Standard disclaimers apply. This story was written for fun, not profit. No copyright infringement is intended.

Rating: PG for language and adult situations

Pairings: Kaylee/Simon; Wash/Zoe; Tom/Jenny.

AN: I left these guys hanging for far too long. It won't make much sense unless you read the rest of the story.

SOMEWHERE DARK AND CONCRETE

INTERIOR

Wash and Tom and lying on a bare concrete floor in a TV-dark, bunker-like room. They are just coming around from being out cold.

WASH: (Confused and groggy) What the...where are...? (Tentatively) Mal?….Niska?

TOM: (Less groggy, but just as confused) Just me, I think. (He tries to sit) Aaaagggghhh! (Then silence.)

WASH: Tom? (Terrified) You dead? Please don’t be dead!

TOM: (Whimpering) Not dead. Ribs…., lots of broken ribs. Where are we?

WASH: Don’t know.

TOM: So this wasn’t part of the plan.

WASH: (Fading) Uh uh.

TOM: Those men weren’t from the prison, unless they were out of uniform, which doesn’t make sense.

Wash doesn’t reply.

TOM: Wash, WASH!

WASH: (Very groggy) Sorry, passed out. Back of my head really hurts. Gotta concussion I think.

TOM: We need to stay awake. The terrible cotton mouth leads me to believe they doped us, but I think I remember them hitting you in the head too. (Humor in his voice) You were fighting pretty hard for a man who usually talks his way out of trouble. You bleeding?

WASH: I think I am. (beat) Yeah, a little.

TOM: I’m sorry I got you into this.

WASH: (A little slurred) You didn’t. Jenny did. S’okay though. S’what we do. On Serenity, it’s what we do…. S’okay ‘cause I love you.

TOM: (Laughing and then gasping in pain) You aren’t going to throw up, are you?

WASH: Heh?

TOM: Last time you told me you loved me you threw up.

WASH: I was drunk. You married my sister and I was really, really drunk. You’re my brother and I love you.

TOM: You do this often?

WASH: Tell men I love them?

TOM: No, rescue people, or try t