Title: Young Zombies
author: Jmaria
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Joss made em, I just play with them.
Summary: A stowaway finds herself in Serenity's cargo hold. Questioning and threatening ensue.
A/N: This part marks the end of the series. Or at least the end of the 'writing in the alphabet' form.

Young Zombies

October 17th, 2005

"Are you seriously considering group hats, Andrew?" Dawn Summers laughed, ignoring the fact that it was ten thirty at night and they were in a graveyard.

"But zany hats are always fun! Cobalt with polka dots -" Andrew started to say, before Dawn groaned.

"Dots make you look fat, and I am so not wearing anything with polka dots, Andrew."

"Everybody would get a big kick out of it, Dawn."

"For once, you're right, Andrew. Giles wouldn't even be able to hold that British stiff upper lip straight when you tell them about Hat-a-palooza '05."

"How do you know it won't be a huge success?" Andrew pouted.

"I - did you hear that?" Dawn asked, her eyes focusing on a point just over his shoulder.

"Just because you're the slayer's sister doesn't mean you're the boss, you know," Andrew whined.

"Keep quiet for thirty seconds, will you?" She snapped "Listen, did you hear it that time?"

"Maybe, what did you hear?"

Nothing happened for a few seconds, but Dawn kept her eyes peeled. Out of the corner of her eye Dawn saw the vegetation stir. Pulse racing, she crept over to the bush, her stake raised and ready for anything. Quick, she had to be quick and quiet about this. Reaching for the branches, Dawn braced herself for anything. Screams coming from behind her, however, was not something she'd been prepared for.

Truth be told, neither was the scary and slimy looking demon Andrew was cowering from. Usually Buffy or one of the other slayers handled the demons full on, it was pretty much out of her area of expertise, so she pulled out the Walkie-Talkie.

"Vi, we've got demons in sector nine!" Dawn shouted, yanking her sword from the duffle bag Andrew had been carrying.

What happened next she would never be completely sure of, because the last thing she remembered seeing was Andrew as she knocked him out of the way of the demon's blow. 'Xact feelings had been burning and searing pain as she tumbled towards the ground. Youthful faces were the first sight that greeted her when her eyes opened, proceeded by pistols being drawn. Zero for team Dawn, One for team demon.

After that followed the insane interrogation and oh-you-a-living-dead-girl reveal, so all in all, Dawn's day was just a tinge left of center and smack dab in oh-shit land. Blackness covered her eyes, and someone had dimmed the lights after she'd passed out. Coming too for the third time in what she was guessing was at least two days aboard the space ship - boy, was it gonna take her a while to learn to say that with a straight face - was easier. Difficult, frightening and depressing, but it was getting a little easier. Everyone had left her alone, the infirmary door shut nearly completely before her.

"Figures it would be freezing in here," she said bitterly, reaching for the sweater that apparently belonged to that Zoe woman's husband.

Going towards the sounds of the crew, Dawn managed to make a path up the staircases and walkway to the cargo hold. Her eyes landed first on Jayne and the older calming man lifting weights together before moving on to where Kaylee and River were playing jacks. Inara and Mal were snapping at each other near a door marked '1', and Dawn rolled her eyes as she slipped past them. Just as soon as she thought she'd given them the slip, River's head jerked up.

"Keeping quiet as a church mouse, doesn't want to think it's real," River said loudly, calling attention to Dawn.

"Last time you were outta the infirmary, you went crazy and fell asleep on us. Made Jayne catch you," Mal called, making his way over to her.

"No way!" Dawn cried, giving Mr. Chimpo a dirty look. "Oh, please tell me you only did it to cop a feel, because I don't think I'd buy the chivalry bit from you."

"Please, more like you's was gonna fall on me one way or n'other," Jayne snorted.

"Quit pesterin' her, Jayne!" Kaylee scolded.

"Really beginning to question the power of those fancy 'Core meds of yours, Doc," Mal smirked over at Simon.

"She only had a half-dose of the weakest smoother, Captain," Simon replied.

"Thanks again for that, doc," Dawn said flatly.

"Used to better at my trade, but I work with what I have," Simon said, to which River and Dawn both rolled their eyes.

"Very ...uninteresting, doc," Dawn paused. "What exactly are you guys planning on doing with me?"

"'Xactly what we mean to," Mal said gruffly.

"You wanna clarify that sir?" Zoe asked.

"Zoe, go tell Wash to keep on course for Persephone, we got a job what needs doin'," Mal said as he headed towards the lounge, leaving Dawn with the sinking feeling that Serenity was going to become her home.