Author: Kispexi2

WARNING - Spoiler for the comics. Light slash.

RATING - PG-13

Many thanks to the amazingly smart wedjateye for betaing.

Earlier chapters:

Chapter'>http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5390'>Chapter One

Chapter'>http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=5940'>Chapter Two

Chapter'>http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=6309'>Chapter Three

Chapter'>http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=8273'>Chapter Four

* * * * *

MAKE ME A STONE: Chapter 5

Chickens come home to roost.

* * * * *

It comes out of nowhere - a blinding flash, sudden darkness and excruciating heat searing into her brain. River crumples to the infirmary floor.

She's never sure whether the images that fill her head are her own or someone else's. Particularly when they're so familiar. Whimpering, she curls into a tight ball and waits for the agony to pass.

They thought you were dead when they tossed you out into the desert but they were wrong. Some people cling to life, even when they shouldn't, when they couldn't. An old soldier should have known that.

They thought that the vultures would devour you, skin and flesh and bone, and they might have been right had the old woman not passed that way. Had her own hurt not been fresh too.

“My enemy's enemy is my friend,” River whispers to herself before the tantalizing glimpse of understanding is once again obscured by pain and confusion. Big, fat tears begin to roll down her cheeks.

“Hey now, little one - can't be that bad, surely?” a deep brown voice asks.

River's eyes fly open and fill with horror when she's realizes there's a man crouching beside her - and that he's that man - the one with the smug grin and two perfect blue eyes.

“Tamade erzi de biaozi,” she spits, lashing out with her hands and feet when he tentatively reaches out to her. “Tried to kill me!”

“Whoa there!” Mal objects, recoiling fro