The Last Spartan – Chapter Eleven

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and makes no money from his stories.

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The crew, sans Jayne, were seated around the table. Mal looked at each one in

turn, wondering what was in their minds.

“Well, I wanted us to meet so we could discuss the. . .Jayne issue,” Mal told them. “Even those as weren’t present know what happened, by now, so I won’t rehash the events of the cargo bay. . .incident, shall we refer to it.”

“Jayne has asked to stay on the ship, continue being part of the crew,” Mal told them bluntly. Kaylee beamed at that, and River looked hopeful. Simon even perked up a little, and Mal wondered, in the back of his mind, why that was.

“I told him it would have ta be a crew decision,” Mal continued. “I can’t, in good conscience, let him stay on without gettin’ your input. So here’s your chance to sway me, one way or ‘nother.” He looked at Zoe. “Zo’”?

“I’m behind you, whatever you decide,” Zoe said at once. Mal nodded, having expected that, but unwilling to speak even for her on something this important. He looked to Kaylee, somewhat unnecessarily.

“Let him stay, o’ course,” she smiled at once. “Can’t imagine anyone will bother us with him on board, specially now he ain’t gotta hide from us.” Mal nodded again. No surprise there.

“Simon?” Mal asked. The Doctor looked at him for a long moment.

“I can’t really be objective here, Mal,” Simon admitted finally. “I. . .I was planning on leaving, soon, myself.” Everyone started at that news, even River. He looked guilty. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you alone, first, mei mei,” he told her. “You don’t need me anymore, though,” he smiled proudly. “You’re as well as I can make you, and you haven’t had an episode of any kind since Miranda. You’re a grown woman, and it’s time I treated you that way.” He looked at the rest of the crew.

“With the warrants gone, I had planned to go back to the core, maybe even Osiris, and return to being a doctor. Try and rebuild my somewhat tarnished reputation,” he