TITLE: "NEVER TRUST AN HONEST MAN"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Canon pairings

RATING: G.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "THE DEVIL YOU DON'T"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The crew go to pick up the agricultural equipment

and Mal gets an epiphany."

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.

"NEVER TRUST AN HONEST MAN"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The silence in the commons room was defending. Mal stared at the Shepherd not quite believing his ears or the man responsible for what he was hearing. For the moment it was just the two of the them. Zoe being on the bridge with Wash and everyone else seemingly crowded into the infirmary to get a look at the baby. The Captain wasn't smiling. "An' you know this how?"

"River."

The Captain's eyebrows rose slightly. "An' she knows this..."

Book was nodding now. "River read Casey's mind, Captain. She said she had to wait until the woman was distracted. Not sure what that means in this context."

"So the givin' birth was the right time?"

"I believe so."

For a moment the Captain fell silent. Odd as it might seem he trusted River's abilities but this was new. An unexpected twist. "How'd she get into your mind?"

"*Wo bu zhidao*. Truth to tell Captain I haven't quite got over it myself. I didn't know she could even do that."

"Me neither." Mal mumbled to himself before bringing the conversation back on track. "Speakin' of which, where is our little mind readin' genius?"

*Never more than a thought away*

The Captain jumped then felt a flush of anger at the intrusion as River stepped into the room, her bare feet making no sound. There was something of the loo