BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL

BABYWITHTHEPOWER

Old Friends, Old Enemies
Friday, February 9, 2007

This is the second story in the 'William Alexander Chronicles' I'm writing. This one takes place a few months after 'William Finds Serenity' ( http://fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=14702 ). Some warnings, for those sticklers out there. People die in this story. Not any of the BDH's but characters you know none the less. I wanted closure and so I wrote it. Also, as my stories progress, River will become more and more lucid and her's and William's relationship will grow. And as I said before, I am a big fan of the 'small 'verse' philosophy, so expect to see more of that.


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 1802    RATING: 9    SERIES: FIREFLY

It was a calm evening on the planet Haven, the sun just starting to set behind the mountains. William stood some distance from the memorials, giving Zoë all the time she needed to introduce her son to his father. It was a somber moment. The crew of Serenity stood on the plateau, each quietly grieving. The sound of Kaylee’s sobs were the only disturbance to the silence of the dead. After a time, Zoë stood and headed back towards the group. William tensed up, as it was now time to face the truth that Book was indeed dead. Something that, until this moment, he had hoped was part of a bad dream. William turned to face River as she took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. William could tell that she wanted to smile, but the grief wouldn’t allow it. “Say your goodbyes.” She turned and started walking towards the others. “It’s the only way to be free.” William strode forward to the stone set aside for Book. There was a holo-projector displaying a few second loop of capture footage. William found his eyes welling up despite himself at seeing it. He took a knee and bowed his head in silent prayer, for Book, the crew, for River. He raised his head, a million and more things to say jumping into his mind all at once. He had so much he wanted to tell him, so many thanks he had to give, but his mind failed him and he couldn’t put any of them into words. He leaned his head against the tombstone and began to cry. After a few minutes, William was finally able to choke back the tears and he looked up into the holo again, resting his hand just below it on the stone. “I didn’t realize how much I missed you old friend until I found out I’d never see you again.” He said as he rubbed the tears from his eyes. “Funny how that works out, isn’t it?” William chuckled to himself. “’Verse is a darker place without you in it old friend.” William leaned his head on his hand. “I just wish I had gotten a chance for one more lecture, just one. You always knew how to be a son-of-a-bitch.” William laughed to himself. He stood up, made the sign of the cross, kissed his hand and touched the stone. “I love you, old friend.” William looked to the sky. “I’ll see you when I get there.” He turned and walked back towards the others, River embracing him in a hug.

~~~

The kitchen was bustling with activity as the crew prepared their dinner. With the money they had received from their last job and the sale of the remainder of William’s supply of guns (minus those he and Jayne wanted, of course), the crew had spent a good portion of their take buying all sorts of food and drink that weren’t commonplace on the ship. And they decided to have a ‘Feast of Remembrance’ as Jayne called it. As final preparations were being made and the food was being laid out on the table, William went down into his quarters and retrieved a wooden box. When he returned to the kitchen, the others we already seated, passing around the over laden trays and filling their plates. He stood at the foot of the table for a moment and then cleared his throat. “Could I please have everyone’s attention?” The rest of the crew got quiet and looked up at William. He put the box down, opened it, and took out the bottle inside. It was old, and obviously expensive. “I bought this bottle of whiskey the day I acquired my own ship.” William turned the bottle, the dark amber color of the liquid flashing in the light. “I bought it knowing that, at some point in my life, I’d have something worth toasting.” He looked at everyone at the table. “I think today’s a good day.” Jayne hadn’t taken his eyes off the bottle since William had taken it out, but at William’s last comment, he wasted no time in getting glasses and bringing them to William. Jayne took his seat again without saying a word and continued to look at the bottle. William looked at him bemused and then continued. “Drinking this whiskey without telling its history and my part in it would be, well, a sin against God.” Mal smiled and the others looked intrigued. “This bottle is an artifact, its contents having been fermented and bottled on Earth-That-Was.” There was a collective gasp of disbelief at the table. “This is the legacy my father left me.” He said, looking down at the bottle almost lovingly. “After my family’s execution on Titan, I fled the planet, and never looked back. But someone came looking for me.” William got a distant look in his eye as he remembered what had happened, the story flowing from him. “My father wasn’t a poor man by any stretch of the imagination, and when he died he left behind a sizable estate. One of his aides found me on Whitefall while I was doing some muscle work there. He