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crossoverficTitle: Lazarus Man
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
airforcegrrl
Fandoms: Highlander and Firefly
Rating: R
Warnings: None that I know of, other than some mild violence and blood.
Pairings (if applicable): Possible ones to come between Book and Maxine and Jayne and Maxine
Character(s) (if applicable): Entire crew of Serenity and Maxine
Summary: I don't want to give away too much of the story, but the basic premise is what would happen if one of the crew members of Serenity found out there were an Immortal.
Just updated with Chapter 3
All characters used are either from Firefly itself or of my own creation. The Highlander aspects are purely in concept form rather than specific series characters. Firefly was born of the mind of Joss Whedon and is owned by Fox. Highlander is owned by Davis-Panzer Productions, Inc. The character Maxine and the story concept are of my own creation.
Lazarus Man (WIP)
A Firefly/Highlander Crossover
By: Corinne D.
Original posted here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/airforcegrrl/58691.html
“I need adrenalin!” Simon barked as he hastily cut Jayne’s shirt open. Zoe reached across Jayne’s chest and connected two monitoring leads to his chest. The infirmary was utter chaos.
“Oh god…Jayne...” Kaylee cried from the doorway.
“Book!” Mal shouted and looked from him to Kaylee. Book silently understood. Zoe ran an IV as Simon grabbed his operating instruments.
“We’re losing him.” Simon looked at the monitors his scalpel in hand. Jayne’s eye lids fluttered as his eyes rolled up into his head. The monitor let out a high pitched whine.
“He’s crashing!” Simon yelled as he dropped the scalpel. Mal and Zoe were in a rush, hands moving lightening fast to get everything set up.
“Clear!”
A spike on the monitor and then nothing.
“Clear!”
Another spike and then flat.
“Clear!”
“Come on, come on.” Kaylee prayed.
“Clear!”
Sheppard Book muttered a prayer as he held Kaylee to his side. Jayne lay still on the table and for a few seconds everyone just stopped and stared at him.
“Turn it off.” Mal said somberly as he looked to Zoe. She turned the monitor off and everything fell silent. Kaylee buried her head against Book’s chest. Simon looked up and around at everyone, his mouth open but the words caught in his throat.
“What the?!” Zoe and everyone’s eyes stared down at Jayne’s chest. The skin that was pierced by the bullets moved and writhed, as if something was trying to push itself out. A small blue electric bolt oozed its way out and swirled around the wounds opening. Slowly with each turn the wound closed in on itself. Jayne’s body shuddered as he took a breath. Kaylee screamed and Book moved her behind himself for protection. Jayne sat straight up and everyone took a step back in disbelief. He took a few more breaths before looking up.
“What’s everyone staring at?” he grunted.
“You’r-You’re dead.” Kaylee pointed at him.
“Gooramit girl, I’m sitting up ain’t I?” Jayne heaved himself off the table. Simon took another step back.
“You had two fatal shots to the chest.” Simon stated plainly.
“Jayne, he’s right. You should be dead.” Zoe added.
“Well I ain’t. Doc fixed me up good as new, didn’t you doc.” Jayne turned his attention to Simon and then to Mal.
“Jayne.” Mal moved between them, “There’s no wound.” He pointed to Jayne’s chest, “Not anywhere.”
“What are you…”Jayne stopped in mid-sentence as he looked at his chest. He ran his hands over the areas where he had been shot. The skin was unblemished, except for a small amount of blood in each area. He muttered something in Chinese and looked to Simon.
“What’d you do to me?!” he roared and lunged after Simon. Kaylee screamed again and ran out of the infirmary. Mal pushed Simon out of the way and grappled for Jayne’s arms. Both of them fell over onto the table and trays of instruments. Zoe joined in the fray and wrestled to keep him down.
“Sheppard!” she yelled. Book ran for the drawers searching through them all to find a sedative. With one great heave Jayne tossed both Zoe and Mal off of him and took off out the door.
“Jayne!!” Mal yelled and everyone took off in pursuit. Jayne ran up through the corridors and towards the extra shuttle.
