TITLE: "THE CALL OF BLOOD"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: RIVER/MAL.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "PREDETERMINED"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The Captain goes with Davy leaving the ship and crew in Zoe's capable hands. Inara puts the next stage of her plan into action. Wash wonders why Mal allowed the Shepherd to return."

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 CALL OF BLOOD"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It was one of the hardest things he had ever had to do. Turning his back on ship and crew tore a piece out of his heart that was still beating. Hurt him more even than the surrender in the Valley had done not that he would ever admit it. He couldn't do that to his brother or to them. He needed to be strong so they would be able to let him go. Even though only death would loosen his grip on what he must now give up. Dog couldn't serve two masters any more than he could be in two places at once. But it hurt. Gorrammit more than any rutting thing had hurt before. So he set his face in a stone mask and gave his last orders. Told Zoe where to find the papers and somesuch that he had hidden for just such an occasion, hoping it would never be needed. She had looked at him in surprise, hiding the sorrow and pain behind a mask of her own. A mask that didn't quite reach the pain-ridden shadows of her eyes.

"You expected this, sir?"

His mouth tightened a bit. "Not expected exactly, no. Just knew we might need a contigency plan."

"Contingency plan?"

He hated it when she repeated his words back to him like that, like he was doing something incredibly dumb but she was too loyal to say so. "Yeah. You know, have