TITLE: "SECRETS AND LIES"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: RIVER/MAL.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "THE ROAD TO RECOVERY".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The Shepherd finally tells Mal what he wants to

know, the revelation bringing more pain than healing. For both

of them."

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.

"SECRETS AND LIES"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The Captain and the Preacher were running through pre-flight checks. Part of Mal hated leaving Serenity, not having River within arms' reach. His crew a host to others he would rather have kept a wary eye on. But he could not leave this matter untended. At least the Preacher would understand and honour that. In the meantime he had an ulterior motive which he was sure Book was all aware of. "You check on fuel?"

Book nodded, calmly flicking through switches and getting the engine started. "*Qu*. Topped her up from Serenity. We're ready to go when you are, Captain. With all that back and forth taking ferry jobs we're only a day out from Shadow."

"Never thought I'd be goin' back." The Captain murmured as shuttle two detached from the Firefly. He resisted the urge to shudder.

"Technically you're not..."

The cold look Mal turned on him told the Preacher he had best not finish that sentence. The planet's orbit would be close enough to the mouth of hell as made no never mind to the Captain. The Shepherd blinked a moment or two, slowly regaining his mental equilibrium.

"You know this is foolish, Captain?"

"As foolish as takin' the man who betrayed me along for the ride."

Their eyes locked. Book's voice was soft and barely more than a whisper abov