The Hole in the 'verse

An alternative Firefly story

Rating: PG-13 for now, for violence and mild cursing

Summary: An AU fic that starts right at the end of the BDM. Serenity and her crew are learning to cope, and still flying, but it's getting harder all the time.

Disclaimer: I doubt I do, but it's nice to fantasize that I own Wash since I saved him from a cruel and unnecessary death. I still own nothing.

Author's Notes: Now we've got a story. Everything that happened on Mr. Universe's planet after Mal went off to send the message still happened. Kaylee and Simon did NOT have kinky sex (plot development later on, you see), but otherwise…yeah, I think things proceeded as normal. Honour Roll at the end.

The Book of Mal

part 1

It had taken weeks of hard labour to get Serenity into flying condition again. When they had crash-landed, they'd shorn the two side engines off that allowed the Firefly to turn and maneuver in the air, not to mention the numerous dents and holes and other problems. It was almost a hopeless case at first, everyone recovering from one battle wound or another. Nearly everyone had gotten shot at least once, and those who hadn't gotten shot had other unfortunate maladies. Nobody was quite sure how they managed, but Kaylee and Mal had both claimed that Serenity was space-worthy again. There was only the problem of the pilot.

"And who's flying this thing if it isn't me?" Wash asked sourly. He was propped up on fluffy, white pillows on the bench in the infirmary with his wife beside him, massaging his right hand. Everybody was carefully not looking at the left hand sleeve, which was pinned neatly to the tacky Hawaiian shirt.

"The captain knows how to fly. Sort of…" Zoë amended lightly. A shudder passed through the newly refurbished Serenity, causing Wash to wince.

"I don't know if I believe that."

"Oh honey, have a little faith. The captain isn't a complete BUN dahn," Zoë placed a tender kiss on his forehead. He smiled slightly, leaning into the touch.

"Zoë, I'm going to have to ask you…" Simon trailed off bashfully. She rolled her eyes.

"I know my husband is a lazy sot and needs all the rest he can get." She kissed him again before standing awkwardly; time spent crouching having taken its toll on her still stiff bullet hole. "Try not to cause too much trouble, right, husband?"

"Right. No evil pranks. I got it. No promises, but I promise to let you say 'I told you so' if anything goes wrong."

Zoë left the infirmary after shooting the pilot a gentle smirk. Wash echoed it slightly wistfully before he sighed. "Am I ever going to get to stay awake for more than five minutes?"

"It is my sincerest hope that you will," the doctor answered.

"You're not helping."

Simon's smile faltered for a moment. "You'd better sleep."

"That's what they all say. It's usually women…and they completely underestimate my stamina."

"I'd dope you if I felt you needed it."

Wash bit back a yawn stubbornly. "I hate it when people that aren't me are right. Especially the ones I'm trying to bed."

"I'm sure Zoë shares the same sentiment. It'll get better," Simon said softly as Wash drifted off. It had to, for both their sakes.


"Now why is parts always fallin' off my gorramn ship!" Mal cried exasperatedly. Something about that primary bumper panel was utterly cursed and it fell off like tah-sur SUO-yo DEE-yure duh biao-tze duh MAH. And now that the initial rant was out of the way, Mal could collect his thoughts. River looked amused by his mental outburst and didn't bother trying to hide her smirk.

"You don't repeat none of that," Mal added.

"I am entirely capable of swearing without my brother's consent. He is lost and unable to express himself, while I explore languages and thought to the best of my ability," she smiled lightly.

"And do it without express permission. People don't trust folk like that." Mal returned his glance to the computer to check their course. They needed to head to a safe planet where no one could find them and Wash could get his arm looked at. Mal couldn't suppress the sigh.

"My brother saved him," she said softly.

"I know Simon saved him, lil albatross. Don't make it any better than it is."

"Couldn't be helped. Too much blood and pain. Splatters of stuff and guts everywhere. Gruesome. He did the right thing."

"By him," Mal muttered.

"You miss him." Little River was relentless when she probed. In a way, it helped, having someone knowing some of what was eating at Mal's thoughts, but her approach certainly wasn't pretty or nice. The corner of his mouth twitched before he came up with a suitable answer.

"Yes. Death ain't pretty. You learn to live with it, but it never gets any easier. 'Specially not one of your crew."

She seemed satisfied, unless she was reading the track his thoughts had taken. They weren't the most optimistic at the moment, despite having finally got Serenity off that miserable rock.

"Where are we heading, sir?" Zoë asked, having arrived on the bridge.

"Not so many places we can go anymore," Mal replied quietly. "How's Wash?"

"He's…going. Sleeping now."

"Good, good. Shiny," Mal nodded. "Seemed well enough and all?"

