The usual disclaimers apply, many thanks to Mutant Enemy for the loan of the characters.

Author's note: Thanks to all those who have been giving me such wonderful feedback (and don't be afraid to critisize - constructively of course!). Amazing how those emails keep popping up just at the moment I need them. It has been a real help over these last few weeks, especially with my computer going phutz and having to struggle to find the time and PC's to continue. Have a shiny 2004 browncoats!

PS: Last paragraph tweaked 2nd Jan (just didn't quite get there before).

Things Fall Apart - Chapter 8

Inara had no idea how long she'd been asleep. Waking up was disorientating, her mind clung to the belief that it had all been a bizarre nightmare and it took several seconds - and quite a lot of willpower - to anchor herself in reality again. She could only imagine the reason she dozed off had something to do with the fact that she'd been awake for two days and scared out of her wits for most of that time. It amazed her how even now, in the middle of a Reaver camp, the needs of the body overcame the fears of the mind. Perhaps there was some lesson to be learned in that.

Wai-Lan slept on, curled up with her head resting in Inara's lap. Inara shifted her weight slightly, trying to get blood flowing where it hadn't for some time. At her movement the Shepherd glanced her way and smiled a little.

"Mal?" She asked quietly, hoping he would know something new, but he shook his head.

"I'm sorry, they won't say anything. They did bring us some water though." Book gestured with his good arm towards a pitcher that had been placed at their feet. His eyes strayed to the sleeping child, and he cautiously leant over to pick up the pitcher and pass it to Inara. She took it gratefully, noting his involuntary grimace of pain.

"How is your arm?" She asked.

"Oh, it's not as bad as it looks." He held it up for inspection. "The bleeding has stopped. I am going to have an impressive scar, unless River's brother can wo