A NEW BEGINNING, ch. 24: Aftermath
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Set four years after A NEW LIFE. River must confront another truth about her past. Mal must tell his wife the worst news imaginable. Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, River/Jayne
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3586 RATING: 9.0 (G) SERIES: FIREFLY
A/N: Hopefully this will help to answer some questions for everyone ... also, this chapter will set up the major story arc of part 3 - A NEW DAY ... just a little hint to get your minds going!
Thanks to Leiasky for the beta - she totally ROCKS!
Please read and respond - it's addicting!
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A NEW BEGINNING, ch. 24: Aftermath
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Mal and Zoe had ridden back to Millie’s in silence, Mimi’s still sleeping form cradled against Ellie in the back seat. They had called ahead and asked that Millie come out and stay with Inara while the two ex-soldiers formed a plan. The woman had graciously agreed and after sitting with the doctor for a bit, she had let Mal know that his wife would be fine, she would just need time to heal.
Mal had barely acknowledged her words of encouragement. His mind was consumed with rage and revenge and although he did not like the churning of acid in his gut, he seemed unable to feel anything else. If Zoe had noticed his more than stoic countenance, she made no mention of it as they finally pulled the mule up to the house.
With a sigh, Mal dragged himself out of his seat, noting that the afternoon was over as the light started to wane. Reaching for his daughter, he pulled her up and out of her seat, bringing her small form to rest against him. She murmured a bit in her sleep and Mal shushed her, while moving with her inside, Ellie and Zoe following.
The kids were out and about, and so Millie’s place was quiet. Putting Mimi to rest on Ellie’s bed and asking the older girl to look after her, Mal joined Zoe back on the porch, a heaviness to his heart that he did not like.
Zoe regarded him for a moment and then, when it became obvious he would not be the one to break their silence, she asked, “Inara gonna be all right?”
Mal nodded once, blinking back a few more tears that had threatened to form in his eyes. He had not told Zoe about the baby, the baby that Inara was no longer carrying, he just hadn’t been able to. Staring out into the golden haze
You can't take the sky from me
~But of course, next Tueday was another story altogether :)
their perfect little girl with dark curly brown hair and eyes just like her mama and the ability to drive her mother insane, just like her daddy
~hehehehe nice one
The entire River/Jayne scene was really good, especially the ending part.
By the time Mal and Zoe had disposed of Stef and Igor, morning was again dawning, bright and hot.
~Awww, I thought there'd be more to it than that.
and as he said the words Inara let lose a wail so loud, so pained, that it caused him to physically hurt
~I like the descriptiveness of this line.
I can see lotd of Mal/Inara angst coming soon, which is a goodness.
dqbby76 - On my speed - I actually finish all my stories, especially when they're this involved before I begin to post. That way I'm sure not to miss any plot points!
Sorry I didn't describe Stef and Igor's deaths - I honestly didn't think it mattered all that much how Mal killed them as long as they ended up dead!
There is much more Mal/Inara angst to come, however that will not be the premise for part 3 ... just to keep you guessin' ... thanks!
And it's official, huh? The Alliance made sure River couldn't reproduce unless they gave the OK....definitely with Jayne here. Massive orgy of blood and pain is needed...but no one's really left to act it out on. Just hope that the records from Regan will help River in the future concerning the virus:(
BEB
I really like River's simple answer of 'me' when Jayne asks what he's reading over her shoulder.
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