*Sorry it's taken so long to continue the story--I blame the humdrum of R.L. for taking me away from that which I adore...writing and Firefly.*

**Disclaimer: All hail Joss Whedon, the cast and crew and Mutant Enemy. I own nothing and am in awe of all that is Joss and company.**

SHADOWS PUPPETS – ACT VI By Shayz

FADE IN:

INT. AMGINE – RESEARCH ARENA – FLASHBACK

Zoo-like cell with three solid walls, one glass wall for observation.

We see THE BACK of an ANDROGENOUS REAVER, chained spread eagle against a cell wall. Wires attach to the body at several points, including head. There are electrical burns and angry scars on the Reaver’s back and legs.

Jess’ reflection appears in the glass wall of the cell, she’s dressed as Alliance military officer with perfect posture, hands behind her back. She’s joined by a scientist in a lab coat.

SCIENTIST: Subject 3-1A has shown sufficient reserves. Have you determined the nature of this strength?

JESS: Nothingness.

SCIENTIST: Elaborate.

JESS: Subject 3-1A lacks a soul.

SCIENTIST: Interesting. How did you determine this theory?

JESS: I’ve seen its plans.

SCIENTIST: How could it have plans?

JESS: Every creature has an agenda doctor. Remove the moral compass…nothing hinders progress toward reaching that agenda.

SCIENTIST: Nothing…except state of the art restraints.

JESS: Yes. There are those.

Jess focuses on the prisoner’s restraints and the chains release the Reaver all at once. The Reaver drops hard to the floor, landing on its side. As the Reaver gets oriented and starts to rise, we see it is a horribly scarred female with vicious looking teeth.

SCIENTIST: What?!

JESS (slowly waves a hand at the scientist): Stop.

The Scientist freezes, mouth gaping, eyes full of terror, unable to move or speak. The Reaver stands and faces Jess, after consideration, the Reaver moves a step over and bares teeth at the scientist.

JESS (leaving): Relax doctor…you two have a lot in common.

As Jess walks away, the Reaver never looks at her, its gaze remains on the scientist. When Jess is gone, the Reaver grins as it smashes its forehead into the glass, shattering the window.

INT. SERENITY - COMMON AREA/INFIRMARY – PICKING UP

Everyone looks around confused. Mal’s watching Simon.

MAL: Doc? What’s the deal?

SIMON: I…I’m not …she was just here. She should have been out for a couple of hours.

MAL: Tamada. Zoe, search the quarters…including Jayne’s. Wash, check the bridge. Doc, go…see your sister. Kaylee…the shuttle—

MAL (cont.) (off Kaylee’s scared look) (Mal adds a belated –s to the word): -s…go with Book to look in on the empty and Inara’s.

Kaylee looks relieved.

MAL (cont.): I’ll check the cargo bay.

WASH: What do we do if we find her?

Mal takes that in.

MAL (to Simon): Did the tests give you any notions?

SIMON: She’s not sick…or contaminated. Though, she is tagged.

ZOE: Tagged?

SIMON: Genetically.

ZOE: A tracer?

SIMON: No…a marker. She’s …genetically enhanced.

KAYLEE: Huh?

BOOK: Ah…I believe the good doctor just answered your earlier question, Captain.

SIMON: The idea was toyed with back on Earth-that-was in the twenty-first century. Wealthy people wanted a choice in conception: gender, eye color, and the like. Doctor’s would develop embryos and make modifications. There were millions of mistakes…mutations…at the beginning of the twenty-second century the world government banned any further research…the science was believed lost in the final uprising…

MAL: So for folks without doctor schoolin’ …she’s...?

SIMON: A designer baby.

KAYLEE: A what?

SIMON: Sorry…ah…an upgrade.

WASH: That supposed to be a good thing, right?

ZOE: Upgraded to what?

SIMON: She didn’t stay under as long as expected…the alteration in brain chemistry seems to change how her body reacts to certain stimuli. Also, from what I observed, she’s able to access and interact with systems remotely.

BOOK: Computer systems.

SIMON: Yes.

WASH: That’s new and improved.

Book nods, his face unreadable as he looks into the infirmary and stares at the monitor…thinking.

INT. INARA’S SHUTTLE – CONTINUING

Inara carries a cup of tea over to the bed where Jess is reclining – above the covers. Inara sits on the edge of the bed, next to Jess.

INARA: Are you feeling better?

JESS: A bit. Those stairs are tougher than they look.

INARA: You should have remained in the infirmary.

Jess sips her tea.

INARA (cont.): They’ll be looking for you.

JESS: Already are. I needed to speak with you…before…to say sorry…for earlier.

INARA: No apology is necessary.

JESS: You gave me one shock after another. Double whammy…hit hard.

INARA: I’m not sure I understand—

JESS: You and Mal.

Inara looks down at her hands.

INARA: Mal and I aren’t together.

JESS: Not physically.

