Authors Notes: I know this story is super long but i just couldn't resist. Was supposed to be for the International Day of Femslash yesterday, but didn't finish it in time. Tell me what you think, no flames please.

Title: Time Leap

Fandom: A 'Firefly'/'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' Crossover

Author: Willow's Girl (AKA Musical'n'MagicFreak/AdrienneMichellleHudgens)

Notes: Story starts a week after The BDM Serenity and two years after the T:SCC series finale

Summary: Serenity takes on two mysterious passengers.

Rating: Mature (NC-17) for sexual content, brief language, and sexual humor

Chapter 1

November 15, 2518

4:48

Serenity

Creak. Creak. Crrreeeaaakkk.

"Kaylee, what was that?" The mechanic looked up at her captain with innocent eyes and a grease-stained face. She had been fiddling with something under the engine that he couldn't see and was surprised to see him. Nevertheless, the man wasn't going to be diverted. Captain Malcolm Reynolds knew when his ship was hurting, and when Serenity made sounds like that, he got worried.

"Serenity not feelin' too well Cap'n. She's aching from all the travelin' we've been doin'."

"But we just-"

"I know Cap'n. I don't understand it either. She ain't been talking to me much." She looked down sadly and despite the seriousness of the conversation, Mal couldn't help but smile. The way Kaylee spoke about her, no one outside the ship would have known Serenity wasn't a person. And oddly enough, he liked it that way.

He ran a rough hand through his cropped, dirty blonde hair and sighed heavily.

"Okay, you keep bustling about under there until you can name the problem. I'm going to go talk with Zoë and….just Zoë." She looked down again, possibly even more upset this time. They'd made a silent pact not to mention their passed on crew but sometimes not saying it hurt worse.

"'Kay Cap'n."

He turned away from the engine room's entryway. He passed the smiling young doctor on his way out. Simon was presumably on his way to see his girlfriend and Mal let him go silently for once. He was what Kaylee needed right then. Thank god at least someone on this ship can be happy and in love for a moment. He thought silently. Thank god.

Quickly, his thoughts drifted back to his still grieving first mate and her late husband. She hid it well, but he had caught her crying in the other shuttle while the rest were sleeping. He figured it be best if he pretended he didn't see but every time he looked at her, every time she straightened up and put on a tight smile, he saw the grieving widow in the empty shuttle.

Pushing the images of the vulnerable female to the far reaches of his mind, he stepped into the kitchen/dining area and saw the other woman that was almost often on his mind.

"Inara. Wasn't expecting to see you 'bout this late at night." She smiled up at him from the table she been studying.

"Couldn't sleep." She didn't have to explain why, he knew. They all had bad nights. You just couldn't unsee what they had. It scarred them and even the most hardened of them wasn't unscarred

There was a bit of awkward silence, neither of them knew what to say.

"Kaylee says we might have to land before we were planning." Inara gave a soft smile.

"Serenity's just as tired as the rest of us, I suppose." He nodded carefully.

"I should probably go talk to Zoë bout it though, see how far we are from civilization." After fixing Serenity and his crew, they'd buried their friends on Haven, in memory of the ones they couldn't. She stood and pushed her chair in delicately in.

"Actually, I believe River took over a little while ago. Zoë got a little sick." He must have looked worried because Inara chuckled. "Nothing serious Simon says, just a little stomach bug. Should be over in a day or so."

"Well, I'll check with River and maybe stop in on Zoë too anyways. Just to see if I can help." Inara's smile grew bigger.

"You know Captain; you just might have a heart in that chest of yours." Then with that, she turned and slinked away in that graceful manner of hers that made men pleasantly uncomfortable.

October 12, 2010

1:13

Los Angeles, California

Just trust me. That seemed to be Cameron's catchphrase these days. Each time Sarah had a question, her answer was always the same –just trust me. Normally, Sarah wouldn't have. She was a machine, something Sarah had hated and fought her entire life. Nevertheless, Cameron was there, humans weren't. Two years with just each other kept Sarah reasonable and Cameron somewhat civilized. After John had left to the future with John Henry and Catherine Weaver, the police had been hunting her down for the 'kidnapping' of Savannah and Catherine Weaver, the murder of James Ellison, and they probably thought she had something to do with McDonald's temporary power down. Cameron kept her on safe. They didn't run, the police had less resources than Skynet did and it would take them forever to find out she wasn't were they were looking.

Now, Cameron's trust worthy, golden-brown eyes caught her own as she took the terminator's hand. She was led into the empty room of the ranch house they had been living the past year. It held machine parts Sarah could not recognize in her weary haze. Since they weren't direct Skynet targets anymore, Sarah had taken to sleeping through most nights.

"Just trust me." Cameron mumbled, pushing buttons that Sarah couldn't see. Then she couldn't see anything at all.

November 3, 2518

24:16

Whittier (?)

Her body felt like she was nude on top of a moving train in Alaska. Sarah shivered. Cold air hit her body in some unusual places as she cautiously opened her eyes. She was nude –again. Cameron was too but the terminator didn't seem fazed by it all. In fact, she was already up and moving, looking around for something.

It took Sarah a moment to get used to the dark. Her eyes adjusted but she still couldn't recognize where they were. She could feel the uneven ground between her numbing toes and there was a sort of energy surrounding the crater they stood in. They had time traveled!

"Cam…Cameron where…where are we?" Her protector turned to her and Sarah couldn't help but look over the girl's naked form. Even in the dark, she looked like a twenty-something human female. She coiled away, tears burning her eyes. Cameron reminded her too much of John.

