TITLE: "MORE THINGS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal/Casey.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "ARGENT"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "General Brak comes face to face with Malcolm

Reynolds. While Casey awaits her fate Shepherd Book embraces

his."

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.

"MORE THINGS IN HEAVEN AND EARTH"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The first thing that caught his attention was the noise. Having got used to the dim lighting and the silence, it felt eerie the way those heavy footsteps echoed. Malcolm Reynolds tried to get to his feet, hampered by Casey wanting him to stay seated. The steps were getting closer, more than one person by the sounds of it. "Wanna stand up."

Casey shook her head. "Not a good idea."

"Not askin'."

She blinked at him, the dim lighting softening the hard planes of her face. She was beautiful but there was something tenacious about it that made him think that beauty more a curse than a blessing. Casey tilted her head to one side. "Best not to look better than you are, Mal. Let them underestimate you not the other way around."

"That the way it works for you?"

Before she could answer they heard the heavy lock being turned, the door opened and flung wide, light pouring in startling them both even as it blinded them.

"Bring him!"

"What about the woman, *shifu*?"

"She can stay until she rots."

But Casey wasn't about to let them take the Captain, reacting almost instinctively to the small signs of his distress as they dragged Mal to his feet. Casey managed to get between the two guards and the injured Captain. "Leave him a-gorra