her sane after the Valley. Kept her alive for the first few years she and Mal worked the black.

Wash had opened her heart. A heart that was shattered when he died. Zoë had just put the pieces back together when she met Allan. Now it felt like her heart was being ripped out of her chest.

“Sissy?”

Zoë nearly jumped out of her skin. She must be really upset to let her sister sneak up on her.

“Yes?”

“You okay?”

“Shiny.”

“I know you better than that.”

Zoë tried to reply but instead she began to sob. Alisha pulled her sister into a hug and steered Zoë into one of the chairs in the lounge. They sat together like that for a long time.

XXXXXXXXXX

Marion put away the few items she had brought with her. She remembered the rumors she had heard when she was on the teams. Adeli Niska was a mean customer. Always seemed to avoid the law. A gangster in the true meaning of the word. A target like that was why she joined up. Men like that made her skin crawl.

A quiet knock on the door brought Marion back to the present, “Cheeng-jeen.”

“I thought I heard we had a new face 'round here. I'm Kaylee, ships mechanic.”

“I'm Marion. And you girl, look about ready to pop.”

“Almost. Nother few weeks,” Kaylee giggled, “So, you were in th' Army with Reggie?”

“For a while. Got hurt and got discharged.”

“Hope it weren't nothin important.”

“Just my right foot. Butter fingered lieutenant dropped a live grenade on it.”

“Ouch.”

“I said that and a few other words best not repeated.”

“I imagine. Gotta admit, you're pretty nice fer a purple belly.”

“Thanks... I think. Although I've been a civilian for near on two years.”

“Zoë still calls Reggie a purple belly and he's nearly her Brother-in-law. The way he an 'Lisha go on around here.”

“I met her. The Major is a lucky man.”

“Yep, he is.”

“Any other women on board?”

“There's River, she's our pilot and m' Sister-in-law. And Inara, she's the Captain's wife.”

“Everyone got someone on this boat?”

“Sure do. That means hands off the fellas.”

Marion chuckled, “Ain't the fellas I wouldn't mind getting my hands on.”

Kaylee looked shocked for a moment then giggled, “Like the girls huh?”

“Might say that.”

“Too bad 'Nara's hitched and as pregnant as me. She used to be a Companion.”

“A Companion... on this ship?”

“Nara used to rent on o' the shuttles. I think she fell for the Captain right off. He was the same way. Stead, they fought like wildcats for goin on three years. Then one day, River locked the pair o' them in the supply closet and told em' she wouldn't let them out until they kissed. Well after about an hour o' yellin, it got real quiet for a while. Then it it got kinda noisy, iffin you catch my drift.”

Marion giggled, “Tell me more about the crew.”

Kaylee entered the room and sat on the bed next to Marion, “Well lets see. My husband Simon is our doctor. Jayne... He's a fella by the way. Started off as our merc but now the captain calls him our security specialist. He's married to River so he's my Brother-in-law too.”

“All one big family,” Marion commented.

“Yep, we are. Been through a bunch together too.”

“Mr. Bryant, the one we're going after. Is he the same one who just took over Blue Sun a few months back?”

“The same,” Kaylee replied.

“How did a bigwig like that end up married to a Browncoat?”

“We rescued Allan in space bout a year and a half back. Stayed with the crew and he an Zoë fell in love. We was the one's who helped him get Blue Sun back.”

“Get it back?”

Kaylee looked apprehensive for a minute but then smiled, “Well Allan's kinda special. See he was born bout four hundred and fifty years ago back on Earth that was.”

“Shumma?”

“Allan founded Blue Sun on Earth that was. Built his own ship ta' chase after the exodus ships. Course it didn't go smooth and his ship hit a meteor or some such. Never got going as fast as it was supposed to. Instead o' bein in cryo for a hundred years, ended up bein four hundred.”

“Thats... quite a story.”

“And it's all true,” said Reggie from the door.

Marion smiled, “Hey Maj.”

“Better start calling me Reggie, Marion.”

“Might be hard.”

“You can do it. Kaylee? Mal wants everyone in the galley in twenty minutes for a planning session. You too Marion.”

“We'll be there.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Mal sat in the co-pilots seat. Staring at the blank cortex screen.

“The wave won't make itself,” River said quietly from her own seat.

“I know that Albatross. It's just...”

“You are reluctant to call for help.”

“You peekin?”

“Can't help it, My walls are down so I can listen for Allan.”

Mal nodded and sighed. He typed in a cortex address that two years ago would have been suicidal to call. Now it was one of Allan's best hopes for survival.

“Prime Minister's Office,” Said the woman on the screen.

“This is Captain Malcolm Reynolds. I need to speak with the PM.”

“The Prime Minister is very busy Captain. By the way, how did you get this address?”

“Mr. Farnsworth gave it to me personally. Would you please connect me? This is a bit of an emergency.”

“Like I said the PM is very...”

“Look... Allan Bryant has been kidnapped by a very bad man by the name of Adeli Niska,” Mal snapped, cutting the woman off, “And if Allan is going to live. We're gonna need some high powered help.”

“I'll connect you immediately Captain Reynolds.”

