TITLE: "ARGENT"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal/Casey.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "TRUCE"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Serenity arrives at Argent and Book puts his

plan into action. Mal and Casey try to figure out what their

gaolers are up to."

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.

"ARGENT"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The Argent Penal Colony pretty much was the only thing on that God-forsaken planet. A dustbowl of a world just far enough out from the Core worlds to let the idle rich stay comfortably and blissfully unaware yet close enough to Alliance military routes for convenience. Shepherd Book felt a cold shudder ice its' way along his bones, memories deeply buried stirring unbidden and unwanted. The past had a way of raising its' ugly head at the most inopportune times but he was commited now. This ship, this crew, had somehow wormed their way under his skin. Made himself more of a home among them than the one where he had been born and raised. Made him think that the good Lord had a twisted sense of humour or perhaps that was just because he was beginning to see things from a certain Captain's perspective. A possibility that was worry enough without the extra baggage that went with it.

Wash was dying to ask Book about Argent but before he could pin the man down the Shepherd turned and walked briskly off the bridge. The pilot gave Zoe a look. They were the only two left on the bridge. "Was it somethin' I didn't say?"

Zoe patted his shoulder, a thoughtful look on her face. After a minute she followed the Preacher, finding him talking to Simon and River in the infirmary. Simon was holding up