"I'm not sure. But I can tell you when we are." She let Sarah take this in a moment. "We are in the year 2518." She said it which such indifference it made Sarah's stomach lurch. Cameron didn't notice. She continued. "I think it may be the planet 'Whittier' by its texture and temperature but I won't know for sure until we've reached-"

"Cameron, slow down. Please. I can't follow your train of thought while I'm freezing my ass off." Her voice was a mixture of weariness, anger, and fear. Standing up on wobbly limbs, she made her way to the girl.

"Can you walk?" Cameron's tone was now full of concern and worry. "We must hurry to shelter before you get a cold." She had been this way ever since John left for the future. Sarah had fallen into an extremely deep depression and without Cameron; she would have been dead by now, either by police firing squad or terminator. And while Sarah was much better now, Cameron still had not lost the 'caring wife' qualities.

Sarah nodded gently, still shaking from the cold of the night. She began following Cameron.

November 3, 2518

24:22

Lilith Cabin, Whittier

They soon found a deserted cottage. It was secluded; Cameron told her woods sheltered it on a forty-mile radius. That was all the information she'd supplied, leaving Sarah to follow her into the unlocked cabin. They'd found a fully stocked place, complete with clothes, food, even a futuristic television.

"Cameron, we shouldn't be here." Sarah said as she did up her shirt buttons. She was fully dressed while Cameron stood in a bra and jeans. The place was filled with food and various clothing items and she didn't feel decent knowing this was someone's home. Even 508 years later, Cameron had little value for human privacy. "Someone lives here." Cameron looked up, hands resting on jutting hips as she tied up her belt. This drew Sarah's attention back to her body; only this time as she stared on, the girl did not remind her anything of her son. Thankfully, Cameron's determined voice brought her back from her naughty thoughts.

"Yes. We do." She paused, for a reason Sarah was unsure. "I put these things here. John, future John, told me to set up a safe house here before coming to you two." Sarah's eyes widened.

"He knew? He knew something was going to happen to him?" Cameron looked away a moment, almost guiltily. Anger surged though Sarah, Cameron had no right to fake emotion, especially at this moment. She sat on the bed and placed her hands on the night table.

"No. However, he knew that he could not stop Judgment Day. For that reason, he made me promise to bring you two here a month before it started." Anger crossed Sarah's features and her hands gripped the sides of the table.

"Judgment Day is in April 2011. We left in months before..."Again, Cameron looked guilty and Sarah almost felt bad for her. Almost.

"I…I feared Judgment Day is closer than we think, because of John's trip to the future. The Turk was not destroyed and I panicked-"Sarah interrupted angrily, standing up.

"You're a machine. You don't fear, you don't feel!" Cameron stood up mutely. She knew it was best to let Sarah calm down on her own but her outburst might draw some severely unwanted attention to the otherwise deserted cabin.

"Sarah you have to understand-" Sarah pushed her, not caring the robot was dressed or not. Cameron, not expecting this, fell back. She got up as Sarah continued to yell.

"Understand what? You're not a person, you are a robot, and you don't know anything." She pushed Cameron again, this time against the wall. Cameron grabbed her hands as they went to push again. Her eyes were harsh and struggled not to break Sarah's arms. "Let me go."

"No." Her voice was as violent and challenging as Sarah's was. There was something oddly human to it. "I will no longer be your punching bag. I cannot always override my body's resistance program. I will hurt you if you continue to fight me." Sarah dropped her hands; her eyes still trained Cameron's. "Listen. I am a cybernetic organism. I am sentient. I have feelings; I develop and learn just as a human. I feel. I learn. I am real." She turned, grabbed her shirt from the atop dresser, and stalked away, disappearing into the bathroom.

November 3, 2518

24:36

Lilith Cabin, Whittier

There were two bedrooms each with a queen size bed and thick blankets. There was a dresser of men's clothing in one of the rooms. Sarah realized that Cameron hadn't known about John's sudden departure. She wondered if she should apologize. Cameron hadn't spoken another word to her since their fight.

"You should sleep." Cameron said behind her. Sarah turned to her. "We may need to rise early. I need to locate some things and you shouldn't be here by yourself." She left without another glance at Sarah.

Sarah undressed and climbed into bed but she was not able to sleep. Ever since John had left, Cameron had slept in the same bed with her, to remind her that she wasn't alone. Around an hour later, she slipped back out of bed and wrapped a robe around her.

Cameron sat at the dining table, with some sort of tiny computer. She was tapping the screen erratically with sort of stylus, her face stoic. It reminded Sarah of a Blackberry, only slightly larger. She supposed technology had gotten more advance since the destruction of Earth. This brought Sarah to a standstill. Cameron had not had a chance to explain about the actual Judgment Day that took place, nor how they were living on a planet that was not Earth.

Cameron looked up at her, her brown eyes blank. "I thought I told you to sleep." Her tone was accusatory and Sarah felt anger sizzle up inside of her but she doused it. She took a breath, willing herself not to cause another fight.

"You never explained about all of this. About J-Day, where we are, what happened after…after Skynet went live? Who won?" Cameron set down the wooden pen.

"No one, really. Each side had their strong points of the…war but Earth was destroyed in the end. This might explain a few things." She picked up the pen and tapped the screen of the computer. "Read."

An automated woman voice began out of the computer. Sarah listened quietly.

"Earth-That-Was could no longer sustain our numbers, we were so many. We found a new galaxy, dozens of planets and hundreds of moons. Each one terra-formed – a process taking decades- to support human life. To be new Earths. The Central Planets were the first settled and are the most advanced, embodying civilization at its peak. Life out on the outer planets is much more primitive, and difficult. The Central Planets formed the Alliance, so everyone can enjoy comfort and enlightenment of true civilization. Stop." Sarah looked up, eyes wide. She was silent for a while, having much trouble taking this in. Cameron motioned at the computer.