told me that when I didn’t return he decided to sell everything rather than let the Alliance take it. And right there in that shit-hole town on that God-forsaken moon, he presented me with the fortune from that sale.” William put the bottle down on the table, and removed the cap. A sharp, heady aroma filled the kitchen. “I ducked out of there as fast as I could and booked passage to the Sky Plex.” William said, mentioning an orbital space station-turned-bazaar. “There I was able to procure a ship with a little luck and a good hand of cards,” William smiled as he started to pour the drinks, “and buy this bottle with the whole of my inheritance at a black-market auction.” William passed the glasses down the table. Jayne just hold his in both hands and staring at it, a dreamlike look on his face. “Now I’d like to propose a toast, and I’d like to do it the way my father did with his troops.” The crew was silent, looking at William in almost disbelief, but Mal nodded ascent. “Everyone will stand in turn and toast to something important to them at this moment. It could be anything, a feeling, an ideal, a concept, whatever. I’ll start,” he waved his glass around to encompass everyone at the table. “To new friends.” River stood up, raising her glass. “To new love.” She said as she kissed William on the cheek. William noticed Mal and Inara look at one another and smile and Kaylee was grinning from ear to ear with one of those I-told-you-I-was-right-about-you smiles. Zoë stood up, little Wash cradled in her arms. She looked down at him, swelling with pride. “To new life.” Jayne stood up, and with fervor said “To new adventures.” Mal stood and looked William in the eye, “To those that have fallen.” Inara stood, raising her glass. “To finally being home.” Kaylee stood up, pulling Simon up with her, kissing him passionately on the lips. “To finally giving in.” Simon smiled and raised his glass. “To finally being free.” They stood there looking at one another and in unison knocked back their glasses, letting the warm amber liquid roll over their tongues, finally swallowing and feeling it warm them all the way down. William looked at his empty glass and smiled. It was worth every penny. The others all laughed and took their seats, William pouring out another glass for everyone but leaving four fingers in the bottom for later. He capped the bottle and put it on the floor next to him. The meal was great, and conversation tended to be on the humorous side, as everyone had been put in a lighthearted mood. Everyone had eaten their fill and just sat in their chairs not wanting to move. Zoë just got through telling a rather humorous story about how River had been scared by Book’s hair and refused to come out of her room for hours, River filling in the details to make the story funnier. When the laughing died down, Mal looked at William. “I never got around to asking how you and the good Shepherd met, Will. If it’s not too much trouble, I think we’d all like to hear it.” William sat there a moment in silence. He didn’t want to talk about it at first, but River’s words from his first night on the ship floated into his head; ‘Their story has been told. They can move on now.’ “It all started on Ariel.” William started. “I was part of a team hired to bust someone out of a high security Alliance hospital.” At this, Simon and River both looked at him. “And out of the team, I was the only one to make it out alive.” William brushed the comment aside. “It all worked out in the end, heard another team went in a few months later and succeeded where we failed. If what I heard was true, the guy that put the contract out led that group in.” “I did.” Simon cut in. “I was the petitioner. River was the mark.” William just rubbed the back of his head. “Well now, this ‘verse just keeps getting smaller.” He smiled and winked at River. “I am sorry about not completing that contract.” Simon nodded, not sure if William was serious. “No need to be. I was under the impression the first team was killed to the man.” “Nah,” William said, waving his hand dismissively, “that’s just what the Feds said when they couldn’t find me. Anyway, as I was saying, the job was a disaster, so I had to go into hiding. I went to Badger looking for help initially,” the vein in William’s temple started to throb at the mention of his name, “but he turned me away. So, with no other options, I went to the Southdown Abbey.” “The Shepherds took me in, but never really interacted with me, which I guess was for the best. Ask me no questions, I’ll tell ye no lies.” William leaned back in his chair. “One Shepherd though reached out to me, and somehow managed to touch my heart. I had completely denied myself that feeling the day my parents died, fearing that if I allowed it, it would just be taken away again.” “Book was a real friend, even covered for me when the Feds came a callin’. The night I left the Abby, he gave me this cross and my Bible. Said I inspired him to see the Universe. And he made me believe, even if just for a moment, that everything was going to be okay. That everything was going to work out.” “I couldn’t even begin to repay the debt I owed to him.” William leaned forward, putting his head in his hands. “And now I’ll never get the chance.” River leaned forward and put her arm over William’s shoulder. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes and in them he saw compassion, patience, understanding and love. He leaned forward and kissed her.

