Blue Sun Room FICTION - GENERAL
Even Roses Have Thorns, Chapter Thirty-Eight **REVISED**
Sunday, February 4, 2007
Mal plans a rescue, Inara hatches a plan to help Simon, and Simon wakes up. NC17 (not sex). Canon pairings +1 (River/ofc). (Revision expands ending by 1.5K words). Total word count now 4.5K.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3326 RATING: 9.0 (NC17) SERIES: FIREFLY
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Culpam poena premit comes (Punishment closely follows crime as its companion.) Part III
*** *** ***
, , , , , , , , , *** *** *** As Mal wandered past the infirmary again, he saw Inara watching Zoë watching the sleeping pair of doctors. He sighed, but knew that it was past time to start coming up with a new plan. He stopped and stood next to Inara, and tapped on the glass. Zoë’s gaze turned toward him, and he gestured for her to step out. He watched as his first mate sweep her eyes back over the monitors before complying; when she stepped out, she left the door open a crack to listen for any changes in the sound from the machines. “You heard what went down dirt side?” Mal asked Zoë, abruptly. “I did.” Zoë was resting at her default impassive; Mal considered that she was probably conserving energy for another long night. “How?” Inara asked. “Jayne filled me in when he brought in some supper.” At Zoë’s words, Inara nodded. “I just can’t believe that after everything – what must River think? – that kewu bu huihen de pofu! She actually betrayed us.” Inara was clearly only ramping up to her larger rant. Neither Mal nor Zoë had ever seen her so angry. “Not, I suppose, that it makes her any dif
Comments
Sunday, 04 February 2007 20:27
Thank you to everyone who has read and commented; your thoughts and support are appreciated.
Just a reminder: Comments are shiny!
Just a reminder: Comments are shiny!
Monday, 05 February 2007 01:59
Cant wait for the next one! Keep up with this fantastic story line, love it
Monday, 05 February 2007 07:29
Good storyline with subtle pairings. I
think this is the first fic I've read that while M/I are engaged she has a function on the ship besides being Mal's lover. How original... and the more I think on it it makes sense that she would need some kind of legal commitment before leaving the Guild because that's something they would understand...contracts and all.
Love Jayne's comment about there not being any trim available.
think this is the first fic I've read that while M/I are engaged she has a function on the ship besides being Mal's lover. How original... and the more I think on it it makes sense that she would need some kind of legal commitment before leaving the Guild because that's something they would understand...contracts and all.
Love Jayne's comment about there not being any trim available.
Monday, 05 February 2007 10:40
Damn you Simon! You silly, silly martyr and being all (as River so poetically put it) stoical. Not that I hate it, I don't, it totally makes sense, and it services the story perfectly, so I loves it!
The scene between River and Mal on the bridge, and the song and eveything was so sad...and me being the sadist I am, I loved that too.
Gotta totally agree with Platonist about Jayne's comment and Inara having a position on the crew.
As usual girlfan, an excellent chapter in an excellent series.
The scene between River and Mal on the bridge, and the song and eveything was so sad...and me being the sadist I am, I loved that too.
Gotta totally agree with Platonist about Jayne's comment and Inara having a position on the crew.
As usual girlfan, an excellent chapter in an excellent series.
Monday, 05 February 2007 12:49
COMMENT POST REVISION:
The expanded ending was originally intended to be the start of chapter 39, but in writing chapter 39, I was forced to the conclusion that I'd made a mistake, and that fixing that mistake would improve both chapters, while not doing would seriously compromise the quality of 39.
I hope it's not too great an annoyance, and you have my apologies if it is.
Oh, and if you've commented already, feel free to comment again. My muse has a ravenous appetite. :)
The expanded ending was originally intended to be the start of chapter 39, but in writing chapter 39, I was forced to the conclusion that I'd made a mistake, and that fixing that mistake would improve both chapters, while not doing would seriously compromise the quality of 39.
I hope it's not too great an annoyance, and you have my apologies if it is.
Oh, and if you've commented already, feel free to comment again. My muse has a ravenous appetite. :)
Monday, 05 February 2007 17:38
Originally, I felt sorry for River, having to know what's going on in Simn's life even when she didn't. But after seeing his reaction in the expanded ending, I have to wonder why the hell she bothered to tell him. He can't necessarily stop: if it was that easy, he'd have done it by now; and God knows he needs a release SOMEWHERE, especially since his recovery seems to have stalled on account of Feds. Yes, she did managed to convince him to drug himself instead, but was adding to his already massive guilt complex really the way to go? She only managed to forestall the inevitable explosion, and now it'll be worse for the waiting.
I do like the continued similarity between Simon and Zoe. Of anyone on the ship, I think she understands Simon the best. Not that I'm advocating he drop Kaylee like a hot potato and shack up with Zoe - it's probably better that the two people who understand each other the best stay separate for support when it's needed.
Speaking of Kaylee: where the hell is she? Simon is certainly acting weird - running off in the middle of breakfast, for example. She knows about his behavior already, and she's not suspicious?
I do like the continued similarity between Simon and Zoe. Of anyone on the ship, I think she understands Simon the best. Not that I'm advocating he drop Kaylee like a hot potato and shack up with Zoe - it's probably better that the two people who understand each other the best stay separate for support when it's needed.
Speaking of Kaylee: where the hell is she? Simon is certainly acting weird - running off in the middle of breakfast, for example. She knows about his behavior already, and she's not suspicious?
