A Lonely Death

A Firefly fic by Merrie

Disclaimer: Firefly ain’t mine. If it was, and I was invincible, Fox’d be under new management and we’d be seeing new episodes.

Summary: This takes place during “Out of Gas.” It’s what happens to Mal and the crew in-between the elusive red button scene and him waking up in the infirmary.

Note: This is just a drabble; a scene I would have liked to see, didn’t, and decided to write a fic on. I wrote in between watching episodes on a whim. This is my first attempt for Firefly, please be gentle. Also, as I started this long before the BDM was even a rumour on the fans lips, there are no spoilers for Serenity whatsoever.

Rating: PG-13

Have to get to it. Can’t stop. Miracle’s here. Have to get to it. Can’t stop. Miracle’s here. The mantra went through Mal’s head without pause over and over again, pushing all other thoughts out. He hardly felt the pain of the bullet wound at his side any longer although he could feel his hands warm and sticky with his blood. Have to get to it…

He stared across the bridge to the bright red button Wash had installed for him, the distance seeming to stretch on for miles. He had thought it was rather silly looking when Wash had shown it to him, almost comically large, but he hadn’t taken into consideration that with its size and color it was much easier to focus on should he be gasping for breath or shot in the stomach. But did it have to be so gorram far? He frowned as his mantra had become interrupted by his thoughts, pain shooting through his body once more, making him gasp and moan. Don’t think about it Just keep going. You have to keep going. Miracle’s here. Air...

At the thought of air he took a deep shuddering breath, attempting to drive off the slight nausea and intense headache he had from breathing in too much carbon dioxide. He took another long look at the button, marveling at the way the light reflected off of it, and took a step.

Agony. He wasn’t going to make it. He was going to die on this