A New ‘Verse II-Plan

The Firefly floated in orbit above Beaumonde. It had taken almost all of their fuel to get to safety, but it had been worth it. The alternative wasn’t exactly attractive. In truth, Serenity had been lucky; the pirate vessel had only been a short range fighter, only able to launch from a moon or space station. They were gathered around the table again but this time the mood was decidedly different. Zoe had her arm in a sling, her collarbone had been broken in the fall. She typically shrugged off the wound, saying it had been broken before but none of the crew liked seeing anyone injured. Well any of them anyway.

Mal sat at the head of the table, tapping his hand impatiently. Jayne lounged indolently at one end of the table, shining a knife. Kaylee sat to one side of Mal, looking nervous, Zoe leaning on the kitchen bench behind her. Behind her Inara made a cup of tea, trying her best to look serene.

Simon re-entered the room, sliding closed the door behind him. He lent against the door, one arm crossed over another. He smiled nervously at the crew.

“She’s going to be fine.”

Kaylee sighed with relief and the others looked well…. not happier, but a little less tense.

“She’s sleeping now. I think that’s for the best. She needs time to get over this.”

Jayne reached forward and stabbed an apple theatrically, “I think we all need time to get over this one doc. Damn crazy girl just about got us killed.”

Kaylee spoke up instantly in her friend’s defence, “River didn’t mean to hurt nobody. She’d never hurt any of us, not on purpose.”

Jayne took a bite of his apple and glared back at her, “I ain’t sayin’ she would, but she ain’t quite right in the brainpan remember? Now I’m mighty fond of the girl, seein’ as she saved us all from the gorram Reavers, but I don’t want her pilotin’ this ship while I’m on it!”

Zoe looked at the doctor, stony faced at Jayne’s words. “I thought she was getting better, we haven’t seen anything even remotely this serous in months. What’s going on, Doc?”

Simon sig