TITLE: "ADRIFT"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash, Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "DIVISIONS".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Zoe determines to get answers from Inara. Meanwhile

Badger decides on what to do with the 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.

"ADRIFT"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The tension in the commons room was palpable. Heavy and brooding, thick with worry and a medly of competing emotions. Kaylee could not stop wringing her hands. "What're we gonna do? Port stabliser's been sheared off. Even if we can get power back up to the engine we ain't goin' nowhere but in circles."

Zoe was only partly listening to Serenity's mechanic. Accepting the grim news but not allowing it to deflect her from her main mission. Eyes fastened on Inara Serra she wanted answers not obfuscation or prevarication. The Captain had warned her about Inara but Zoe hadn't been fully convinced. Now she was inclined to think the Captain had been right. "Want to tell us what's really goin' on, Inara?"

The quietly spoken words had more effect that an outright accusation would have done. Inara inwardly flinched and tried to compose herself as best as she could. "I know as much as the rest of you."

"Let's not lie. Ain't got time to be siftin' through what you do an' don't wanna tell us an' unless I'm mistaken the Cap'n don't have the luxury of waitin' for you to come clean."

"It isn't what you think."

Everyone stared at the Companion. Inara looked a bit startled and unsettled at blurting the words out before they could be filtered through her brain. She took a deep