TITLE: "THE SECOND SORROW"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: RIVER/MAL.

RATING: NC-17.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "TRUST"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Davy is determined to sway his brother into

not simply joining the Rebellion but leading it. Before any

decisions are set in stone Pepper and his men tell their stories

and an almost-friend makes an unsettling return to the fold."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"THE SECOND SORROW"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It was late but he couldn't sleep. Mind churning. So many pieces that didn't seem to fit. Emotions all churned up inside him. River knew what was troubling him deep down even if he did not yet have the words to explain it. She loved him. Would protect him to the last breath in her body. But sometimes, just sometimes, you had to let the drama unfold to reveal the entirety of what you were up against. Let all the masks fall before striking. That was why the timing was all important. Until then he needed distracting. If his mind would give him no rest perhaps his body would.

"*Wei*, what you doin', *xin gan*? Should be sleepin'."

River sat up, the bedcovers falling from her sylph like figure. The moon glow planes of her naked skin shining in the muted light of the Captain's bunk. A ghost among shadows. He had been pacing, unable to stop himself from perpetual motion. Too wound up to slow down and even think about resting. Normally he would walk his boat, check everything was battened down and secure. That all his people were safe. Trouble was they weren't safe and he wasn't sure where the danger would come from. River slipped off the bed and moved towards him o