Fragile by Proxii Bleu
XIV
Selma Ennes was rapidly beginning to hate the dimly lit interior of Serenity. For one it made it hard for her to see, and two it caused her to overuse her still taxed abilities. At the most she had to rely heavily on her other senses, and even then it was still like wandering around in the dark. With that in mind there was one good thing to say about the Alliance - they always had plenty of light.
Pausing to rest against one of the walls in the corridor, she took some time to think. In her short thirty-five years of life she had lost a husband, her entire family during the Alliance / Independent War, ended up being part of an underground ogranization that specialized in the care and aid of highly emptahic citizens, and now had assigned her to find one of three missing gold discs.
Normally, she would have passed on such an assignment, but the backstory behind it had caught her interest. Over eighty years ago the Alliance had discovered ruins on Persephone that indicated that a highly advanced civilization had once lived there. The city itself was over five-thousand years old, and apparently part of a huge metropolis that had spanned an area roughly the size of California on mankind's ancient homeworld Earth.
No one knew what had happened to the species that had originally lived there, but they were gone, and the Alliance had merely reburied the city to make way for colonists. However, since that time other sites had been found, making it obvious that a large civilization had once spanned the majority of the known worlds. No one knew where they came from, or where they had gone, but like others Ennes had a sneaking suspicion that they still existed. She also suspected that on this particular subject the Alliance knew more than they were saying, but getting in contact with their operatives was proving to be difficult.
The escape of over two-hundred captives from River's 'school' had caused a crackdown on security in all black-ops programs which meant that without some ingenious acts on the part of their spies, getting data out was next to impossible. However, her organization was already working on a way to get around that obstacle. It just took time.
In the meantime, she wondered what Gordon's assignment was on Serenity. He was higher up on the food chain than she, taking orders straight from the director of their organization, but without the right clearance she had no way of knowing what he was up to.
However, it was interesting seeing him pose as a Shepard.
Standing up from her seat next to the wall, Selma wandered down the hall keeping her eyes and ears open. She knew the big mercenary, whats-his-name, Jayne was lurking somewhere nearby, but she couldn't get a fix on him. Rounding the corner, she walked right in front of him where he was waiting with Vera.
"Going somewhere?"
"Yeah, I'm looking for Mal."
"What for?" Selma fought the urge to roll her eyes, the last thing she needed was twenty questions. Letting out a sigh, she prepared to try for an explanation when a shadow loomed up behind Jayne.
"Shit." Without blinking an eye, she fired past the mercenary's head, a neat hole forming in the forehead of the man standing behind him.Turning, Jayne looked down at the corpse behind him, and then back at empty space. Selma was gone.
"Momma always said don't take your eyes off a witch."
***
Mal was beginning to wish that he was dead. After he had tried to convince the captain to help him lure River out of seclusion, and failing Niska had shot him twice in each leg. As a result Mal was squirming on the floor in his own blood trying his best not to scream since that would only encourage the madman. Pacing back and forth in front of the captain, Niska tapped the muzzle of his gun against his cheek as he thought.
Malcolm staying true to his nature had refused to tell him who had helped in his evasion of the killer, sticking to insults, and absolute stubborness. Threats hadn't worked, and neither had shooting him in the legs. Stopping his endless walking in circles, he strode over to where Malcolm lay, and pressed the gun into the younger man's arm.
"Tell me who helped you."
"What if I say fuck off?"
"I'll shorten your arm by about a foot." Mal hauled himself up into a better sitting position. He had no idea where River was at, she said that she would be in the cockpit, but the only thing there when they arrived was empty space. Thinking fast, Mal decided to stall until he could think of a way of of his current predicament.
"She won't come to you." Niska arched his eyebrows. Here was an improvement in the situation.
"She? You mean a woman was behind this?"
"She's a girl, not a woman."
"Ah, now I see. Why won't she come to me?"
"I don't know, might be because you shot her best friend in the chest." Niska closed his eyes and smiled.
"Vengeance is such a fickle being, you never know how it will manifest. She kills half my men, and leaves you hanging. I wonder what she would say to you now? Hmm?"
"Don't look behind you." Niska turned just in time to see the fire extinguisher before it connected with the side of his head. Lurching backwards, the gun spun out of his hand into the shadows, leaving him with nothing but his bare hands. Yet that still gave him the advantage. Staggering to his feet as the extinguisher hit the ground, he glared at River with his beady little eyes. She stood against the wall, her hands clasped behind her smiling eerily. Turning, she winked at Mal before focusing back on Niska.
