Author's note - well, so much for this being the last chapter. Seems that my muse felt I hadn't said all I needed to say, so yes, there will be one more! And thanks ever so to Neroli for beta-ing this chapter (my first ever beta for my first ever fanfic). Also, a HUGE and very belated thanks to all those who've read and reviewed my fic before this, enduring a fairly steep learning curve on my part. Particular thanks go to Amobell, who's reveiwed EVERY SINGLE chapter without fail - you are a darling. I hope that you continue to enjoy this story.

Things Fall Apart – Chapter 14

Serenity, approaching landfall

Most of Serenity’s return trip to Helan was spent in debate about what to do when they got there and the brief respite from Alliance attention ended. Simon was all for making a run for it with River as soon as they touched down. Jayne thought that was the best idea Simon had had since he stepped on board, but Mal and Zoe vetoed it immediately. There was no way that Simon and River could make it off the ship unnoticed. An attempt to escape would immediately make them suspect, which would in turn implicate the ship and the rest of the crew. That was aside from the difficulties of moving a still-unconscious River.

Eventually, the crew came to the reluctant conclusion that they were going to have to try and bluff this one out using the fake ident bought from one of Badger’s contacts. If Simon wasn’t anywhere to be found and questions were asked about the ship’s doctor, then Serenity would be searched for sure. They installed River in the safest possible hidey-hole, close to Serenity’s generator and consequently hot, noisy and uncomfortable, but the most likely place to be missed if some hundan in the Alliance command decided to order a thermal scan of the ship. Wash did some creative work on the datalogs just in case they were requisitioned, although tampering with a ships data recorder would get the pilot and the captain a hefty fine and a jail sentence. Zoe promised them both she’d keep