Goodbye, Old Friend ------------------------------------------------- based on the world of Firefly by Joss Whedon

The Wed and Bed might have been a lousy wedding chapel, but it had one awesome rooftop and that is where Cat found 'Ski. He sat, his legs over the edge with a bottle of golden colored liquor hanging from his hand. She looked down at the two she had and smiled, at least they were on the same page.

“What happened with your captain?” It was a question, nothing more.

“Asleep. I suppose you all didn't sleep too much when I was out.” She took a seat beside him and sat the bottles between.

“Not really. Enough though for you to take a walk.” He looked at then and Cat saw more pain than she had ever seen marking his face. “Was it true what you said or was it really just a dream?”

'What do you think?' she thought at him and he nodded.

“Not sure I want you in my head.”

“I can only send and receive thoughts sent directly to me. I'm not a reader and not sure I want to be.”

“Bad enough with that little girl always staring at me.”

“She knows you were once a Reaver. Read it off you when we were still bewildered by that dream.”

“Now you know why I don't like readers or being on that lousy ship. Serenity I like...the crew, not so much.”

“You just don't being around a bunch of people.” Cat reached and opened a bottle as they both took a swig at the same time.

“Damn right. Shit wouldn't of happened if it were just you and me. I would have dealt with the beast and never would have...” He stopped for a minute and sucked down the last of his liquor.

“...had to watch as I fought something you couldn't help me with.”

“I hate feeling helpless.”

“No, you hate feeling human.” She touched his leg, but he pulled away from her.

“Not this time, Cat.” He stood letting the bottle fall from the roof and land with an explosion of glass in the dumpster below. 'Ski walked over and grabbed a duffel bag he had stashed in the corner. Cat looked at him and frowned.

“That's how it's going to be.”

“Can't do this anymore. I fought so long not to care and not to be human, just a machine for killing and maybe do a bit of good before the bullet found its mark. Never should have married you, never should have let you become something to me...well, I now plan of justifying it.” He reached into his pocket and handed her a white piece of paper.

“What's this?”

“Just needs your signature on it and you to drop it off downstairs. Surprisingly, they do divorces, too. Cost a hundred, but then at least, we're not beholding to each other anymore.”

Cat held the paper as if it were a death sentence. She never let herself cry in front of anyone who had hurt her, but as the warm summer breeze blew on her cheek, Cat could feel where they were falling. “If that's what you want..”

“It's what must be done. I thought you were safe. Thought you were the only thing in this entire world that I could associate with and not have to worry about dying. Guess I was wrong.”

“Why is it so bad to be human?” She muttered, the paper still held at arm's length, afraid if she brought it to her chest, it would make it real. “That is one thing, my Kitty Cat, you will never understand.”

“Then enlighten me. Damn it. Don't just walk away” She shouted at him, her whole soul crying out. Strangely, for the first time, Cat felt helpless, like a piece of her heart was getting ripped out and she had no way of stopping it.

“I have lost everyone and it was not by choice. This time I'm the one ripping the bandage. Not the Alliance, not some asshole with a gun, not even the Grim fucking Reaper...I'm the one in control.”

“I can hear the applauds now.” Finally, she brought the paper to her and stood arms folded against her. “So this is it. No more calling you asking for help. No more sharing of anything. Guess you were right about one thing...”

“And what's that?”

“It was a waste.” She turned from him, her back to his form.

“I'm not meaning to hurt you, Babe.”

“Name's Cat. Only my husband calls me Babe and he's dead.” Her legs carried her down the stairs leaving her only one true friend alone to go on with his life. Truly, she hoped the best for him, just never saw the day she would be without him.

Her feet took her to the door of the chapel entrance and she entered. After four years, the place hadn't changed one bit. Same curtains, same old couple, same rates...The lady said something, but Cat ignored her and walked up to where the alter was. Memories of it flooded as she smiled a bit. It was never suppose to happen and yet, now here she stood regretting its end.

“Did you need something?” The lady must have followed her as she turned to face her and recognition flew over her face and yellowed teeth. “I remember you. You and your boyfriend got married here about, oh, maybe four or five years ago.”

“That's right.” Cat managed the few words she could speak.

“You were one of the happiest couples that has come in here in a long time. I remember you because you weren't too sure and he basically told you how much he wanted your hand. Your hubby's such a romantic.”

Cat almost lost it in laughter, but then stopped remembering why she was here. “True, but I guess that period of our lives is done.”

“I told him to reconsider. Divorce is such a sad thing. Been with my hubby for nearly fifty years and even though there is things we disagree on, well, he's my best friend. Couldn't imagine life without him.” A strange thing had happened while she talked and Cat could only explain it as love is blind. She looked again at the old place and saw the beauty within. The curtains, though made of yellowed lace, had once been gorgeous, probably expensive and the paintings were some of the best she had seen under the dust that had formed. This place had once been gorgeous and had once been respectable.

“What did he say after you told him that?”

“He just looked at me and looked at this place, much as you are now. But, then his face got hard and he said you wanted it. Slapped the hundred down and asked if I had any liquor.”

“Well, he was wrong. He wants it and I guess I better give it to him.”

“Are you sure you want to do that?” The lady looked to Cat as she sighed.

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Cat stepped on Serenity, but it felt different. For the first time since she had gotten on the firefly class transport, she felt oddly alone. It was a strange feeling for one, her heart was not broken since she really didn't love 'Ski the way she loved Mal or connect with him the was she did River. He was, though and forever would be, her dearest and very best friend, constant shadow would have worked here too, but in essence, he wasn't. Neither one of them was better than the other and in a weird way, neither had to be.

He hadn't been gone even an hour and she missed him, something telling her it wouldn't get much better. Mal found her first and for some reason, she was glad of that, the divorce paper tucked in her pocket.

“What's wrong, boa bei?” He asked as she melted in his arms, this strong and beautiful woman, who he had never seen really cry, shaking under its sorrowful strain.

“Ski's gone. He had to go.” It was the only words she could find, the only thing that could sum up all the hurt and the pain without going into a bawling rage.

“Maybe it was time he did. You know he felt uncomfortable on this ship with me. I'm sorry though. Truly, I am.” His heartbeat under hers made her feel somewhat better, though it still didn't help that she could smell her partner on every inch of the ship. An old scent, but it was still there...of cigarettes and whiskey and his reaver blood....

'Goodbye, Old friend.' She thought to the wind, hoping where ever he was heading he'd get the message.

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