"You wanted to see me?" The madman stood carefully, the world still rocking benath him from the blow. Cautiously he sized up the girl, before approaching. She was small, and her type was usually done in with a quick twist of the neck.
"Why yes, I've never met someone so evasive." River lifted her eyebrows.
"I've never met a homicidal maniac. I belive this is a first for both of us." Niska smiled grimly, his legs taking up more of the space between them.
"I'm curious, why come out of hiding now?"
"Because I wanted to give you something."
"Oh really? What?" River smiled ferally.
"What you've always wanted. All the pain you could ever desire." River's hands came from behind her back revealing the silver wand that had been flung at Mal by the PSIOPS agents. Niska looked down at the silver device, his eyes widening as it snapped open with a dull click.
"You intend to frigten me with a toy?" The wand was now buzzing softly, it's whine picking up as River stepped forward.
"Go ahead, take it if you want." Niska reached for the silver wand only to find that his body was frozen. Struggling he tried to overcome the unseen force keeping him in place, but found that at best he could only stumble backwards as the girl advanced. Already his body was starting to vibrate in time with the tiny device, pain lacing up through the back of his skull down into his chest as River kept up her unrelenting approach.
"Do you like the pain Franz?" she hissed, her eyes taking on a dangerouns gleam. "Does it excite you? Make you feel like a man, instead of an impotent little fool?" Niska moaned in agony as he literally fell into the hall. Blood leaked from around his eyes into his mouth as River stepped forward, but kept just enough distance between them so that the wand didn't complete it's true purpose.
"Tell me Franz do you love it? Am I giving you everything that you want when you torture your victims?" Niska shrank back into a corner, the wand shutting off as River stood over him. In her hand was a slim .22 mm. Lifting it she pressed it against his forehead.
"Would you like to see a nightmare?" Niska shook as the corridor vanished, turning into a sterile room where he was strapped down into a chair. Long needles had been drilled into his skull, and as soon as he realized this he felt them begin cutting into his brain. The pain ten times as bad as what he experienced at the mercy of the wand. Screaming he rejoiced as reality was returned to him. River stood there unmoving, the gun still resting between his eyes.
"I would run if I were you. I would run until the blood flies from your legs, and the air burns your lungs. I would run, for I would not want to see what happens when you realize I am behind you." Niska scrambled to his feet, eyes wide he backed into a wall as he tried to escape. Out of the shadows Selma stepped into the dim light, the gun extended.
"Wait!" Niska turned around, the gun barking once as she fired a round into his shoulder joint. "Call us even." For the first time in his life, Franz Niska ran like hell. Even with his injuries he kept running until he reached the cargo bay, where he collected what was left of his men, and boarded his transport. Serenity shook as he departed, it would be a long time before he bothered Mal again, but when that time came there would be two names added to his list. Selma came over to where River stood, the girl was slumped against the wall panting slightly. Her little move had cost her dearly, and her head pounded stadily as a result.
"You should not have done that."
"I had no choice, He would have merely come back if I had relied solely upon the wand." Selma took the silver device from the girl's hand. On the one hand she should retrieve it, on the other the crew needed to know about it's capabilites. She decided to give it to Mal before she left.
"Remember what the agents did to you at the academy-"
"I am not a monster, I would never rape a person's mind. I only acted in self defense, not in self interest."
"Remember that. It's what seperates us from them." Ennes took the gun from River's hand, and let her rest against her side.
"You could come back with me, to one of our teaching centers?"
"No, I know I'll be fine. Besides, Simon needs me. We make each other better." That was the last thing River said before passing out on the floor. Walking into the cockpit, Selma looked down at Mal who was still sitting in his own blood.
"You know, one of these days you're going to get yourself killed." Mal smiled wanly.
"That obvious huh?"
XV
"Ow." Mal carefully put his weight down on his legs, the pain casing him to grind his teeth as he tried the crutches Simon had give him. Kaylee had already been carefully relocated to her bedroom, leaving a sore Zoe, and tired Wash to watch him make his first attempt at walking. Behind him Simon guided him as he hobbled towards the door.
"Easy, you don't want to push it."