“Jayne, you’re…” but before Inara could finish her sentence Jayne shoved her out of the way.
“Jayne!” Mal’s voice echoed from behind him. Zoe stopped to check on Inara as Book and Mal ran around her. It was too late; Jayne was all ready on board and prepping the shuttle for take-off. Mal slammed his hands on the door and cursed in Chinese.
A little more than a month later…
Mal stepped onto the bridge and stopped short of the pilot chair. He folded his arms across his chest and stared out into space.
"Anything?" he asked. Wash looked up briefly before returning his attention back to the cortex control panel.
"Nothing." Wash replied as he flipped a few more switches.
"Keep trying. Jayne has to pop up sometime." Mal said and turned to leave the bridge. Zoe passed him in the hall, Mal gave her a hard look, as she continued to the bridge.
"Nothing on the Cortex?" she asked as she laid a hand on his shoulder. Wash placed his hand over hers and shook his head.
"You think he's still alive?" Wash asked looking up at her.
"I don't think anything in the Verse can kill him now." she replied thinking back to the day Jayne left.
Inara was in her shuttle pulling the curtain down over her vid screen when Mal entered.
“Captain.” She greeted without turning to see who it was.
“How’d you know it was me?” He asked perplexed.
“You’re the only one on this ship that doesn’t knock before entering.” She stood and turned to face him.
“Yes, well I’m in a bit of a hurry.” He responded shortly.
“Aren’t you always?” Inara began to busy herself tidying her shuttle.
“I don’t want to banter, as much fun as that’ll be, so I’ll get to the point. This friend of yours,”
“Maxine.”
“Yes, Maxine, you said she can help us.” Mal paused, “Help us find Jayne.”
“If that it still your goal.” Inara replied rather coolly.
“Yes that is still my goal. Make the call.”
On the terra formed moon of Credence two riders on horse back sped along the edge of the dense forest urging their mounts faster. Just behind them several other mounted riders as well as a small aircraft followed in close pursuit. Jayne looked behind and cursed in Chinese. He smacked the rear of his horse with his reigns and yelled for it to go faster. Close behind was his partner Scooter, a smaller less imposing man, who looked to be scared witless. Jayne checked behind them again and yanked the reigns forcing his horse to dive into the forest. His partner followed, crashing through undergrowth and fallen trees. Their pursuers followed suit veering into the forest while the aircraft continued on searching for a less dense area to navigate. Jayne and Scooter started to separate as they fled hoping to force the group behind them to spread out. A few of the horses behind them stumbled on obstacles in their path, throwing their riders from them. The main grouped continued pursuit without stopping. Scooter checked behind him, 3 riders had broken off from the main group to pursue him.
"We're not gonna make it." He said to himself as he smacked his horse to urge it on. Jayne pulled one of his side arms and took aim. He fired a shot, a just missed one of the 4 riders behind him. He fired again and took out a horse who tossed it’s rider as its knees buckled beneath it. Jayne grinned and took aim again. His third shot only grazed one of the men. He looked back the direction he has headed and ducked quickly, narrowly avoiding the large tree branch that was approaching his face. His back, however, scraped the entire underside of the branch. He cursed again in Chinese. Scooter worked his way closer to Jayne. The riders behind them slowly closed the distance between them.
"We're not gonna make it!" he yelled toward Jayne.
