Revelations

An Angel/Firefly Crossover

Rating R

Slight spoilers for the Angel episode Hero.

WARNING: This story contains scenes of a slash (m/m) nature. If you have a problem with this or are not of the correct age, TURN BACK NOW! If you don’t, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

All feedback welcome.

None of these characters belong to me.

They stood, looking at the contraption.

"There's got to be another way" Doyle said.

Angel looked at him sadly then looked down at the masses of half demons watching them.

"It's all right," he said confidently.

"No!" Cordelia said from behind them.

Doyle turned slightly to face Angel and gave him a rather watery smile but a smile nonetheless. He put his hand on Angel's shoulder, feeling the muscles rippling beneath the skin and wished he had attempted to get closer to the man because he knew he would never have the chance now.

Doyle also knew that he couldn't let Angel die so he looked up into the tall vampire's eyes and said "The good fight, yeah? You never know until you've been tested. I get that now!" and then he punched Angel hard, knocking him off the small platform they were on to the floor below.

Doyle's hand hurt from that punch, the Vampire's jaw was like iron, but it didn't hurt half as much as his heart.

He turned to Cordelia, took her face in his hands and kissed her. Slow and deep, enough time passing for him to feel the vision power drain through the connection to settle in Cordy's head. Doyle knew she would be pissed at first but also that she would accept it in time.

After he had finished and pulled back, Cordy was panting for breath.

Doyle smiled gently and said "Too bad we'll never know.....” his face turned green and spiky and his eyes glowed red. His demon half had pushed its way to the surface, "if this is a face you could learn to love" he continued gazing into Cordelia's eyes.

Doyle pushed back and gathered a deep breath for the pain he knew was certain to come.

From below him, he heard Angel shout "Doyle? DOYLE!" and knew Angel would try to stop him. But even as he had the thought, he was already running and jumping, arms outstretched to grab the bars surrounding the cleansing light.

He heard Angel again, shouting "NO!"

Then he landed, hands grabbing the bars, feet desperately trying to find a hold, pulling himself up, nearer, reaching for the connection that would make the world right again.

He faintly heard Angel shout "NO!" again and then the pain started and it was all he could do to concentrate on shutting down the light. He felt his demon half retreat back into his body and immediately was in agony.

So much pain, it felt like all of his skin is being burnt off and he just wanted it to stop. Doyle screamed and managed to kill the connection and turn off the light but not in time to stop himself from disintegrating along with it and disappearing into a puff of smoke.

Across the universe, through dimensions and far into the future, a small firefly class transport makes its way into the black. The crew have just pulled off a job that, for once, went without a hitch and were deciding how to spend their ill-gotten gains.

Mal and Kaylee were sat in the small common area outside the infirmary, talking about all they things they would buy. Occasionally, Simon, who was putting away the medical equipment, would make a comment and they would all laugh for a moment.

Suddenly the ship lurched as if it had hit spit something and a bright blinding flash flashed through Serenity for a second accompanied by an almighty thundercrash. The crew all froze where they were until they could see again and then all hell broke loose.

"Wash, what's going on? Did we hit something?" Shouted Mal, through the comm system as he made his way, fast, to the bridge.

"There's nothing on the sensors Mal. We're the only traffic in sight" Wash called back.

"Then what the rutting hell was that?" Mal demanded to know.

"I don't know" Wash said, slightly shamefully, turning to face Mal as he entered the cockpit.

"Captain, you'd better get to the cargo bay" came Book's dulcet tones over the comm.

"What is it, Preacher? I'm kinda busy here!" Mal snapped.

"There's a man here unconscious,” said Book.

"What!" said Mal in disbelief "Where the gorram did he come from?"

"I don't rightly know Captain. I was spotting Jayne, then there was a flash and a crash and he appeared. Just there. I can't explain it" Book didn't sound at all concerned about this new development.

"You're talking crazy, Preacher" said Mal, stepping out of the cockpit and making his way towards the cockpit.

"I know it sounds strange but its true. And there's a...how do I put it?" Book paused for a second.

"A goddam awful *stench* in the air!" Jayne's voice cut in.