"This is what they say happened. Their information is incorrect. Earth's resources were worn-out during the fight between Skynet and the Resistance. In addition, the outer plants are not all so bad. The Alliance is much like the government of the United States. They want power and control over everything, and these people would not give it to them. They took over the rim planets but the Alliance still controls them to a lesser degree."

Sarah took an uneven breath."So, the war never really ended?"

"It never really does. You win one, someone starts another." Cameron honestly replied.

"So I lost John for nothing? He left us for nothing?"She questioned tearfully.

"No. If he had not led them, Skynet would own these planets instead. And the human race would be terminated."

"So why are we here? Why now?" Cameron looked away.

"You should sleep. It's late." Sarah quietly wondered when Cameron had learned to dodge questions as they stood. When they reached the bedrooms, Sarah silently pulled Cameron in with her.

"I'm not tired." She captured Cameron's lips and led her to bed.

November 3, 2518

2:49

Lilith Cabin, Whittier

Cameron slipped out of the bed once Sarah had fallen asleep. She knew from experience that it didn't please Sarah to see her when she awoke. Her studies of the human race led her to believe Sarah liked to believe it never happened, because she regretted it. But for Cameron, it was completely different. She remembered every inch of Sarah's body, every scar, every noise she made during their time together. And it hurt when Sarah chose not to do the same. But her primary mission was to keep Sarah Connor safe, even 508 years in the future. And if that meant being used sexually, Cameron was sure she could stand it a little longer.

Hours later, after a thorough scrubbing, Sarah wandered into the kitchen where the smell of pancakes and coffee wafted to her, furthering her dark mood. She wasn't quite sure why the sight of Cameron after one of their long, amazing nights together upset her so much but she didn't look into it too hard. She sat at the table grumpily, glaring at the breakfast in front of her.

"I thought I told you not to do this anymore. I'm an adult, I can cook for myself." Sarah watched as Cameron's face shifted, matching her own angry expression.

"We did not have time to wait for you to burn food. We have to get to town soon." Cameron snapped. Sarah stared curiously at her, words failing her for the moment. It was one thing for Cameron to imitate human emotions but the girl—the machine seemed genuinely upset. She took a breath and steeled herself.

"What do we need to go to town for?" Cameron began cleaning up the kitchen, her back to Sarah.

"Clothing for one. You are much smaller than I predicted. Also, I need to check on some things." She glanced over her shoulder. "Eat. It is a long walk and I do not wish to carry you, should you faint." Again, Sarah could only stare in response. However, she did recover long enough to stick a forkful of pancakes into her mouth.

November 3, 2518

12:42

Caen Woods, Whittier

Cameron had been right. It took the pair about twenty minutes just to get clear of the woods, then another fifteen to get to the edge of civilization. The entire time, Cameron was instructing Sarah on her behavior.

"Don't speak unless spoken to. Try not to look surprised at anything that goes on." Sarah glared over at her.

"There something that's going to surprise me?"

"Yes Sarah." Her tone was condescending, as if speaking to a child. "We are 500 years into the future. Technology is quite advanced, as is civilization. At least, on most planets." There was silence for a few moments. Sarah soon grew bored and tried to make conversation with what she assumed would be safe territory.

"So, I'm expecting hovercrafts and robot servants, like the 'Jetsons'." Cameron didn't respond and Sarah sighed. "The 'Jetsons' is an old television show-"

"I know who the 'Jetsons' are. No. There will not be any 'robot servants'. But the idea of hovercrafts is possible. There are little to no cars, many people travel by foot or spaceship for larger distances. Also, you shouldn't stray from me or touch anything. Holograms are very common on this planet and you will draw attention to us should you fall through a window that isn't there."

More silence fell upon them as they walked on, Sarah pondering Cameron's words and Cameron pondering Sarah.

November 3, 2518

13:05

Jamestown, Whittier

The sight of the small, busy town shocked Sarah. Cameron had failed to mention that this planet was full of… cowboys. Boys in heavy rodeo hats and vests. Many had guns, none of which were concealed in anyway. Horses walked among them, led by young men. She bit back the joke that was forming in her throat when she realized she had lost Cameron in the crowd. Or rather, Cameron had lost Sarah.

She scanned the crowds in a frenzied haze of emotion. But she didn't see her. How far could Cameron have gone in those few seconds?

It had been such a long time since Sarah had been on her own, doing anything except showering. She began to have trouble breathing. She made her way to a nearby bench to calm herself down. When she could breathe again, Sarah cursed herself for wasting a panic attack on a machine, of all things.

A shadow fell over her before she could think what to do next.

"Do I have to make you hold my hand?" Cameron's face was pinched, a mixture of worry and anger. "I specifically told you to stay with me." Sarah was too shocked to yell at her. Cameron was scolding her!

"I'm sorry?" Cameron's face didn't ease but she held out her hand.

"Yes you are. Now take my hand, I do not wish to lose you again. It was an unpleasant experience." She sounded like Sarah, each time she got angry with John for not paying attention to her warnings and getting hurt. Her stomach curled with longing and revulsion.

The rest of the trip was quite uneventful, Cameron made sure of that. They went to several clothing stores, each one taking longer than the last.

Sarah seemed to channel six-year-old John as she complained whenever Cameron found some other store they needed to enter.

"How much crap are we gonna get?" Cameron turned to her, and in a true motherly fashion, she relied with a gentle yet firm tone.