"Yes we are!" he yelled back and shifted his direction to meet up with Scooter. Both of their mounts were starting to froth from the mouth with the exertion. The pursuers began to open fire causing them both to duck. The forest started to thin and open up on an open field. On the far side a small space transport cargo ship was parked. They urged their horses faster as they made their way across the field to the ship. Jayne turned around and fired randomly at the men behind them, who returned fire. Of the dozen or so shots exchanged only a few made their mark, dropping two more men from their ranks. Both Jayne and Scooter sported fresh graze marks on their arms and shoulders. As they neared the ship Jayne took out a remote and pointed it at the ship and pressed a button. The cargo hatch slid noisily open and several gun shots deflected off the ship. They put on a last burst of speed and didn't slow till they were practically on top of the ship. Their pursuers continued their hail of gun fire. They dismounted quickly, grabbing their bags and sprinted toward the ship ducking and dodging as they went. One shot hit Jayne clear through his thigh. He stumbled and cried out in pain. Angrily he hauled himself up and limped the last few feet aboard the ship. Scooter was all ready aboard and standing by the door controls. He yelled for Jayne to hurry as he ducked behind the wall to avoid a shot aimed for his head, his hand hit the button to close the door. Jayne threw himself the last few feet inside the ship, he slid ungracefully into a stack of crates. A few more bullets zinged through the closing doors as Scooter hurried to the pilot controls. He hastily ran through the procedure to get the aircraft airborne and in a few short minutes the ship lifted off. As they sped into the sky Jayne limped into the co-pilot chair and slumped back.
"You all right, Jayne?" Scooter asked.
"Shiny." he sighed. The scrape wounds on his face started to mend themselves together as little blue electric bolts streaked across the wounds healing it closed.
During this time, a few planets away, Serenity landed on Highgate, one of the central planets of the Alliance. Most of the crew had assembled in the cargo hold to meet their new passenger. Mal opened the hold door allowing a cloaked individual to enter. Inara stepped forward.
“Mei mei.” Maxine said as she pulled her hood back. Inara smiled and embraced her tightly.
“It has been too long.” Inara stepped back. Maxine put her bag on the floor and removed her cloak.
“It has, even for me.” Maxine replied with a smile. Her long black hair was tied in a loose braid across her shoulder. It silhouetted her classic Greek features, high cheekbones, small straight nose, dark eyes, and olive skin. Her long flowing dress was deep red and patterned in gold.
“Shiny.” Kaylee breathed.
“This must be Kaylee.” Maxine smiled to her, “I’ve heard so much about you. About you all.” Maxine turned to the others.
“This is Zoe, Simon, and River.” Inara pointed to each of them in turn, “and this is,”
“Captain Malcolm Reynolds.” Mal stepped forward and held out his hand. Maxine took it and curtsied.
“I am at your disposal, sir.” Maxine inclined her head.
“That you are.” Mal stated, a tightness in his voice. He turned and walked away adding, “We take off after we refuel and load up on supplies.”
“You can stay in the shuttle with me.” Inara spoke as she poured tea for her and Maxine. They had retired to her shuttle for some privacy as they waited for the other crew members to return.
“Guest quarters will suit me just fine. Besides I believe it will keep dear Capt Reynolds relaxed.” Maxine picked up her tea and took a sip.
“Not likely.” Inara smiled, mostly to herself.
“He has cause for alarm. Everyone on board does. This situation is more complicated than even you realize.” Maxine set her cup down.
“How so?” Inara and Mal stated simultaneously. Both women looked toward the door, Inara rolled her eyes.
“What have I said to you about knocking?”
Mal ignored her comment and positioned himself in front of Maxine.
“How so?” He repeated, an angry lilt to his voice.
“If Jayne is everything I have heard getting him back may not be easy or even accomplished.” Maxine answered matter of factly.
“Well Jayne can be a might bit stubborn when his mind is set.”
”Stubborn?” Maxine tried to contain her humor. She looked to Inara, “You did explain?”
“What I knew.” She replied.
“Well let’s get it all out.” Mal demanded. Maxine stood and smoothed out her dress before answering.
“Have everyone gather in the kitchen.” She finally said.
“Now what makes you think,”
“I hate repeating myself.” Maxine growled and brushed past Mal on her way out.
It did not take long for those on board to assemble, however they had to wait for Wash and Book to return from gathering supplies. The tension in the room between Mal and Maxine was thick. He paced the room while Maxine was perched delicately on a chair. Book and Wash entered their eyes falling on Maxine. She smiled to them both, her eyes lingering a little longer on Book.
“Everyone looks so glum. Did I miss something?” Wash asked as he sat next to his wife.
“Nothing worth seeing, lover.” She put her hand on his thigh and leaned in to kiss him.