~~~

William stood alone on the plateau, bottle and four glasses in hand, the light of the holo-projectors the only light William could see. He stood there a moment, breathing deeply, smelling the dry, clean air around him. He walked forward and came to stop only steps away from the monuments and took a knee. He put the glasses before him and poured the rest of his whisky into them. He put a glass at the foot of Book’s monument and smiled, clanking one of the other glasses against it. And then he put one in front of Wash’s marker and then one in front of Mr. Universe’s marker. He stood in front of them and raised the glass in his hand. “To those that have fallen...” He said, echoing Mal’s words from earlier. “Wash, Mr. Universe, I never had the honor of knowing you, but I salute the sacrifice you made in order to do what was right. May we all be so lucky as to die such a noble death. And Book, after my father died, you were the closest thing I’d ever had to feeling that closeness in a person again. I just wish that we had had more time.” And then he turned his attention to the sky, raising his glass even higher. “Mother, Father.” Tears began to pour down his cheeks. “I miss you so much. I try to live my life in a way that would make you proud, and I hope that you are.” He lowered the glass and looked into it. “Here’s to you, here’s to all of you.” William took a step forward and poured the contents of his glass into the sand. He turned to find he was no longer alone. Zoë stood a few paces behind him. “How much did you hear?” He asked without malice. Zoë had tears in her eyes. “Enough.” And she walked forward and embraced William, each of them finding strength in the presence of the other. ~~~

