TITLE: "WALKING SOFT"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: RIVER/MAL.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "THE CALL OF BLOOD"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "River waits for the right time to act while

carefully maintaining an outward calm. Jayne is all kinds of

confused over the Preacher's presence on Serenity. Mal

slowly discovers more of his brother's plan."

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.

"WALKING SOFT"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"The first time ever I saw your face

I thought the sun rose in your eyes

And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave

To the night and the empty stars my love

To the night and the empty stars..."

- 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' sung by Elvis Presley

He felt like a man bound heart and soul in terrible grief so deep was his sense of loss. Echoes of her touch skimmed his senses and touched him deep inside. River. How would he ever be able to make it up to her? To love her so deeply and leave her so easily as this? Yet every time he felt like weakening and turning back he would look at his brother and his heart would flutter with a joy he had long given up ever feeling again. So many memories and emotions were wrapped up in the bond of brotherhood they shared. This was family. This was blood. This was a loyalty that ran through him from head to foot and ruled him from cradle to grave. He had lost so much. So many people he had loved and cherished. He was determined not to lose his brother too. No matter the cost. But oh. The terrible cost.

It was dark now and the men moved by starlight. A pale passive moon shining through whispers of cloud high in the inky firmam