Life’s Too Short- Part Ten

Author’s Note: Sorry it took so long! J

* * * * * “Won’t fail her,” River said with wide eyes. She was standing at the opening that led down to Mal’s bunk, bending almost in half to look down at him. Her legs were completely straight, as was her back, and Mal winced to see her in that position. Must be painful, he thought.

“What?” He rested a hand on the ladder, bracing his right boot on the fourth rung as he prepared to boost himself out of his bunk. River’s big brown eyes studied his face, looking earnest.

“You won’t fail her. Just give in.”

“Now, little Albatross,” Mal said with a forced laugh, “I don’t take to givin’ in. Ain’t in my natu-”

“Sometimes giving in is good.”

“Not this time, darlin’, not this time.” He tried stepping up on the ladder to see if she’d take the hint, and wasn’t surprised when she didn’t. Time was, he’d think that was because she was all twisted in the brainpan. Now, Mal just thought she was being deliberately annoying.

“I’d know better than you, don’t you think?”

“Now see here, River, you-”

“I thought you two were moving along just fine. Do I have to give you another push?” Good grief, Mal thought. That was the most lucid talk he’d heard from her in… well, a long time. He opened his mouth to retort, but she’d straightened and begun wandering away down the hall.

“Sure. Just- Just walk off, then! I’m just the gorram CAPTAIN, after all!!!” He hoisted himself out into the hallway, muttering to himself.

“Captain?” Oh, perfect. He spun around to face Simon, who was looking a little pale. Well, paler.

“Yeah?”

“There’s a- there’s a wave for you. From the man who’s chasing us.”

“Hotze de fu tsu!” Mal pushed past the doctor and jogged to the bridge. Zoe was standing in front of the wave screen, stone-faced. Mal stopped just out of sight, took a deep breath and relaxed his back. Then, he strolled across the bridge to stand beside and a bit in front of Zoe.

Edward T. Jennings’ face stared back at him.

“Hello, Captain