It was late, and William was sitting awake in his bunk reading his Bible. There was a knock at his door, and William walked over to open it, expecting to find River on the other side. He was surprised to find Simon standing in the hallway. “We need to talk.” He said as he let himself into William’s room. “Come in.” William said sarcastically, closing the door behind him. Simon just stood there looking at William, not saying anything. “Nice talk, Doc, now if that’ll be all …” “What was that about with River at the dinner table?” Simon cut in. William rolled his eyes. He was about to get the ‘big brother’ speech. “I’ll assume you’re referring to the kiss.” “What else would I be talking about?” Simon asked. “I knew you and River were close, but I didn’t know it was romantic until tonight.” This admission surprised William. He had assumed that the crew knew since Mal was in the infirmary when River kissed him the first time. Apparently, Mal wasn’t one to violate a confidence, even on a trivial matter such as this. William respected that. “Is this the part where you tell me to stop seeing your sister? Because I really don’t feel like …” Simon cut William off again. “River is my sister, and I will never stop protecting her, I can’t.” He sat down at the edge of William’s bed. “But she’s an adult. And even though she still has her moments, I trust her to make her own decisions.” William just leaned back against the wall, deciding it best just to let Simon talk. “I can’t say I’m happy about this, though it’s not like she took an interest in Jayne.” The two of them laughed and some of the tension in the air subsided. “I’m not going to tell you to stop seeing her, she’d never forgive me. Just know that if you hurt her, there’s all manner of things I could do to you.” William smiled. “I think that’d be a violation of the doctor’s oath there, Simon.” “My love for River far outweighs my love for medicine.” Simon stood and walked towards the door. He stopped when he was next to William. “She means more to me than you could ever know, William. But then again, you almost died protecting her, so you might.” He opened the door. “Please don’t make me regret this.” And with that, he was gone. William decided to call it a night.

~~~

Badger stood outside the office pacing impatiently, he was not used to waiting. He looked much worse for wear, looking as if wild animals had mauled him. His face was badly cut into, some of the wounds only now starting to heal. His right eye was a sickly, milky white, and it was obvious to those that saw it that it was unseeing. The only other visible damage to him was the slight limp he had to his walk. The story went, as Badger told it, that he and his men had a run in with Reavers and that he was the only one fortunate enough to survive. Truth was that after his failed attempt to capture River Tam, Malcolm Reynolds and Jayne Cobb did everything they could to make him regret his actions, Jayne taking particular pleasure in destroying his eye. Badger spit at the memory. A few moments later, the door opened and a very imposing man came into the waiting area. “He will see you now.” Badger stepped into the dark office and stood before the large desk, the high backed chair turned away from him facing a fire burning in the fireplace. “You come seeking vengeance against Captain Reynolds, yes?” The man in the chair said without turning around. “That’s a fact, old man. And I heard you might be the one to help me, owing to your history with the good Captain.” The man in the chair turned to face Badger, his face betraying nothing. Badger stood there quiet, uncomfortable in the silence. Then Adelai Niska smiled. “In business it’s all about reputation, and because of Captain Reynolds my reputation is not so solid, but,” he waved his finger at Badger, his smile getting bigger, “I see that I am still feared, yes?” Badger just smiled nervously. “Yes, that is good.” Niska got up and looked out the porthole into the space beyond, his hands locked behind his back. “I will not help you kill Captain Reynolds, I’ve done that once already.” He turned to Badger and smiled. “What we are going to do is break him, yes? And the way to do that is simple; through his precious crew.” Niska began to laugh as he turned back to the window.

~~~

William was walking through the ship towards the loading bay hoping to get a light workout in. His injuries were still an inconvenience, but didn’t prevent him from at least staying limber. As he rounded a corner Mal fell into step next to him. “You feel up to doin’ a job?” He asked as they entered the bay. “Just got a request over the wire. Simple enough, and on our way if you’re interested.” William smiled. He hadn’t been on a job since he was shot. Granted, he’d flown Serenity, so he was involved, but he’d been unofficially benched. “I seem to remember the last ‘simple’ job I went on got two pieces of hot iron in me.” He waited a beat, lying on the weight bench. “But as I’m a believer in keeping all my skills honed, I’m up for it. What’s the job?” He began doing reps. “Legitimate work this time; courier job. You’n Jayne’ll take the shuttle to Whitefall; there’s an Alliance cruiser in orbit there. You’ll dock with the cruiser; get the cargo, and rendezvous with Serenity on Whitefall. Then we’ll deliver the cargo to Regina.” William secured the weight bar in the rack. “Alliance cruiser? What’s the price if you’re willing to send Jayne and I into the belly of the beast?” “Pay’s fair. Cargo is Pasceline D, it’s a medicine used to treat …” “Bowden’s Malady. I know.” William said as he readied himself for another set. “Regina’s plagued by it. Sounds like good work. Who’s the contact on Regina?” “Bourne, he’s the Sheriff of Paradiso.” Mal said as he got in place to spot William for this set, “We’ve got a separate job, and an inkling to keep Serenity away from the Alliance, so that’s why we’re splitting up.” “Wow,” William said as he lifted the weights, “a job that involves the Alliance and the Feds. Nope, nothing could possibly go wrong.” He said wryly.

~~~

Jayne was loading the crates into the shuttle while William signed for them, Mal deciding it best if Jayne wasn’t allowed to do the talking. William finished verifying the cargo manifest, signed it and handed it back to the Alliance officer. “We were expecting a ship, not a shuttle for this pickup.” William smiled, nonchalantly. “As were we, but we got another request for a pickup, one much larger than this, so we decided to save time by splitting up.” The officer didn’t look happy. “I guess you have to make due as best you can.” He looked William over, almost as if hoping to find some reason to arrest him. William just smiled. “Alright, we’re done here.” He handed William the first half of the payment. “On your way.” ~~~

William and Jayne made it to the rendezvous spot on time, but there was no sign of Serenity. It was too early for worry, so William just assumed that Mal had gotten held up. They landed the shuttle and went out into the valley. “I don’t like it.” Jayne said as he threw a rock into a crevasse. William threw a rock in as well. “What’s not to like Jayne? Pick up went without a hitch.” “Captain’s late, it ain’t like him.” Just then, Jayne and William heard the sound of engines from behind the ridge. “Well now, just like Mal to make and entrance.” “Um, Jayne?” William said as he raised his hands over his head. “That ain’t Mal.” A skiff shot towards them, a man positioned behind a large caliber machine gun, and it was pointed right at them. “Aw, shit.” Jayne raised his hands as well, the skiff coming to a stop in front of the two of them. The gunner jumped out and leveled a double-barreled boom stick at the two of them. “Adelai Niska sends his regards and requests your presence at his estate.” At the mention of Niska’s name, Jayne’s jaw set and he gave William worried look.

