Well, this one should spell it all out for you. The last twist is in the Epilogue. . .

The first seven 'days' can be found here:

Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. Day 5. Day 6. Day 7.

Thanks to Tamsibling for the beta.

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The Prisoner

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Day 8

“I know this’ been hard, lil’ Albatross,” Mal said, standing behind the pilot’s chair. He stared down at the top of the girl’s dark haired head before glancing out into the field before them. They’d gotten the intel they needed from a grungy old man who’d once worked in the underground holding facility and were now preparing to take the shuttle closer to that facility. They’d all agreed not to tell Kaylee what the place was commonly used for. “More than you’ll ever know, Captain,” River answered, her eyes never leaving the controls.

Mal heaved a great sigh. “Thank you for trusting me.”

“Always supposed to trust the Captain.”

Mal grinned wryly. “Tell that to the rest of the crew.”

“Kaylee’s afraid. Doesn’t know who to blame, who to be angry at. She’s sorry for not trusting you, but she’s scared – I’m scared too.”

Mal hesitated for a moment, letting River’s words sink in. He needed to get something off his chest but was unsure of how to do it. No doubt the psychic could already read it from his mind, but she always wanted him to speak instead. “River –“

The girl lifted her eyes and stared out into the black, her hands clenched tightly together in her lap. “If he dies, the blame won’t fall on just your shoulders.”

~*~

The man leaned forward, hands on his knees, as Simon spoke. The tale was certainly interesting enough but the man couldn’t be certain how much was truth and how much was fabricated in the young man’s fevered delirium. Tales of Alliance corruption had existed since the government was formed. It really wasn’t all that unusual. But the young doctor, as the other prisoner had learned not long ago, was well spoken, educated and didn’t really seem the type to lie about such events; which made the man regret Simon’s deteriorating condition even more.

That condition had worsened overnight and it was clear to the cell-mate that if he didn’t get medical attention soon, the younger man could easily die from his injuries.

Simon’s teeth chattered as he spoke, and the other man crept closer to listen to the weakening voice.

“Tell me more,” the older man prompted, hoping to keep the boy awake and talking. Asleep, he could fall into a coma from which he might not wake. It was astonishing that the younger man had remained awake through all of his questioning thus far.

“There is nothing – else to say,” Simon breathed.

“Your sister is – normal now?” There was confusion laced with a bit of awe in the man’s voice.

Simon coughed and the man could detect a bit of sarcasm in the younger man’s voice when he finally spoke. “As sane as anyone who has had their amygdala stripped and her brain experimented on.”

“And she’s the ship’s pilot?”

“As good as Wash.” If Simon regretted the words, in his feverish state, it didn’t show.

A small smile spread across Simon’s face. “And Kaylee, she’s –“ He trailed off, his eyes fluttering closed as if wanting to burn the image of his beautiful lady into his mind.

“She . . . ?” the other man prompted.

When the other prisoner received no answer, he moved to Simon's side and gently pulled the younger man’s torso into his lap. It was the first time the man had touched him, come out of his corner. But Simon wasn’t looking at him, couldn’t see his state of dress. The damp, clammy skin, told the other man all he needed to know and a hand flattened on Simon’s forehead simply confirmed it.

“Tell me about her,” the other man prompted and he leaned down when he felt Simon breathe her name.

“She’s got a smile that can light up the verse. Her eyes are so beautiful and open and – “ Simon fell silent again, clearly remembering the beautiful girl whom he’d just described. “And I love her.” Simon exhaled deeply and his head lolled against the other man’s chest for a moment before he weakly gripped the other man’s hand. “Tell her, please. If they come – if it’s too late.”

The man pursed his lips and stared down into Simon’s open eyes. It was clear he didn’t truly see the man that held him, but he nodded anyway. “I will make sure she knows.”

The door opened and Simon didn’t even have the energy to groan at the anticipated pain to come.

“Let him be today,” the other prisoner said to guards neither of them could see.

Simon was too delirious to register the man’s words and the fact that those guards listened to him without so much as another word exchanged.

TBC

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