"As can be expected, sir." Her face was completely blank with no emotion whatsoever. It was a look well honed during the war. Mal often found he used it without thinking.

"I think we're heading to Boros. Might still be people liken us there…should get the help we need."

"And the Feds?"

"Won't do nothin' much worse than what's already got done to us. I don't see much trouble on this trip, but I've been known to be wrong before," he answered dryly.

"How long, sir?"

"A day or two. Hopefully not so much more."

"You're afraid something's going to happen…that if it weren't for our bad luck, we wouldn't have any luck at all. We're going to be okay." River's voice was soft and tentative, as though she weren't quite sure herself. Mal didn't reply. He didn't think he could.


Wash was all but draped tastefully around his wife's shoulders. His walking was still uncoordinated, but for having been bedridden and drugged for two consecutive days, it wasn't hard to imagine why. It was an optimistic sign, if nothing else.

Mal helped Zoë ease the pilot onto the Mule before hopping into the driver's seat. Zoë strapped in beside Wash, while River got up front. Simon was still raving.

"Do you even remember the last time you took her on a milk run?"

"Yes, Simon, I believe I do. We all came out alive, and exceptin' Jayne's rather unfortunate leg we all got out safe, breathin', and very uneaten. That girl saved our lives, Simon, 'n after this whole big fiasco, I'da thought you'd start to learn just who is in charge of this here boat." Mal's mouth was twisted into a sadistic, Captain grin, but there was no trace of humour in his coldly mocking eyes.

"Just because we're not as wanted anymore does not mean we should go…marauding about in the streets!"

"I can have Jayne confine you to your bunk iffin you got a problem with these arrangements." An eyebrow quirked upward to further drive home his "I really don't give a damn what you say" expression.

"Captain," Kaylee called. "Don't be mean, he just…cares about his sister a lil, is all."

"I suspect no power in the 'verse can keep Simon from carin' about his sister, now, can it?" Mal asked pointedly.

"Is the captain really fightin' on my behalf? I feel just all…fuzzy inside." Wash grinned. The pilot, whether he knew it or not, knew very well how to diffuse tense situations, but when Simon glanced at Wash, he still wilted at the edges.

"Just don't let her get hurt, please?"

Mal rolled his eyes, raising his right hand as an after thought. "I, Malcolm Reynolds, do solemnly swear your sister ain't gonna get so much as a scratch on her pretty little head, 'n if she does stub a toe, I understand you're gonna cut my head off and feed it to all manner of unpleasin' sorts a creatures." Before Simon could answer, Mal stepped on the gas and sent the hovercraft zooming out the open cargo bay doors.

Simon sighed as the Mule zipped away, unlike Jayne, who eyed Simon interestedly. "Think he meant what he said 'bout confinin' ya?"

Simon gave him a patented glare, before stalking to the infirmary. Jayne chuckled, making his own way to the dining area while Kaylee watched in distaste. She followed Simon to the back of the bay, calling for him to wait up. He didn't stop, but he did turn to look at her.

"Simon, don't think nothin' of the captain. He just…"

"He expects too much from her," Simon said stubbornly.

"Oh I don't think so. River got tons better after the whole Miranda thing," Kaylee smiled reassuringly. "I think she's growin' up. She's gonna be fine now that that's out of her."

"I've been taking care of her for so long…I've never known her to be able to take care of herself."

"The Captain's with her, 'n Zoë. If anyone knows anythin' about protectin', it's the Captain," she said brightly.

"I just wish my contributions were enough passage for both of us," he sighed.

"Your contributions are more'n enough. The captain just wants everyone to share the load if they're gonna share the wealth."

"No, my contributions are clearly not enough. The captain doesn't trust me and for good reason," Simon said fiercely. He sped up, bypassing the infirmary and heading instead for his bunk.

"Simon, wait—!"

The doctor didn't answer. The captain didn't respect him, wouldn't ever respect him, and now Simon had given him further reason not to trust him. Kaylee's concern was entirely too stifling right then, and he couldn't deal with it. He shut the door to his quarters on her frantic cries before slumping down on the bed. First the shepherd's death and now Wash's arm…River having to pay their passage with petty thievery…When had it gotten so wrong, so fast?

Chinese:

BUN dahn: fool

tah-sur SUO-yo DEE-yure duh biao-tze duh MAH: whores in Hell

Honour roll: pokey- Wash will live as long as it is in my power to make him do so. Sulkyn the Powerless- And so it is continued. Merrie- You didn't know I was insane? I must not have been making it obvious enough. Sorry about that. RMMF- It's going, something I'm very proud of. Sage1899- If you're still looking for employment, we can talk. ; ) Couldn't bare to let Wash just got quiet into that good night.