“Would anyone like some refreshments before,”
“You know a person could think you were avoiding this chat with talk like that.” Mal interrupted Maxine as he paced around behind her. He stopped arms folded, glowering down at her. Maxine rolled her shoulders and Inara placed her hand in Maxine’s.
“What I am about to reveal will place you all in danger from others of my kind. There are rules, one of which is not letting mortals know of our existence. It places them in danger, not to mention the government anarchy it would cause if this knowledge got out.”
“Entire legions of Immortal troops for war.” Zoe sat back and crossed her arms. Maxine nodded.
“Our war is ours alone. The battle between good and evil, many of us take great strides to ensure it stays silent. But there are those that would not hesitate to destroy a mortal that got in their way. Or find a mortal in possession of this knowledge as a threat. I must ask that it stays in this very room, on this very ship. Do you understand?”
Vague nods and murmurs of approval filtered around the room.
“No one of us knows for sure why we were created, but our goal is simple, keep fighting until the Gathering, and the hope that good wins to lead mankind into peace, or fall to darkness forever.”
“So this epic battle, has being going on right under our noses?” Wash laughed nervously, “For centuries?”
“Millennia actually, the eldest known of our kind is over 5000 years old.”
Simon choked on his drink.
“That’s not physically possible.” He blurted, “There would be millions of you populating the world. The human body cannot biologically exist for that long even under perfect conditions.”
Maxine smiled, an amusing smile, more to herself than anything.
“Immortals cannot reproduce, we are incapable from birth to have children. We also do not suffer from broken bones before our first mortal death. After that our bodies heal and recover rapidly. The only way to kill an Immortal is to take their head and with it their power.”
“Is that your plan? To take Jayne’s head?” Mal’s hand instinctively went to his side, hovering just above his weapon.
“Jayne’s head would not be worthwhile. He’s too young. Besides I came to help you find him and to train him. He needs to be able to defend himself from those looking for his head.”
“So others know about what happened to Jayne?” Kaylee wrung her hands.
“That I do not know. It depends on how far he has gotten and if there are others he’s come across. He may all ready be dead for all I know, but knowing what little I know of him, that is highly unlikely.” Maxine smiled again.
“I am hearing a lot of ifs and maybes.” Mal leaned over Maxine, “How do I know you won’t double cross us and take Jayne for your own selfish reasons.”
“Choosing to trust me is a choice only you can make.” Maxine whirled out of her chair and put distance between herself and Mal, “If I am not welcome here, then I will take my leave. Keep the currency I have given you.” Maxine turned to the others, “I wish you luck finding him.” And with that she left the kitchen.
“Dammit Mal.” Inara stood up.
”Wait, she’s not going to help us find Jayne now.” Kaylee stood also.
“Mal I thought that was the point of all this?” Wash raised his voice as everyone in the kitchen started to get up and voice their concerns. Mal walked out and Inara took off after him.
“You cannot let her leave.” She yelled at him.
“The hell I can’t.”
“You need her. You asked for me to bring her here and then you insult her.” Inara raged at him.
“I didn’t know she was a stone cold killer. How the hell do I know if she’s going to help us or kill us all for knowing this Secret?” He stopped to face her. In the cargo hold below them Maxine had her bag in hand as she hurriedly made her way down the stairs. She was hastily folding her cloak as she made her way to the door. She had not realized Book was there till she nearly ran into him.
“Please move.” She said.
“I think you are being a bit irrational.” Book answered hands at his sides.
“And I think you are blocking my exit.”
He didn’t respond, only met her eyes, a coolness in his response.
“Please move.” Maxine asked, her voice rising slightly. His eyes searched hers but he still wouldn’t move.
“In tyen shiao duh I will not have this argument with you again, Derrial!” Maxine yelled and pushed him. Everything stopped for the briefest of moments. Kaylee on her way down the stairs. River leaning over the hand rail. Mal and Inara’s argument on the cat walk above. Maxine’s eyes filled with tears as the words caught in her throat. Book didn’t respond nor move, he stood as unmoving as before. Maxine collapsed on the ground weeping.
“Mei mei.” Inara gasped and ran to her.
