Chapter Sixteen: Dream a Little Dream
Soundtrack suggestions: "Dreamgirl" – Dave Matthews Band, "Starchild" – Dune
Author's Note: I twisted a line from "The X-Files" in this one. Cookies to whoever can find it…
Icicles fell from the ceiling and shocked, petrified ball-goers ducked for cover, ran, shrieked, and did other various things.
When icy bits had stopped spiraling across the floor, the coast was clear and it was easy to see whose bullets had hit whom.
Jayne's bullet had hit Charlotte.
Charlotte's bullet had hit Jayne.
And Kate's bullet had hit Charlotte dead on... no pun intended.
In the aftermath of the ball, several things happened:
Jimmy Raymond was pronounced dead at the scene by several medics who were apparently part of the Snozlund Militia Rescue Team. The cause of death was ruled "milkshake aspiration." Because Jimmy was "one of them," the militiamen all took off their helmets and sang the Snozlund Militia's song, which was to the tune of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." It was a rather odd but somehow touching tribute. The milkshake machine was wiped down by a waiter, who somehow managed to do it without gagging.
Jayne managed to plop a foil hat onto River's head before River could kill him, Wash, Jimena, or the two inept psychics, not that anyone would have missed Clarissa or Bert. While it didn't make River any more coherent or lucid, it removed Charlotte – now the ghost formerly known as Charlotte – from her head until a more permanent solution could be found. Simon uttered the safe phrase, and River dropped to the floor, helpless and no longer a killing machine, to be carried back to the Playhouse for further medical attention and to be redressed in something other than Followers of the Second Coming clothes.
Mal got up, groggily, assisted by Wash and Zoë. He was fine, just a bit sore.
Inara started crying for the loss of her date. That led Kaylee to cry, because Kaylee was a sympathetic crier. Plus, the loss of Officer Raymond was truly sad.
Charlotte's body, as it lay on the floor, suddenly combusted into ashes. "What the hell was that?" Bert asked.
"It's not the first case of spontaneous combustion we've seen," Clarissa said.
"I wonder if we'll ever figure out why…" Bert mused.
"Someday, Bert. The truth's out there," Clarissa answered.
Everyone besides Serenity's crew and those involved in the shootout – namely Kate – was evacuated from the palazzo. Mother Mary, who had collapsed drunkenly on the floor, was scooped up by the Militia's Rescue Team to be taken back to the Playhouse.
Nona had been left in the foyer by Kate. When Kate was released by the police half an hour after statements had been taken, she found her younger sister sitting peacefully in her chair, her eyes closed, no longer breathing, a sweet smile on her face. As River would say later, groggily, as Simon worked on her arms and removed the chest catheter, "Bird went to the stars. Bird is a star girl now."