TITLE: "HOME TRUTHS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Wash/Zoe. Mal/Casey

RATING: NC-17.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "WILES"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "While Mal tries to solve his problem with Casey,

Badger does some digging about his new shadowy employer."

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.

"HOME TRUTHS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The Captain left it until the very last minute before retiring to his bunk. His eyes were weary and gritty, the lids so heavy it was a wonder he could keep them open enough to make it to his quarters. He paused by the hatch, noting it was shut not open. Hoping he would find it as empty as when he had left it over 24 hours ago. Mal shut his eyes and silently told himself to suck it up. Casey was a woman and a pregnant one at that. Being afraid of her cornering him was all manner of stupid yet still he felt his stomach twist as he opened his eyes and swung the hatch inward to climb down. It was empty. A relief so profound his knees felt weak made him also feel a mite guilty. After everything the poor woman had been through was it any wonder she had fastened on to the one person who hadn't hurt her? And was it any wonder he was determined not to break that trust?

Smiling to himself, the Captain undressed and pulled on some sleep pants then slid beneath the cool covers. Yawning he vowed not to worry about it any more but get some much needed rest. With luck things would look better come morning. With luck he might even have a plan.

* * * * *

It was not often that Badger had cause to reflect. He wasn't stupid but he also knew he was not as sharp as some. The new bully on t