The Last Spartan – Chapter Twenty-Three

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and writes for entertainment only.

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Inara was almost asleep in her chair when she heard a slight moan from Mal. She stood at once and went to the side of his bed, pressing the call button.

“Yes, Inara?” Simon’s voice came to her clearly.

“Simon, I think he’s trying to wake.”

“Be right there,” Simon replied, and the intercom went dead. Inara looked at Mal’s swollen face, and wondered again what Mal had said to River that could have prompted such a reaction. River had refused to speak of it, after her initial claim to Kaylee that Mal had said something about Inara.

“Wher’m I?” Mal stirred slightly, his good eye opening.

“You’re in the hospital on Jayne’s estate, Mal,” Inara told him quietly. “Lie still, Simon is coming.”

“Simon’s here,” the doctor informed her, coming up behind. “How are you feeling, Captain?”

“Like I went three rounds with Jayne,” Mal mumbled, his swollen jaw hindering his speech. “What hit me?”

“River,” Inara told him. “You apparently said something ugly to her, Mal, as surprising as that is. She took offense and slapped you. Only, a slap from her, now, is rather more like. . .”

“Like being kicked by a horse,” Mal finished for her, his hand rubbing his jaw carefully. “Is my head still on?”

“Yes, but it’s a bit larger than normal,” Simon smiled. Since the news Jayne had shared with him the day before, Simon’s mood had been cheerful in the extreme, and nothing seemed to change it. He hadn’t commented on it, but it was obvious that something had happened to make his worries about his sister evaporate.

“Thanks, Simon,” Mal muttered. He looked up at Inara. “Shouldn’t you be seein’ to Jayne’s house, and what not?” His tone indicated what he thought the ‘what not’ would entail. Inara’s slight smile at seeing him well faded, replaced by sadness.

“You’re quite correct, Captain,” she told him cooly. “I have duties to attend to. If you will excuse me, doctor?” Before either man could say anythi