TITLE: "OPTIONS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: S/K. M/I.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "RAISING THE STAKES".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Zoe recovers from the sedative and Simon

contemplates what will likely happen next. As the Captain

gathers his remaining crew together there comes another

bombshell."

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.

"OPTIONS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"Ain't the Cap'n's fault."

The doctor stared at Zoe as if she had just had a lobotomy. "Of course it is. His half baked plans are always putting us in mortal peril."

Zoe's eyes narrowed. Even sitting on the infirmary bed she was a formidable woman to cross. "You seemed pretty happy an' relieved when the Cap'n took the medicine back."

Carefully Simon began putting his instruments away, the blood pressure cuff going back in its' case as he talked. "I was but my point is, he should never have taken the medicine in the first place."

"My my." Came the last voice Simon wanted to hear. "Must be mighty satisfyin' to look down your nose with that 20:20 vision."

Simon flushed but wouldn't back down. "Just speaking the truth, Captain."

"As you see it."

"Well, yes."

The Captain stepped into the infirmary his eyes not leaving Simon's face. "Might consider them as don't have such options. We take what jobs as we can find. Keep flyin'."

"And we can all see how well that turned out."

For a moment Simon felt a prick of shame, the Captain's face going pale. He owed the man so much yet couldn't help resenting it. Hurt and worry flickered briefly in the Captain's eyes then shifted into a blank deep well of u