TITLE: "SERENDIPITY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Kaylee/Simon. Mal/Inara

RATING: G.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "NIGHTMARES"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "When the shuttle lifts off to return to Serenity

there is a horrible shock awaiting them."

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.

"SERENDIPITY"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Although Simon would not say it, he was worried about the woman or - to be precise - the baby she was carrying. He was pretty sure the child was in distress which made it imperative they get back to Serenity as soon as possible. Ideally he would have liked to have been able to get to one of the specialist baby clinics on Osiris but this was no fairytale where just wishing could make it so. If living in the Black had taught him anything it was serendipity. Using whatever was to hand in new and creative ways to function for the things you didn't have but there was no equivalent for time. He just had to hope that the little they had would be enough.

The smooth thrum of the shuttle taking off beneath his feet was a comfort. River hadn't said anything when the Shepherd suggested they take off now and that had reassured him. Although he still couldn't bring himself to believe in his sister's powers neither could Simon completely ignore River's warnings. He watched Kaylee sitting glum and anxious beside the Captain, Zoe and Book in quiet conversation, and Jayne looking ansty and bored. Just as he was wondering what was taking so long the shuttle lurched suddenly, tipping on its' side and throwing everyone on top of each other. Shepherd Book braced himself over the Captain but no one was close enough to ca