TITLE: "SLEIGHT OF HAND"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: M/I. S/K. W/Z.

RATING: NC-17..

STATUS: SEQUEL to "AN EYE FOR AN EYE".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Monty manages to contact Serenity. The crew's

rejoicing though is overshadowed by Niska's next move. With

everyone plunged into shock a recovering Jayne is determined

to do something."

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.

"SLEIGHT OF HAND"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The green and silvery grasses waved like pastel banners in the breeze. Birdsong interrupting the chirrup of crickets or similar insect life. Even the air buffeting his ears seemed to vibrate with new life. Monty tried to blink but only one sluggish eye obeyed him, the other remained sealed, swollen, bruised and bloody. Images flashed through his brainpan that amplified the pain stabbing behind his eyes knowing that he was just the first course for a man with an insatiable appetite for pain and torture. Slowly he got his heartbeat to settle some, his head lolliing to one side and sending a spike of pain up his neck. He ignored it as his good eye settled on the flask of water left within reach of his right hand.

Monty took a couple of painful breaths, trying not to breathe too deeply and start off a coughing fit. He didn't think his injured ribs could take it. Concentrating as hard as he could the big man moved his hand, happy to note he still had all his fingers and that they at least were functioning as God intended. Inch by inch he moved the hand across the grass and wrapped his fingers around the shiny chrome flask, the coldness seeping through his fingertips was welcome and made h