Not mine, not for money. Please don't hit me.

The screaming went on and on, and the blood, the blood went on and on, too. Simon quickly determined that there was nothing physically wrong with River, and that there was nothing to be done for Exline, and turned his attention to Mal. When Jayne had leaped at Exline, Exline had fired wildly at Mal. It was the last thing Henry Exline did before Jayne cut the man’s throat with Exline’s own knife. The shot went a little wild, but not so wild that it didn’t find Mal. The bullet hit the pad of muscle above his collarbone and took a biggish chunk of Mal with it when it exited. That was bloody, but nothing like the blood Exline’s death poured onto the floor of the galley. Mal’s body lay face-up in the doorway to the galley. Unable to catch himself with his hands tied behind his back, he had hit the floor head first, and hard.

“Jayne, carry Mal to the infirmary,” Zoe said. “Book, could you find something to cover Lieutenant Exline, please.” Book took the newly-washed tablecloth and covered Exline’s body.

Once Mal was on his way to the infirmary and Exline’s body was out of sight, River’s screams wound down to juddering sobs. Kaylee had screamed only once, before she realized that Mal wasn’t dead and that Exline was. Inara stood silent, both hands to her face. Gowan still sat in his chair, whey-faced and swaying.

Jayne reappeared in the galley. “Let’s get this cleaned up, right now,” Zoe said. “Take him down to the cargo bay first, though.” Jayne nodded. “Wash, when Jayne gets back, could you clean up here?”

Wash nodded.

Inara was standing outside the infirmary, while River and Kaylee looked in the window, when Zoe appeared, walking slowly, but walking under her own power. She went into the infirmary and stood by Mal’s head. “How is he?”

“He’s been shot. Not much of a shooting, for a change, no bones hit, no major blood vessels nicked; and the bullet passed right through, we don’t have to go hunting for it. I’ve already taped up the bullet wound. I’