Author:
airforcegrrlFandoms: Highlander and Firefly
Rating: R
Warnings: None that I know of, other than some mild violence and blood.
Pairings (if applicable): Possible ones to come between Book and Maxine and Jayne and Maxine
Character(s) (if applicable): Entire crew of Serenity and Maxine
Summary: I don't want to give away too much of the story, but the basic premise is what would happen if one of the crew members of Serenity found out there were an Immortal.
Just updated with Chapter 3
All characters used are either from Firefly itself or of my own creation. The Highlander aspects are purely in concept form rather than specific series characters. Firefly was born of the mind of Joss Whedon and is owned by Fox. Highlander is owned by Davis-Panzer Productions, Inc. The character Maxine and the story concept are of my own creation.
Lazarus Man (WIP)
A Firefly/Highlander Crossover
By: Corinne D.
Original posted here: http://www.livejournal.com/users/airforcegrrl/58691.html
“I need adrenalin!” Simon barked as he hastily cut Jayne’s shirt open. Zoe reached across Jayne’s chest and connected two monitoring leads to his chest. The infirmary was utter chaos.
“Oh god…Jayne...” Kaylee cried from the doorway.
“Book!” Mal shouted and looked from him to Kaylee. Book silently understood. Zoe ran an IV as Simon grabbed his operating instruments.
“We’re losing him.” Simon looked at the monitors his scalpel in hand. Jayne’s eye lids fluttered as his eyes rolled up into his head. The monitor let out a high pitched whine.
“He’s crashing!” Simon yelled as he dropped the scalpel. Mal and Zoe were in a rush, hands moving lightening fast to get everything set up.
“Clear!”
A spike on the monitor and then nothing.
“Clear!”
Another spike and then flat.
“Clear!”
“Come on, come on.” Kaylee prayed.
“Clear!”
Sheppard Book muttered a prayer as he held Kaylee to his side. Jayne lay still on the table and for a few seconds everyone just stopped and stared at him.
“Turn it off.” Mal said somberly as he looked to Zoe. She turned the monitor off and everything fell silent. Kaylee buried her head against Book’s chest. Simon looked up and around at everyone, his mouth open but the words caught in his throat.
“What the?!” Zoe and everyone’s eyes stared down at Jayne’s chest. The skin that was pierced by the bullets moved and writhed, as if something was trying to push itself out. A small blue electric bolt oozed its way out and swirled around the wounds opening. Slowly with each turn the wound closed in on itself. Jayne’s body shuddered as he took a breath. Kaylee screamed and Book moved her behind himself for protection. Jayne sat straight up and everyone took a step back in disbelief. He took a few more breaths before looking up.
“What’s everyone staring at?” he grunted.
“You’r-You’re dead.” Kaylee pointed at him.
“Gooramit girl, I’m sitting up ain’t I?” Jayne heaved himself off the table. Simon took another step back.
“You had two fatal shots to the chest.” Simon stated plainly.
“Jayne, he’s right. You should be dead.” Zoe added.
“Well I ain’t. Doc fixed me up good as new, didn’t you doc.” Jayne turned his attention to Simon and then to Mal.
“Jayne.” Mal moved between them, “There’s no wound.” He pointed to Jayne’s chest, “Not anywhere.”
“What are you…”Jayne stopped in mid-sentence as he looked at his chest. He ran his hands over the areas where he had been shot. The skin was unblemished, except for a small amount of blood in each area. He muttered something in Chinese and looked to Simon.
“What’d you do to me?!” he roared and lunged after Simon. Kaylee screamed again and ran out of the infirmary. Mal pushed Simon out of the way and grappled for Jayne’s arms. Both of them fell over onto the table and trays of instruments. Zoe joined in the fray and wrestled to keep him down.
“Sheppard!” she yelled. Book ran for the drawers searching through them all to find a sedative. With one great heave Jayne tossed both Zoe and Mal off of him and took off out the door.
“Jayne!!” Mal yelled and everyone took off in pursuit. Jayne ran up through the corridors and towards the extra shuttle.
