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: Last chapter in this arc. More to come as soon as I figure out what to do. I'm going to try and kick start my muse on Quest and finish that up soon.

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Guardians

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Chapter Ten

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Despite the tension involving Scott's homecoming, Mal was grateful at least something had gone right with the rest of the reunions.

The Captain smiled slightly as he watched Kaylee get a hug from her sister and mother while River embraced her mother. Mal was further surprised to see Gabriel pull Simon into a quick hug as well.

Off to the side, Jessie and her mother were sitting side by side on the Frye's porch, smiling as Jess told her mother all about her adventures on board Serenity.

Mal tried to hide a gin of his own when Zoëand Max slid up next to him, “Enough to bring a tear to the eye, Sir.”

“Almost, Zoë,” Mal replied.

“What happened with Scott's parents?” Max asked.

Mal lost the slight smile on his face and growled, “Scott's hwoon-dahn of a father rejected the boy. Told him to pack his stuff and get out.”

“What?” Max replied. Zoë's face hardened.

“Said the slaver's turned him sly...”

“The boy was raped. Big difference,” Zoë replied.

“Tell me about it,” Mal grumbled, “Xue even rose her voice to the moron. I think she's likin that boy.”

Zoë did smile a bit at that, “She is. Just what the boy needs too. A pretty girl makin eyes at him.”

Mal looked at his first mate, “I'd figure you would be the first one to be quashin your stepdaughter's love life.”

“Xue's a good kid, Sir. Besides, she's had a rough lot this last year. She deserves a chance to act like a teenager once in a while.”

Mal nodded, “I reckon that's true. She's so mature... Jess too. That I forget how young those girls actually are.”

“They grew up quick,” Maxine commented.

“That they did,” Mal agreed.

“What's going to happen to Scott?” Maxine asked.

“Not rightly sure,” Mal said with a sigh, “Boy needs some real councilin after what he's been through. Toss in what his Pa' did and it could make the boy pretty bitter.”

“Inara could help him,” Max suggested.

Mal snapped his head around at his cook, “Shumma?”

“Not like that, gutter brain,” Maxine chuckled, “Inara's a trained councilor. It's part of her companion training.”

Mal glared at Max for a moment. Then cracked a slight grin, “She has been speakin with him a bit. Doin it right now too. Xue's in there with em' both.”

“Good,” Zoë replied.

Mal looked over to where Tom Frye was walking towards them, “Mal... how'd it go at the Baxter place?” the older man asked as he got close.

Mal shook his head slightly, “Not good.”

After Mal filled in Kaylee's father, the mechanic was livid, “Always knew that hwoon dahn didn't deserve to have a good kid like Scott.”

“Does strike me odd that Scott is as good a kid as he is,” Mal replied.

“That's his mother's doin. Don't see how Mary ain't left him by now.”

“Did seem to rule her with an iron hand,” Mal commented.

“Been talk... just rumors mind you that Josh is a bit free with his fists.”

Mal growled and Zoë's face went hard.

“He hits her?” Maxine asked.

“Nothin confirmed,” Tom replied with a sad look on his face, “What's gonna happen with the boy?”

“Not sure yet, Mal replied, “Reckon I need to speak with Robert, Callie's brother.”

“He's on the way over. Best we have a sit down with him. Figure out what to do.”

“Good idea.”

XXXXXXXXXX

The reunited Tams along with Kaylee, her mother and Callie were sitting on the Frye's back porch, enjoying some refreshments.

Beth Frye had greeted Reagan Tam like a long lost sister. Something that had surprised her greatly.

“I'm so glad you all are alright,” Beth said sincerely.

“Thanks to our children and the crew of Serenity,” Reagan replied.

Gabriel nodded and looked at his son, “I'm proud of you Simon. River too.”

River smiled and squeezed her father's hand, “Just got you back. Not going to let anything happen to you.”

Reagan had a sad look on her face, “I'm just sad for the crew of the transport ship. Those... men that took us told us they blew up the ship.”

“We know,” Simon replied, “At least you and Dad are safe now.”

“I... Gabriel. Our things... I just realized...” Reagan stammered.

“They are just things, Reagan. They can be replaced.”

“But... the dresses...”

“What dresses?” Kaylee asked.

Regan sighed, “I took the liberty to have several wedding dresses made. It was supposed to be a surprise.”

Kaylee's eyes opened in surprise, “Weddin dresses?”

“We were going to spring a surprise wedding on you two,” Beth Frye admitted.

“Surprise... wedding...” Simon squeaked.

“You two are engaged,” Beth said, “And I do want to see you two hitched while I'm young enough to enjoy any grandchildren that might come along.”

Kaylee had to giggle at the expression on her Fiancé's face, “Momma... I think you just broke Simon's brain.”

Reagan smiled while Gabriel let out a snort of amusement. After a moment he spoke, “Come on son. Let's leave the ladies to talk...”

“Good... idea...” Simon stammered.

“Come on Simon,” Gabriel smiled, “We need to speak ourselves anyway.”

“Um... yeah...”

