TITLE: "TRAUMA"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash, Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: First in in the "DUPLICITY" Series.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Simon overhears a conversation which rocks

his understanding of certain crew dynamics. What he learns

leaves him struggling with the dilemna of what to do."

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.

"TRAUMA"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

There was a ragged pain to her silence, bleeding from her eyes like unshed tears. He listened because there was no choice. Trapped in the kind of emotional trauma upon which nightmares fed. Every wave of emotion hit him harder than the last, building and building until anger outweighed the pain and every breath was agony. Her pain magnified into his. Over and over again, ad infinitum. When she at last spoke her words lashed him, the sound cutting his senses to ribbons.

"If you think you are in pain now you are mistaken."

Forming words hurt, thoughts becoming sluggish. Each one a mountain he was forced to climb because his survival depended upon it. Yet a growing part of him wearied of the struggle. Longed to lay down arms and just have it end. It was hard to remember why that was a bad thing. Her hand reached out and touched his sweat soaked cheek. It burned but not as much as the smile on her twisted face as she kissed him then blessedly he tumbled into darkness. Consciousness had never felt so foul nor oblivion so sweet.

* * * * *

Wash couldn't feel his legs any more. Sitting in the pilot's chair he tried to ease Zoe's languid form into a position which would allow him to work on th