“Jayne, you’re…” but before Inara could finish her sentence Jayne shoved her out of the way.
“Jayne!” Mal’s voice echoed from behind him. Zoe stopped to check on Inara as Book and Mal ran around her. It was too late; Jayne was all ready on board and prepping the shuttle for take-off. Mal slammed his hands on the door and cursed in Chinese.
A little more than a month later…
Mal stepped onto the bridge and stopped short of the pilot chair. He folded his arms across his chest and stared out into space.
"Anything?" he asked. Wash looked up briefly before returning his attention back to the cortex control panel.
"Nothing." Wash replied as he flipped a few more switches.
"Keep trying. Jayne has to pop up sometime." Mal said and turned to leave the bridge. Zoe passed him in the hall, Mal gave her a hard look, as she continued to the bridge.
"Nothing on the Cortex?" she asked as she laid a hand on his shoulder. Wash placed his hand over hers and shook his head.
"You think he's still alive?" Wash asked looking up at her.
"I don't think anything in the Verse can kill him now." she replied thinking back to the day Jayne left.
Inara was in her shuttle pulling the curtain down over her vid screen when Mal entered.
“Captain.” She greeted without turning to see who it was.
“How’d you know it was me?” He asked perplexed.
“You’re the only one on this ship that doesn’t knock before entering.” She stood and turned to face him.
“Yes, well I’m in a bit of a hurry.” He responded shortly.
“Aren’t you always?” Inara began to busy herself tidying her shuttle.
“I don’t want to banter, as much fun as that’ll be, so I’ll get to the point. This friend of yours,”
“Maxine.”
“Yes, Maxine, you said she can help us.” Mal paused, “Help us find Jayne.”
“If that it still your goal.” Inara replied rather coolly.
“Yes that is still my goal. Make the call.”
On the terra formed moon of Credence two riders on horse back sped along the edge of the dense forest urging their mounts faster. Just behind them several other mounted riders as well as a small aircraft followed in close pursuit. Jayne looked behind and cursed in Chinese. He smacked the rear of his horse with his reigns and yelled for it to go faster. Close behind was his partner Scooter, a smaller less imposing man, who looked to be scared witless. Jayne checked behind them again and yanked the reigns forcing his horse to dive into the forest. His partner followed, crashing through undergrowth and fallen trees. Their pursuers followed suit veering into the forest while the aircraft continued on searching for a less dense area to navigate. Jayne and Scooter started to separate as they fled hoping to force the group behind them to spread out. A few of the horses behind them stumbled on obstacles in their path, throwing their riders from them. The main grouped continued pursuit without stopping. Scooter checked behind him, 3 riders had broken off from the main group to pursue him.
"We're not gonna make it." He said to himself as he smacked his horse to urge it on. Jayne pulled one of his side arms and took aim. He fired a shot, a just missed one of the 4 riders behind him. He fired again and took out a horse who tossed it’s rider as its knees buckled beneath it. Jayne grinned and took aim again. His third shot only grazed one of the men. He looked back the direction he has headed and ducked quickly, narrowly avoiding the large tree branch that was approaching his face. His back, however, scraped the entire underside of the branch. He cursed again in Chinese. Scooter worked his way closer to Jayne. The riders behind them slowly closed the distance between them.
"We're not gonna make it!" he yelled toward Jayne.