"What kind of *stench* Jayne?" Mal asked, not really wanting to know the answer and started to run.

"Smells like one of Mama's meat Specials, only worse" Jayne said.

"Oh crap! What the hell is going on around here?" Mal couldn't figure this is all out.

"It's him, Captain. His clothes are tattered, torn and burnt. But the odd thing is he has no injuries, no burns, cuts, scars or legions on his body at all" Book's voice was calm.

Mal ran along the catwalk and down the metal stairs to the open area of the cargo bay.

There, led on the cold, hard, metallic floor of the cargo bay was a young, dark-haired man dressed in strange clothes that were full of holes, rips and burn marks but from what Mal could see of the skin beneath, Book had been right (as he so often was), There was nothing but smooth ivory skin. The guy was pretty nondescript. Average height, short, dark hair, nothing remarkable about him at all apart from the lack of injury.

Mal considered tying the intruder to one of the strong metal railings alongside the stairs to the catwalk so that when he woke there was no chance that he would hurt any of Mal's crew but he vetoed that idea almost immediately thinking he would have a better chance of getting the information he wanted if the guy though he was in a safe place with friends.

"All right, let's get him to the infirmary" Mal ordered.

Gently, the three of them picked the young man up and carried him carefully to the infirmary, where they put him onto the operating chair.

Simon turned from his tools as they entered the room.

"Captain, who...?" Simon asked, wrinkling his nose a little as the burning smell hit him.

"Don't know Doc but I want you to check him over and call me the minute he wakes, dong ma? I want answers. Jayne stay here. If he tries anything restrain him, but don't do anything else until I get here" Mal stated, looking Jayne in the eye.

"Jien tah duh guai!" Jayne spat.

"Do I make myself clear Jayne? Do nothing!" Mal snarled.

"Cai bu shi! Whatever" answered Jayne becoming bored with the conversation.

Mal glared at him again, then left to return to the bridge.

Simon had already set to work, fussing over the young man, checking for injuries as best he could so Jayne moved over into a corner and leant against the adjoining metal surfaces.

Jayne watched Simon closely as the doctor finished up with the patient having found no internal or external wounds. This puzzled him greatly as it stood to reason that the man had to have been in a fire or maybe tortured for his clothes to be in such a condition but where was the evidence? Why wasn't this man dead or bleeding? It didn't make sense. The guy's ivory skin was perfect. Simon's fingers trailed across the flat stomach and lingered a little too long on the warm skin.

Simon then turned back to rearranging his medical tools, his quick mind still trying to solve the problem.

Jayne took to watching the doctor's backside as he worked, wondering how it would feel to have his cock enveloped by that hot, tight ass and hear Simon's moans of ecstasy as they came together. He shook his head to erase that thought. The young doctor would never see him as anything more than a primitive ape-man.

Any further thoughts he might have had were forgotten as the man on the operating chair moaned in pain and opened his eyes. The light was too bright and the young man winced and quickly closed his lids tightly but not before both Simon and Jayne saw a flash of a pair of beautifully brilliant ocean coloured eyes.

"Jayne, call the Captain" said Simon, then turned back to the chair and it's occupant. He didn't look dangerous but Simon was still cautious. "Its okay. I won't hurt you. You're safe. Nin gui xing?" he spoke softly to the young man. "I'm Simon".

The eyes opened again slowly, the wonderous colour ensnaring Simon's attention and Jayne's too when he finished the com to Mal and turned back. It took a second for it to register that the eyes were filled with confusion and fear.

"Where am I? What happened? Is this hell?" the young man asked, his voice a lilting accent unfamiliar to Simon's ears.

"You are safe on this ship. She's Serenity. I'm Simon and this is Jayne. And you are?"

The man seemed to be going to answer but Mal chose that moment to make his entrance, looking tough.

Mal looked down at the stranger on his ship and was also struck by the most beautiful eyes looking up at him.

"Who are you and what are you doing on my ship?" Mal demanded to know.

"The name's Doyle and I don't know. The last thing I remember is a bright light and an awful lot of pain, felt like I was burning, then I was here" The memory of his last conversation with Angel and Cordelia was seared into his mind forevermore and brought tears to his eyes. He blinked quickly to clear them.