"Until I'm sure we won't need to come back for anymore crap." When Cameron turned back to the canned foods, Sarah smirked.

She was unsure why, but she smirked all the way from the food store and back to the cabin.

November 3, 2518

15:38

Lilith Cabin, Whittier

Silence.

That was all Cameron heard as she opened the door to their cabin, carrying several bags in her tiny hands. A brief heat scan also confirmed that the house was empty to any of their enemies.

"Enemies? We have enemies?" Sarah's startled voice jostled Cameron out of her thoughts.

"What?" Sarah raised a tired eyebrow. She set her bad down on the countertop.

"You just said 'My sensors tell me that the house is free of any enemies." Cameron couldn't remember speaking aloud, but kept her face void of betraying emotions. She promised to run a full scan of her CPU while Sarah slept that night. For their safety, nothing could be wrong with Cameron at this crucial point in Sarah's life.

"Hmm." Cameron turned to begin putting some cans in the cabinet. Sarah knew better than to push the girl again so she began rifling through the bags for things to put away. She came across a bundle of books, all in Chinese.

"Girlie, since when do you read Chinese books?" Cameron glanced at her, before continuing with her task. After a beat, she answered.

"I don't. They're yours. Chinese and English are the primary languages used on most planets. You must learn a sufficient amount before I allow you to venture out alone."

"What's this? The Karate Kid?" Cameron froze, her body going tense. She prepared herself for another battle with Sarah. "What am I, your grasshopper now?" Though her tone suggested anger, Sarah's lips held a playful smile and Cameron relaxed slightly.

"No, I just…I want you to be safe." There was quiet as they held each other's gaze, both unmoving. A can toppled off the shelf and Sarah broke the connection. Cameron bent over to pick it up. When she looked up again, Sarah had a deep scowl on her face. Their moment was gone.

November 15, 2518

9:13

Serenity

River, Simon's sister and Serenity's spur-of-the-moment pilot plotted a course for Whittier. They would arrive within a day or so, she'd told Mal. He only hoped Serenity would last that long.

After that, he had gone to see Zoë.

"Qǐngjìn." She replied weakly from inside her quarters .He opened the door and climbed down the ladder. When Mal reached the bottom of the rung, he saw his first mate, hunched over her lavatory.

"Zoë…"

"I'm fine, sir." She smiled weakly at him, but she clutched her stomach tightly.

"Did the doctor give you anything for the…puking and whatnot?"

"No, sir. Not much he could do." She looked ready to blow again.

"Well, I wanted to let you know we're docking on Whittier for a spell, maybe pick up a passenger or two. Just enough to get Serenity feeling better." Zoë nodded, she was all business, even hunched over a toilet. "You sure I shouldn't get the doctor down here?"

"Fang xin, I'll be fine." And she turned away and finished throwing up her dinner.

"Okay, I'm going to leave you to it."

"Sir. Could you…could you stay a moment? There's something I need to say."

Now, he sat in the vacant shuttle, and Mal knew right then exactly what Zoë had felt when she'd been in here. Alone, desperate. And in that moment, he knew he would have to do everything he could to get more money on the ship. For Serenity, for his crew, for his family.

November 16, 2518

13:13

Serenity

"How much longer, little Albatross?" River looked up at him from the control panel. She never sat in Wash's pilot seat, but she'd taken his little dinosaurs and placed them all over the ship. 'So Wash would always be with them.' She'd explained. Zoë had tearfully hugged her that day and River never sat in Wash's chair as a courtesy to Zoë's memories of Wash. And ghosts, but Mal and Zoë chose to ignore that one.

"We should reach Whittier at 1600 hours, Mal." Then she cocked her head. "Sir? Captain?" Mal smiled gently at the seventeen-year-old genius. She was much, much better after the Miranda calamity. She was still a reader, of course.

"For you, Albatross, anything's fine." He took the helm and she turned to leave the bridge. He could practically hear the cunning smirk covering her face.

"Okay, Malcolm." Mal smiled. These women were going to be the death of him. Somehow, he didn't seem to mind too much.

November 3, 2518

18:55

Lilith Cabin, Whittier

"Excellent Sarah!" Sarah raised a wry eyebrow at Cameron's excitement. Across the table, Cameron looked sheepish and blushed. "Sorry. You're just… you will be speaking flawless Chinese in no time." There were books and notepads littering the counter. They'd been at this three hours and Sarah could already hold a conversation about the weather with the girl.

"Cam, I know Japanese. Chinese isn't much harder than that." Cameron cocked her head, curious. "What now?"

"You called me Cam." Sarah heard the wonder in the terminator's voice and tried to mask her surprise. Something was going on with the robot.

"Sorry. I won't do it again." Cameron didn't lower her head, nor adjust her tone.

"No. I like it." This time, Sarah blushed and ducked her head. When she brought it up, she took one of Cameron's hands into her own.

"And I like this." Cameron managed to look even more confused and Sarah flustered slightly under her gaze. "Us. Not arguing, acting somewhat normal, and not trying to kill each other…should I keep going on?"

"No. I enjoy it too Sarah. You're much prettier when you're not yelling." All thought in Sarah's brain disappeared as she leaned into the table and kissed the smirking cybernetic organism.

Now they had something else to enjoy.

November 16, 2518

13:23

Serenity

"Mei-Mei, slow down!" Inara giggled as Kaylee rushed into her shuttle excitedly. Inara sat her cooling tea down and sat on the couch. She motioned for Kaylee to do so as well.

"'Nara, guess what?" Inara smirked knowingly but played dumb.

