Yes, its almost over. There's one more 'day'and an epilogue, folks.

The first eight 'days' can be found here:

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

Day 8.

Thanks to Tamsibling for the beta.

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The Prisoner

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Day 9

Simon was too ill to wonder why the person holding him was clothed when he was bare to the waist. Even with the rough fabric of the man’s shirt pressing against his bare arms, there was little to no warmth seeping into his body.

Medical instinct kicked in and Simon knew that if he didn’t already have pneumonia from his lack of nutritional care, the beatings weakening his immune system, and the cold he’d been forced to reside in, that it was something medically worse.

Simon’s mind was cloudy but the chills that swept through his body, and the pain with each cough, told him if he didn’t get out of here, there was no way he would live to withstand any interrogation. Not that he would have any valuable information for them anyway.

“Tell them what they want to know. Maybe they’ll let you go.”

The voice sounded foreign to his ears but Simon didn’t have the energy to speak. He burrowed his face against the stranger’s arms, hoping to find solace and warmth there.

The other man stared down at Simon, wondering if perhaps there really was no more to tell.

“Did you?” Simon asked moments later drawing the man from his own thoughts.

“Did I what?”

“Tell them?” Simon’s voice was weak, but the man still heard the question.

A lopsided grin that Simon clearly did not see crossed his face. “I’m still here, aren’t I?”

Simon groaned, unsure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, considering his own unusual situation. “That’s isn’t much comfort.”

“I didn’t think it would be.”

~*~

“I’m ready to bust some heads,” Jayne stalked from one end of the cargo bay to the other as everyone joined him. They’d scouted out the best way to get into and out of the facility and it was time to put their plan into motion. The Captain was being uncharacteristically cautious this time and it unnerved Jayne something fierce.

“Bust some for me,” Kaylee said as she walked into the bay from the direction of the passenger dorms. She looked at Zoe and pressed an item into the older woman’s hand. “If you need it.”

Zoe didn’t look down, simply nodded. She knew what the syringe contained.

“Not comin’?” Jayne stared at Kaylee, for the first time noting her pale features and her dull eyes. Girl was a mess and he didn’t like to see it. Was all manner of unnatural. If getting that prissy doc back put a smile on her face, then he’d do it.

“Ain’t goin’. Would only slow ya down.” Kaylee stepped back as Inara appeared behind her to rest comforting hands on tense shoulders. She wanted to go – badly. But she knew she wouldn’t lend a bit of aid. Not being able to shoot, or scout, nothing Jayne, Zoe, the Captain and even River could contribute to this rescue mission. It was hard, hard to be left behind. As Mal approached and kissed her cheek, she clung to him for a moment and whispered, “Please bring him back.”

“I will, mei mei,” Mal declared as he checked his gun one more time and then led the others off the ship.

~*~

“You know they’ve probably got recording devices in here,” the man glanced around the room and then back down at Simon.

“Guess they interrogated me after all then, huh?” Simon’s voice was weak, but the man could make out the wry smile that split the doctor’s chapped lips.

“Your story is really quite – unbelievable.”

“Boring, huh?” Simon breathed, his lips turning up into a self deprecating grin. “Told you my life wouldn’t interest them.”

“If it’s all true,” the man prompted, clearly hoping to hear more.

“I may be smart, but I’m not stupid enough to fabricate such a story.” Simon groaned as he tried to raise his head.

“No,” the man glanced off into the dark distance and sighed. “I don’t believe you are.” he knew from experience, the Alliance had its secrets and he had no doubt they had ended the lives of a great many to keep this one.

If Simon could have seen his cell-mate’s face, he’d have wondered why the man seemed to be wearing a look of intense regret.

TBC

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