"Doyle gandao tentong ma?" asked Simon quickly.

"I.....I don't understand" Doyle said hesitantly.

Mal smiled down at Doyle watching his bright eyes as Simon asked again "Are you hurt?"

"Its fine doc. Nothing you could heal" Doyle turned his head slightly and caught Mal smiling down at him. He smiled back, a 100 watt smile that lit up his face and pushed the shadows away if only for a second.

Mal was stunned. How on earth-that-was could he have thought that this man, this god, be nondescript. It was impossible, he was gorgeous. It took a couple of seconds for him to recover and looking up he saw that Simon and Jayne had both been equally as stunned.

Mal's mind raced as he considered the things they could achieve together. He and this beautiful stranger who stirred up so many emotions inside. He could feel his body reacting right now. It had been so long since he had been with anyone that he could feel strong anticipation mixed with a little fear at the very thought. He tried to tell himself that this man could be dangerous, could kill them all but he just didn't believe it.

Jayne was pretty much thinking along the same lines. He had no objections towards male bedfellows and he had a gut feeling that with this man on his team, anything was possible. Things might even work out for a change, and even though he lusted after Simon he was smart enough to know that he would have to look elsewhere for sex.

Simon's thoughts ran on a different line to the others. He was attracted to Doyle, sure, but inside he was panicking. He had never thought of another man in that sense before. Didn't know how to deal with the conflict of emotions in his heart, betrayed by the rising of his cock, standing hard in his pants at the sight of all that smooth ivory skin.

Just then the rest of the crew, minus Wash and River squashed into the infirmary. Mal suddenly realised that he had not introduced himself to their guest, for that was what he was rather than a prisoner.

"Doyle, I'm Captain Malcolm Reynolds and this here’s my crew. Simon, our doctor and Jayne you've met and these are" he pointed to each in turn "Kaylee, our mechanic, Zoe, my first mate, Inara Serra and Shepherd Book. I also have another crewmember, Wash our pilot, who for obvious reasons is off flying the ship".

"Flying!?!" Doyle sounded horrified. "We're flying? I'm no good at flying!"

"It's safe, I promise" said Mal not wanting the boy to panic.

Doyle really didn't look convinced but he didn't argue with the Captain.

"I really think Doyle needs to rest now" said Simon shooing everyone else from the room.

Doyle found he was tired and he drifted off to sleep. For some reason he felt safe there. He dreamt, a dream full of dark haired doctors, lost sisters and gruesome experiments and then flashes of something else.

He awoke hours later filled with a knowledge and understanding of 500 years of history. But having all that crammed into his head, knowing that Earth had been used up centuries ago and was now a desolate, uninhabited rock and having practically lived through the worst parts of the war made him very confused and bitter. It was just too much for his mind to process in such a short space of time and he went a little crazy.

He threw some stuff around and ranted and raved for a while until he felt a calm, soft hand on his arm. Doyle turned quickly but it was only Simon, his brown eyes wide looking at him with a questioning look.

Doyle looked back at Simon with such pain and sorrow in those ocean coloured eyes that Simon couldn't help but feel for him.

They stood frozen, staring at each other for a long moment before Doyle, tears streaming down his face, starting ranting again. He wasn't making much sense, talking about who he was and the people he had left behind.

Simon gathered the tearful Doyle into his arms and comforted him, his hands gently stroking the solid back.

Doyle finally relaxed enough for Simon to move away but Doyle wouldn't let go of Simon's arm.

"What's wrong?" Simon asked.

"I'm all numb" Doyle sounded confused and scared.

"Lie back down here and rest. It's just shock, take it easy" Simon eased Doyle back onto the chair. "I'll give you something to help". Simon fussed around the infirmary preparing something in a syringe.

Simon turned back and seeing Doyle's questioning look said "it's okay. It'll help you relax".

Giving him the shot, Simon looked down and said "Do you want to talk about what just happened?"

