The Return Home – Part 3

Mal was no stranger to bullets flying past his ears, or to the seeming slowing down of time as a battle was in progress, however big or small the fight. His first shot hit an Alliance policeman in the shoulder sending him spinning backwards and his weapon flying out of his hand. A bullet hit the brick wall next to his head, sending red brick dust across his right cheek as the sound of Jayne’s yell “I got one” reached his ears and he could see another Alliance policeman crumple in the street. The there was a sting as a bullet hit the flesh inside of his left thigh and Mal got a sudden nervous feeling that the bullet was little bit too close to some parts of his body he’d like to keep. That flash of thought was gone in a millisecond, the pain from his wound not yet registering in the heat of combat, and he was only firing his second shot of the battle as the two remaining policemen scattered for cover. Behind them many civilians were diving back into doorways or cringing in fear behind whatever they could find for cover. All except a small girl who stood in the middle of the street crying in fear.

“Jayne! Cease fire!” Mal yelled and suddenly all was quiet expect for the sobs of the girl.

“Sir! This way!” came Zoe’s command behind him and Mal turned and grabbed Jayne by the shoulder at the same time as the Alliance men found their courage and started firing again, more bullets hitting walls and the wooden door frame around them. In an instant they were in the dress shop, following Zoe toward the back past rows of dresses on racks and a terrified lady shopkeeper who was lying on the floor. Kaylee and Inara were at a back entrance waiting for them

“Mal! You’re bleeding!” Inara said and Mal looked at his leg and saw blood staining his crotch area. “Oh my God…your…”

“No it ain’t! Just a flesh wound. Go!” he ordered and they started out the back door, Jayne covering their withdrawal. They were in a narrow alleyway leading to another street.

“Kaylee, get Wash to get the boat read