TITLE: "PAYING DUES"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: JAYNE/Other.

RATING: NC-17.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "A NEW DREAM".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "As Mal settles into his new life his former

crew gradually gravitate back to Serenity. Slowly coming

to the realisation that everything has changed."

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.

"PAYING DUES"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The water was freezing cold but he didn't care. Just wanted to wash the dirt and stench off him. Rafe brought out a bar of carbolic soap and some towels. Wanted to burn Mal's clothes there and then but the look on his face stopped him. "They'd be best in ashes." The rancher explained apologetically.

Mal shook his head, naked and dripping wet as he shivered and rubbed himself down with the larger of the two towels. "I'll wash 'em through. Let the good air dry 'em."

"Son, there ain't enough clean air in the 'verse to take that kind'a taint off them clothes."

The two men stared at each other. Mal shivered harder this time and that prompted him to quickly finish drying off so he could put his spare set of clothes on. Reluctantly he gave a nod and watched poker faced as Rafe used a pair of washerwoman's tongs to pick up the set he had been wearing.

"Believe me Mal some day you'll thank me."

He couldn't speak so he nodded, missing the little drift of amusement in the other man's eyes. A few minutes later Rafe returned and gave Mal a satisfied nod, happy to see a much shinier face looking back at him. The former Captain cleaned up good. "Somethin' amuse you?"

Rafe chuckled. "Just waitin' on you to finish so's we can go inside. Have to