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BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL
Mal sits on the bridge and tries hard not to think about Inara. First in a series?
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 1907 RATING: 9 SERIES: FIREFLY
What the hell do I do now? Mal asked himself, sitting on the bridge of the ship that had been his home for more than six years now. It’s been nearly three months since Wash … and Book … Zoe’s hardly come out of her bunk ‘cept to eat and work, Jayne’s been working out every hour he can, trying to put the Preacher out of his mind … only ones seem anywhere near happy are Kaylee and the Doc, and that’s mainly ‘cause they’re spending all their time grappling with each other.
He lifted one booted foot to rest on the console. It’s good that River’s better, I mean that’s a good thing. Nearly got myself split to do it, but … and the whole ‘verse knows now about Miranda. Might put a firework up the collective Alliance pigu, but somehow I ain't got the faith it’ll do much more than fizz a little then go out. Big things like the Alliance tend to weather the storm. Just wait for it to go away, til the next big thing comes along to fill the Cortex and take everyone’s mind off the millions of people who died …
Lifting his hand, he rubbed the bridge of his nose. The headache was still there, had been for a while. Maybe he should go see the doctor for a painkiller, knock it out once and for all, only the thought of walking in on the pair of them … Ain't gonna do that. Not again. Least, not for a while. Too much flesh on display. He shuddered at the memory.
Someone put their hands on his shoulders, and he realised he was too tired to care who it was.
“If’n you gonna kill me, do it quick,” he said. “Kinda ain't got the wherewithal to worry about it too much.”
“Not going to kill you, captain,” River said softly, massaging the knots in his muscles.
“Oh, that’s …” He groaned. “How the hell’d you learn how to do that?” he asked, his eyes closing a little.
“I know what you need. See what you need. And you need her.”
His eyes flew open. “Need who, little albatross?”
“She’s waiting for you. Has been for three months.”
“Well, I’ve been here. Not like I was gonna be anywhere else.”
She took her hands away and sat down in the other seat, shaking her head sadly at him. “It won’t change unless you change it,” she said softly, pulling her bare feet up under her.
“Why’s it up to me?” he asked, knowing he sounded whiny. “Why can’t she take the first step?”
“She did. She didn’t go home.”
“Home?”
“The Training House.” River tipped her head and looked at him like a bird eyeing up a worm. “You know she hasn’t taken a client in months.”
“No?” He wasn’t sure. She just seemed to be around a lot.
“Not even before you rescued her.”
“Really.”
River stared at him, her eyes dark. “She needs you.”
“Then why hasn’t she said?”
“Circles. Going round in circles and you always end up where you began, with nothing.” She pointed to the door. “Go and talk to her. It might never be anything, but you have to see. Otherwise the day will come and you will be saying goodbye for the last time and there will be nothing left.”
“You … you think she’ll go again?”
“What does she have to stay for?”
“River, it ain't that easy –“
“It is.” She stood up and took his hand, pulling him to his feet. “Tell her.”
“No. Look, I tried, before, but –“
“Then try again.” She turned him around and gave him a gentle push. “I’ll look after the ship, captain. You look after your heart.”
COMMENTS
Friday, April 20, 2007 2:49 AM
CHAZZER
Friday, April 20, 2007 3:57 AM
VALERIEBEAN
Friday, April 20, 2007 9:57 AM
HEWHOKICKSALOT
Friday, April 20, 2007 10:37 AM
PLATONIST
Friday, April 20, 2007 11:22 AM
AMDOBELL
Friday, April 20, 2007 5:20 PM
EMPIREX
Saturday, April 21, 2007 6:59 PM
BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER
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