TITLE: "HEALING"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal. Inara. River. Zoe.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "CONSEQUENCES"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "River tries to help the Captain. Inara informs

the crew that she is leaving. Zoe convinces her to wait until

Mal is awake."

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.

"HEALING"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"River!" He begged. Wanting, needing her to stop. The subtle invasion was creepy in the extreme, so much so that he couldn't tell whether he was asleep or awake nor even if he spoke aloud or in his mind. So. This was what it felt like to be totally insane.

"*Wo zhidao*. Each word carries an image, each image more pained than the last." She sang softly. Her words made him feel dizzy but he couldn't let go. "I have seen all your campaigns, Sergeant. Witnessed every sorrow in the mirror of your eyes."

Mal shuddered, eyes closed but seeing more than he could properly take in. "Shouldn't look. Don't need my darkness touchin' you, *dong ma*?"

Her voice was so gentle as if afraid her words might cause him injury if spoken aloud. That was when he realised for sure that she inside his head. Either that or he was in hers. *I'm stronger than you think*. She paused and he felt something touch him inside, fold away the spike of alarm that worried about her. *Don't be afraid. When you can no longer crawl I will carry you*.

Then it was as if he was breaking. A small piece of him all that was left of the fragmenting shards of his soul. River emerging from the waves, a smiling impossible angel, her hands rising from the shining waters and cupping the pie