Disclaimer: I do not own Firefly in any way, shape, or form.

A/N: This chapter is based on the events of War Stories. Therefore, it DOES contain mention of torture. And ears. You have been warned.

Chapter 4

"I'm not… gonna say it… again," Mal growled, determined to keep Wash talking through the torture. "Shipboard romances complicate things."

"For who?" Wash gasped. "For you?"

"For everyone."

"Yeah? Well, what about lo - VEAHHH!"

They both shook from the electrical surge.

"Ain't against it as a rule," Mal said, gritting his teeth through the pain. "But in a situation such as ours, tends to cause problems. Splits loyalties."

"Know what I think?" Wash hmmmphed.

"What?" Mal asked, ignoring Niska as he began to talk.

"I hire you to do job…" Mal felt another jolt race through his body. "Job does not get done…"

"What?" Mal yelled, trying to keep Wash's attention. "What do you think, Wash? 'Cause I'm interested."

"Huh?"

"You make lie of my reputation…"

"You were gonna say something to me," Mal spoke over Niska. "What was it?"

"Wha -" Wash sounded woozy. "Oh. This 'policy' you got against shipboard relationships… That's just you projecting your own intimacy issues onto everyone else."

"Yeah?" Mal spat, sounding interested. "Well, that's just downright insightful. It surely is."

"I've seen you dance 'round the Doc - AHH!" Wash's body jerked at the force of another zap.

"What's that?" Mal prompted. "Bout me and the Doc?"

"Doc… Yeah…" Wash tried to get his bearings again. "You're too afraid - to make a move."

"That so?" Mal asked, his thoughts suddenly wistful. Just that morning, he'd been sitting by Simon at breakfast, stealing the raisins from his bowl, pretending not to be guilty… Loving the aggrieved sighs and suppressed smiles Simon afforded him.

"Braver than you are!" Wash said as loudly as he could. "Least I went for what I wanted…"

"Or, could be it's a mite simpler than that." Mal continued, focusing on keeping Wash with him. His thoughts of Simon were enough to keep him going, because he knew how to focus his mind… But Wash needed more than that. He would keep him awake, and bring the pilot back to Zoe…

"It's his ear." His own words didn't sound real to himself. Simon shook his head and began to swear, loud and explicitly.

Everyone paused to look at him in surprise and a little awe.

"We're getting him back," Simon said viciously. "As soon as I put this on ice…"

Simon is sitting on his bed, looking over the guns he's been lent.

"You're not responsible." Simon flinches as River appears in the doorway. "It's not your fault."

"What?" He asks tiredly.

"You think, because it was your idea to steal that medicine, and because it happened when he was out there trying to sell it, that's why he got took…" River blinked. "Taken. No… Abducted. The captain was abducted."

"Yeah," Simon sighed.

"You'll get your sunshine back," River smiled. "Simon can't live without the sun."

Simon blushed.

Simon is angry - no, he's furious... And he's going to get Mal back if its the last thing he does...

When he shoots Niska's men, his eyes are cold and he refuses to give an inch. Simon can see his bullets striking them - in the legs, in the chest - and on one man, in the head.

It was ugly. But they had Mal somewhere, and not a hundred of these scum are worth what his Captain is worth.

It's such a relief that Mal is back, and alive, that Simon could barely speak as he reattached the ear.

"Sure this thing's gonna stay on?" Mal asked, meeting Simon's eyes.

"This dermal mender creates an excellent tissue bond," Simon swallowed hard, his voice tense. "It should be fine…"

"Hey, no need to worry." Mal reaches and catches Simon's hand in his own, rubbing his wrist gently with one thumb.

Simon's mouth opens, and his eyes dart to where Book and Inara are standing.

"I'm told you took up arms in that little piece of action back there," Mal says, not looking away from Simon's eyes.

"Yes, I… Yes."

"How you farin' with that, Simon?" Mal asked softly.

"I - don't know… I never shot anyone before."

Mal waited a moment.

"But it was worth it," Simon said suddenly, fiercely. "We got you back."

"Yes you did," Mal smiled at him, leaning to touch Simon's cheek with one hand.

Simon's breath caught as Mal stroked his face.

"I do appreciate it," Mal said lowly.

Simon just nodded.

With a slow smile, Mal traced his hand down Simon's face, his neck, and to his shoulder.

"Figure I should give you some shooting lessons. Got just the gun for you. Come on." Mal turned and walked off.

Simon hurried after him, missing the soft smile of Shephard Book and the much tighter smile of Inara.