~~~

“Ah, Malcolm Reynolds, I take it you remember me, yes?” Mal looked into his com-screen at the smiling face of Niska, William strapped to a device of some kind behind him. “And I think you remember this, yes?” And at his prompting, William began to scream. “What do you want?” Mal yelled into the screen, which prompted a laugh from Niska. Badger walked into the view of the screen and smiled. “We want you, Reynolds. A life for a life.” Badger walked up and shifted the device that William was strapped to, showing Jayne strapped to the other side. “Think I might take his eye in payment for mine.” Badger picked up a hot iron and pressed it to Jayne’s side, eliciting a scream. “But I think I’ll save that for last.” The other members of the crew were sitting in the bridge silently watching what was happening to Jayne and William. Simon was holding River as she tried to run to the com-screen, tears streaming down her face. Zoë hit the mute button. “What do we do Captain?” “We go after them.” Mal said squaring his jaw. “I was referring to Niska and Badger, Sir.” Zoë said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Not make the same mistakes again.” He looked at the crew. “Niska killed me once; it’s time I return the favor.” Mal hit the comm button, reestablishing audio. “Where do you want us?” ~~~

Niska was smart this time, forcing Mal and Zoë to come alone in Serenity’s other shuttle, so as to prevent a repeat of their last rescue attempt. Mal, however, was prepared for such a development. He filled Kaylee, Simon, Inara and River in on the plan and left Serenity in their capable hands. He just prayed the plan worked. ~~~

“How does it feel, Mister Alexander, knowing that your Captain comes to die?” Niska asked as he pushed another hot needle into William’s chest. William clenched his teeth, fighting back a scream. He wasn’t going to give Niska the pleasure. “So quiet now, Mister Alexander. This will not do.” William looked at Niska and spit in his face. “Go to Hell.” Niska just smiled. “Most definitely.” He pulled William’s cross off and threw it against the wall. “But will you be joining me?” Niska asked as he picked up another one of his devices and smiled. “That is the question.” William screamed as Niska continued with the torture.

~~~

Mal and Zoë were taken into the room where William and Jayne were strapped up. A quick look from Mal confirmed that Jayne still possessed both his eyes. William was unconscious, hanging by his wrists from the ceiling, his feet in a bucket of water and a battery cell on the floor next to him. “Ah, Captain Reynolds, so nice of you to join the fun.” Niska said, signaling to the two guards that escorted him and Zoë in. One of them took Zoë to the wall and chained her up. The other started taking Mal from the room. “This wasn’t the deal, Niska.” Mal said, trying to fight the guard. Badger came forward, punching Mal in the stomach. “Deal’s changed.” Mal was dragged out of the room.