Doyle led on the chair, feeling the, whatever-the-hell-it-was, spreading through his body making him feel as if he was floating. Looking up at Simon he noticed a slight glint in the doctors eyes.

Doyle knew that look all too well. It had been his many a time, in fact every time he saw Angel, or talked to him or laughed with him. And now it was on this beautiful man's face, such desire, longing and feeling Doyle's pain so completely.

Doyle tentatively picked up Simon's hand, the one by the side of the bed and kissed the palm. The long slender fingers gently curled around those holding them and a slow but brilliant smile came over Simon's face.

He bent down over his patient and pressed his lips to Doyle's, an almost innocent kiss at first, but quickly gaining heat.

From behind Simon came a noise that sounded suspiciously like a giggle.

Simon let go of Doyle and spun round. There in the doorway were Kaylee and River both giggling, Kaylee's hand wrapped in what looked to be an old dirty rag.

"Don't mind us, just enjoying the view" Kaylee said with a look of total innocence on her face.

Simon's brain clicked back on as he realised the implications of this meeting. Whatever feelings he had for Doyle, River was still his number one priority and he wouldn't let anything happen to her ever again. There was nothing for it, he would have to lie.

However, before he could open his mouth with a plausible story, River was introducing herself as his sister.

Simon gave Doyle a look, his eyes raised to the ceiling and saw the briefest hint of a smile in return, then turned back to River and said in a light voice laced with a hint of steel "Sis, I thought you were asleep. You know you are not supposed to be wandering about".

River smiled up at her brother, her eyes a soft warm brown. "He knows, but he doesn't understand. Not supposed to be so far from home. Waiting in line for the darkness beneath the skin to erupt. Monsters under the bed pounce with green flesh and eyes that blaze like dying stars. It takes thousands of years for a star to die. So many generations born and die but some have the potential to see it through, live forever".

"River sweetie, the monsters aren't real. They can't hurt you" Kaylee said from behind them.

"She's right mei-mei, they only exist in your mind" Simon said gently.

"No! They hide in the dark, hide behind a human face. He..." River pointed to Doyle "knows I'm right. They are real, souled creatures looking for redemption".

Simon absentmindedly began tending to Kaylee's hand as they both looked at Doyle.

"She's right. There's evidence of human monsters all through history. I mean just look at the Alliance or all those politicians who killed Earth-that-was" Doyle said in River's defence.

River beamed at him, happy that someone was on the same page as her for once and practically bounced over to where he sat. Before anyone could react she threw her arms around Doyle, hugging him tight and kissing his forehead.

Simon and Kaylee had frozen in their places watching, making no sound.

A second passed before River lifted her head and looked directly into Doyle's eyes.

"They'll be okay, you know" she said gently, her voice low so that Doyle had to strain to hear. "The souled one and the princess. He's going to become whole one day. "Shanshu" To live and die".

"What about Cordelia?" Doyle asked, gazing at the pretty young girl who seemed to know so much she shouldn't, couldn't about them.

River smiled rather wistfully this time. "Pregnant, crazy, princess, demon, higher being, evil, baby, resting".

Doyle was taken aback and Simon quickly finished up with Kaylee's hand and drew River back away from the chair.

"She's gonna die??" Doyle knew this was true because all living things died but still ... "How?"

"Sleeping but won't wake up" River stated.

Doyle's face crumpled up slightly and Simon said "I think it's time for Doyle to get some rest" and shooed the girls to the door.

"River?" Doyle said and she turned back and looked at him and said "You'll see them again!"

"Thank you" Doyle called after them as they left and rested back on the chair, breathing heavily.

The look was so intense that Simon wasn't sure what to do.

"Is there anything......?" he tentatively asked.

Doyle cut him off with a heartbreaking plea. "Please...leave me alone" he said in a voice thick with unshed tears.

Simon backed off and left the infirmary to find River and ask what was going on.

Doyle curled up as tight as he could and shed a never-ending stream of hot, salty tears, his body shaken by the painful sobs running through him.

"Oh god!" he thought. "My princess, I'm sorry. One of us had to do it, had to leave and the world needed Angel so much more than it needed me. And I'm sorry Angel, I'm sorry I never got to tell you just how much you meant to me". Doyle was wracked with guilt but he found that admitting these things to himself did help a little but he still cried himself to sleep.