"I know my limits doc I-" Zoe lifted an eyebrow as Mal crashed down onto the floor. Niska had broken her ribs, but her baby was okay. As a result her normal sense of humor had returned.
"Sir, I think walking is performed in an upright position."
"Ha ha." Despite Simon's atempts to help, Mal managed to get back on his feet. Hobbling out into the hall, he watched as Inara glided around the corner.
"Mornin'."
"Good morning Mal, I see you're back on your feet."
"Jealous?" Inara's mouth turned down at the corners. Mal waved his hand at the Companion's dour expression. "Never mind, how are you Inara?"
"I've been better. I could do without the stench of the cleanser Wash used to remove the blood."
"Well when we get planetside I'll open the place up for ya."
"That's all I ask." Inara disappeared in the general direction of the mess leaving Mal to continue his hobbling down the hall towards the cargo bay. Kaylee was still out of it, only coming to long enough to point weakly at her water glass, or a blanket. Zoe was on limited duty, and Simon was shadowing him.
"Doc, I think I'll be okay."
"Mal you were shot four times-"
"I've had worse. Look if I need you I'll just holler or something." Simon chewed his lip thoughtfully for a minute, and then went back to medbay. Alone, Mal made his way to his orginal destination. Pausing on the catwalk he saw Book talking with Selma. She had decided ultimately that she wanted to be let off on Brian's Folly, a small world at the core of the territories. Her son Jordan was catching a small nap until they arrived, but in the meantime she was talking to the Shepard. Listening in, Mal realized something strange. It sounded as if she knew Book, and on a more personal level than just passing strangers.
"So, do you think she'll recover now?" Selma frowned as she checked her bags. Her blonde hair tumbling into her face.
"I think so, it's just up to her now. River is stronger than she knows, and to be honest with you Book I really don't want to talk shop right now." The Shepard nodded, and looked out one of the nearby windows. Wash was beginning the apprach to the planet, the red hot glare of the atmosphere filling the room with a soft red glow.
"So how's Jordan?"
"No worse for wear, but I san see that the loss of his father is on his mind."
"Bruce was a good man, I think I said that once." Selma laughed softly.
"More times than I can count." A long silence stretched between the two as the ship touched down on it's scheduled landing pad just outside of Yau, one of the major cities. Little did Mal know Selma had managed to send a communique to her organization requesting a pickup. Book took the pause as an opportunity to exit, giving Mal the greenlight to make his way down the stairs that led to the catwalk. Ennes looked up from her bags as the captain joined her in the cargo bay. Smiling she walked over to where he stood, her blue eyes scanning through him as she approached.
"You know, there are times when I wonder about settling down." Mal's lips twitched as he stared at the empath. For some reason he wasn't that nervous around her anymore.
"Naw, you'd be bored in a week."
"Probably, but you make the thought entertaining." Selma grinned at the surprised expression on Mal's face.
"Well I don't exactly court Readers."
"Opposites attract, or so I'm told." Behind them the doors to the cargo bay opened revealing the early morning sun. In the distance Mal could hear the thrum of the city, already busy despite the early hour. Selma walked over to Mal, a mere three inches seperating them.
"You know, when I first came aboard you thought about me lying on a beach watching a sunset."
"A man's entitled to his fantasies."
"Maybe someday it'll be a reality." Ennes let her lips slide across Mal's before stepping back, and heading for the loading ramp. Her son Jordan came running down the tairs, his duffel bag slung over his good shoulder, and his pace unrelenting as he bolted out into the open air. Selma laughed at her son's antics, her slim form retreating into the fresh morning light as she headed for the crowded streets of Yau. Mal turned away as Wash came down the stairs, followed by Jayne.
"We've got a run, guy wants us to deliver five tons of fertilizer to Steelhead."
"How much?"
"Five-hundred credits." One hundred credits for each ton. Mal hobbled about on his crutches in order to get a better look at Wash and Jayne as they prepped the mule. Having survived Niska, PSIOPS agents, and now four gunshot wounds Mal was for once feeling optimistic. Turning towards the stairs, the world went sideways as he fell to the floor.
"DAMNIT!"
Laughing, Wash barely managed to duck as a crutch sailed past his head. His smile faded as Jayne looked at the bruise raising on his arm, and then at the pilot. His eyes narrowing as he glared at the smaller man.
"I just want you to know this is going to hurt you more than it's going to hurt me."
"ZOE!"