~~~

William awoke, cold, his head pounding. He opened his eyes, the light felt like spears of hot fire to his brain. He was in a cell; the metal floor of it was cold to the touch. Scanning the room, William saw that Mal was strapped to a chair looking out a window, through which he saw the room he had been in earlier. Zoë and Jayne were in there now, the two of them receiving harsher treatment that William himself had experienced. William struggled to a standing position, needing to lean against the bars for support. “Captain?” There was no answer from Mal. “Mal!” William called, fearing the worst. Mal stirred but didn’t face him. “Will, you’re alive.” The relief in Mal’s voice was apparent. “The way you looked, I wasn’t sure.” “I’ll be fine, eventually.” William pressed, “Captain, where are the others?” Just then, the sound of gunfire erupted out in the hall. “I think they’re here.” Mal’s voice strained. William looked through the glass, and it seemed that Niska and Badger were so wrapped up in what they were doing that they hadn’t heard the shots. The hallway door opened and River came in with Simon close behind. River was carrying a pistol in one hand and her sword in the other. She was bathed in blood; William just hoped it wasn’t hers. They came into the room and Simon went to release Mal from his restraints as River came to William’s cell. She reached through the bars and pulled William’s face forward, kissing him deeply. “I didn’t think I’d see you again.” William forced a smile. “I told you, love. I’m not going anywhere.” “I like it when you call me that.” River said as she put a key into the door, pulling it open. She helped William over to where Mal was standing. “Watch him,” she put William into Mal’s arms, “I have to get the others.” Before anyone could protest, River was out the door. They all turned to the glass in front of them as the door to the torture chamber opened. Before anyone in the room could react, William watched as the blade of River’s sword pushed through the back of the guard by the door. The other one made a lung for her, but she put three rounds into the guy without even looking. Niska fell away from Zoë, cowering against the wall. Badger, however, picked up one of the hot irons and advanced on River. William couldn’t hear what was being said, but it was apparent that Badger was yelling. River kicked the first guard to free her blade. Badger took a swing at her and she sliced upward, severing Badger’s arm just above the elbow. He fell to his knees, cradling his stump in his other arm. He looked up at River, a pleading expression in his face. Without flinching, without emotion, River thrust downward, the tip of her sword hitting Badger where the neck meets the shoulder, and continuing through him. River let the body fall to the ground. She proceeded to cut Jayne and Zoë down, pulling them off to the side, and then turned her attention towards Niska. She lifted him up by his shirt and slammed him against the slab where Jayne had been moments before. William couldn’t see Niska’s face from where he was standing, but he could see River’s, and it terrified him. It was completely devoid of any emotion, even anger. William had seen one other person look like that, and it was an Operative. It sent shivers down William’s spine. Mal moved from under William, pushing him towards Simon. “Hold him.” And he headed out the door. River finished securing Niska in place, and was reaching for one of the torture devices on the cart next to him when Mal burst in. Simon reached forward and turned on a two-way speaker so he and William could hear what was going on. “… can’t do it, not like this.” Mal was saying as he walked up to where Niska was tied down. “He doesn’t deserve to get off so easy.” River backed away, allowing Mal to stand before Niska. He crossed his arms and looked down at the pathetic form of Niska before him. “I wanted to let bygones be bygones, but no, you had to come after my crew.” Mal punched Niska and William could here him whimper through the speaker. “I let you live,” Mal was yelling at this point, “and this is what I get for the trouble?” Mal extended his hand and River gave him the pistol she was still holding. Mal pistol-whipped Niska across the face. William heard a crunch and saw teeth go flying from the old man. “Well, it ain’t a mistake I plan on repeating.” He put the pistol against Niska’s knee and pulled the trigger. Niska screamed. “That’s for William.” He proceeded to shoot the other knee and then his shoulder. “That’s for Jayne and Zoë. And this,” Mal picked up a device that was one of Niska’s favorites, “well, this is for me.” He slammed the device into Niska’s chest, tendrils shooting out the end to envelope his organs, Niska’s screams echoed through the room. Simon turned off the speaker, and the silence that ensued was almost deafening. Mal and River then walked over and collected Zoë and Jayne, River stopping only to pick up something small and putting it in her pocket. As they walked out the door Mal turned and fired all the remaining rounds in the pistol at Niska. There was no doubt that he was dead. Once they were together, they headed for Serenity, Simon supporting William on his shoulder. The halls of the compound were littered with bodies, some shot, and others hacked apart. William looked up at River in disbelief. How could someone so young be capable of such horror? William shook those thoughts from his head and turned to Mal. “So, how exactly did they find us?” Mal reached down and pulled a small device from behind his belt buckle. “Pulse transmitter.” He stuffed the device into his pocket. “Wasn’t sure it would work, to be honest.” He admitted gravely. “Looks like we got lucky.” The rest of the walk to the ship was quiet, there wasn’t much else to say. ~~~