Outside, on the catwalk above the infirmary, Jayne watched the dark haired man cry. There was a strange feeling in his chest as if all his internal organs were being compressed and he was having trouble breathing. There was only one thing it could be and he wasn't prepared to entertain those thoughts.

Jayne didn't do fuzzy feelings and emotions. Had done only once in his life when he was young and naive. Hell, he ended up getting married for all of 5 minutes. That Pofu had driven him into his current line of work so that he didn't have to care about anyone ever again after she had had the audacity to run off with an Alliance Officer. Wangba dan!

But even so, since being there, on that ship, it had become harder to stay detached and just sweep the feelings away and now he couldn't stop the rush of emotions as he watched Doyle and it scared him. It scared him so much that it was all he could do not to turn and run screaming from the place but that just wouldn't do, would it? Not from a hardened Merc.

Instead he turned and walked back to his bunk, where he could hide and pretend nothing had happened.

Unbeknownst to Jayne, Mal had been watching him watching Doyle and could see the extent of his emotions, the ones he tried so hard to hide, running across his face.

He saw Jayne turn and leave and knew where he was heading to. Mal had been watching Jayne on and off for months now, watching, waiting, wanting, needing and perhaps here was his chance to comfort Jayne, to let his feelings be known and find out what would be returned. He slowly followed Jayne along the corridor.

Jayne was led on his bed, thick fingers caressing his raging hard-on when the hatch was knocked upon.

"Jayne, you down there?" came the Captain's voice.

"Uh-huh" Jayne mumbled, really wanting Mal to piss off and leave him alone.

Mal took that as an invitation to come in. He opened the hatch and climbed down.

"Shenme shi Pengyou?" Mal asked softly.

"I'm okay!" Jayne said aggressively. "Whadya want?"

Mal eyed him. Jayne had not bothered to sit up and the massive bulge in his trousers was not an easy thing to miss.

Mal's eyes kept drifting towards Jayne's groin area and he could feel his own erection growing.

"I want you naked" the words came out of his mouth before he could stop them.

Jayne stared at him for a moment then shrugged out of his clothes. He stood there as naked as the day he had been born and Mal took the time to study him carefully.

His chest was covered with curly black hair and there was a wondrous line of it running down to....well! Jayne certainly had a major hard on and the cock in question was big and thick with more black hair creating a little nest around it. His balls were a bloody good size and Mal stared at the whole package, his own tight breeches fit to burst.

Jayne smiled, a rather predatory smile and stalked over to Mal, his eyes on Mal's own, rather impressive package. He stood in front of the man and ran his fingers lightly over him. Mal's responsive moan encouraged him.

Jayne unzipped the pants and started to stroke the hard muscle.

After all the watching, waiting and wanting Mal's body responded with a quickness, pressing himself against Jayne, the pressure rising until, with a gasp, he shot hot sticky seed all over Jayne's torso.

Panting with relief he smiled up at Jayne as the bigger man tucked him back in and zipped him up. Then he dropped to his knees and gently kissed the head of Jayne's erection. Slowly, so as to enjoy the sensation, he took the long thick length into his mouth, swirling it around before starting to suck greedily. Jayne arched into the touch and did his damn best not to thrust into Mal's mouth.

Mal smiled around his mouthful and deep throated him, swallowing quickly in succession. Jayne was close to coming thinking men gave the best blow jobs.

Jayne's body twitched and jerked and then Mal was drinking down the hot bitter cum. He kept the cock in his mouth until Jayne was done and then stood up and turned to leave.

Jayne's voice stopped him. "Mal? This can't...." he trailed off.

"It's okay. I know" Mal answered then left.

Jayne watched him leave, then put his clothes on his bunk and washed himself off.

"Great" he said to himself, his body tingling from the Captain's touch. "At least someone gives a toss!"

Later that day Doyle awoke. He had obviously been moved whilst he slept and was now led on a hard mattress in a small room.

