TITLE: "UNRAVELLING"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal. Jayne. Crew.

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "TANGLED"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Saffron has a plan. Zoe, Wash and Book find

out more about Sentosa than they ever wanted to know."

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.

"UNRAVELLING"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The erratic pulse of anarchy sang through his veins, a poison for the masses. An anthem for the dead, opium for the dispossessed. Hypnotic. Addictive. And deadly. Or so it seemed. Odd how the random firing of his sluggish brain seemed to be in sync with the fading responses of his body, lethargy creeping over him with all the stealth of the most sly and devious of enemies. It took most of his remaining energy to form words. "You drug me?"

Saffron rolled her eyes. "*Qing*, give me some credit Mal. If I was that desperate I'd have taken you when you were unconscious."

She must have seen the pain underlying the confusion in his eyes, the way his body was sagging despite her efforts to keep the *wangu* man upright. Why was she doing this again? Oh yes, the job.

"No goin' to sleep, *dong ma*?"

Mal really wished it were that simple. He felt worst than terrible. Could feel his body failing him even as he struggled to stay conscious. As much as he wanted nothing to do with the lying little *pofu* he was glad she was there. Gorramit things were beyond screwed if he was relying on Saffron to take pity on him. Mayhap he really was dead and this was hell? It should have pissed him off but that would take energy he simply didn't have. The violent shake jolted his eyes op