Disclaimer: This story is in no way meant to infringe on the rights of Joss Whedon, Universal Studios, Mutant Enemy, or 20th Century Fox. Just wanted to have a bit of fun with these characters is all. Please don’t sue me.

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Rated PG-13 for violence, graphic descriptions, and a few Chinese cuss words.

“Point of No Return, Part IX”

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Everything was gone. He had come into the light, but everything began to tremble and a moment later it was all gone. He was plunged once again into the blackness, even deeper than before.

“Come back…you have to come back…”

Her voice was more faint than ever. Sunyi…Wei…He strained to see their faces, but they were too far away, fading fast in the dark.

Only It was left. Its voice was strongest, drawing him ever closer to…he wasn’t sure, but he was lost. And afraid. And he couldn’t go back. He’d reached the point of no return. There was nothing more to do than surrender himself completely.

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Zoe’s silence was intense. Jayne glanced over to try to read her stony expression, but he couldn’t penetrate the stoic mask that fit tightly over her emotions. He never saw the fear that swelled in her throat, only the characteristic furrowed brow she made when she was angry or in deep thought. He gave up and turned back to the view before them.

After an hour of searching, they’d finally found Serenity, not too far out from where they’d first left her. She was spinning sideways in space, reminding Kaylee of the derelict they’d run across months ago. The ship was no longer moving under her own power. Electricity was gone; they could see that all the lights were out. The engine was still turning, though, and that meant life support was still online, likely running on auxiliary power. That was good. Serenity turned to reveal the scorches of Hera’s storms on her belly. Mal winced.

“We’re going in,” he finally said over the radio.