Testing the Fabric

by

KMS!

(kmspider@aol.com)

http://hometown.aol.com/kmspider/myhomepage/index.html

Timeline: Takes place during the pilot episode of Firefly: Serenity

Serenity:

Everything seemed to happen at once. Wash announced that Reavers were on their way, the engines were adjusted for takeoff outside, and Simon's attention veered for an instant.

The Lawman, Dobson, took advantage of his distraction and grabbed the gun from the floor, shooting at Simon. He jumped out of the way then rolled to his feet, but it was enough time for Dobson to grab River and hold a gun to her head.

"I'm not playing anymore. Anybody makes so much as…" Dobson began.

Simon barely had time to register the return of the Captain and his people when he jumped from the sound of a gun going off behind him. Dobson fell to the floor, a bullet through his head, his threats unfinished.

The full stride passed Simon by, and Captain Reynolds bent over the lawman, making sure he was well and truly dead. "Jayne!" the Captain called out to the big mercenary.

Too stunned to move, Simon continued to hold the gun pointed uselessly at Dobson. Watching the Captain and Jayne pick up the corpse and carry it out of the cargo bay got him moving again. He shifted toward River even as he heard Zoe telling Wash that they were on.

River's distressed noises made him realize that he was still holding the gun and he placed it on the floor, reaching for his sister again.

"It's okay, River. See? I've put it down," he tried to soothe her. Still skittish, she allowed him to wrap her in his arms. "Hush, mei mei, it's okay."

His arms tightened and he started to lead her back to the infirmary before being stopped by a large presence. The Captain loomed in front of them blocking their way.

"Where do you think you're going, Doctor? I told you you're getting off at Whitefall."

"What?" Simon replied blankly, glancing over his shoulder to the desert outside the carg