Word Count: 3995 words

Character / Pairing: Mal/Inara

Rating: PG to PG13

Spoilers: Series.

Author's Note: It has become apparent that Part 13 is going to be longer than I originally expected, and so, it will be in three pieces, if not more. I’m still plugging away, trying to get everything worked out and wrapped up the way I need to, but the bulk of the next part is already done. I make no promises on when it will be finished though, since I never meet the deadlines anyways. As usual, my thanks go to all of you who continue to read and support my little story, with Special thanks to the Quills INC gals (you know who you are) and to Arcadia for inspiring me to keep writing and finish this thing.

CHOICES – Part 13 B

by 2x2

The temperature had risen to an almost unbearable level, the heat shimmering off the ground in rippling waves of heat that made it difficult to make out shapes on the horizon, but after blinking several times and shading her eyes, Zoë was finally certain that she saw something real in the distance. She slowed the Mule to a stop and pointed the structure out to Jayne. The mercenary lifted Vera's scope to his eye and squinted.

"Some kind a' walled in buildings," he said in confirmation. "That'll be the place."

"Ain't no where else they could've gone," agreed Zoë, relieved to have finally found it.

Jayne continued to scan the area through his scope, studying the lay of the land. "Best bet is to go in on the east side, right along side them cliffs over there," he said, pointing. "That'll get us a better view."

"And minimize our exposure," Zoë nodded, approving. She fired up the engines again and cut to the right, bringing the Mule as close into the rocky formations as she could, more than a little close for her comfort, truthfully, but she wanted to take advantage of the cover as much as possible. Three quarters of the distance had passed beneath them when a section of ground sloped up to the east and Zoë banked right, steering the Mule up it, bringing them o