"Hmm. I don't know." Kaylee looked ready to burst when they heard the shuttle door open and close. River, barefoot of course, stepped gracefully into Inara's shuttle and sat on the floor between them. She smiled up at Inara.

"She and Simon had sex. Loud sex. Twice." Kaylee blushed brightly and Inara laughed.

"How did you know?" River's smile faltered slightly, and turned into a smirk.

"I saw you." Kaylee looked stricken. River hadn't admitted to hearing or seeing thoughts and feelings that weren't her own since 'Miranda'.

"Not in my mind. On the deck. You and Simon were supposed to be working." Kaylee's face blushed brighter.

"And you watched?" Inara questioned. River was a wonderful girl, but sometimes too curious.

"Only for a little while. It was very educational." Kaylee blanched at the thought of Simon's younger sister watching them at their most intimate times.

"But how did you know we had sex twice if you didn't watch?" River smirk grew even more mischievous.

"It was very loud sex."Kaylee reddened further from embarrassment. She ducked her head into a pillow when Inara nodded in agreement. She'd heard Kaylee's passionate cries from the engine room all the way

"Oh my god. Does everyone know?" The door opened once more and Mal entered.

"Apparently not, 'cause I ain't got no idea why my mechanic is having girl talk while she's supposed to be fixin' my boat." Inara looked disapprovingly at him and he shrunk back a little. That woman could make the devil feel bad about himself.

"Sorry, Cap'n. I got a little busy." Though she was embarrassed, Kaylee was not above innuendo. River giggled childishly and Inara held back her own smile. Kaylee winked at them before running out to finish off her orders.

"What don't I know?" Inara smirked and River had to roll her eyes. Sometimes, the man walked into traps just way to easily.

"Too much to say." He scowled playfully her.

"I meant about Kaylee. Ain't ever seen her blush so hard. Even that time Jayne-"Inara shook her head and tossed it at River. Her eyes were clear: However smart the girl may be, she was not ready for one of Jayne's drunken moments.

"'S okay, I expect she knows anyways. Jayne ain't the most subtle 'bout things. Now, you gonna tell me why got Kaylee looking like a tomato?" Inara smiled at him and River slipped out unnoticed, no longer caring for the conversation.

"Yes, we were talking about her night with Simon." Mal turned an even brighter red than Kaylee.

"You best be talking about that fine meal he prepared her." Inara gust continued to smirk but didn't change her answer. "Wǒde tiān! I can't know that! Why do I ask you guys these things?"

"Bàoqiàn." She apologized although the smirk on her face told him she wasn't sorry in the least. "Now, I believe I've told you a million times over again, not to enter my shuttle without my permission?"

!LEMON ALERT!

November 3, 2518

19:07

Lilith Cabin, Whittier

The small kisses they'd started with quickly turned into hard passionate ones, until Sarah had to pull back for a breath. Somehow, they found themselves pressed against Sarah's bedroom door. Cameron opened it while Sarah took a breather.

Cameron pulled Sarah into another kiss a moment later. Cameron pulled the shirt up Sarah's body then helped her lift it over her head. "God, Cameron." Sarah moaned.

They helped each other undress while separating as little as they could handle. Sarah walked Cameron backwards until she ran into the bed. Sarah pushed a little more and Cameron crawled backward to the top; Sarah inched with her, making sure never to break the kiss. Sarah straddled Cameron, her legs on either side of Cameron's hips, and her arms above Cameron's head. Sarah slowly moved the continuous kiss from Cameron's lips making a path down from her face to her neck. She edged down Cameron's body leaving kisses in her wake.

She cupped a breast in one hand, brought her lips to the toughened nipple, and kissed as much skin as she could reach. She pulled the hardening tip into her mouth and swirled her tongue around it. She released the nipple and sucked the skin on the inside of the breast into her mouth firmly, making sure to leave a mark. When she heard Cameron moan, she moved up a little and left another mark.

"Mine," Sarah said, "You belong to me now."

"Sarah, I've always been yours. You just didn't know." Sarah's heart melted along with the rest of her body as Cameron leaned up and kissed her fervently.

"Now I do. And I'm going to show you how well I treat my property." Sarah made her way further down Cameron's body, and swirled her tongue over the creamy skin.

She spread Cameron's legs apart gently, kissing her thighs, slowly. Cameron moaned and bucked her hips in pleasure and surprise when Sarah entered her warmth with a gentle finger. She sucked Cameron's clit and fingered her slowly.

Cameron's CPU went haywire and her vision went hazy, and for a split second, she worried. Then Sarah sped up her ministrations on her bundle of nerves and she couldn't be troubled about anything. Sarah slipped two more fingers and Cameron let out a series of moans that made Sarah speed up even more.

"Come on, Cam, cum for me." She flicked her tongue across the sensitive flesh and increased her pace again.

Suddenly Cameron shut her eyes and her head flew back. "Oh my…Sarah ….yes…"

Cameron went silent as her body shook with orgasm. Sarah pulled her fingers free and licked them clean as she crawled back up the sweat-slicked body under her. Cameron opened her eyes and found Sarah looking down on her. Sarah leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.

Cameron flipped them over so she was on top.

"My turn."

Sarah's orgasm came and went quickly but she had a feeling their night was only beginning.

November 16, 2518

15:55

Serenity

"Everybody, strap-in, we're 'bout to have another rickety landing." Mal warned his crew through the com on the bridge. Zoë was feeling much better and sent River away so she could land Serenity safely, in the memory of her husband. Of course, what they planned, and what actually happened were two entirely different things.

Serenity bucked violently and Mal swore as he bumped his head against the wall.

