TITLE: "NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal. Jayne. Crew.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "SOME YOU LOSE"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "With Jayne back on Serenity Simon battles to save

his life while the rest of the crew try to come up with a way to find

and retrieve their missing Captain."

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.

"NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It took longer than he expected to drag the heavy body with River guiding their route back along a circuitous path only she could see. Simon had stopped questioning her when it became obvious she would not explain further. The brief authoritive 'there is only this way' would have to do. Simon did not want to admit how much he was worried about Jayne. The big man was in a bad way and getting worse. The only good thing was that Serenity would be waiting with a fully stocked infirmary to receive them when they got there. He just hoped they would not be too late.

Every now and then they stopped and pressed up behind rocks or a deeper drift of snow. River unerringly knowing when and where to hide until the sound of rough voices drifted away again. Simon frowned. His sister had said they weren't looking for Jayne, did that mean that the Captain was out here? A nudge on his shoulder brought him out of his reverie. Turning his head Simon watched River mouth the words 'time to go'. With a nod he gripped his side of the board tighter, unable to feel anything through his frozen gloves but reassured when between them they got the makeshift sled moving again.

* * * * *

Inside Serenity Kayl