TITLE: "NOT FRIENDS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Simon/Mal. **CONCLUSION**

RATING: PG-13 **SLASH** Implied not graphic

STATUS: SEQUEL to "MULLING IT OVER"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None. All "Firefly" stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Simon realises that Jayne is right but can he convince

Mal to give him a second chance?"

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"NOT FRIENDS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

I could not believe I had been given a lesson in morality by Jayne of all people. It made me stop and think. River noticed how quiet I had become but instead of prodding me for reasons she smiled sweetly and took my hand. We were in my bunk, River sitting cross legged on the bed next to me. Her lovely face tilted, her look gentle. Eyes so far seeing it hurt when the focus blurred into comprehension. For now she was more in her right mind than out. She saw me better than I saw myself. "*Fang xin*, Simon."

I tried to smile. To reassure her. "I'm not worrying, *mei mei*, just have things on my mind."

"Anything you break you can mend, if your heart is strong enough."

Her words jolted me, striking too close to the ache burning deep inside my soul. A stab of guilt throwing my world into a praeternatural darkness. A twilight of the soul. She leaned forward and kissed my cheek then hopped off my bed. "I feel the need for strawberries, starlit nights and ice cream!"

Before I could say anything she was gone. A whirlwind of arms and legs gone in a rush of laughter that filled me with envy. I knew she was going to find Kaylee. Her friend. And who did I have besides River? Oh, I knew I was part of the crew. *His* crew. Now it seem