THE END
XIV
Selma Ennes was rapidly beginning to hate the dimly lit interior of Serenity. For one it made it hard for her to see, and two it caused her to overuse her still taxed abilities. At the most she had to rely heavily on her other senses, and even then it was still like wandering around in the dark. With that in mind there was one good thing to say about the Alliance - they always had plenty of light.
Pausing to rest against one of the walls in the corridor, she took some time to think. In her short thirty-five years of life she had lost a husband, her entire family during the Alliance / Independent War, ended up being part of an underground ogranization that specialized in the care and aid of highly emptahic citizens, and now had assigned her to find one of three missing gold discs.
Normally, she would have passed on such an assignment, but the backstory behind it had caught her interest. Over eighty years ago the Alliance had discovered ruins on Persephone that indicated that a highly advanced civilization had once lived there. The city itself was over five-thousand years old, and apparently part of a huge metropolis that had spanned an area roughly the size of California on mankind's ancient homeworld Earth.
No one knew what had happened to the species that had originally lived there, but they were gone, and the Alliance had merely reburied the city to make way for colonists. However, since that time other sites had been found, making it obvious that a large civilization had once spanned the majority of the known worlds. No one knew where they came from, or where they had gone, but like others Ennes had a sneaking suspicion that they still existed. She also suspected that on this particular subject the Alliance knew more than they were saying, but getting in contact with their operatives was proving to be difficult.
The escape of over two-hundred captives from River's 'school' had caused a crackdown on security in all black-ops programs which meant that without some ingenious acts on the part of their spies, getting data out was next to impossible. However, her organization was already working on a way to get around that obstacle. It just took time.
In the meantime, she wondered what Gordon's assignment was on Serenity. He was higher up on the food chain than she, taking orders straight from the director of their organization, but without the right clearance she had no way of knowing what he was up to.
However, it was interesting seeing him pose as a Shepard.
Standing up from her seat next to the wall, Selma wandered down the hall keeping her eyes and ears open. She knew the big mercenary, whats-his-name, Jayne was lurking somewhere nearby, but she couldn't get a fix on him. Rounding the corner, she walked right in front of him where he was waiting with Vera.
"Going somewhere?"
"Yeah, I'm looking for Mal."
"What for?" Selma fought the urge to roll her eyes, the last thing she needed was twenty questions. Letting out a sigh, she prepared to try for an explanation when a shadow loomed up behind Jayne.
"Shit." Without blinking an eye, she fired past the mercenary's head, a neat hole forming in the forehead of the man standing behind him.Turning, Jayne looked down at the corpse behind him, and then back at empty space. Selma was gone.
"Momma always said don't take your eyes off a witch."
***
Mal was beginning to wish that he was dead. After he had tried to convince the captain to help him lure River out of seclusion, and failing Niska had shot him twice in each leg. As a result Mal was squirming on the floor in his own blood trying his best not to scream since that would only encourage the madman. Pacing back and forth in front of the captain, Niska tapped the muzzle of his gun against his cheek as he thought.
Malcolm staying true to his nature had refused to tell him who had helped in his evasion of the killer, sticking to insults, and absolute stubborness. Threats hadn't worked, and neither had shooting him in the legs. Stopping his endless walking in circles, he strode over to where Malcolm lay, and pressed the gun into the younger man's arm.
"Tell me who helped you."
"What if I say fuck off?"
"I'll shorten your arm by about a foot." Mal hauled himself up into a better sitting position. He had no idea where River was at, she said that she would be in the cockpit, but the only thing there when they arrived was empty space. Thinking fast, Mal decided to stall until he could think of a way of of his current predicament.
"She won't come to you." Niska arched his eyebrows. Here was an improvement in the situation.
"She? You mean a woman was behind this?"
"She's a girl, not a woman."
"Ah, now I see. Why won't she come to me?"
"I don't know, might be because you shot her best friend in the chest." Niska closed his eyes and smiled.
"Vengeance is such a fickle being, you never know how it will manifest. She kills half my men, and leaves you hanging. I wonder what she would say to you now? Hmm?"
"Don't look behind you." Niska turned just in time to see the fire extinguisher before it connected with the side of his head. Lurching backwards, the gun spun out of his hand into the shadows, leaving him with nothing but his bare hands. Yet that still gave him the advantage. Staggering to his feet as the extinguisher hit the ground, he glared at River with his beady little eyes. She stood against the wall, her hands clasped behind her smiling eerily. Turning, she winked at Mal before focusing back on Niska.