"Yes we are!" he yelled back and shifted his direction to meet up with Scooter. Both of their mounts were starting to froth from the mouth with the exertion. The pursuers began to open fire causing them both to duck. The forest started to thin and open up on an open field. On the far side a small space transport cargo ship was parked. They urged their horses faster as they made their way across the field to the ship. Jayne turned around and fired randomly at the men behind them, who returned fire. Of the dozen or so shots exchanged only a few made their mark, dropping two more men from their ranks. Both Jayne and Scooter sported fresh graze marks on their arms and shoulders. As they neared the ship Jayne took out a remote and pointed it at the ship and pressed a button. The cargo hatch slid noisily open and several gun shots deflected off the ship. They put on a last burst of speed and didn't slow till they were practically on top of the ship. Their pursuers continued their hail of gun fire. They dismounted quickly, grabbing their bags and sprinted toward the ship ducking and dodging as they went. One shot hit Jayne clear through his thigh. He stumbled and cried out in pain. Angrily he hauled himself up and limped the last few feet aboard the ship. Scooter was all ready aboard and standing by the door controls. He yelled for Jayne to hurry as he ducked behind the wall to avoid a shot aimed for his head, his hand hit the button to close the door. Jayne threw himself the last few feet inside the ship, he slid ungracefully into a stack of crates. A few more bullets zinged through the closing doors as Scooter hurried to the pilot controls. He hastily ran through the procedure to get the aircraft airborne and in a few short minutes the ship lifted off. As they sped into the sky Jayne limped into the co-pilot chair and slumped back.
"You all right, Jayne?" Scooter asked.
"Shiny." he sighed. The scrape wounds on his face started to mend themselves together as little blue electric bolts streaked across the wounds healing it closed.
During this time, a few planets away, Serenity landed on Highgate, one of the central planets of the Alliance. Most of the crew had assembled in the cargo hold to meet their new passenger. Mal opened the hold door allowing a cloaked individual to enter. Inara stepped forward.
“Mei mei.” Maxine said as she pulled her hood back. Inara smiled and embraced her tightly.
“It has been too long.” Inara stepped back. Maxine put her bag on the floor and removed her cloak.
“It has, even for me.” Maxine replied with a smile. Her long black hair was tied in a loose braid across her shoulder. It silhouetted her classic Greek features, high cheekbones, small straight nose, dark eyes, and olive skin. Her long flowing dress was deep red and patterned in gold.
“Shiny.” Kaylee breathed.
“This must be Kaylee.” Maxine smiled to her, “I’ve heard so much about you. About you all.” Maxine turned to the others.
“This is Zoe, Simon, and River.” Inara pointed to each of them in turn, “and this is,”
“Captain Malcolm Reynolds.” Mal stepped forward and held out his hand. Maxine took it and curtsied.
“I am at your disposal, sir.” Maxine inclined her head.
“That you are.” Mal stated, a tightness in his voice. He turned and walked away adding, “We take off after we refuel and load up on supplies.”
“You can stay in the shuttle with me.” Inara spoke as she poured tea for her and Maxine. They had retired to her shuttle for some privacy as they waited for the other crew members to return.
“Guest quarters will suit me just fine. Besides I believe it will keep dear Capt Reynolds relaxed.” Maxine picked up her tea and took a sip.
“Not likely.” Inara smiled, mostly to herself.
“He has cause for alarm. Everyone on board does. This situation is more complicated than even you realize.” Maxine set her cup down.
“How so?” Inara and Mal stated simultaneously. Both women looked toward the door, Inara rolled her eyes.
“What have I said to you about knocking?”
Mal ignored her comment and positioned himself in front of Maxine.
“How so?” He repeated, an angry lilt to his voice.
“If Jayne is everything I have heard getting him back may not be easy or even accomplished.” Maxine answered matter of factly.
“Well Jayne can be a might bit stubborn when his mind is set.”
”Stubborn?” Maxine tried to contain her humor. She looked to Inara, “You did explain?”
“What I knew.” She replied.
“Well let’s get it all out.” Mal demanded. Maxine stood and smoothed out her dress before answering.
“Have everyone gather in the kitchen.” She finally said.
“Now what makes you think,”
“I hate repeating myself.” Maxine growled and brushed past Mal on her way out.
It did not take long for those on board to assemble, however they had to wait for Wash and Book to return from gathering supplies. The tension in the room between Mal and Maxine was thick. He paced the room while Maxine was perched delicately on a chair. Book and Wash entered their eyes falling on Maxine. She smiled to them both, her eyes lingering a little longer on Book.
“Everyone looks so glum. Did I miss something?” Wash asked as he sat next to his wife.
“Nothing worth seeing, lover.” She put her hand on his thigh and leaned in to kiss him.