Curled up next to him, her head on his chest, was River. Doyle tensed a little, then relaxed. She was asleep, must have been waiting for him to wake and dropped off.

Lying there with the small body pressed against his side felt somehow familiar, reminding him of all the times he had held his young cousin Celia after her mother died. His arm snaked around the young girl, pulling her closer then his eyes closed and he slept again.

It seemed like only a second later that he was being shaken awake. Looking up he saw River smiling down at him.

"Quick now!" she said and Doyle slowly became aware of a very loud alarm and flashing lights and wondered how on earth he could have slept with all that noise going on.

River grabbed Doyle's hands and pulled him out of the bed, then handed him some clean clothes. Then she led him up a small ladder and out of a hatch onto a metal catwalk.

"What's going on?" asked Doyle.

"Simon's sick" River said. "In here" pointing to her heart. "You have to get him better".

"What's all the noise for, the alarm, the lights?" he asked.

""Unrelated, not your problem" River stated.

""But why me? I don't know anything about healing" Doyle protested.

"You are the one. Only you" River smiled and opened the hatch door to her room. She motioned Doyle inside.

He hesitated and asked "How?"

River gave him a small, knowing smile and said "Figure it out".

Doyle climbed down quietly into River's room and then stood in the doorway connecting her room with Simon's.

Simon was pacing his room, muttering to himself. He stopped when he saw Doyle.

"Is something wrong? Are you in pain?" he rushed over to Doyle.

Nothing's wrong, Si" said Doyle reaching out and taking hold of the Doctor around the waist.

"What are you doing?" Simon's voice sounded a little panicky.

Doyle pulled him closer "Finishing what we started earlier" he whispered in his ear and then started to kiss his neck.

Simon was getting flashes of pure pleasure running though his body and he just didn't know how to react.

"We can't, River could come back at any time" Simon's voice was breathless as he tried to push Doyle away.

Doyle wasn't going to let go that easily.

"Don't worry, she won't" he said sliding a hand up to the nape of the doctor's neck to pull his down into a kiss.

"But I don't even know you" Simon gasped.

"Listen to your heart, it's telling you to trust and I know your body wants to let go. I can feel it" Doyle tried again for a kiss.

"But...!!" Simon started.

Doyle let go of Simon completely, took a step away from him and said "Si, do you want this?"

Simon felt rather strange. His empty arms were bereft and without the warmth of Doyle's body he was cold. He only had to think about the question for a second then he closed the gap between them and claimed a passionate kiss.

He took hold of Doyle and undid his shirt, running his hands over the expanse of ivory skin.

They kissed again, deeper this time almost as if they were worshipping each other.

Within seconds they had lost all of their clothes and were pressed fully against each other, cocks rubbing together.

"Doyle, I've never...." Simon said, sounding fearful.

"It's okay, I'll be gentle" smiled the other man. "I'm gonna do things to you that you'll never forget!"

Then they led down together and Doyle ran his hands gently down Simon's body, caressing the young man, then following his caress with a trail of soft, wet kisses from his neck down to his nipple. He sucked the soft nub into his mouth and nipped gently with his teeth. Simon moaned and arched his back.

"This is very wrong!" his mind was trying to tell him. "There's a man touching you!" but his body was having none of it. It didn't care who was doing the touching, just as long as it didn't stop and his heart was flouting on cloud nine bask basking in the healing love.

Simon hadn't felt this way for a long time, not since he'd first got the letters from River and left his old life behind. Had even begun to wonder if he would ever feel it again. And here was his answer.

Doyle's kisses had started to trail down from Simon's nipples across his smooth chest and towards his hips.

Simon was making little breathless moaning sounds as Doyle's mouth approached his groin and encouraged by this, Doyle wrapped his mouth around the erection and proceeded to lick and suck on it gently.

Simon had forgotten just how overwhelming such pleasure could be and started thrusting into the other man's mouth.

After Doyle had swallowed the cool, salty cum, he lifted his body up and captured Simon's lips in a deep kiss allowing Simon to taste himself. Simon gasped, finding he was very turned on by this.

Doyle looked down at the young man beneath him and smiled.