"Zoë… "He warned. She glanced back at him from Wash's pilot chair. The ship continued to buck and jolt furiously.

"Sorry sir. But you flying around the room is very distracting." The bridge door opened and River, barefoot of course, wandered inside. She had a blank look on her face and Mal's hand instinctively reached for his gun.

"River honey what are you-" She sat down in the other pilot seat. Serenity steadied almost immediately.

He and Zoë could only stare as the seventeen year old, landed the ship on Whittier with practiced ease.

She didn't look back at them once Serenity had settled, she simply stood and walked back out, calm as ever.

"Sir, neither offense to her nor the doctor, but she isn't right."Zoë looked like she wanted to shoot something and puke at the same time. Mal looked just as worried.

"Yeah, but she ain't tried to kill us in a while." Sensing that was the end to their very short conversation, Zoë stood shakily.

"If you'll excuse me now sir, I'm going to throw up my breakfast."

November 16, 2518

16:00

Serenity

Mal opened the cargo bay doors and squinted into the light. Zoë, feeling much better, followed him off the ramp.

"Kaylee figure out what we need?" Zoë questioned as they surveyed the area. They had landed in an empty clearing, since Whittier didn't get many ships visiting, that was the best they had.

"Yup, she's afraid I won't get the right stuff so she and the doctor are going out on the Mule in a bit." Zoë sent him a mysterious grin. It was the first smile he'd seen pass her lips since Wash's death.

"I expect they'll be too busy to find anything." Mal gave Zoë a scathing glare. As far as he went, Kaylee's sex life was nonexistent.

"What is it with you women?" He mumbled, stepping back up the ramp to pack up the Mule in case they ran into trouble. Zoë didn't follow but continued talking.

"And Jayne?" Mal stopped a moment, thinking. The mercenary hadn't come out of his room since the funeral, except to eat with them, though Mal suspected he'd prefer to be in his bunk.

"Not sure if he's coming out. The doctor is gonna try an' convince him to get some air." Zoë snorted derisively. Mal grinned himself. "Told him if Jayne shoots him, it's his fault." They went quiet for a moment.

"Sir, do you know how long we're staying?" The mood sobered quickly. Truthfully, he didn't.

"As long as we need, I suppose. Need to stock up on food and med supplies. Also, I think we all need a moments rest. Collect our bearings. Maybe even get a decent, honorable job or two." He added nonchalantly. He heard Zoë come up behind him and rest a hand on his sagging shoulder. He paused his work of placing a handgun under the seat.

"Mal, you don't have to-" At that moment, Kaylee and River came rushing down the stairs, giggling, while Simon and Inara walked a slower, more graceful pace. Zoë snatched her hand back and Inara raised a delicate eyebrow at them.

"I don't think I've ever heard you call him anything but Sir or Captain." Simon commented causally. Kaylee grinned at them and River laughed again.

"Yeah, Cap'n. Something you want to tell us?" Kaylee teased. Inara's heart froze, fearing their answer.

"Oh, Zoë and I thought you had such good taste." She teased, hiding her sadness. The girls giggled once more, this time everyone following their suit, and climbed into the Mule. Inara's breathed a grateful sigh when they didn't comment further. She started to follow Simon and the girls onto the Mule.

"Whoa-oh. And where do you think you're going?" Mal asked her, surprise covering his face.

"To town, Simon needs-"

"You can't go to town dressed like that." She glanced down at her red and gold silk gown with a matching wrap and parasol. "Don't you have normal clothes?" She opened her mouth, and Zoë stepped in before she could tell him off.

"Sir, she' fine. Besides, the doctor looks just as rich. You gonna make him change too?" Mal's mouth dropped. Zoë hardly ever took Inara's side.

"But…she…" He finally gave up, too defeated for words. Inara tossed Zoë a thankful grin, before climbing into the Mule.

Inara tossed a triumphant smile at him once she was safely inside. "Careful Mal, green isn't a very good color on you."

Over the Mule's engine, he heard Kaylee's infectious laughter. He turned to Zoë once the Mule was out of sight.

"Sorry sir. You were looking for trouble, had to step in somehow."

"But you couldn't of took my side?"

November 16, 2518

Same Time

Lilith Cabin, Whittier

Sarah's body was sticky with sweat and much more as she rolled off Cameron's body and back onto her side of the bed. 13 days had passed since she and Cameron had settled together and she was sure she'd only been out of bed a few times. Other than showers, bathroom breaks, and fresh air, Cameron and her spent every other minute in bed. Cameron made food, they'd perfected Sarah's Chinese, and they had a lot more sex. Sarah had never been so spent in her life. Fighting terminators daily was nowhere near as hard as keeping one sexually sated. Her legs felt like jelly and her brain was even worse. On top of all that, a heat wave had taken over the planet a day ago and Sarah could feel herself attached to the mattress below her. A hand snaked around her waist and tickled her side gently.

"Cameron, we should get out of bed before we melt together." Cameron's head popped up beside her and nuzzled her neck.

"That doesn't sound too bad." It was moments like these when Sarah forgot what Cameron was under all her creamy, salty skin.

"Cam, let's go for a walk. It's probably cooler outside anyways." Cameron sat up and stared blankly a moment and Sarah wondered if the terminator could really could tell the temperature from all the way inside their bedroom.

"It's not." Cameron replied, before burying her head back into Sarah's neck.

"Now for some reason I don't believe you." Sarah teased. She gently pushed the girl back, before sliding out of bed. "Now, I'm taking a shower and leaving in ten minutes, with or without you." Cameron frowned before looking hopeful.

"Can I shower with you?"

