The Last Spartan – Chapter Thirty-Two

Just in case someone is just tuning in, I own no rights to Firefly, nor any of it’s associated characters.

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Word of Inara’s not quite awakening spread through the house like wildfire. Within minutes, the entire crew was assembled in the small waiting room, waiting for Simon to emerge with news.

“Where’s Prim?” River asked. “I thought he would want to be here.” She ignored the pained look on Mal’s face. Though sorry for his discomfort, he’d have to get used to the idea soon enough.

“He was with her when she woke up,” Kaylee told her, looking around. “Was him came and fetched Simon. Come to think on it, I ain’t seen him since then.” Worries about Prim’s whereabouts fell away as Simon emerged.

“How is she, Simon?” Mal, Zoe, River and Kaylee all asked at once.

“She’s awake, barely,” Simon told them, relief evident in his voice, and on his face. “She’s weak, and hurting of course, but she’s awake and alert. Her vitals aren’t great, but they are improving. I. . .I think she’s going to be fine, baring any other complications.”

Muted squeals accompanied by Mal’s exclamation filled the room.

“Can we see her?” Kaylee asked as the noise fell off.

“She’s asking to see Prim, actually,” Simon told her, frowning as he looked around. “But since he doesn’t appear to be here, why don’t you all go in. But only for a few minutes, mind. I’ve given her something for the pain, and it may make her drowsy. And she needs the rest,” he added.

The troop piled into the room, one behind the other. Inara smiled weakly as her friends entered.

“Hey, ‘Nara!” Kaylee said cheerfully. “We was right worried over you!”

“I’m sorry to have caused that, mei mei,” Inara said, her voice still shaky.

“How are you feeling, Inara?” River asked quietly.

“I’m feeling shot, actually,” Inara quipped, and they all laughed at that. “I’m not sure, honestly, how I’m feeling yet, River,” Inara admitted. “But Simon says that the fact that I’m feeling anything is a good sign.”

“The