Part V--The Resolution

“Sir, we can’t keep her looked in that room forever.”

“I know,” Mal replied, still staring at the image of space before him. His life had gotten mighty complicated since the doctor and his sister got on his boat.

“Well, we can’t exactly dump her just any place either,” Wash countered. “She knows who Simon and River are and where they are hiding.”

“So, what do we do?” Zoe asked.

“Throw her out the airlock?” Wash suggested. It got him a glare from both Zoe and Mal.

“I don’t spill blood unless I have good reason for it,” Mal stated, glaring at his pilot.

“I don’t think that bloodshed will be necessary,” Simon said, coming onto the brig.

“Really?” Mal asked with obvious skepticism.

The doctor nodded. “I’ve been giving the situation some thought and I may have come up with a solution.”

“One not involving her running into the Feds?” Wash asked. “Or an airlock?”

“It should be to everyone’s satisfaction.”

“Well, let’s hear this remarkable plan,” Mal ordered as he leaned back in his chair.

* * * * *

“Never thought I’d see this ball of dirt again,” Jayne said. “Well, what are you waiting for?”

Mikiko readjusted the pack on her shoulder. She had her doubts about Simon’s solution. However, she could offer no alternative.

“It’s really not so bad,” Simon said quietly, standing behind her. “It has its charm.”

“I’m sure. Kidnapping, forced labor, and attempted burnings at the stake. Zhe zhen shi ge huaile de jinzhan.”

“It’s not too late to change your mind.”

“Yes, it is. It’s been too late for a long time now.”

“Mikiko, I . . .”

She turned and faced him. “Don’t, Simon. I think we have said everything we’ve needed to say.

“You have a new life here,” she said, glancing over his shoulder at River and Kaylee. “Maybe I can have that out there.”

“So, is she getting off on Jiangyin or not?” Jayne demanded.

“I should be going.”

Simon nodded. “You should probably go to the general store and announce that you need supplies to replenish your medkit. That should get their attention quickly.”

He smiled at Mikiko’s frown. “They’re not bad people here, Mikiko. Misguided and backward but not evil.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“While I hate to break this up,” Mal announced, “the lady has quite a walk to town to make and we have to be hitting the sky.”

“Take care, Mikiko.”

She nodded. “You, too, Simon.” She turned to Mal. “Safe flying, Captain Reynolds.”

“Good luck, Dr. Okada.”

“About time,” Jayne muttered as she passed.

Mikiko shot him a look but said nothing. Simon watched her until the cargo bay door closed. He didn’t move until Kaylee touched his shoulder.

“I could use some help with dinner.”

“Dinner, right,” Simon said, clearly nervous. “Well, see, the thing is that I, um, I can’t cook.”

“No time like now to learn. Let’s go.” Simon was still sputtering as Kaylee pulled him towards the galley.

* * * * *
Chinese to English translations from http:// fireflychinese. home. att. ent

Zhe zhen shi ge huaile de jinzhan—This is a happy development.


The Resolution “Sir, we can’t keep her looked in that room forever.” “I know,” Mal replied, still staring at the image of space before him. His life had gotten mighty complicated since the doctor and his sister got on his boat. “Well, we can’t exactly dump her just any place either,” Wash countered. “She knows who Simon and River are and where they are hiding.” “So, what do we do?” Zoe asked. “Throw her out the airlock?” Wash suggested. It got him a glare from both Zoe and Mal. “I don’t spill blood unless I have good reason for it,” Mal stated, glaring at his pilot. “I don’t think that bloodshed will be necessary,” Simon said, coming onto the brig. “Really?” Mal asked with obvious skepticism. The doctor nodded. “I’ve been giving the situation some thought and I may have come up with a solution.” “One not involving her running into the Feds?” Wash asked. “Or an airlock?” “It should be to everyone’s satisfaction.” “Well, let’s hear this remarkable plan,” Mal ordered as he leaned back in his chair. * * * * * “Never thought I’d see this ball of dirt again,” Jayne said. “Well, what are you waiting for?” Mikiko readjusted the pack on her shoulder. She had her doubts about Simon’s solution. However, she could offer no alternative. “It’s really not so bad,” Simon said quietly, standing behind her. “It has its charm.” “I’m sure. Kidnapping, forced labor, and attempted burnings at the stake. Zhe zhen shi ge huaile de jinzhan.” “It’s not too late to change your mind.” “Yes, it is. It’s been too late for a long time now.” “Mikiko, I . . .” She turned and faced him. “Don’t, Simon. I think we have said everything we’ve needed to say. “You have a new life here,” she said, glancing over his shoulder at River and Kaylee. “Maybe I can have that out there.” “So, is she getting off on Jiangyin or not?” Jayne demanded. “I should be going.” Simon nodded. “You should probably go to the general store and announce that you need supplies to replenish your medkit. That should get their attention quickly.” He smiled at Mikiko’s frown. “They’re not bad people here, Mikiko. Misguided and backward but not evil.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” “While I hate to break this up,” Mal announced, “the lady has quite a walk to town to make and we have to be hitting the sky.” “Take care, Mikiko.” She nodded. “You, too, Simon.” She turned to Mal. “Safe flying, Captain Reynolds.” “Good luck, Dr. Okada.” “About time,” Jayne muttered as she passed. Mikiko shot him a look but said nothing. Simon watched her until the cargo bay door closed. He didn’t move until Kaylee touched his shoulder. “I could use some help with dinner.” “Dinner, right,” Simon said, clearly nervous. “Well, see, the thing is that I, um, I can’t cook.” “No time like now to learn. Let’s go.” Simon was still sputtering as Kaylee pulled him towards the galley. * * * * * Chinese to English translations from http:// fireflychinese. home. att. ent Zhe zhen shi ge huaile de jinzhan—This is a happy development.


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