Sarah chuckled lightly. "Ten minutes." She playfully warned.

November 16, 2518

16:25

Caen Woods, Whittier

Sarah and Cameron stepped out of the cabin 25 minutes later, fully dressed. Cameron looked victorious and Sarah allowed a small smile to escape.

"See, fresh air. Much better." Cameron ignored her and wrapped her arms around Sarah's waist. "God Cameron, you really are a machine aren't you?" She was teasing, of course, but Cameron pulled back and started on the trail to town. Sarah had to jog to keep up. "Cameron, I was kidding."

"Oh." Cameron still didn't slow down. The despondent look on her face immediately damped Sarah's good mood. Two weeks of nothing but bliss and leave it to Cameron to piss her off after such amazing sex. And they had been making such progress.

The long trip was silent the rest of the way and Sarah wondered if they were back to square one. At the edge of town, Cameron paused in front of her, spinning around so fast, almost knocking Sarah over. She hugged Sarah tightly.

"Cameron, what the hell?"Sarah was so surprised; she instinctively pushed the girl backwards.

"I'm sorry I upset you." Then she turned and began walking again. Sarah followed, slower this time. The cybernetic organism confused her greatly.

Running, Sarah grabbed Cameron's hand and smiled softly at her. Cameron smiled back softly.

November 16, 2518

16:33

Jamestown, Whittier

Kaylee and Simon's flirting was starting to exasperate Inara. They were adorable of course, but she was considerably jealous. It had taken them close to nine months to get together, while she'd wanted to be with Mal for almost a year or so now. Not that's something she would ever admit to. In addition to their nonstop cuteness, it was hot on the Mule and being so close to them, she could almost feel the extra heat radiating off their bodies.

"Why don't you two go look for parts while we get the medicine?" Inara wasn't the only one shocked when River spoke. She looked as irritable as Inara felt and Simon looked a little vexed. Afraid they would protest, Inara quickly sided with River.

"River's right. The less time we have to spend in this heat, the better." Kaylee nodded eagerly and pulled the Mule over, all the ready to have more alone time with her new beau. Simon looked even more apprehensive when River started out of the Mule.

"I'm not sure. What if you forget something?" River gave him the dirtiest glare she could muster, which was a scary sight.

"Simon, I think it's for the best. River doesn't seem to agree with the heat." Inara cautioned playfully, climbing out as well. He didn't have to be told anymore, he motioned for Kaylee to take them away to the junkyard while River and Inara quickly found Whittier's medical supply store.

Within moments of entering the supply store, River immediately began grabbing vials and things off shelves and shoving them into Inara's plastic basket.

"You must be very anxious to get back to the ship." River gave hearty sigh.

"Love them but they make me very tired." She offered another vial to Inara. "Happy for them." Inara knew her broken sentences had nothing to do with her state of mind, simply saving her breath. It really was too hot for full words. Despite this, Inara continued talking, until they left the store.

"We've been gone awhile. Do you think Kaylee and Simon are back yet?" When River didn't respond, Inara looked up from under her sunshade.

River stood off to her right side, staring blankly at a couple holding hands and laughing as they entered the town. Inara just assumed she was curious, as the couple was made up of two women, made a notion to talk to her later. She tugged River's arm but the girl's feet were firmly planet.

Suddenly, Inara couldn't breathe. One girl turned to them, and Inara saw what gave River pause. The girl, her dark, impassive eyes, the curve of her mouth, her familiar dancer's body. She looked so much like River.

The other woman, her partner, turned to see what had stopped her other half. Noticing River now, the two started their way towards Inara and River. River stirred and began pulling Inara away from them. Her wide, fearful eyes shook Inara to the core and they quickly made their way in the opposite direction of the approaching women.

Inara spotted Simon and Kaylee on the mule, headed for them. With graceful ease, River hopped inside the slowing Mule. Inara cursed herself inwardly for wearing such clothing. She lifted her hem, and Simon helped her up.

"Fast Kaylee. Got trouble." River ordered, watching the couple. They weren't running, not wanting to make a scene, but Inara was sure if they stayed a moment longer, they'd be upon them.

"Trouble?" Simon questioned fearfully as Kaylee powered the Mule, flooring it.

"Not to fret, we'll be back on Serenity before they even know we've gone." Kaylee boasted. "Now, everyone, hang on to something." They did so and Kaylee's words rang true as they left the stunned town behind.

November 16, 2518

17:14

Jamestown, Whittier

Sarah growled angrily, as the women escaped on the hovercraft with whom she supposed were their friends. Cameron, surprisingly, looked just as pissed off.

"Do you have any idea who they were?" Sarah wondered to her. Not that she really cared about the fancy looking one, the one who looked identical to Cameron interested her the most. "Did you have time to scan them or something?"

"I did but I'm not connected to the Alliance's system. There's no way to identify them." Cameron looked troubled a moment before turning back to Sarah, her eyes gleaming and the corners of her mouth upturned in a perfect smile. "I warned you getting out of bed was going to be a bad idea." Sarah couldn't help but laugh. Cameron took her hand and raised he eyes suggestively, pulling Sarah in the direction of the cabin.

"You were also right about the hovercrafts. Care to share more of you infinite wisdom?" Cameron smirked again.

"Yes. You will have many more orgasms tonight."

November 16, 2518

17:21

Serenity

The ride back was silent, save for River's senseless mumblings to herself. Simon almost fell of the side of the Mule when she began rambling about killer robots sent to kill her.

Not until they were safely in the ship again could Inara begin to breathe easy.

"Now, would you mind explaining to us who we were running from?" Simon asked her, because River had huddled herself on the stairs. Mal thundered down the other set, with Zoë and Jayne following.

