Blue Sun Room FICTION - GENERAL

Even Roses Have Thorns, Chapter Thirty-Five

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Slightly forward in time from previous chapter. Decisions are made, plans hatched, River has her birthday, and Mal and Inara have an announcement. Canon pairings +1 (spoiler for pairing in first comment for those that prefer it). PG13. Shortish (2.2K) bridging piece.

CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 3223    RATING: 9.0 (PG13)    SERIES: FIREFLY

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Even Roses Have Thorns

Chapter Thirty-Five: Cras amet qui nunquam amavit; Quique amavit, cras amet (May he love tomorrow who has never loved before.)

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At the end of breakfast, Mal stood; everyone’s attention turned toward him, and the chatter at the table came to a frowning halt. “Alright, we’ve got some good news. Simon and Aren have managed to get a doctor willing to do Simon’s final surgery. Everything looks above board, but we’re going to have to play things kinda cautious. As we’ve been expecting, it’s gonna mean a trip to the Core. In this case, Osiris.” Mal took a moment to have a look around the table. Zoë, already in the loop, just looked impassive. Aren and Simon, whose plan it was, shared a tense glance. River and Ceres looked politely interested. Kaylee looked frightened, and Jayne looked angry. “The surgeon who’s doing the operation is based outta the Medacad there. Believe he taught Simon for a while.” Simon nodded his assent. “And Aren’s met him at conferences and the like.” Aren also nodded agreement. “That’s the most reassurance we’ve got and it ain’t much. As you’ll likely recall, Osiris is Simon and River’s birth world, and where their parents still reside. Simon went to school and worked there. Keeping a low profile is absolutely critical. Now, money’s changed hands – our contact got half upfront, the rest on delivery. Everything’s been agreed, so I’m splitting what’s left a the Lassit

Comments
Wednesday, 31 January 2007 22:09
Thank you to all who have - and continue to - read and comment.

I apologise to anyone who felt that the new pairing (River/Ceres) should have been announced at the top, but I was hoping to capitalise on the element of surprise, hence my compromise to merely create a sort of spoiler here. Future chapters will be labelled clearly.

For those of you who allowed yourselves to be surprised, I hope that even if the pairing isn't to your taste, that the rest of the party was suffiently entertaining to make reading through worth your while.
Wednesday, 31 January 2007 22:35
Have to admit I'm a mite confused here. How much time passed since chapter 34? Last we saw of Simon, he was still scribbling notes and could barely walk without being supported by two people. Now he's sitting up, talking, and drinking. Seems like a huge leap within one day for him. Or did I totally miss something?

"Simon and Wash – honorary women-folk."
Snerk. Ok, I loved Jayne for that one.
Wednesday, 31 January 2007 22:50
"Slightly forward in time" - I'd meant a few weeks, given that I'd never really decided when exactly River's birthday would be.

Simon isn't fully recovered, either - still quite weak, but you'll see more of that in the next chapter.
Wednesday, 31 January 2007 22:59
Just on re-reading, I've realised that I had actually mentioned it in the story.

>"Inara and I had a talk some weeks back.” Mal stopped and rested his hand on Inara’s shoulder, and she instinctively brought her own up cover it – only to feel something cold pressed into her skin. As Mal moved away, she caught it secretly, and placed her hands in her lap. It was beautiful. A single, perfect ball of heliotrope set into a simple ring of gold. “And I think it’s the right time to announce that we’ve decided to marry.”


Apologies for the confusion.
Wednesday, 31 January 2007 23:57
River and Ceres?? I LOVE IT!

And I love that Simon is being the mature one about this new relationship, and Mal and Jayne are the worried ones.
EPM0001
Thursday, 01 February 2007 00:58
This is great. I love Ceres and River together...and Mal/Inara!
Thursday, 01 February 2007 02:35
Whoa! That was a surprise...but definitely a good one. Least it will keep the BSR occupants who view River's post-BDM state of being differently than I would from completely freaking out;D

Still...great work here, girlfan! Definitely loved how you had Simon be the mature one when it came to River's relationship. Guess getting the crap tortured outta ya really makes you take a look at things from a new perspective;)

BEB
Thursday, 01 February 2007 10:25
>Least it will keep the BSR occupants who view River's post-BDM state of being differently than I would from completely freaking out;D


Umm, freaking out? There's going to be freaking out? Why? What kind?
Thursday, 01 February 2007 12:56
I have to agree with everyone that Simon being the calm one in regards to the Ceres/River relationship was brilliant, and I personally think it was the only (hence, very right and totally awesome) way to go.

Also, love way Jayne is now, all sensitive (mostly) to others. It's...well, it being Jayne and all, I suppose it's kinda disturbing, but in a good way.

>"“What? The lady doc likes women-folk, ‘Nara sexes women-folk, Simon and Wash – honorary women-folk. Not a straight girl on this boat.” Zoë, pleased that Jayne had taken the initiative to change the direction of the conversation, didn’t bother to even pretend to take offence. Kaylee, on the other hand, seemed to have taken it upon herself to break Jayne’s shin through repeated kicking." That's just pure Jayne wit right there. It couldn't have been written better.


As for the Ceres/River thing. I sure as hell did not see that coming. And I sure as hell like it. It's unforseen, yes, but I can totally see it happening, and can believe it too, which one would assume is the desired effect.

And three cheers for Mal and Inara! About time they started dancing with, instead of around, each other.

Lovely.

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