"Do you trust met me?" he asked.

"I don't know you" Simon stared up at the other man with wide chocolate brown eyes.

"You want me, yes?" Simon nodded. "Well, I want you too but this can't go any further unless you trust me" Doyle said seriously.

Simon knew deep inside that letting go of this moment would only result in searing hurt and he wasn't sure that his soul could take anymore. So he threw his caution to the wind and went with his gut feeling.

"Yes!" Simon shouted out.

"I'm going to show you something, my other face, so that you know who or what I am. This might freak you out but I promise you I won't hurt you. Just please don't scream!" Doyle stood back from the bed, still naked and transformed into the bracken demon inside. His skin became a pale green/grey colour, eyes blazed red and he grew spikes (a pinky colour) all over his body.

Simon cringed at the sight and his eyes grew much larger. Doyle took a step towards him and tentatively reached out a hand. Simon flinched and then forced himself to relax. He slowly reached out and touched a spike. It was spongy and flexed with the movement. Now knowing the spikes wouldn't hurt or pierce him, Simon stood, took the demon in his arms and kissed him. Doyle melted into the kiss, trusting the Doc not to reject him and then Simon was pulling him, spikes and all towards the bed.

Doyle looked at the boy, his eyes shining and changed back, smooth ivory skin taking over once more.

"You're beautiful. Both of you" said Simon gently.

"Thanks" Doyle flashed his brilliant smile once again and Simon blushed.

Lying back on the bed they began to gently caress and explore each other's bodies safe in the knowledge that they now trusted each other implicitly.

Simon, finally sated and sore but very happy had fallen asleep, his head on Doyle's chest in a position that mirrored his sister's of earlier.

Doyle smiled down at the man pressed against his body. He could feel that something had changed within the warm body next to his, a line that had finally been crossed, allowing the Doctor to start to have faith in the world once again.

Of course, he wasn't to be healed in just one day, it would take many years and Doyle wouldn't be there but showing Simon his true face and having the boy accept was a good first step.

He knew this boy was important, would be a saviour, maybe the only hope this strange 'verse would have.

Someone else would need to protect Simon and River, keep them safe and be there to carry on the healing. Doyle had reviewed the prospects in his head many times that night and had ended up with just one answer. JAYNE.

He wanted the young doctor, maybe even loved him, Doyle could tell. Anyone could tell if they looked deep into Jayne's eyes. Strong emotion and lust filled them when he was near the boy.

Doyle slid out of the small bunk carefully so as not to wake the tired man. He dressed quickly, pulling on the shirt, trousers and jacket that the crew had given him. Bending down, he kissed Simon on the forehead, brushing his soft hair aside and whispered "This ain't goodbye love, I'll always be with you. Never forget" then straightened and knowing he would never see his lover again, took a long last look and left the room.

Outside he ran into to the large mercenary (as he knew he would) who was stood in the corridor. He looked pissed.

"You'd better not have hurt him!" snarled Jayne.

"Jayne, he's okay but I need you to do something for me" Doyle said shining his smile at the larger man.

"What?" snapped Jayne suspiciously.

"Look after the Doc. Protect him and help him heal his heart. You want him and I know he wants you deep inside. Love him with all your worth, be there for him and the girl and he'll never let you go" Doyle told him looking up into Jayne's steely grey eyes.

Jayne looked closely at Doyle and said "Why are you telling me this?"

"I have to go. I've done what I was supposed to do and now you have to finish it" was the answer given.

"But...? How do I...?" Jayne asked.

"Figure it out" snapped Doyle. His voice softened as he continued "the boy has great potential. He will do amazing things but he needs someone to watch his back. Make sure you take care of him and tell everyone I said goodbye".

Then, as another huge crash ran through the ship accompanied by a blinding flash, he disappeared from sight.

Jayne shook his head, not quite believing but willing to chance it and then turned and climbed the still open hatch into Simon's room. To wait and watch over him until Jayne died and die he would if it meant saving the boy's life. As for the healing of his heart, well they'd work that out as they went. And when he awoke, there would be questions, as there always were and Jayne would try to give him the answers he needed.

THE END.