"You wanted to see me?" The madman stood carefully, the world still rocking benath him from the blow. Cautiously he sized up the girl, before approaching. She was small, and her type was usually done in with a quick twist of the neck.
"Why yes, I've never met someone so evasive." River lifted her eyebrows.
"I've never met a homicidal maniac. I belive this is a first for both of us." Niska smiled grimly, his legs taking up more of the space between them.
"I'm curious, why come out of hiding now?"
"Because I wanted to give you something."
"Oh really? What?" River smiled ferally.
"What you've always wanted. All the pain you could ever desire." River's hands came from behind her back revealing the silver wand that had been flung at Mal by the PSIOPS agents. Niska looked down at the silver device, his eyes widening as it snapped open with a dull click.
"You intend to frigten me with a toy?" The wand was now buzzing softly, it's whine picking up as River stepped forward.
"Go ahead, take it if you want." Niska reached for the silver wand only to find that his body was frozen. Struggling he tried to overcome the unseen force keeping him in place, but found that at best he could only stumble backwards as the girl advanced. Already his body was starting to vibrate in time with the tiny device, pain lacing up through the back of his skull down into his chest as River kept up her unrelenting approach.
"Do you like the pain Franz?" she hissed, her eyes taking on a dangerouns gleam. "Does it excite you? Make you feel like a man, instead of an impotent little fool?" Niska moaned in agony as he literally fell into the hall. Blood leaked from around his eyes into his mouth as River stepped forward, but kept just enough distance between them so that the wand didn't complete it's true purpose.
"Tell me Franz do you love it? Am I giving you everything that you want when you torture your victims?" Niska shrank back into a corner, the wand shutting off as River stood over him. In her hand was a slim .22 mm. Lifting it she pressed it against his forehead.
"Would you like to see a nightmare?" Niska shook as the corridor vanished, turning into a sterile room where he was strapped down into a chair. Long needles had been drilled into his skull, and as soon as he realized this he felt them begin cutting into his brain. The pain ten times as bad as what he experienced at the mercy of the wand. Screaming he rejoiced as reality was returned to him. River stood there unmoving, the gun still resting between his eyes.
"I would run if I were you. I would run until the blood flies from your legs, and the air burns your lungs. I would run, for I would not want to see what happens when you realize I am behind you." Niska scrambled to his feet, eyes wide he backed into a wall as he tried to escape. Out of the shadows Selma stepped into the dim light, the gun extended.
"Wait!" Niska turned around, the gun barking once as she fired a round into his shoulder joint. "Call us even." For the first time in his life, Franz Niska ran like hell. Even with his injuries he kept running until he reached the cargo bay, where he collected what was left of his men, and boarded his transport. Serenity shook as he departed, it would be a long time before he bothered Mal again, but when that time came there would be two names added to his list. Selma came over to where River stood, the girl was slumped against the wall panting slightly. Her little move had cost her dearly, and her head pounded stadily as a result.
"You should not have done that."
"I had no choice, He would have merely come back if I had relied solely upon the wand." Selma took the silver device from the girl's hand. On the one hand she should retrieve it, on the other the crew needed to know about it's capabilites. She decided to give it to Mal before she left.
"Remember what the agents did to you at the academy-"
"I am not a monster, I would never rape a person's mind. I only acted in self defense, not in self interest."
"Remember that. It's what seperates us from them." Ennes took the gun from River's hand, and let her rest against her side.
"You could come back with me, to one of our teaching centers?"
"No, I know I'll be fine. Besides, Simon needs me. We make each other better." That was the last thing River said before passing out on the floor. Walking into the cockpit, Selma looked down at Mal who was still sitting in his own blood.
"You know, one of these days you're going to get yourself killed." Mal smiled wanly.
"That obvious huh?"
XV
"Ow." Mal carefully put his weight down on his legs, the pain casing him to grind his teeth as he tried the crutches Simon had give him. Kaylee had already been carefully relocated to her bedroom, leaving a sore Zoe, and tired Wash to watch him make his first attempt at walking. Behind him Simon guided him as he hobbled towards the door.
"Easy, you don't want to push it."