INARA: I care for him.

JESS (touches Inara’s hand): Let’s not play.

Inara looks at Jess’ hand on hers then up at Jess’ eyes. Inara relaxes and smiles.

INT. SERENITY - COMMON AREA/INFIRMARY – CONTINUING

No one has moved.

MAL: And we know she’s something of a…

WASH: Mind reader?

MAL: I wasn’t gonna say it.

ZOE: But you think-

MAL: Yeah, all right. Jess has always had something…else goin’ on.

SIMON: Like River.

MAL: Only a different kind of crazy.

SIMON: Right.

ZOE: And she has more control…over herself…her…upgrades. Sir, it’s a risk-

MAL: We’re not cutting her loose. She’s in trouble-

WASH: And we’re all used to that. (catches Simon’s gaze) Sorry.

Simon nods accepting the apology.

MAL (to Zoe): She’s staying.

ZOE (terse): Yes, sir.

The look in Zoe’s eyes is as dangerous as Mal’s.

Kaylee looks to Simon and they turn to Wash, who raises his brows. Book looks deep in thought and doesn’t seem to notice the uncomfortable silence.

BOOK: I wonder…

MAL/SIMON: What?

BOOK: The government didn’t take Ms. Halladay until she was 18? Perhaps those four extra years she had over River made it possible for her to resist whatever torture the government had in store.

WASH: Didn’t she become two people…

BOOK: I believe the second personality came about because of something worse.

WASH: Worse than torture? Okay, having been there…can’t think of anything worse.

Mal gives Wash a look.

WASH (off look): And…obviously I’m alone in that belief.

ZOE: Interesting as all this is, Shepherd. We only really have one question needing an answer: What is she up to?

KAYLEE (light bulb moment): Powering up!

Everyone looks to Kaylee.

KAYLEE (cont.): The shuttle. It must’ve been when she woke up in here that the shuttle started its power up. She’s connected to the shuttle. The computer…right? (looks at everyone) Right?

SIMON: It’s possible…in theory.

KAYLEE: So if she’s connected to her ship-

WASH: The ship might know where she is?

MAL: Let’s find out.

Mal leads the way and the others follow.

INT. INARA’S SHUTTLE – CONTINUING

Inara and Jess are facing each other on the bed, laughing as if long lost sisters.

INARA: He can be so infuriating—

JESS: -and condescending.

INARA: I simply want to punch him in his smug face.

JESS: Doesn’t feel as good as you might think.

INARA: At times, I believe it would be worth the pain.

JESS (nods): I‘ve had a few of those moments.

Inara smiles dreamily.

INARA: But then he gets these looks.

JESS: “I wanna see you naked” looks or the “I wanna hold you all night”?

INARA: I admit I enjoy both…

JESS (knowingly): You’ve seen another.

INARA: When he looks at Kaylee.

JESS: Ah, yes…the baby sister.

INARA: Exactly. The protectiveness he exudes. I could wrap myself up in it and be content.

JESS: Makes you warm and fuzzy.

INARA: Tingly all over.

JESS: I remember.

After a beat:

INARA: It must be difficult, seeing him again after so many years.

JESS: Seeing him, no. Feeling him so close but out of reach…

INARA: Reach for him.

JESS: If only I could.

INARA: Don’t be afraid of getting hurt. He loves you.

JESS: It’s not me I’m concerned with hurting.

Inara understands and drops her gaze.

INARA: Oh.

INT. SERENITY – CARGO BAY – CONTINUING

The others follow Mal as he steps into the bay. They hang back as he heads for the small shuttle. River pops out of the shuttle opening and nearly bumps into him.

Simon steps up.

SIMON: River? What are you doing?

RIVER: Listening.

BOOK: To what?

RIVER: The secrets. They’re inside. Outside. Everywhere.

SIMON: Have you seen Jess?

RIVER: Many times. She’s everywhere. Dancing through the air, whispy, floating…walls crumbling down. (looks hard at Mal) You don’t feel.

Mal raises his brows.

INT. INARA’S SHUTTLE - CONTINUING

Jess swirls the tea in the cup. She looks at Inara.

JESS: Serenity.

INARA: What about it?

JESS: Mal named his ship after it.

INARA: Yes.

Jess has an ah-ha moment as she sips her tea she smiles to herself.

JESS: Thank you, Jessica.

INARA: Jessica? Yes…Kaylee mentioned something about…a second personality. Must be terribly confusing.

JESS: Not so much any more. I should thank you as well.

INARA: What did I do?

JESS (gives a chuckle): You overloaded my systems.

INARA (confused): I’m sorry?

Jess waves a hand and shakes her head, amused by her little joke.

JESS: No matter. I thought she was the weak one. The simp. She was stronger than me. She emerged into the world from nothing, created a life, found a home, friends, family. She was happy--at peace--until they came. For me.

INT. SERENITY – CARGO BAY – CONTINUING

Everyone’s watching River as she moves about in one of her states.