“Would anyone like some refreshments before,”
“You know a person could think you were avoiding this chat with talk like that.” Mal interrupted Maxine as he paced around behind her. He stopped arms folded, glowering down at her. Maxine rolled her shoulders and Inara placed her hand in Maxine’s.
“What I am about to reveal will place you all in danger from others of my kind. There are rules, one of which is not letting mortals know of our existence. It places them in danger, not to mention the government anarchy it would cause if this knowledge got out.”
“Entire legions of Immortal troops for war.” Zoe sat back and crossed her arms. Maxine nodded.
“Our war is ours alone. The battle between good and evil, many of us take great strides to ensure it stays silent. But there are those that would not hesitate to destroy a mortal that got in their way. Or find a mortal in possession of this knowledge as a threat. I must ask that it stays in this very room, on this very ship. Do you understand?”
Vague nods and murmurs of approval filtered around the room.
“No one of us knows for sure why we were created, but our goal is simple, keep fighting until the Gathering, and the hope that good wins to lead mankind into peace, or fall to darkness forever.”
“So this epic battle, has being going on right under our noses?” Wash laughed nervously, “For centuries?”
“Millennia actually, the eldest known of our kind is over 5000 years old.”
Simon choked on his drink.
“That’s not physically possible.” He blurted, “There would be millions of you populating the world. The human body cannot biologically exist for that long even under perfect conditions.”
Maxine smiled, an amusing smile, more to herself than anything.
“Immortals cannot reproduce, we are incapable from birth to have children. We also do not suffer from broken bones before our first mortal death. After that our bodies heal and recover rapidly. The only way to kill an Immortal is to take their head and with it their power.”
“Is that your plan? To take Jayne’s head?” Mal’s hand instinctively went to his side, hovering just above his weapon.
“Jayne’s head would not be worthwhile. He’s too young. Besides I came to help you find him and to train him. He needs to be able to defend himself from those looking for his head.”
“So others know about what happened to Jayne?” Kaylee wrung her hands.
“That I do not know. It depends on how far he has gotten and if there are others he’s come across. He may all ready be dead for all I know, but knowing what little I know of him, that is highly unlikely.” Maxine smiled again.
“I am hearing a lot of ifs and maybes.” Mal leaned over Maxine, “How do I know you won’t double cross us and take Jayne for your own selfish reasons.”
“Choosing to trust me is a choice only you can make.” Maxine whirled out of her chair and put distance between herself and Mal, “If I am not welcome here, then I will take my leave. Keep the currency I have given you.” Maxine turned to the others, “I wish you luck finding him.” And with that she left the kitchen.
“Dammit Mal.” Inara stood up.
”Wait, she’s not going to help us find Jayne now.” Kaylee stood also.
“Mal I thought that was the point of all this?” Wash raised his voice as everyone in the kitchen started to get up and voice their concerns. Mal walked out and Inara took off after him.
“You cannot let her leave.” She yelled at him.
“The hell I can’t.”
“You need her. You asked for me to bring her here and then you insult her.” Inara raged at him.
“I didn’t know she was a stone cold killer. How the hell do I know if she’s going to help us or kill us all for knowing this Secret?” He stopped to face her. In the cargo hold below them Maxine had her bag in hand as she hurriedly made her way down the stairs. She was hastily folding her cloak as she made her way to the door. She had not realized Book was there till she nearly ran into him.
“Please move.” She said.
“I think you are being a bit irrational.” Book answered hands at his sides.
“And I think you are blocking my exit.”
He didn’t respond, only met her eyes, a coolness in his response.
“Please move.” Maxine asked, her voice rising slightly. His eyes searched hers but he still wouldn’t move.
“In tyen shiao duh I will not have this argument with you again, Derrial!” Maxine yelled and pushed him. Everything stopped for the briefest of moments. Kaylee on her way down the stairs. River leaning over the hand rail. Mal and Inara’s argument on the cat walk above. Maxine’s eyes filled with tears as the words caught in her throat. Book didn’t respond nor move, he stood as unmoving as before. Maxine collapsed on the ground weeping.
“Mei mei.” Inara gasped and ran to her.
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