Simon's Turn Ch 7

(I own nothing EXCEPT the lullaby! The lullaby is mine. I wrote it! So no borrowing without asking!

Mal stared at the man holding one of his crew hostage, his blood boiling. Jayne just had to open his mouth.

"You." The bounty hunter motioned toward River. "Get up. Everyone to the loading dock single file. If any of you try any funny business, I shoot her." The man had the look of a man who had lost it.

Walking down the corridor behind Kaylee I felt a tug on my coat.

"Listen to me. I can get us out of this, but you need to trust me." I knew that voice. It belonged to Simone, she sounded scared and determined.

"Fine." I said noncommittally but it was apparently good enough for her because she went on.

"When I give you the signal, cause a distraction, scream or drop your pants, I don't care what you do. I just need a few seconds." I nodded my consent.

Then we reached the loading dock and he had us line up single file against the wall. I felt a tug on my sleeve, the signal. I doubled over clutching at my stomach, wheezing.

"What the hell is wrong with him?" John said pointing the gun in my direction. The startled scream I heard next told me that Simone had made her move.

It was not the world's best plan, but it worked. He turned his attention to Mal and I lunged knocking both the gun and Inara away from him and causing him to lose his balance. I managed to stay on my feet and silently thanked Mother for making me take dance classes with River. He flipped back onto his feet reaching for the gun as I kicked it away. He rounded on me.

"You little Bitch." He threw a punch and I dodged, sending a kick straight to the family jewels. He was down for the count before I even put my foot back on the ground. Take that, you worthless little maggot. It was a good try, but my Mei mei is staying here.

"It can't be." I turned at the sound of River's voice. "It's not true! It can't be!" She was staring at me like the world had told her something she couldn't believe. Like her brother turning into a girl. She turned and buried her face in Mal's coat. I desperately wanted to hold her and convince her it was me. I began to sing a lullaby I had written for her when she was a baby.

"Where do you run, my little River?

Where do you run, my dear?

The sun is setting

The road is dark

The moon sings you to sleep

My little running River

The stars come out to play at night

The world sleeps soundly all around

The sun is setting

The road is dark

The moon sings you to sleep

My little running River

So please come home

I ask you, love

My precious little running River

Come running home"

I finished and looked at River who in turn was staring at me. She uncurled herself from Mal and began to walk toward me. Reaching me, she stopped about a foot away.

"It is you, isn't it?" Her eyes were wide and tears threatened to appear in a sequel. I nodded. She raised her hand and rested it on my cheek. "What happened? What did they do to you? Simon." She said wrapping me in a hug as if to see if I was really there and this was not a dream.

'Thunk'

We turned to see Jayne passed out on the floor with the rest of the crew's jaws.