"Trouble? Didn't I tell you that outfit would get you bothered?" Inara glared at the Captain, for interrupting and being right.

"Actually, Mal, it wasn't my dress. It was…" She trailed off, glancing at he nearly catatonic girl on the stairs, not really sure whose fault it was. "Wasn't anyone's fault. Trouble just follows us."

"But what happened?" Simon looked ready to pull his hair out in frustration and Kaylee sidled up to him, ready to calm. Again, Inara glanced desperately at River, who probably knew more than she did.

"Wasn't real, wasn't real. Poser, come to kill. Not a friend. Only hurts." River sobbed. "KILL KILL KILL. Only orders she knows." Simon hurried over to her, comforting her. Everyone's faces held the same expression of fear and anguish.

"'Nara, what happened?" Kaylee approached softly, not to upset River again.

"I'm not sure. We were done with the shopping and River saw these girls. And one of them…" She held back a shiver. "One of them looked just like River. But she wasn't her." Inara added to River.

"One in the same. Made of clockwork, tick, tick, tick." River screamed again. "BOOM!"

"Still don't get why ya ran." Jayne grumbled, uncomfortable with being out of his bunk. "Sure one moon brain is enough, but maybe she just looked a bit like her. Ain't no reason for running." Again, everyone looked to Inara, sensing there was more to it.

"The girl, she saw River and they came towards us and River was so scared I just assumed…" Mal nodded to her.

"Sometimes assuming saves lives. Could be that girl was bad news." Inara smiled, still frazzled by the whole thing. "Still, I think we should get Serenity fixed up soon as possible, make sure we're gone before they come looking." He and Jayne began unloading the Mule and Simon carried River up the stairs to her room, followed by Kaylee and Inara.

While Jayne was preoccupied with his duties, Zoë shifted to Mal.

"Sir, before we leave, I think it's best we tell them before they find out some other way." He sighed, but agreed. If Zoë wanted them to know, who was he to argue.

November 17, 2518

09:21

Serenity

The crew of Serenity stood in the cargo bay, preparing for whatever Zoë's announcement was. Inara was worried again, the last time the crew had gathered for this, she had learned the Mal had taken a wife that wasn't her.

"We just gonna stand here or you gonna talk?" Jayne grumbled. He was upset at being outside his room again. Mal glared heartily but looked at his second in command. She took a ragged breath and Mal placed a comforting arm around her, as if to stable her.

"Been in the war and on this ship so long, ain't got no real family. I suspect ya'll know I ain't the nicest woman in the 'verse. But I love you like my own kin." She grinned wryly at Jayne and Simon. "Even you two."

"We love you too Zoë." Kaylee sighed sweetly, ready to cry at Zoë's words.

"Don't tear up yet 'Lil Kaylee. Zoë ain't quite finished yet." Mal encouraged Zoë with a squeeze on her shoulder.

"Like I said, family. And you don't keep secrets from family. I'm pregnant." There was a stunned silence.

"Well say something!" Mal pushed. Still no one moved. Finally, River pushed herself off the floor and gave Zoë a big hug.

"It's a girl." Everyone was jolted out of their silence with Zoë's laughter.

"River!" Kaylee admonished. "What if Zoë wanted it to be a secret?"

"It's okay, it'll make buying stuff easier." Simon and Kaylee hugged her as well.

"Congratulations' Zoë. Wash would be very proud." Inara murmured as she hugged the tearful woman, glad that was her only news.

"It is Wash's right?" Kaylee asked fearfully, staring at Mal's unusual proximity to Zoë. Noticing what she was looking at, Mal jumped away from his first mate.

"Cái búshì!" Zoë laughed. "I went to the Captain first to get his permission to stay aboard. He was real supportive." Inara let go of a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"You're staying?" Kaylee asked gleefully, rushing up to hug her again.

Suddenly, a knock came at the closed cargo bay doors. Mal lifted his pistol from his waist and Zoë and Jayne did the same. Inara watched as River backed into the shadows.

"Anyone expecting company?' Mal asked rhetorically, as he opened the cargo bay's doors and let down the ramp.

At the bottom, there stood the River look-a-like, Cameron and her partner, Sarah. While their stances were arresting, neither held a weapon of any sort. Maybe they don't need one, Inara felt herself think frightfully.

"Heard you were needing passengers. Well we need a ride." Cameron tough voice didn't sound much like River's soft one but it was close enough to scare them all, even Jayne.

"Listen, don't know who you two are but-"

"I'm Sarah. Sarah Connor. This is Cameron." The other one, Sarah spoke up.

"Just Cameron?" Zoë questioned impassively, still pointing her gun at the two.

"Cameron Phillips." Cameron answered, staring at the three guns pointed at them.

"You might want to put those away." Sarah told them. "We don't want any trouble. Just a ride." Mal nodded toward them and they raised their hands. Jayne quickly frisked them, for once not letting his hands linger. He reached into Cameron's pocket and pulled out a bag of coins, tossing it to Mal.

"They're clean." Jayne's voice was gruff but he was obviously scared of Cameron. Mal opened the bag and let Zoë peer inside. Off their looks, Inara could tell it was a lot of money. Zoë turned to River, who was inching towards her brother.

"What do you think, little Albatross? You trust them?" River glided closer to the girls. Fear was written on Sarah's face and she hoped Cameron could scan her threat level before she answered.

Suddenly River's face broke into a bright smile that scared Sarah even more, because she wore Cameron's face.

"Welcome to Serenity."

TO BE CONTINUED

Please review! Anxious to see what you all think!

-Annie