crossoverfic | Lazarus Man

Title: Lazarus Man
Author:

airforcegrrl
Fandoms: Firefly/Highlander
Rating: R
Summary: “You mean? You and Book? Golly.” Kaylee was all flustered,

Lazarus Man (from the beginning>

“What happened?” Kaylee asked as she hurried down the last few steps and knelt beside Maxine.
“Nothing, it’s nothing.” Maxine choked back tears as she hurriedly wiped her eyes. Kaylee helped her up as Inara rushed up, Mal not far behind.
”What happened?” Inara asked looking from Maxine to Book.
“It is nothing. I just need some tea.” Maxine dabbed at her eyes.
“Yes of course. Kaylee would you care to join us?” Inara hooked her arm under Maxine’s.
“Yeah Kaylee that’d be a good idea. Go take a break and have some, uh tea.” Mal had his arms folded across his chest and nodded toward the kitchen with his head. After the women had made their way up to the cat walk he turned back to Book.
“Sheppard is there something about this I should know?” he asked in low tones.
“Nothing I am aware of.” Book responded.
“Immortal girl falls on the floor weeping after talking to you and you think it’s nothing?”
“I did not say it was nothing Captain. Merely something I do not believe you need to concern yourself or your crew with.” Book placed his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels slightly.
“Well that always remains to be seen.” Mal turned looking up at the catwalk leading towards the kitchen doorway.
“Captain,” Book walked around to face him, “You have always said you valued my council and guidance.”
”That is true, Sheppard.”
“Then might I suggest allowing this girl, woman to be correct, assist you. I believe she will help find Jayne and teach him what he needs to know about this new life he has found himself in. Perhaps may even teach us all a few things about it too.”
“Teaching is not what I’m worried about.” Mal let his eyes drift back up to the kitchen doorway and then to River who was slowly making her way there.
“She will keep her word.”
Mal looked back to Book. “All right,” he said, “But this thing between you and her. Won’t be a problem?”
“No, sir, it won’t.” Book said as a smile tugged at his lips.

Up in the kitchen, Maxine was still dabbing her eyes as Inara fixed some tea for them.
“What did he do? Did he,” Kaylee paused, her words uncertain, “Did he hurt you?”
Maxine chuckled, “No my dear Kaylee, he did not hurt me. Actually the dear Sheppard and I have some history as it were.”
Inara had come over to join them with a fresh pot of herbal tea. She poured three cups for each of them.
“You mean? You and Book? Golly.” Kaylee was all flustered, “I mean I know he had a life before being a Sheppard, but I never knew he, well Sheppard Book is so quiet about his past and all.”
“Then it is probably best that I do not reveal too many details about our past.” Maxine took a sip of her tea, the sparkle returning to her eyes.
“Ooh girl talk.” Kaylee leaned forward, “There must be something you can say. I mean between us of course. Just between us girls and all.” Kaylee was practically vibrating out of her chair with excitement. Maxine raised her eyebrow and smiled.
“Well it was a long time ago. The Sheppard was a much younger man back then, barely a man even.” Maxine cupped both hands around her tea cup and gazed off into the distance of her mind, “He was so full of adventure back then, I think that is what first attracted me to him. I love an adventurous man. I suppose that is why he joined,”
“Am I interrupting anything?” Mal poked his head into the kitchen.
“Captain.” Kaylee sat up a little straighter, “We were just talking about, well” She glanced at Maxine and Inara, “You know. Girl stuff.”
“Huh.” Mal said as he stared at his feet.
“Mal you are welcome to join us.” Inara motioned to an empty seat.
“No, no I’m fine. I need to go do some Captain things anyway.” Mal started to make his way toward the bridge. “We’ll be getting ready to take off in an hour.”
Kaylee started to get up, “I should go check on Serenity make sure she’s ready.” Kaylee winked at Maxine, “So we’ll talk more later?”
Maxine smiled, “Of course.”
“Shiny.” Kaylee bounced out of the kitchen leaving Inara and Maxine alone.
“Is Mal always that bi-polar?” Maxine asked.
“You have no idea.” Inara sighed and took a sip of her tea.