RIVER (rambling): They come take you push you…pull you…twist you up until there is nothing of you but them until you scream from every pore your teeth itch, your hair hurts, you can’t remember having skin-

ZOE (hushed): Reavers?

RIVER: Worse.

WASH: Than Reavers?

SIMON: River-

RIVER: Chaos comes to take her away. She beats it down, pounding flesh, molding it to her will… Holding strong, walking on her feet. Darkness reaches to rip her away, steal her soul—

River turns sharply and looks at Inara’s shuttle.

INT. INARA’S SHUTTLE - CONTINUING

Jess looks toward the door.

JESS: She protected me for so long…kept the truth away…my shield. And now there’s nothing left. All gone because of me.

INARA: But she was you. A part of you. Without you she would not exist.

JESS: And with me…(beat) She won‘t be coming back.

INARA: As easy as that?

JESS: It’s different now…I see…

INARA: Mal?

Jess shakes her head again, near tears. Inara covers Jess’ free hand with her own.

INARA: Intervention kept you apart. There was no goodbye, no end. This is but a moment of confusion. A mere complication to be overcome. I‘ve seen how he looks at you…there‘s gravity in it. Let him pull you in. You have things to work through. Time to make up. You can do that together. Find each other again. You will be good for him. And once I’m gone—

JESS: No.

Jess grips Inara’s hand tight and stares hard into Inara’s suddenly wide eyes.

JESS (cont.): You can’t leave.

INARA (trance-like): I can’t-

JESS: You’re needed…remember that. You are necessary.

INARA (trance-like): Necessary…of course.

Jess relaxes her grip and leans back in the bed...drained.

JESS: He loves me…as the girl he once knew… He doesn’t know what I’ve…He’s in love with you…the woman he knows. The woman who knows him.

INARA: No one knows the captain.

JESS (closes her eyes): Because of the war.

INARA: Yes. And you. He’s suffered great loss. I believe you were—you are—his match. His soul mate.

JESS (opens her eyes; empty): That’s not possible.

INARA: You say he loves the memory of you. Perhaps not. Suppose he does love you--as you are now--and always will. If you leave him again…it may be too much for him.

Jess hands Inara the tea cup and slides off the bed. She lays a hand on Inara’s shoulder.

INARA (cont.): He doesn’t make it easy, does he?

JESS (smiles): Of course not. Where’s the fun in that?

Mal opens the shuttle door and stomps in.

JESS (cont. to Mal): You really should knock. What if we were busy?

Mal’s taken aback by that, then gives an exasperated grimace and rolls his eyes.

MAL: Inara? (undertone: are you okay?)

INARA: Mal. (I’m fine).

Mal motions to Jess to leave the shuttle. Jess looks back and raises her brows in question. Inara nods and smiles in return (subtext: don’t worry about me).

INT. SERENITY/EXT. INARA’S SHUTTLE - CATWALK - CONTINUING

Mal follows Jess out of Inara’s shuttle. Jess is holding the railing as she walks. She looks down and sees everyone in the cargo bay. Jess waves.

INT. CARGO BAY - FROM ABOVE - CONTINUING

Kaylee waves at Jess, then catches herself and looks around at the others. Zoe’s watching carefully. River’s head is cocked as she considers Jess.

INT. SERENITY - CATWALK - CONTINUING

Jess is looking down.

MAL: What’s with the hide-n-seek?

JESS: Who’s hiding?

MAL: Why’d you leave the infirmary?

JESS: Needed to stretch my legs. Why so huffy, ài rén, did you miss me?

Mal grabs her arm and turns her toward him, almost too rough because Jess sways a bit off-balance. Mal catches her by the shoulders and holds her at arms length. He looks her over carefully, trying to get inside her head.

MAL: It’s long passed explanation time.

Jess sighs and drops her gaze.

JESS: Do I haveta?

Mal gently lifts Jess’ chin until her eyes meet his. He raises a brow.

JESS (cont.): Someplace quiet? Just us?

Mal nods.

INT. CARGO BAY - FROM ABOVE - CONTINUING

Zoe’s watching the scene above.

ZOE: River…tell me her secrets.

RIVER (turns to Zoe): She is me.

SIMON: Not this again.

RIVER: She flees so she does not have to see.

ZOE: See what?

SIMON: River, it’s time for bed.

RIVER (to Simon): You doubt so you won’t have to know. (to Zoe) You watch so you don’t have to worry. (to Wash) You worry so you don’t have to wonder. (to Book) You pray so you don’t have to remember. Jayne fights so he doesn’t have to think.

WASH: That explains a lot.

KAYLEE: What about me?

RIVER: You’re Kaylee.

ZOE: What doesn’t Jess want to see?

River does a slow turn, watching Mal and Jess move along the catwalk. Jess catches River’s gaze.

RIVER: The end.

BLACK OUT

END ACT VI