I appreciate those that bookmarked my story, I appreciate that.

I don't own those on Serenity, just weaving a tale.

Firefly Fanfiction

By: Redelflady

Chapter 3

The temple was huge, several stories and adorned with stones. There were too many windows to count, some were stained glass others were plain. There were flowers planted around the front, big blue Astrids closest to the door. To the side was a very large garden where several robed people were tending to the plants.

They walked in the foyer and it was open up to the ceiling at least 6 stories. It was done in smaller stones and accented in gold in a very ornate pattern. Shepherd and Wash were standing there absorbing the beauty of it all.

"Isn't this place great?" Wash said as Zoe took his hand.

Benu turned to Shepherd, "The sanctuary is to the right there if you would like a quiet area to pray. I believe there is already your religious book, the bible, I think you call it in your room."

Shepherd tilted his head, "How did you know that I would read the bible?"

Benu smiled, "Patience is a virtue."

Shepherd laughed at his quote, "You are right, we are just curious at how you know so much about us."

River was touching the walls of the room when she laughed and spun around, "She is ready for us now Benu. She says to hurry, she's tired."

Benu smiled, "You're right River, please follow me."

He led them down a hallway that was lined with tapestries. Beautiful, delicate and brightly colored tapestries that depicted stories of different religions throughout the 'Verse.

They entered a room at the end of the long hallway. It was a sitting room of sorts, lots of chairs and couches, all very warm and inviting. The room was decorated in beige and light browns with gold highlights. Just like the foyer, it was open to the top floor and the ceiling was glass making the room almost glow. A table to the side of the room was set for lunch. There was a smaller table with glasses and a bottle of yellow liquid.

Standing in front of the oversized fireplace was the Priestess. Her face was covered from her eyes down in a sheer green fabric, decorated with gem stones. Her robes were deep blue silk and covered her entirely. All that was visible was her beautiful black hair braided in an intricate design and her bright green eyes. Benu smiled at her, Salas had done a wonderful job getting her ready.

"Welcome guests!" she said warmly. "I am glad you are finally here!"

River ran to her and threw her arms around her neck.

"River!" Simon said sharply.

"It's alright Simon, she and I have been talking since you arrived. Haven't we young one?"

The Priestess brushed a hair from River's face, and hugged her tightly.

"Come River, I need to meet everyone." She took River's hand and walked to the group.

"Captain Reynolds." She bowed. Mal looked a little confused, but bowed back. She smiled at him and extended her hand, "Perhaps and handshake is more along the lines of what you are used to." He took her hand and smiled back at her. She held on to him for a moment and tilted her head.

"Don't worry, you are safe as long as you are here with us. We will make every effort to make sure you are able to leave safely as well."

He blinked a few times and nodded. She had answered the questions that he had been thinking.

She then bowed to Zoe and took her hand, and whispered. "I have a suite for you and Wash upstairs with a shower and a tub."

Zoe's mouth dropped open, "A real bath?"

The Priestess nodded and then took Wash's hand and bowed. She then blushed, "Zoe will have to take care of that for you."

Zoe smacked Wash on the arm, "Stop it!"

Wash shrugged, "I'm sorry, she said tub, in our room…."

The priestess laughed, "Don't worry; you can be late for breakfast in the morning."

She next moved to Kaylee, bowed and took her hand as well. "Tomorrow, I have arranged for Vaosh to give you a massage. As Captain Reynolds says, we just don't need to hear about it." Kaylee smiled from ear to ear, "Is he cute?"

The Priestess laughed, "Very."

Next was Shepherd, she bowed deeper to him and took his hand. "Thank you for joining us, I look forward to discussing theology with you tomorrow. We will have a service in the morning, you are more than welcome to attend if you would like."

"I would like that, thank you."

"As Benu told you we have a bible waiting for you and some other books you may find of interest."

"Thank you Priestess, I look forward to talking with you in depth tomorrow."

Simon bowed to her and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Priestess."

She bowed back to him and stared at him for a few minutes, standing completely still.

"She will find some peace here Simon, but with peace will come new questions. I wish I could tell you more but River is very important to many people, most of which don't even know her yet." The Priestess squeezed River's hand.

"River." Simon implored, "Please let her go."

She shook her head angrily. "No, she needs my energy. She is weak and tired. Benu, her nose is bleeding again."

Benu brought her a tissue and she turned away from the guests as he helped clean her face again. River looked at Simon, "She can't show us her face until she has shared wine with us. It is part of her sect doctrine. That is why there are glasses over there with the yellow wine."

Benu smiled at River, "Slow down young one. We'll get there."

"I know! I just want to see her face." She bounced up and down.

"She still has one more to meet, be patient River."

Benu looked at her face under the fabric. "You are fine. Are you sure you don't want to sit down?" he whispered.

"Not yet, but I will very soon. Have Salas pour the wine please."

