Blue Sun Room FICTION - GENERAL
A NEW DAY, ch. 13: Breaking Point
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Set three months after A NEW BEGINNING. Everyone has a breaking point ... River, Simon and Kaylee finally reach theirs. S/K, R/J, M/I
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3318 RATING: 9.0 (G) SERIES: FIREFLY
A/N: Oh, my good friends, there be angst here ... read at your own risk. This chapter is a bit shorter, but I'm thinking you'll need the respite to recover from the emotional wallop it packs.
Thanks to Leiasky for the incomparable beta and for being my watchdog on all things plot-related.
Please continue to read and respond ... as the comments go so go the tides (or something poetical like that.)
***
A NEW DAY, ch. 13: Breaking Point
***
River tried not to dream. She had tried for years actually to think of ways to shut down her mind at night so that she would not be confronted with images she had no control over. But now, the closer they got to Rylee, the more vivid her night terrors had become.
And it was because she was experiencing them through Rylee’s eyes. The girl was suffering, terribly. While she was still en route to the Academy, the blue hands had wasted no time in starting their experiments, using the drugs they’d brought, the techniques they knew. They had decades of experience in torturing young minds and the beauty of their expertise was they didn’t need a fancy lab for any of it.
It was within this framework of darkness that River found herself plunged as soon as she fell asleep almost ten days into their trip. Not surprised by the surrounding coldness she felt, she breathed in and out, and watched as the air crystallized around her and then faded from view. Standing very still, she listened intently and heard the whimpering she had expected.
Traveling towards the sound, her feet moved slowly, too slowly, as if being dragged through mud and the longer it took, the more fervid the crying became. Finally, when she felt her own eyes welling with tears, she saw her niece, her tiny and broken form curled into a ball, shivering and sobbing.
“Rylee,” she called out, her voice shaking from the cold. “Rylee, sweetie, look at me.”
Shaking her head, Rylee refused. “No, I can’t.”
Forcing herself those last few steps, River knelt in front of he
Comments
SCIFICHICA
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 02:02
Once again, Inara and her brilliant ideas. Am I the only one who cringes whenever she shows up in a scene. Of course Kaylee wasn't going to be the one to comfort Simon. Of course Simon was going to end up having to bare the weight of her grief and get no relief to his own. Honestly, who didn't see that coming. Well, Inara of course. As usual. Once again, she opens her mouth and makes everything worse.
Wonderful story TamSibling. I continue to be enthralled. Can't wait for more.
PS Can the BDH that dies be Inara, because its truly well over due.
Wonderful story TamSibling. I continue to be enthralled. Can't wait for more.
PS Can the BDH that dies be Inara, because its truly well over due.
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 03:47
Well, we finally see Simon exploding. It's definitely about time! I like that Inara was the one who was on the receiving end of his temper. She seemed the right person to witness it.
Kaylee is going to regret her outburst, but will it be too late? Can't say as I blame her for it, but she'll regret it later.
The Rylee stuff is very disturbing, which means you're achieving exactly what you intended :)
Kaylee is going to regret her outburst, but will it be too late? Can't say as I blame her for it, but she'll regret it later.
The Rylee stuff is very disturbing, which means you're achieving exactly what you intended :)
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 04:46
Oh...Simon's definitely on the raggedy edge here...and I am not sure if he's gonna survive:(
Definitely was waiting for the other shoe to drop...and man was it a clodhopper! Kaylee just laid into him! Though I gotta say...she's got a right to be pissed and angry at the situation...but last time I checked? She was aware of Simon's family and their behaviour before she agreed to marry him. Gonna guess Simon's having some "Wish I had never entered into Kaylee's life" thoughts right now:(
I just hope River, Jayne and Regan can save Rylee before it's completely too late for any kind of recovery for the little one. Cuz even with Simon and Kaylee as her parents, she's still only 4. Nothing like this can have happened to her, so she's gonna be scarred.
