TITLE: "NO WAY BACK"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal/Sarah.

RATING: PG-13

STATUS: SEQUEL to "GIVE AND TAKE"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Sarah makes her decision but she is not the

only one who has to live with it."

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.

"NO WAY BACK"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Malcolm Reynolds could not believe what he was hearing. His gorram heart seemed to stop beating, all the air rushed out of his lungs and the planets froze in their orbits. Shock gripped him. As the full import of what Sarah was saying sank in, feeling returned with all the tender subtlety of freezer burn. "What you sayin', *xin gan*?"

She sat next to him on the bed in his bunk. His hands cradled in hers, as if she could draw strength from his touch. "I can't stay, Mal."

"*Weishenme*? Don't make sense to just up an' leave when it ain't what either of us wants."

"It wouldn't work, Mal." She said softly. Alarmed by how much her words were hurting him and steeling her heart against backing down now. Her mind was made up, she just had to make him see that. "It's for the best, *ai ren*."

He stared at her in disbelief. "The best?" Anger and frustration took over from the hurt but she could see the pain in his eyes, her heart faltering even while she shored it up with every good reason to move on. Shara-li was right, she should never have come, but she couldn't bring herself to regret a single moment. He was the man she would love for the rest of her gorram life. The Captain got to his feet, unable to sit still and listen to this *goushi*. "I seem to recall a certain young lady came traipsin' after me so don