Monday, 05 February 2007 18:48
I think it's BECAUSE of her knowledge about Simon's issues and mental state that she is staying away, ManicGiraffe. Gotta remember that Kaylee is pure and unadulterated sunshine...seeing Simon suffer like this, especially after all the guilt she expounding while he was being tortured? Don't think she can handle it too well. Which is the rub: Simon needs her light and love to draw him out of this spiral of self-destruction but said spiral is dampening that light:(
girlfan....this chapater just blew me away! Every scene was utterly brilliant, especially the Simon-River moment in the gallery where Simon learns that River can sense every pain he suffers with utter clarity. To me, this scene just drips with angst because as an older sibling, the knowledge that my actions were causing my brother the same kind of pain? Would pretty much lead me to where Simon is right now. And THAT is the mark of a brilliant writer!
BEB
girlfan....this chapater just blew me away! Every scene was utterly brilliant, especially the Simon-River moment in the gallery where Simon learns that River can sense every pain he suffers with utter clarity. To me, this scene just drips with angst because as an older sibling, the knowledge that my actions were causing my brother the same kind of pain? Would pretty much lead me to where Simon is right now. And THAT is the mark of a brilliant writer!
BEB
Monday, 05 February 2007 19:01
I'm also wondering why Kaylee, who knows of Simon's scars and habits of cutting himself, isn't keeping close tabs on him. Or talking to Zoe about keeping close tabs on Simon while Kaylee's in the engine room. Or getting Inara to keep an eye out on Simon. Kaylee says she loves the guy, but she's not acting like it - methinks she's not really into being anything but the baby of the Serenity family. I wonder how she'll react if she realizes both of the Tams have been drugged unconscious.
Can't see Simon agreeing to any more surgery on his behalf, and certainly not to surgery that puts the ship in debt for years to come. Mal and Inara have a fight on their hands there.
Poor Jayne; he needs a moment of stunning heroics and then some trim.
Can't see Simon agreeing to any more surgery on his behalf, and certainly not to surgery that puts the ship in debt for years to come. Mal and Inara have a fight on their hands there.
Poor Jayne; he needs a moment of stunning heroics and then some trim.
Monday, 05 February 2007 19:09
>Poor Jayne; he needs a moment of stunning heroics and then some trim.
Too true! I'll get right on that.
JUST CURIOUS:
Why does everyone think River and Simon are drugged unconscious?
Too true! I'll get right on that.
JUST CURIOUS:
Why does everyone think River and Simon are drugged unconscious?
Monday, 05 February 2007 22:13
> Why does everyone think River and Simon are drugged unconscious?
Because I really, REALLY don't believe that Zoe would allow suicide without a serious fight, even if River would. At least not without some SERIOUS discussion between the three of them, and a solid shot at counseling for the Tams (suggested by Aren but never implemented, BTW). I understood it as a pact between the two siblings, but I can't see Zoe willingly going along with it without raising quite a few objections.
Because I really, REALLY don't believe that Zoe would allow suicide without a serious fight, even if River would. At least not without some SERIOUS discussion between the three of them, and a solid shot at counseling for the Tams (suggested by Aren but never implemented, BTW). I understood it as a pact between the two siblings, but I can't see Zoe willingly going along with it without raising quite a few objections.
Monday, 05 February 2007 22:56
>Because I really, REALLY don't believe that Zoe would allow suicide without a serious fight
No, absolutely correct there, and I certainly wasn't (meaning to) implying that. But unlike the rest of us, Zoe wasn't there for the convo in chap 27 (River's offer).
No, absolutely correct there, and I certainly wasn't (meaning to) implying that. But unlike the rest of us, Zoe wasn't there for the convo in chap 27 (River's offer).
Monday, 05 February 2007 23:52
> No, absolutely correct there
Well, then, if River didn't just off herself and her brother...River appears with two needles, they inject themselves, and fall asleep (or dead?). Seems rather straight-forward to me.
What am I missing?
Well, then, if River didn't just off herself and her brother...River appears with two needles, they inject themselves, and fall asleep (or dead?). Seems rather straight-forward to me.
What am I missing?
Monday, 05 February 2007 23:53
Aha, I get it. ZOE thinks it's to knock them out. RIVER and SIMON know better.
How utterly screwed up.
How utterly screwed up.
Monday, 05 February 2007 23:54
Wowza! Methinks you're right about the expanded revision making everything better for the story! That improved things waaaaay past where they were (which is saying something!).
The added moments were so heartbreaking and raw...it was damn, damn fine writing.
River had better not have made good on her Ch. 27 offer. That'll definetly put a spin on things.
Even more praise than my last comment.
The added moments were so heartbreaking and raw...it was damn, damn fine writing.
River had better not have made good on her Ch. 27 offer. That'll definetly put a spin on things.
Even more praise than my last comment.
Tuesday, 06 February 2007 12:55
> Why does everyone think River and Simon are drugged unconscious?
Because Zoe isn't making a fuss, my assumption is they are both asleep; she peeked at them and what she saw didn't alarm her.
If both are dead and she missed it, or she'd understood this option was their choice or sommat like that, then that'd make for a really interesting chapter 39. I'd reaaaally like to see Kaylee's face in that instance.
Because Zoe isn't making a fuss, my assumption is they are both asleep; she peeked at them and what she saw didn't alarm her.
If both are dead and she missed it, or she'd understood this option was their choice or sommat like that, then that'd make for a really interesting chapter 39. I'd reaaaally like to see Kaylee's face in that instance.
Post Your Comments
You must log in to post comments.