XXXXXXXXXX

Maxine walked along the stockade fence behind Tom Frye's repair shop. Her quarry was sitting on the top rail just staring off into space. Slowing her pace, the redhead smiled, “Scott?”

The young man jumped.

“Sorry,” Max apologized.

“It's okay,” the teen replied, “Just lost in thought.”

“What I figured.”

“I just don't understand it... I know I'm not sly... But my dad...”

Maxine climbed up on the fence next to Scott, putting her arm around his shoulder, “Some folks are funny about sly folk. Homophobia is the official term. My father is one of the worst...”

“Shenme?”

“I am sly, Scott. My father disowned me when I was eighteen. Tried to beat it outta me when I was sixteen. I tried to hide it. Even dated a few boys to keep him off the track. O'course one o' the boys I was datin was as sly as me. We were just friends.”

“But he still disowned you,” Scott said.

“Yep. Bein sly was was just part of it. Other part was I got drafted into the Alliance army day after my eighteenth birthday. My father was so independent, he bled more brown than the Captain.”

Scott chuckled slightly.

“That was the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak,” Maxine continued, “You see, we got many things in common.”

“I guess...” Scott trailed off.

“Goes further than just our father's kicking us out. I got raped too...”

Scott's eyes widened, “You...”

Max nodded, “My platoon sergeant. He was kinda like my dad... Didn't like sly folk. Took it in his mind that I just needed to have a 'real' man show me what I was missin. Turned me off men for the rest o' my life.”

Scott nodded in comprehension, “I can see that. I... this is hard to talk about... you know?”

“You're doing great,” Maxine smiled.

“I... I mean I'd thought about what it might be like with another guy... Never tried mind you. I like girls...”

“Perfectly normal, Scott. Puberty can be hell.”

Scott snorted and nodded, “Anyway... After what I been through, Bein with a man is the last thing on my mind.”

“We're in the same boat then,” Max smiled.

A small smile crossed Scott's face. The first Maxine had seen for a few days, “I guess we are.”

“You like Xue, don't you...” Max said. It wasn't a question but a statement.

Scott suddenly looked nervous, “Um... I...”

Maxine smiled at the boy, “It's okay. She's a good girl. I know she likes you too.”

Scott relaxed slightly, “I like her a lot.”

Maxine's smile got wider as she pulled a small bag of platinum from her pocket, “There's a small ice cream stand down the road at the next farm. Why don't you go grab Xue and take her her down there.”

“I...”

“Go on... Don't worry about Zoë or the Captain.”

“Thanks, Maxine.”

“No problem. Now scoot.”

“Scooting,” Scott smiled before jumping down from the fence and nearly running in the direction of Serenity.

As the boy headed for the ship, Zoë slipped around the corner of the repair shop, “Handled that well.”

“I been where he's been,” Max replied as she slipped off the fence.

Zoë smiled and pulled Max into her arms, “Still. You're helpin the boy.”

“We all need some help once in a while.”

“That we do,” Zoë smiled in agreement.

“Up for some ice cream?”

“Huh?” Zoë asked.

“I think we better chaperon,” Maxine smiled, “I ain't worried about Scott...”

Zoë nodded, “Xue's libel to drag the boy off into the fields.”

“Just what I was thinkin... you're too young to be a grandma...”

Zoë's jaw dropped before Maxine giggled and broke from her grasp, running for the road.

A huge smile broke out on the First Mate's face as she gave chase, “You are so gonna get it later!”

As she ran, Max looked back over her shoulder, “That's what I'm counting on!”

XXXXXXXXXX

After the ice cream stand, Zoë and Max walked Scott and Xue back to the Frye place. Xue shot her mother and her partner a few exasperated glances on the walk back. The women ignored her glares and didn't say anything as both couples walked hand in hand.

“There you are!” Beth Frye called out as they walked down the driveway.

“Just went for some ice cream, Beth,” Zoë replied as they approached.

“What I figured. Hope you all didn't ruin your appetites. Got a big feed planned for tonight.”

“Need a hand?” Maxine asked.

“Might,” Beth replied. “Tween you, Kaylee and Jenny. We'll be able to put on a right good shindig. Tom's already corralled Jayne into helpin with the steaks.”

Zoë looked over to where Kaylee's father and Serenity's mercenary were pouring charcoal into an old fuel tank, Tom had remade into a grill. With a smile, she looked to Scott, “Why don't you go give em' a hand.”

The young man nodded and squeezed Xue's hand before heading over to the two men. Zoë inclined her head in Beth's direction and Max nodded, leading the older woman back to the house. Leaving Zoë with her stepdaughter.

“So...” Zoë began.

Xue rolled her eyes, “Is this where you give me the 'Talk'?”

Zoë sputtered for a second before regaining her composure. She then thought back to when she had gotten a similar 'Talk' from her own mother at about Xue's age. She nodded slightly.

Xue began, “Mom... Scott and I haven't even kissed... yet.”

Zoë snorted in amusement at her stepdaughters use of the word, 'yet'. “I know, sweetie. But you are willful young woman. I'm sure there will be a yet and pretty soon, I'm reckonin. As Maxine told me today, I'm too young to be a Grandma.”

