TITLE: "HELLBOUND"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Canon pairings

RATING: G.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "PURGATORY RISING"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None.

SUMMARY: "The crew put into action a hasty rescue plan

but since when does anything ever go according to the gorram

plan?"

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.

"HELLBOUND"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Inara caught the flurry of activity as she exited her shuttle. She had been scanning the cortex in vain for something, anything useful that could help. Frustration was etched into every line of her beautiful face. She stepped in front of Zoe causing the hurrying woman to come to an abrupt halt. "What's happening?"

"Shepherd got Casey to talk. We know where they got him."

The Companion's eyebrows rose, almost disappearing into the wave of her hairline. she would have bet anything that the disingenous little *pofu* wouldn't tell them anything useful. How had Book succeeded where the rest of them had failed? "Where?"

"They're not on the planet but they aren't far either."

"A ship?"

"*Qu*, but it won't be easy. It's Alliance."

"When is anything involving the Captain ever easy?"

The words cut no ice with Zoe. Dark humour or not she wasn't in the mood for any of Inara's cheap shots. Her Captain and friend was probably hanging on by a thread. River's words kept ringing like a bell of doom inside her head. She had to hurry, no time to lose, and the Companion was costing her time. Didn't matter if it was seconds or minutes it might be the difference between getting him back alive or rescuing a gorram corspe. "Don't have time for this Inara, best step aside before it's not a request."

Surpr