Don't know how you do it, TamSibling. All this angst and pain...I would be trying my damnedest to shoehorn a fluffy moment into the story, just for a moment of mental peace;)
BEB
Definitely was waiting for the other shoe to drop...and man was it a clodhopper! Kaylee just laid into him! Though I gotta say...she's got a right to be pissed and angry at the situation...but last time I checked? She was aware of Simon's family and their behaviour before she agreed to marry him. Gonna guess Simon's having some "Wish I had never entered into Kaylee's life" thoughts right now:(
I just hope River, Jayne and Regan can save Rylee before it's completely too late for any kind of recovery for the little one. Cuz even with Simon and Kaylee as her parents, she's still only 4. Nothing like this can have happened to her, so she's gonna be scarred.
Don't know how you do it, TamSibling. All this angst and pain...I would be trying my damnedest to shoehorn a fluffy moment into the story, just for a moment of mental peace;)
BEB
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 05:22
Kill Kaylee. Seriously. Her behavior is consistently irrational, self-centered, and outright spiteful of anyone who makes a decision about anything. If you don't kill her, have Simon go. She's obviously unfit as a wife to him. It's no secret what his family was, what his sister is, and she went in eyes open. Kick her to the curb.
Sorry, I usually like Kaylee a lot, but she deserves a serious reality check here.
Sorry, I usually like Kaylee a lot, but she deserves a serious reality check here.
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 05:51
I'd have to agree with ManicGiraffe (great screen name, by the way) about Kaylee. I really like her, she's sweet, kind, loving, and caring not to mention understanding of people's situations - except in this story. This is the anti-Kaylee. She's consistently been revealed to have selfish motivations and has been so over the top emotional throughout the story, even when she wasn't under tons of stress etc., that I kind of want to strangle her.
Like others have mentioned, Kaylee saw first hand the kind of people Simon and River were, their problems and relationship, and got a pretty good idea of what the Tam family was like all in the span of the series and movie. All of that was simply reinforced in the last two stories, and though the characters have certainly changed, they are still at their core the same people. For her to say something like that - even in the heat of the moment - flies in the face of every other proclimation she's ever made about Simon being the most important thing in her life and how she couldn't live without him.
I saw the screaming and flailing of limbs coming a mile away, just because it's such a classic reaction when someone receives devestating news. You lash out, even if the person you're lashing out at also happens to be who your universe revolves around. The verbal attack, though, that didn't really sit right with me.
As for Inara's involvement, I don't think she was in the wrong. She was right to prod Simon into a reaction because you can't keep all that to yourself and be okay. She was right to suggest he tell Kaylee because you know, you KNOW, that had he not told her when she eventually found out she'd be furious at him for keeping it from her - it's a losing situation all around for Simon cuz Kaylee's been so irrational, up and down and everywhere in between. I think Inara figured that as Rylee's parents they're the only two people in the world who can possiblty understand what the other is feeling and thus comfort each other, and I'd have to say that's the correct assessment.
Like others have mentioned, Kaylee saw first hand the kind of people Simon and River were, their problems and relationship, and got a pretty good idea of what the Tam family was like all in the span of the series and movie. All of that was simply reinforced in the last two stories, and though the characters have certainly changed, they are still at their core the same people. For her to say something like that - even in the heat of the moment - flies in the face of every other proclimation she's ever made about Simon being the most important thing in her life and how she couldn't live without him.
I saw the screaming and flailing of limbs coming a mile away, just because it's such a classic reaction when someone receives devestating news. You lash out, even if the person you're lashing out at also happens to be who your universe revolves around. The verbal attack, though, that didn't really sit right with me.
As for Inara's involvement, I don't think she was in the wrong. She was right to prod Simon into a reaction because you can't keep all that to yourself and be okay. She was right to suggest he tell Kaylee because you know, you KNOW, that had he not told her when she eventually found out she'd be furious at him for keeping it from her - it's a losing situation all around for Simon cuz Kaylee's been so irrational, up and down and everywhere in between. I think Inara figured that as Rylee's parents they're the only two people in the world who can possiblty understand what the other is feeling and thus comfort each other, and I'd have to say that's the correct assessment.
