TITLE: "PUZZLE PIECES"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: RIVER/MAL.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "DEATH OR GLORY"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Simon tries to fathom what Inara did to Malcolm while the two crews wait. River knows but the only one who can act on it isn't able to listen."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly' are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"PUZZLE PIECES"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"Should'a killed 'em when we had the chance." Muttered Jayne, face averted from the too raw twist of grief on the Captain's face, the abyss of sorrow and pain in his hollow eyes. The mercenary lingered just inside the doorway and watched the silent and strained tableau.

It was a moot point as to whether or not the Captain even heard him. His whole attention centered as it was on his brother. Face pale and anxious, eyes staring at the body laid out on the bed in the infirmary. Simon did not have to sedate Malcolm. The man was out cold and so far his examination was not encouraging. Zoe hovered behind the Captain, her eyes filled with worry and concern. The others had drifted off to the commons room on the insistance of the doctor and would wait there for news. The whole ship as subdued as mourners at a funeral only Malcolm wasn't dead. Not sure what he was but dead would have been something definite. Something they could grasp. This limbo was beyond them. River had tried to comfort the Captain but he had not reacted. Not shutting her out just unable to cope with any other emotion at the moment. She knew. Understood. Had kissed his cheek gently then followed a quietly weeping Kaylee to the commons area.

They were sitting round the big oak table now. N