TITLE: "KEEPING FAITH"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: RIVER/MAL.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "CASUALTIES OF WAR".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Inara and the Shepherd come to a life changing decision and it is all the Captain's fault. Zoe begins to discover the full horror of what is happening on Hera. River already knows

and enlists unexpected help."

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.

"KEEPING FAITH"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He felt sick, the nausea rolling like a painful tide through his gut. The rising bile making him gag and choke. Gentle hands turned and guided him on to his side, a hand rubbing his back, soothing words murmured in a meaningless babble in his ear. Not fully conscious he was surfacing in a pain ridden sea. Gradually his head began to clear though he felt so weak, his whole body trembling and aching. What the rutting *diyu* was wrong with him and where in the 'verse was he?

Strong capable hands now joined the gentle ones and carefully eased him on to his back once he had been sick and had his airway cleared. A soft cloth wiped him clean then a familiar voice gently chided him for trying to move unaided. With an effort he forced his eyes open, squinting in the dimness of his cell as if the poor light pained him. "Shepherd? That you?"

"I'm here, Captain. Try not to move quickly. You still have some of the poison in your system."

"Poison?" He sounded confused and surprised then memory filtered back into his waking senses. "Inara!"

The softly breathed word was answered. "Yes, Captain, I am here."

That added bafflement to his confusion. Okay. So maybe this was a gorram nightm