Xue giggled, “Not for a while, Mom... Simon's already got me on the shot... like all the women on Serenity.”

That statement startled Zoë for a half second. Until she remembered that Xue was right. Even She and Max were on the shot. Not for birth control per say but to prevent the other complications of space travel. You sometimes couldn't just run to the store for feminine supplies when your monthlies started if you were out in the black.

“Okay... I'm not gonna be a grandmother yet. Still...”

“I'm not ready, Mom,” Xue said.

“You aren't?”

Xue shook her head, “I want it to be right. I'm not sure if Scott is that one or not. I don't know if I'll ever see him again after we leave... There's just too much uncertainty.”

Zoë couldn't help the look of pride that showed on her face. She thanked whomever was responsible for making sure Xue's mother and great aunt raised her right. It sure made Zoë's job that much easier.

“I reckon you're right on that. But Meadow is gonna be a regular stop for us with Jessie's mom and of course Kaylee's folks. You'll see Scott again.”

Xue nodded, “I know that in my head. But in here...” She trailed off holding her hand to her chest.

Zoë smiled, “I know what you mean, Sweetie.”

A smile on her face, Xue gave her stepmother a hug, “Thanks for understanding, Mom.”

“You're welcome, Xue.”

XXXXXXXXXX

After dinner, the crew settled onto various chairs, crates and stools around the bonfire set in the Frye's back yard. Inara nestled into Mal's arms where they sat on a blanket while Kaylee sat in Simon's lap, feeding him the leftovers of the huge strawberry shortcake she had made.

Jess, Xue and Scott sat together, laughing about something. Jayne had dug out his guitar and was strumming a quiet melody while River slowly danced to the music.

Gabrial and Reagan Tam along with Kaylee's parents sat at the picnic table and chatted. It still surprised Simon how quickly his core socialite parents had made friends with the rim born Frye's. The doctor did notice that his mother jumped at every little sound. A leftover from the stress of the kidnapping.

Simon and his father had a long conversation about what had happened to them earlier in the day. Also the two men worked on mending the rift in their relationship. They still weren't as close as they had been before River went to the academy but they were much closer then they had been even after the battle on Osiris. And Simon was glad for that.

Roberta threw back the last of her beer and stood from where she had been sitting next to Maxine and Zoë. Stretching, the former marine wandered over to where the newest member of their little crew was sitting by herself.

“Nice night,” Bobbie said as she sat next to Mia.

The nurse nodded, “It is.”

Bobbie noticed the thoughtful look on Mia's face, “Something wrong?”

Mia shook her head, “No... just pondering what's happening in my life. Been a wild ride the last few weeks.”

“I know the feeling.”

“Bobbie... you... like me, don't you.”

“Of course. You're a good person.”

“I mean more than that...”

“I am sly, Mia. And you are a beautiful woman,” Bobbie said honestly.

Mia nodded, “I've always been open minded... but I don't know...”

Bobbie shook her head, “It's okay. I'm not pressuring you. Last thing I'd want to do. Like you said, your life has been a rough ride these last few weeks. You've lost your family, your freedom and your dignity. You've got your freedom and dignity back. And maybe a new, more than a little dysfunctional family.”

Mia had to grin at Bobbies description of the crew of Serenity, “Think you're right about the dysfunctional part.”

“They seem to work though...”

“They... we do.”

Bobbie smiled at the younger woman, “You're healing.”

“I think I am. Having you as a friend helps.”

Bobbie nodded with a smile but inwardly felt a little pang of disappointment, “You're my friend too.”

Mia took Bobbie's hand and squeezed it, “I'm not ready for anyone... male or female as anything more than a friend right now. I've always considered myself heterosexual. But after what's happened... I don't know what I want. I trust all the men on the crew and since they already have someone. Meeting someone from the outside is scary. If I ever get to the point that I want someone in my life... male or female. They will have to be many things. Strong, brave and compassionate to start with. Being able to kick pi-gu doesn't hurt either...”

Bobbie giggled slightly at the last part of Mia's statement.

“And if I decide I want to be... with a woman,” Mia continued, “Be assured that you would be that woman... if, I decide that is.”

“I can wait,” Bobbie replied, with a bit brighter look in her eyes, “And in the meantime, we'll still be friends.”

“Thank you,” Mia replied.

“I see good things,” River said suddenly from out of the darkness.

Bobbie and Mia both jumped.

“Ye Soo, River!” Bobbie cried out.

“Sorry,” the psychic replied with a sly grin.

“How the hell did you sneak up on me?” Bobbie asked.

“You were distracted... and I can sneak up on anyone.”

“I think you're right about that, River,” Mia chuckled.

Bobbie scowled, “I'm a trained scout and sniper... no one has been able to sneak up on me in years...”

“I have an unfair advantage.”

“You're probably right, Girl,” the former marine admitted.

“Come on,” River grinned, “Kaylee brought out the marshmallows!”

With shared grins, Mia and Bobbie followed the pilot back to the rest of their self described, dysfunctional family.

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The End