The only one to Fear

By Tom Kristal

Standard Disclaimer: All creative rights to the characters belong to their original creator(s) and is in no way connected with Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy Inc, Universal Pictures or 20th Century Fox. The author of the following fanfiction does not, in any way profit from the story and is written solely for entertainment purposes only. Associated names, characters, places, items, and descriptions used in the following fanfiction are the copyrights and/or trademarks of the rightful owners. Rights to characters and their settings is neither claimed nor implied.

Plot Summary: (Post Serenity). Back on Serenity, Simon & Kaylee's new and apparently secret relationship meets an unexpected dilemma. (K/S, S/R, M/I)

Author Notes: Hello everyone. This is a bit of a departure from my usual stories. For one, this has more than one chapter; and two, this is a 'Firefly' story. That's right folks, I am also a Browncoat. Don't worry though, I'm planning several stories in both universes so don't fret if your concerned. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then be sure to read my other stories. It's something different that I've been working on and I hope I will be able to emulate the genius that is Joss Whedon. If you like this story, just remember: I get paid through your words of encouragement.

So… now that I have properly whored myself off for a review, let the story begin…

The Only One to Fear

ACT 1: SCENE I

"That's not gonna stop us, doctor".

Simon stepped up onto the pier, still looking up at River. Her arms strapped behind her back, tied to a stake. This isn't right he thought. Someone so beautiful and so innocent. To be tied up and murdered like a lamb to the slaughter. She'd been through so much already. This can't be the way it all ends.

He looked up at her again. Her smile was as dazzling as ever and with those clear brown eyes.

Is she even aware?

Strangely enough she doesn't appear perplexed at all. She seems placid, gleeful even. Sure, River is a little troubled, but this is all a little too much. She looked like a girl who somehow knew that everything was all right, as if nothing wrong was happening to her. She wasn't scared at all. My sweet little mei-mei, this is all my fault.

"Post-holler. For digging holes. For posts".

Simon grimaced back, welting up with emotion. From that point he realized his fate, knows now what has to be done. This was all too much. After all of this there couldn't possibly be a tomorrow. Life without River: was there one? There was simply no point anymore.

And so, in his final stride he bared his arms around River. Proudly not ever letting go ever again.

'Light it'...

oOoOoOoOo

'Simon. Wake up. Please wake up'. At this moment, Simon opened his eyes.

He was in a room. His room. Onboard Serenity. With Kaylee.

Focus Simon.

I'm in a room with Kaylee. Then he remembered: the fire, the village folk, River.

Being wide-awake now he could still feel the arteries chumming away through the bloodstream, from the nights endeavor. His body was now covered in sweat and the foremast of a headache was already drumming onto his skull. But thank god. He was still alive, and so was River.

Looking up, Kaylee was hovering above him looking as concerned as ever.

He stretched out from under the blankets and reached for the time. It was late.

'Simon, are you ok?'

He turned back around pivoting his body through the blankets to face her.

Kaylee was truly unlike any woman he had ever met. She was kind, sweet and altogether cheerful beyond limits. Being on board Serenity, she was one of the few things he constantly looked forward to seeing. It was a great feeling.

Something I guarantee my parents wouldn't exactly approve of, but who gives a Wa Cao what they think nowadays. Kaylee had come at a time when he truly needed a friend. She had been his guiding star.

Kaylee had a sort of natural beauty too. Not the sort that could be chiseled through may years of self-torture and driven low self-esteem like back at home.

She didn't need any of that because she is by any definition pretty. Pretty damn beautiful, that is. Taking a chance with Kaylee was one of the best decisions he had made in quite a while. I guess there really is nothing like the frill of death to motivate someone into expressing their deepest heartfelt desires. In a sadistic sort of way I have a new appreciation of Reavers. Even if they're psycho, Alliance-created cannibals.

Admiring the view, he had somehow forgotten that Kaylee was still awaiting a response.

Kaylee frowned at his shaky condition, 'Had a bad dream?'

'Yeah, just a dream. Go back to bed'. He gave her a grim smile back, followed by an encouraging kiss on the lips.

'Are you sure. I could get ya a glass of water. It'll only take a minute...'

'No. No' Simon replied reassuringly, 'Its ok'.

Kaylee wasn't that all convinced. 'Really Kaylee, I'm fine. You can go back to sleep. We've still go a few more hours'.

Slightly unconvinced, she nodded and slowly went back to sleep.

I still got out of bed anyway. The sweat stains from my back had left imprints on the sheets, and the thought of me lying in a pool of my own filth disgusted me. He tossed on some clothes and had one last look at Kaylee.

She looked so peaceful underneath those covers, but he was done with sleep for the night. The idea of falling asleep again after being almost burned alive seemed an unattractive concept. And he had to check on River.

To be continued…

Translations:

Mei-mei - Little sister

Wa Cao (ch-ao) - Holy f#k