XXXXXXXXXX

As the crew gathered in the galley. Marion found a seat near Reggie. The big man, Jayne looked at her suspiciously.

Mal entered the room, River a a few steps behind. Zoë sat in her usual place, her arm draped across the back of Allan's chair. An untouched coffee mug in front of the first mate. Mal paused and placed his hand on his best friends shoulder and squeezed slightly.

Zoë didn't react but Mal felt the muscles in her shoulders relax a bit.

“Any word Capn'?” Kaylee asked.

“Still getting a hit every half hour, Lil' Kaylee. Ships got about a two hour head start on us.”

“We gonna hit em' in the black?” Jayne asked.

River shook her head, “The Cumberland class is five percent faster than we are, even at full burn. By the time we reach Ezra, the kidnappers will have arrived six hours prior.”

Jayne swore under his breath.

Mal spoke again, “I called the Prime Minister. Alliance is sending a destroyer with a hostage rescue team. They'll arrive two hours after we do. Oso is in charge.”

“Lot can happen ta' Gramps in them eight hours.” Jayne said.

“I know. Doc? How's Allan's health? Can he stand up to what me and Wash went through last time?”

“For a while,” Simon replied, glancing at Zoë. “He's older and if Niska uses electricity like last time... I'm worried about his heart. It's been less than a year since Allan had a major cardiac event.”

“What I was worryin on m'self,” Mal admitted. Throughout the exchange, Zoë sat stone faced.

“Why has Niska done this?” Inara asked.

“Revenge... and a trap,” Zoë said so quietly that her voice was nearly lost.

“What's that Zoë?” Mal asked.

“Allan's bait. Niska wants us. Needs to fix his reputation. No one crosses Niska and lives.”

“We did,” Kaylee pointed out.

“Barely,” Mal replied, tugging absently at his reattached ear.

“He's going to be expecting us.” Jayne said, “Don't bode well and we got two pregnant women on the ship.”

“That's why Kaylee and Inara are gonna break off in the shuttle and head down to Ezra while this is decided.”

“Mal...” Inara began.

“No argument Bao-bei. I ain't gonna risk you or our son. Same goes for Kaylee and her youngin. Alisha you too.”

“I ain't pregnant,” Alisha snapped.

“No, but while you can shoot, this is gonna be a bad one. I need you to guard 'Nara an Kaylee.”

“But...”

“Why are you arguin what's already been decided?”

“Fine.”

“What about her?” Jayne asked, indicating Marion.

“You're more than welcome to go with Inara. You signed up on this blind. Not knowin what you were heading for.”

Marion looked around the table and the faces looking back at her. Forcing a small smile she spoke.

“I appreciate the offer. But I think I'll stay and help.”

“I reckon that's your choice. Reggie?”

“I lost an arm protecting Allan. I'd do it again.”

“Guess it's decided then. Alisha, best you be getting started on dinner. After we eat, Reggie, Zoë and me are gonna start workin on a plan.”

“Best be includin River in that plannin session Mal,” Jayne said, “Less likely to have it get all humped up.”

“Everyone's makin a fuss...”

XXXXXXXXXX

“You sure this will work?”

“Of course Captain,” River smiled, “You, Jayne, Zoë and Reggie are the diversion while Marion and I attack the flank.”

“I ain't real comfortable with your part in this. Jumpin ship that far out...”

“It's simple math Mal,” River replied, using the Captain's name, “I could do equations like this when I was five.”

“Still...”

“And we will both have maneuvering units on our suits.”

“Fine,” Mal grumped.

“And we won't have to come in un-powered this time. The jammer Allan had installed during the refit will blind their sensors so that even you can dock Serenity,” River added.

“Are you disparigin my pilotin skills there Albatross?”

“No... you are just not as good as I or Allan are.”

“I'll give you that point...”

“If the jammer will blind their sensors, why not have Inara drop the girls off with the shuttle on the way?” Reggie asked.

“The shuttle does not have the proper airlock for an EVA,” River replied.

“But what if you and Marion ride outside in your suits. It would get you closer to the Skyplex. Give a bit better safety margin.”

River considered the suggestion for a moment and then smiled, “That would work. And it would allow Inara to help in her own way. She isn't happy about being on the sidelines.”

“Tell me about it,” Mal muttered.

River giggled.

“One more thing,” Zoë said suddenly. She had been quiet throughout the entire planning session, “Niska's mine.”

“Goes without sayin Zoë.” Mal replied.

“It's a good plan,” Zoë stated

“What's the Doc's job in all this?” Mal asked.

“Ge-ge will protect the ship.”

“How's he gonna do that?” Jayne asked his wife.

“He will need to borrow Vera.”

“No!”

“Please...” River whined.

“No ruttin way.”

“No sex for a month.”

“I can go that long.”

“Two months.”

“I... gorammit Riv. You sure know how to hurt a fella. Fine, Doc can use Vera,” Jayne acquiesced.

River replied by kissing her husband.

“River, put Jayne down, you don't know where he's been,” Zoë said suddenly. A slight grin on her face.

“Oh yes I do,” River replied. Then she knew that Zoë would be okay.

“Huh?” Mal grunted.

“Let's go get my husband,” Zoë said.

TBC