"I know my limits doc I-" Zoe lifted an eyebrow as Mal crashed down onto the floor. Niska had broken her ribs, but her baby was okay. As a result her normal sense of humor had returned.
"Sir, I think walking is performed in an upright position."
"Ha ha." Despite Simon's atempts to help, Mal managed to get back on his feet. Hobbling out into the hall, he watched as Inara glided around the corner.
"Mornin'."
"Good morning Mal, I see you're back on your feet."
"Jealous?" Inara's mouth turned down at the corners. Mal waved his hand at the Companion's dour expression. "Never mind, how are you Inara?"
"I've been better. I could do without the stench of the cleanser Wash used to remove the blood."
"Well when we get planetside I'll open the place up for ya."
"That's all I ask." Inara disappeared in the general direction of the mess leaving Mal to continue his hobbling down the hall towards the cargo bay. Kaylee was still out of it, only coming to long enough to point weakly at her water glass, or a blanket. Zoe was on limited duty, and Simon was shadowing him.
"Doc, I think I'll be okay."
"Mal you were shot four times-"
"I've had worse. Look if I need you I'll just holler or something." Simon chewed his lip thoughtfully for a minute, and then went back to medbay. Alone, Mal made his way to his orginal destination. Pausing on the catwalk he saw Book talking with Selma. She had decided ultimately that she wanted to be let off on Brian's Folly, a small world at the core of the territories. Her son Jordan was catching a small nap until they arrived, but in the meantime she was talking to the Shepard. Listening in, Mal realized something strange. It sounded as if she knew Book, and on a more personal level than just passing strangers.
"So, do you think she'll recover now?" Selma frowned as she checked her bags. Her blonde hair tumbling into her face.
"I think so, it's just up to her now. River is stronger than she knows, and to be honest with you Book I really don't want to talk shop right now." The Shepard nodded, and looked out one of the nearby windows. Wash was beginning the apprach to the planet, the red hot glare of the atmosphere filling the room with a soft red glow.
"So how's Jordan?"
"No worse for wear, but I san see that the loss of his father is on his mind."
"Bruce was a good man, I think I said that once." Selma laughed softly.
"More times than I can count." A long silence stretched between the two as the ship touched down on it's scheduled landing pad just outside of Yau, one of the major cities. Little did Mal know Selma had managed to send a communique to her organization requesting a pickup. Book took the pause as an opportunity to exit, giving Mal the greenlight to make his way down the stairs that led to the catwalk. Ennes looked up from her bags as the captain joined her in the cargo bay. Smiling she walked over to where he stood, her blue eyes scanning through him as she approached.
"You know, there are times when I wonder about settling down." Mal's lips twitched as he stared at the empath. For some reason he wasn't that nervous around her anymore.
"Naw, you'd be bored in a week."
"Probably, but you make the thought entertaining." Selma grinned at the surprised expression on Mal's face.
"Well I don't exactly court Readers."
"Opposites attract, or so I'm told." Behind them the doors to the cargo bay opened revealing the early morning sun. In the distance Mal could hear the thrum of the city, already busy despite the early hour. Selma walked over to Mal, a mere three inches seperating them.
"You know, when I first came aboard you thought about me lying on a beach watching a sunset."
"A man's entitled to his fantasies."
"Maybe someday it'll be a reality." Ennes let her lips slide across Mal's before stepping back, and heading for the loading ramp. Her son Jordan came running down the tairs, his duffel bag slung over his good shoulder, and his pace unrelenting as he bolted out into the open air. Selma laughed at her son's antics, her slim form retreating into the fresh morning light as she headed for the crowded streets of Yau. Mal turned away as Wash came down the stairs, followed by Jayne.
"We've got a run, guy wants us to deliver five tons of fertilizer to Steelhead."
"How much?"
"Five-hundred credits." One hundred credits for each ton. Mal hobbled about on his crutches in order to get a better look at Wash and Jayne as they prepped the mule. Having survived Niska, PSIOPS agents, and now four gunshot wounds Mal was for once feeling optimistic. Turning towards the stairs, the world went sideways as he fell to the floor.
"DAMNIT!"
Laughing, Wash barely managed to duck as a crutch sailed past his head. His smile faded as Jayne looked at the bruise raising on his arm, and then at the pilot. His eyes narrowing as he glared at the smaller man.
"I just want you to know this is going to hurt you more than it's going to hurt me."
"ZOE!"
THE END