William stood next to the exam tables Jayne and Zoë were laying in. They were conscious, but heavily sedated. William was given some painkillers and a few quick stitch-ups. He fared much better than the others. Mal stuck his head into the infirmary. “We’ll be in Paradiso any minute.” William didn’t turn to acknowledge. “I’ll need you in the cargo hold in five.” He didn’t wait for an answer and left. William stood there for a few minutes quietly looking at the two of them. They had almost died, and the realization of that fact hadn’t hit until just then. He shook his head and walked towards the cargo bay. When he arrived, Mal, Simon and Kaylee were standing next to the crates as the bay door was lowering. He walked up and Kaylee put her hand on William’s shoulder, giving him a comforting look, but it was also apologetic. Kaylee felt bad that she hadn’t come on the rescue mission. Inara had stayed behind to watch Wash and Kaylee was needed to fly the ship. William told her not to worry about it, but it was her way. When the bay door was finally lowered, Mal and William walked forward as a man, Sheriff Bourne by William’s guess, and a woman walked up the gangway. “Well, if it isn’t Mr. Raymond.” The man said extending his hand to Mal. Mal took it and smiled. It was obviously a joke between them that William didn’t get. “That’s twice now you’ve been the one to deliver a shipment of Pasceline D to us, only this time it’s not after you stole it.” He then looked around suspiciously. “You didn’t steal it, did you?” Mal laughed. “Nope, straight from the Alliance, I assure you.” Bourne was looking William over. “Your boy here’s banged up pretty bad. I’m assuming that’s related to your delay?” William got uncomfortable. He didn’t like Feds, liked them even less when they were looking him over. “It is, but it’s got nothing to do with the job.” Mal said as he brought the canisters forward. Bourne crossed his arms over his chest. “Any more injured or is he the only one?” William was going to say something dismissive, but Mal put his hand on his shoulder. “Two more in the infirmary, worse than him. Why?” “We’ve got a decent hospital here in Paradiso. It’s not much, but it’s a might better than anything you have in this ship.” He looked at his deputy. “You paid us a kindness you didn’t have to way back, and I’d like to clear that debt. The facilities are available for you and your crew to use if you’d like them.” Simon stepped forward. “That’s a generous offer Sheriff, and to be honest, William, Jayne and Zoë could benefit from some ground time in an actual hospital.” Mal looked at Simon, then William, and then back to the Sheriff. “I appreciate that Sheriff. Simon, if you want to prep Jayne and Zoë for transfer I’ll get the ship ready to take off.” “Take off?” William asked. Mal looked at William bemused. “I’m not leaving you here Will, at least not permanently.” He pointed at the crates in the corner. “There’s still another delivery that has to be made and we’re already behind schedule.” “But,” William pressed, “is it really safe to go alone? What if…?” Mal cut him off. “That problem’s taken care of, I made sure of it. River and I will be fine. You’ll see.”

~~~

For the next two weeks William, Jayne and Zoë had been getting treatments for their injuries in Paradiso’s hospital. Niska was good at what he did, and William was sure they’d be feeling the discomfort from this encounter for months, if not years, to come. Mal and River had returned about a week earlier, and the Sheriff arranged lodging for them in town and River came to see William every day he was in the hospital. He was thankful for her company, but felt distant towards her, and did what he could to avoid being alone with her. The truth was she scared him, almost as much as Niska did. He was torn and just needed some time to sort things out. But he could tell that his attitude was affecting her, and he felt horrible for it. William was finally released from the hospital and returned to the ship. He went to the kitchen, making himself a cup of tea before returning to his room. When he opened his door he was surprised