TITLE: "LEFT AND RIGHT HANDS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash, Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "INHERIT THE WIND".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Things begin to get a whole lot more complicated

while the tension on board Serenity gets close to breaking point."

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.

"LEFT AND RIGHT HANDS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Privately, Inara had to admit to being impressed by the Captain's resolve even as crew relations became ever more fragmented the nearer they got to Sihnon. It seemed everyone was either angry, disappointed or frustrated with Malcolm Reynolds. But the sense of smug satisfaction she had expected to feel was disturbingly absent. Only Zoe remained unreadable, outwardly as strongly supportive of her Captain and friend as ever while showing moments of uncertainty when she looked at Inara.

Kaylee kept finding excuses to seek her out and while Inara had anticipated the mechanic's reaction it was unsettling as well. Once it had flattered her to have that attention, the constant adoration as if she was a deserving object of veneration. Now she felt the weight of that artifice, wanted to shake the girl and tell her she was no better or worse than anyone else. Her fine clothes and position in society did not make her more worthy than Kaylee, but she knew the mechanic would not see it that way. Just as Kaylee had been so easy to convince that being a Companion was a laudable profession and in no way comparable to the life of a simple whore. Who was she kidding? The only thing separating the two was the societal gap. That perceived status d