Archangel – Chapter Thirty-Four

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and no copyright infringement is intended. Fanfic only.

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“I don’t like it.”

The crew had gathered in the dining room where they had eaten earlier, to hear what Mal had learned. Though it was Zoe who spoke, the others nodded in agreement.

“Ain’t none of us likes it, Zoe,” Jayne told her from his seat beside Kaylee. “Just ain’t no other way to doin’ it.”

“I absolutely refuse to allow River to be a part of this!” Simon almost yelled. “It’s not going to happen!”

“Yes, Simon, it is.” River’s calm voice carried well, and everyone looked at her.

“This is something I can do,” she told him. “Something I am capable of. And it will allow me, for once, to strike back at those who hurt me. I am going.”

“No! No, River. I won’t allow it!” Simon’s face was red.

“You cannot stop me,” River almost whispered. “And if you use the safe word, Jayne will hurt you,” she added, looking to Jayne for his support.

“If that’s what you want, little bit,” Jayne nodded. He looked at Simon.

“Doc, best let her be,” he ordered, though not threatening. “It’s what she wants. And I’d not let her go, I didn’t think she could handle it.” River’s head lifted at that, and her eyes glowed. Why couldn’t Simon have that confidence in her?

Kaylee squeezed Jayne’s hand tightly. She didn’t want either of them to go, but she had seen how Jayne’s support had stiffened River. She smiled at her friend, and River smiled back, slightly.

“River, you shouldn’t do this,” Simon tried again. “It’s too dangerous. It’s. . .”

“It’s what I’ve chosen,” River told him flatly. “And this discussion is closed.”

Simon deflated abruptly at the tone of finality in her voice. Jazz didn’t quite smirk at him, but it was difficult to resist.

“If we could get back on the point, here,” Mal interjected. “Zoe, Thomas is right about one thing. Monty and his bunch won’t never have a better chance than this. And he won’t budge less’n one o’ us goes to tell him.”

“After what