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 06:37
What a can of worms. I was holding my breath when Inara had that talk with Simon and wasn't at all sure that telling Kaylee he had seen Rylee and that she was being held by the Hands of Blue was such a bright idea. With Kaylee so emotionally strung out I think this had to be handled delicately and with Simon in so much trauma himself that balance would be near impossible to find. Kaylee turning on Simon I could see happening, the slap I couldn't because despite everything else Simon has been and always would mean everything to Kaylee. Plus, it was Kaylee begging Simon to never leave her that meant he couldn't go after his own daughter and Kaylee conveniently forgot that. I just hope River, Jayne and Regan can get Rylee back before irreversible harm is done. Ali D
You can't take the sky from me
You can't take the sky from me
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 09:14
I'm with ManicGiraffe, Kaylee needs to be kicked to the curb. I started to hate her when she pretty much made Simon look after her and the preemies - what kind of woman professes to love a man and then makes him go through the gut-wrenching ordeal of being medically responsible for his premature children?
And then there's the issue of putting her unborn children in harm's way because she won't go to an area where she could receive the best medical treatment possible. She can't bear to be parted from her husband? Sweetie, grow a spine!
The scene where she slaps Simon was very well done, by the way.
And then there's the issue of putting her unborn children in harm's way because she won't go to an area where she could receive the best medical treatment possible. She can't bear to be parted from her husband? Sweetie, grow a spine!
The scene where she slaps Simon was very well done, by the way.
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 13:34
hmmm intersting chapter, and al the recations. I know there have been a few comments along the way in this tale about Kaylee and her emotions/reactions etc, but I felt this chapter tipped the scales a bit it didnt sit right with me, Kaylee was too emotional and unstable. And Ive got to say, through these 3 stories, I am really over Simon's guilt trip. Give it a break man, some things are out of your control....
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 14:08
Thanks to all for your comments. I appreciate you still reading even though your impression of Kaylee is wavering a bit.
Admittedly, I did a bit of embellishing with her reactions. I have never been pregnant nor given birth nor had a child kidnapped by my husband's (don't have one of those either) father, so I took a bit of liberty in crafting her reaction to the situation. As the title indicates, everyone has a breaking point, even sweet Kaylee, and this might be it.
And who else but Simon could care for the preemies? Most twins (if not all) are born premature ... Millie most definitely does not have the skill set to care for them.
Still, I really appreciate your feedback. BEB - there will be fluff, but it will be a while in coming ... as always it's going to get worse before it gets better.
Admittedly, I did a bit of embellishing with her reactions. I have never been pregnant nor given birth nor had a child kidnapped by my husband's (don't have one of those either) father, so I took a bit of liberty in crafting her reaction to the situation. As the title indicates, everyone has a breaking point, even sweet Kaylee, and this might be it.
And who else but Simon could care for the preemies? Most twins (if not all) are born premature ... Millie most definitely does not have the skill set to care for them.
Still, I really appreciate your feedback. BEB - there will be fluff, but it will be a while in coming ... as always it's going to get worse before it gets better.
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 14:58
I think tkid's response about Kaylee forcing Simon to be responsible for the babies was in reference to her refusal -earlier in the story- to go to the Core to have them, despite her high-risk pregnancy.
Her refusal to do so put herself and and the twins in medical jeopardy, and forced Simon to be the one responsible for their care; never a good situation for a family member if it can be avoided. Not to mention, OB is not Simon's specialty - and you know he's gotta be beating himself up about his "inadequacy" for the task, because that's just who Simon is.
That being said, I think even Simon could be pushed to far. I don't know what his breaking point with Kaylee might be, but she has heaped a LOT of s*** on him in this story. Canon did establish that Kaylee is capable of overreaction where Simon is concerned (the mutant cow being a good example).
Still, Kaylee has offered Simon very little comfort throughout this entire series, except when he was in danger of dying (see: A New Beginning). I would hope that in 6 years of a relationship, she would have enough understanding of "what makes him tick" to know that he is always going to take responsibility on himself. In the past, (the series, and fanfic revolving around it) I always got the feeling that Kaylee was trying to help Simon unwind; to help him realize that he DIDN'T have to carry his burdens (e.g. River and her illness) alone - that she would help, that Book would help, etc.
Now though, in her trauma, she's forgetting this and she's adding to SImon's burden.
I was concerned when Simon ran off at the end of this story; this may be his break. I see two possibilities: he hides in a cave somwhere, because he just can't take anymore, and Mal et al have to go find him. Or he goes to the core himself for his daughter, and something bad happens.
