BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - DRAMA

LEIASKY

The Prisoner: Day 8/10
Friday, September 8, 2006

Simon gives his cell-mate his life story while Mal has a conversation with River.


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 2823    RATING: 9    SERIES: FIREFLY

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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Liked it? Hated it? Leave a comment and let me know.

COMMENTS

Friday, September 8, 2006 8:52 AM

TAMSIBLING


And the plot thickens! I love it!

I love that Simon is worried about Kaylee not knowing his true feelings. He may be delirious and close to death, but at least he remembers what's truly important.

And of course, River's little conversation with Mal was very telling. Still waters run deep - I think she is one of the best examples of that statement. Please post more and soon! I can't wait to read the epilogue (oh wait, I already have! :op)

Friday, September 8, 2006 9:30 AM

KAYNARA


well i have my theories about what's really going on here--and of course leiasky is refusing to confirm them lol!

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

Is he just trying to keep Simon alive here? Hearing how beauiful Kaylee is can't be all that helpful.

cant wait for the epilogue!

Friday, September 8, 2006 9:47 AM

TKID


<blockquote><br><hr color='#66ccff' size='1'><hr color='#66ccff' size='1'></blockquote>

Ohhh, you and Leiasky are in cahoots!

Now that I know who the prisoner is - I was going for Simon's-alternate-personality-created-when-his-brain-was-zapped - the interrogator, I'm thinking the entire scenario is the rest of the Operatives got damn curious as to why their best guy let Serenity go after Miranda.

If the thinking is correct, will the rest of the Operatives 'go Browncoat'?

Friday, September 8, 2006 10:40 AM

MAL4PREZ


I really love that Simon is taking comfort from the one in control of his torture, and the torturer is wanting to give comfort. It's like that syndrom of some name - that kidnappers and kidnappees often form this wierd bond.

It's really creepy, but also gives mystery man a personality more than some flat evil torture monger character.

As to who it is? I'm guessing someone who Simon would know, because it's been a big deal to keep the lights out. And mystery man is thinking that Simon's too far gone to see and ?recognize? him. Maybe?

Or is it just his outfit? Hmmm.

Good puzzle. And good story!

Friday, September 8, 2006 10:55 AM

SHADOWLEOPARD


Dang...I thought I had it figured out, but now I'm not so sure. I assume the facility is used for executions?

Stockholm syndrome is the name of the condition where a kidnap victim becomes symapthetic with his kidnapper/hostage taker.

Friday, September 8, 2006 10:59 AM

RIVERISMYGODDESS


to mal4prez, I think it is called Stockholm Syndrome.

“Always supposed to trust the Captain.”
Mal grinned wryly. “Tell that to the rest of the crew.”
~BWAHAHAHA define irony

It's a real burden being right so often. :) Now, there is still the question of who exactly it is, seeing as the voice was at least familiar to him, which I am pretty sure was described before the physical torture started.

Friday, September 8, 2006 11:39 AM

ALLIETHORN7


Thats "Stockholm Syndrome," mal4prez. But, ON TO THE REVIEW!!!!

At the risk of saying stuff whats already been said, I think that some seriously heavy shit has yet to hit the fan. And who is that other prisoner, I wonder? I think that he couldbe A Operative, but not THE Operative (he defected, last I checked!) Still, no matter what, River and CO. are about to unleash a world of hurt on those rutter's... GO CRAZY!!!!

Great story, I'm loving it all to bits.

-Danny

Friday, September 8, 2006 12:37 PM

GOBLUEGUY


Damn... Simon broke and the other "prisoner" was a plant... ah well, one more person to kill. Excellent work here, once again, though I would have thought Simon smart enough not to say anything to anyone.

Sorry about not commenting on the past few, they've been awesome too, but I've been playing catch up from Dragon Con ::shrug::

Friday, September 8, 2006 4:10 PM

ITSAWASH


NO WAY! The guy's IN ON IT? COOL! I'm so hooked, Leia! Gimme the next gorram ruttin' chapter SOON!

P.S. I do love Jayne fics, but unlike a lot of other readers out there, I do read good fiction, no matter who's in it. Pairings don't matter as much as the excellence of the writing does.

Friday, September 8, 2006 11:19 PM

BLACKBEANIE


I need the next chapter, like yesterday.

Saturday, September 9, 2006 2:42 PM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER


1) Cellmate being a plant: Spacie and I called it a while ago...well Spacie did first and I called it after I first read it;)

2) ID of cellmate: I really wanna take a shot at it and guess Gabriel Tam...but Simon would recognize his voice and his behaviour would be a lot more disappointed parent than curious observer. So another Operative would be my next choice

3) River and Mal's dialogue: mucho brilliant stuff here, Leiasky! Definitely whimpered at the amount of self-induced guilt that's bubbling up inside Mal and River right now. Really would hate to be them if Simon does die from his injuries:(

BEB

Tuesday, September 12, 2006 4:57 AM

SPACEFULLOFOBJECTS


The fact that our mystery man is in on the action is good, and you got me with that one. I gotta give credit to River who caught on to that early.

“Let him be today,” the other prisoner said to guards neither of them could see. *Great line there BTW.

I'll keep looking for clues as to who this guy actually is.


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