She turned to Jayne, he was eyeing her closely. He wanted no part of pomp and circumstance, in particular where religion was concerned. He looked at her eyes and for just a moment, something about them seemed familiar. She shakily extended her hand and bowed slightly. He reached out and carefully took her hand, it looked like she was going to faint. He felt a surge of emotions race from their conjoined hands directly to his heart, pain, love, anger, hate and overwhelming sadness. He took in a sharp breath and he saw her eyes roll up, he caught her as she fainted. Benu directed him to a couch and Jayne carefully laid her there.

"I didn't do anything!" Jayne protested, "Mal, I didn't do nothing. She just took my hand and then fell."

Simon bent down and took her pulse. "She is very weak. Is she on medication of some kind?"

Benu shook his head, "No."

"She needs a hospital; I can't determine what is wrong with her here."

"No hospital, but thank you Simon. River can you hold her hand please?" Benu smiled at her.

River sat on the floor and held the Priestess' hand up to her cheek, she closed her eyes and willed energy to her. A few moments later the Priestess opened her eyes, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle everyone." She looked over at River. "Thank you young one."

Benu helped her sit up, River still holding on to her hand, "Benu, let's have the wine so I can take the official robes off please."

Benu nodded and motioned for Salas to bring the glasses of wine.

Mal knelt down in front of her, "Um. Priestess ma'am, let me just apologize if Jayne did something to make you faint, he's a little rough around the edges and well…."

"A little?" Kaylee snorted.

"Hey! I told you I didn't do nothin' to her." Jayne was louder this time.

"Please, let's all have a sip of wine." She held her glass up and toasted, "To new friends."

Everyone took a glass and toasted with the yellow wine. River held up her glass and looked at Jayne, "And to old friends rediscovered."

They all stared at her but toasted anyway. Benu looked at the Priestess and questioned that in his mind. "All in good time." She replied back the same.

"Salas please serve lunch!" River helped her stand up and she took off her facial cover. They were all stuck at her pale beauty and the large scar from her ear to her shoulder. She also took off her outer robes and was comfortable in a bright blue tank dress that was long enough to drag behind her. River traced the scar on her neck with her finger and glared at Jayne.

"River, stop it." Simon chided.

"Come let's eat some lunch. You all must be starved." She took River's hand and directed them to the table.

They were all hungry, it had been a while since they had eaten a full meal. Lunch was of fresh cooked vegetables from the garden and still warm bread.

She sat with them and picked at her food. Benu knew she was beyond exhausted now; she needed to lie down and sleep. He made that thought to her and she smile, "In a few minutes." She thought back.

They were all eating and talking, relaying tales of jobs good and bad. When the Priestess laughed, again for just a brief moment, Jayne thought there was something familiar about her. He couldn't put his finger on it, like a dream from years ago that was just around the fringe of his mind. He noticed that besides the large scar on her neck there was a scar on the ring finger of her right hand. He chewed his bread and continued to watch her, trying to remember what he might know of her.

She stood up, and all conversation stopped. "I am going to lie down for a while, I apologize. Please finish your lunch and Salas will show you to your rooms upstairs. Dinner will be at 6:30 tonight."

River clapped, "Please tell us a story after dinner, you tell wonderful stories!"

Benu nodded, "The Priestess is a very good at storytelling."

"Thank you Benu, River. I will see how the evening goes." She bowed at them. She took a step and stumbled catching herself on the table. Benu was at her side before anyone realized he had stood up. He scooped her up and quickly carried her into her chambers.

River tried to follow but Simon stopped her, "River, let her rest. Stay out here with us."

They finished their meal in relative silence. Salas was there to show them to their rooms when they were done.

"Please remember to be downstairs at 6:30 tonight for dinner. If you need anything from your ship, please let me know and I or Wash can escort you there." Salas bowed low to them and quickly left. They all retired to their rooms eager to actually bathe. Simon and River were sharing a room with bedrooms separated by a common living area.

"River don't leave without letting me know. She needs to rest. Can you see what is wrong with her?"

"Yes, but……there is nothing that can be done to fix her. She is broken beyond repair." She frowned.

Benu laid her down on the bed; she was so tired she couldn't open her eyes.

"Esmel are you alright?" he stroked her face. He heard a faint answer in his mind, "Tired……Love."

He kissed her forehead, "I love you Esmel, sleep and I will come get you before dinner."

There was no answer. He covered her with the sheet and stood staring at her for a few minutes, he didn't know how he was going to survive without her. He went to check on the guests and they were already upstairs. He made sure the formal dining room was set and checked on the menu. All was as it should be. He reached out to River to let her know that the Priestess was sleeping. River gave him a long winded thank you which made him chuckle.

He quietly went back in to check on her. She was still sleeping. He took off his official robes and in his under robe laid down next to her. Even in deep sleep she knew he was there and rolled over sliding her arms around him. He held her tightly, just listening to her breathe. She moaned in her sleep and he kissed her cheek. "I'm right here." He whispered, trying to will away her pain. Hoping her last few days would be as pleasant as they could be.