:-(
One last thought on Kaylee; I do think we need to give Tamsibling the benefit of the doubt in how she (? right) has drawn Kaylee in this story. While I too have been a bit taken aback by Kaylee's emotional roller coaster in this story, the truth is we don't know what could have happened in all the relationships 4 years down the line. Maybe Kaylee starts to resent River (even though she knew all about River when she got involved with SImon).
Experiences change us. (Like having children). Time changes us. We don't always remain exactly who we were: four years ago, or 2 year ago, or 10.
Now, if Kaylee were all sweet and light at the beginning of the story, and had done a 180 by the end - I would have more of a "problem" with that.
At least she's been consistent in her inconsistency! She's been on Simon's a** in one way or another throughout this series of stories.
Tamsibling has her vision of what is going on, and her reasons for developing Kaylee the way she has. This story isn 't over yet, and I hope that the reasons are made clear before the end of it all.
In the meantime, I'm gonna keep reading!
Her refusal to do so put herself and and the twins in medical jeopardy, and forced Simon to be the one responsible for their care; never a good situation for a family member if it can be avoided. Not to mention, OB is not Simon's specialty - and you know he's gotta be beating himself up about his "inadequacy" for the task, because that's just who Simon is.
That being said, I think even Simon could be pushed to far. I don't know what his breaking point with Kaylee might be, but she has heaped a LOT of s*** on him in this story. Canon did establish that Kaylee is capable of overreaction where Simon is concerned (the mutant cow being a good example).
Still, Kaylee has offered Simon very little comfort throughout this entire series, except when he was in danger of dying (see: A New Beginning). I would hope that in 6 years of a relationship, she would have enough understanding of "what makes him tick" to know that he is always going to take responsibility on himself. In the past, (the series, and fanfic revolving around it) I always got the feeling that Kaylee was trying to help Simon unwind; to help him realize that he DIDN'T have to carry his burdens (e.g. River and her illness) alone - that she would help, that Book would help, etc.
Now though, in her trauma, she's forgetting this and she's adding to SImon's burden.
I was concerned when Simon ran off at the end of this story; this may be his break. I see two possibilities: he hides in a cave somwhere, because he just can't take anymore, and Mal et al have to go find him. Or he goes to the core himself for his daughter, and something bad happens.
:-(
One last thought on Kaylee; I do think we need to give Tamsibling the benefit of the doubt in how she (? right) has drawn Kaylee in this story. While I too have been a bit taken aback by Kaylee's emotional roller coaster in this story, the truth is we don't know what could have happened in all the relationships 4 years down the line. Maybe Kaylee starts to resent River (even though she knew all about River when she got involved with SImon).
Experiences change us. (Like having children). Time changes us. We don't always remain exactly who we were: four years ago, or 2 year ago, or 10.
Now, if Kaylee were all sweet and light at the beginning of the story, and had done a 180 by the end - I would have more of a "problem" with that.
At least she's been consistent in her inconsistency! She's been on Simon's a** in one way or another throughout this series of stories.
Tamsibling has her vision of what is going on, and her reasons for developing Kaylee the way she has. This story isn 't over yet, and I hope that the reasons are made clear before the end of it all.
In the meantime, I'm gonna keep reading!
BCB
Wednesday, 27 September 2006 19:10
oh wow, what a roller coaster!! this was wonderful, i feel so sorry for Kaylee and Simon, thats just too much to deal with, no wonder they all kind of snapped!! I hope that after she deals with the shock of knowing Rylee is with the blue-hands, that she gets a bit more rational and can help Simon, rather than throw more problems at him, cuz he's just got too much going on, poor guy.
Keep them coming!!
Keep them coming!!
Tuesday, 03 October 2006 12:11
Knowing she had a better chance of getting Simon to open up, than Mal, with whom he’d
never been close, she said, “I’ll speak with Simon, you go see Kaylee.”
~ Good call here, as I can see Mal talking to Simon about this going all kinds of
wrong
Simon had some experience with trying to convince strong-headed women that they might
be incorrect and he knew with certainty he did not have strength for that.
~ That's certainly a very dangerous road to go down. :)
never been close, she said, “I’ll speak with Simon, you go see Kaylee.”
~ Good call here, as I can see Mal talking to Simon about this going all kinds of
wrong
Simon had some experience with trying to convince strong-headed women that they might
be incorrect and he knew with certainty he did not have strength for that.
~ That's certainly a very dangerous road to go down. :)
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