TITLE: "HINDSIGHT"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "A QUESTION OF TRUST".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The crew try frantically to think of a way out of

their predicament. Inara is asked to help Tollan one last time.

Meanwhile some people just cannot leave the War-that-was

behind 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.

"HINDSIGHT"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Kaylee was upset. "I can't believe you're blamin' this on the Cap'n!"

Wash felt a brief stab of guilt but quickly gave it the coup de grace. "It's his place to be here with us not galivantin' off an' doin' what the gorram he wants." He knew he was being unfair but he just couldn't seem to stop himself. Anything was better than admitting where the blame belonged. Besides, Malcolm Reynolds was the Captain and everyone knew the Captain was supposed to go down with his ship. Wasn't he?

An awkward silence fell. Simon had been openly shocked at the pilot's words and seeing the hurt and anger on Kaylee's face spurred him into speaking out. "This isn't the Captain's fault, Wash, and you know it. He's as entitled to a few days break as we are and we did spring this on him."

The pilot looked surprised. "What? I can't believe you're defending him now. You don't even like him."

Simon flushed. "That's not true. I'll admit when we first met I thought he was a rude, arrogant and ignorant bully of a man but that was before I knew him."

"You think you know him now?"

The doctor hesitated. He was not sure any of them really knew the Captain but it didn't seem the time or place to say such a thing.