to find River sitting on the end of his bed, just looking at him. He waited a beat, not sure what to say. River finally broke the silence. “We’re not okay, are we?” “I don’t know.” William said honestly. “You’re scared of me,” she said and started to cry, “scared of what I might do to you.” “The thought had crossed my mind.” The incident in the loading bay where she cut him flashed in William’s memory. River looked at the floor. “Do you still love me?” Her comment surprised William, and he didn’t know how to answer her right away. He’d never told her that he loved her, wasn’t really sure of it himself. Until now, he thought. He sat on the bed next to her, taking her hand in his. “I do.” She looked at him, the tears streaming down her cheeks. “Say it. Tell me you love me.” William put his hand on her cheek, wiping away the tears there. “I love you, River, with all my heart.” “But you’re scared of me.” She said looking away. “And you blame me?” Frustrated, William stood and walked away from the bed. “After what I saw, you’re surprised?” “I did it for you, William.” River said coming to stand behind him. “I did it for us.” He turned and she buried her face in his chest. William wrapped her in an embrace and her sobbing began to quiet. “We’ll get through this love, I just need some time.” She looked up and smiled, then pulled William forward and kissed him, holding it for some time. When she pulled away, William felt a weight around his neck. He looked down to see his cross. William smiled. She kissed him again. “I’ll wait as long as it takes.” She said as she pulled away slightly. “Thanks love.” William said, smiling. River put her head against William’s chest and smiled. “I like it when you call me that.”

COMMENTS

Friday, February 9, 2007 2:14 AM

AMDOBELL


This was very good though I was surprised at Mal taking a job that involved the Alliance. I could see him working with Sheriff Bourne as the two men have a mutual respect for one another, but the Alliance? As Mal once said, "That ain't us - ever." The bit that made no sense to me though was when Niska and Badger tell them what they want ('a life for a life') and Mal asks "Where to you want us?" Us? Then Mal takes Zoe down in the other shuttle knowing it is a gorram trap. Why take Zoe? Bad enough to put his own head in the noose, couldn't see him doing that to Zoe though. Everything else though was just so shiny, especially the part where Mal gets to make sure Niska really is finished off properly. I also liked it that at the end William is wary of River, he had never seen her pull out all the stops before and that kind of revelation would be more than a mite terrifying. Ali D
You can't take the sky from me

Friday, February 9, 2007 2:16 AM

AMDOBELL


Sorry, I meant to say "Where do you want us?", do not to.
Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me

Friday, February 9, 2007 2:59 AM

BABYWITHTHEPOWER


Glad you liked it.

I see what you're saying, and I'll word it better in the rewrite. The way the job went down, it was Bourne that hired them, just happened to be the Alliance had the goods for pickup.

As far as Mal taking Zoe with him, it wasn't really an option. I didn't come out and say it because I thought Mal's line "Where do you want us?" was a good place to do a scene change. Niska didn't forget that it was Zoe that lead the rescue mission that got Mal out, and he'd want to repay that favor. I figured it would be implied. Might have to reword that part as well.

Friday, February 9, 2007 12:57 PM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER


Ooh...mighty fine stuff you got here, babywiththepower, though I gotta agree about Mal having some serious issue with taking a job even vaguely relating to the Union of Allied Planets;)

Still...glad to see Badger and Niska getting their just desserts in the end. That and I gotta give you props for having William start suffering some doubts about how he perceives River. Regardless of who Joss would have had River hook up, one hurdle would always be her imposed fighting skills;)

BEB


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