Big Blue Chapter 9

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Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan. He's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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This story takes place almost three years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Follows immediately after Out to the Blue.

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A/N: My Muse is working overtime. Two chapters in 24 hours.

Thanks again Chris for the Beta.

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Big Blue

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Chapter Nine – Mending Hearts

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Allan slowly became aware of his surroundings. He could feel the pick of an IV in the back of his right hand. His throat felt raw. He could faintly hear the quiet beep of a heart monitor. Most of all, his chest hurt like hell.

Opening his eyes, Allan knew immediately that he was in a hospital room. Where that room was he didn't know. It sure wasn't the infirmary on Serenity. He knew that room better than his and Zoë's bunk.

Allan tried to move his left hand and met resistance. He felt a squeeze.

“Hey baby,” Zoë said softly, “Thought we lost you for a while.”

“I go somewhere?” he rasped out

“Nearly so.”

“Where am I?”

“You're in the ICU at Serenity General on Hera.”

“Hera?” Allan asked, his brain still a bit muddled.

“Closest place with a hospital.”

“What happened to me?”

“Somethin with your heart baby,” Zoë replied, her eyes were damp while a single tear slid down her cheek, “Nearly lost you.”

“Don't cry, Zoë. I'm still here.”

“Was a near thing,” Zoë sniffled, trying to maintain her composure.

“Is he awake?” Allan heard Simon say.

Zoë nodded and sniffled again.

Simon stepped to Allan's bedside, “How are you feeling Allan?”

“Like shit.”

Simon chuckled, “I'd imagine so.”

“Water?” Allan asked, he only seemed to have the breath for short sentences.

“Just a little,” Simon replied, holding a cup and straw to Allan's lips.

“What happened?” he asked after sipping some water.

“A complication from your fractures.”

“Huh?”

Simon smiled, “Sometimes after a