TITLE: "RAISING THE STAKES"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Slight S/K.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "DEPERATE TIMES".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://unilelu.net/Alison/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Kaylee, Simon and River return to Serenity

but the Shepherd's news is not so good. Meanwhile Jayne

finds out just how busy Niska has been."

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.

"RAISING THE STAKES"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

With hollow eyes the man watched, cursing from the shadows. Having disposed of the bottle and glasses he returned to see two stealthy figures rapidly enter the bathhouse by the staff door at the back. A door he had contrived to leave open so that he could come and go unseen. Now he could only remain hidden unable to make any move that was not dictated by his *laoban*. Yet doing nothing would spell his doom as surely as acting without authority. Letting the silence curse him, he could do naught but wait.

* * * * *

Twice Malcolm Reynolds almost waved Inara. She might be mad at him for contacting her but she was the one person he could guarantee would answer and right now he was almost desperate enough to do it. Only the thought that he might drag her into this mess made him stay his hand. He was pacing the cargo bay, the ramp down and open to the worsening weather. Clouds thick and heavy with rain brooded overhead making the darkening sky blacker by the minute as if matching his mood. The Captain was about to call Book to ask him what was taking so gorram long when the sound of voices made his head snap round, eyes narrowing as he peered down the ramp, gun drawn. Relieved more than words could say when Kaylee, Simon and Riv