TITLE: "BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE BLACK"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash, Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "SYMBIOSIS".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "A second ship is picked up en route to Serenity

and Zoe is pretty sure it isn't Alliance."

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.

"BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE BLACK"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Shepherd Book was hurrying along the catwalk towards the bridge when he met Zoe coming the other way.

"Where's Simon?"

Momentarily the Preacher looked nonplussed. "He's in the infirmary. *Weishenme*?"

Zoe immediately headed that way and Book followed. "Another ship's comin'."

"And?"

She paused and glanced over her shoulder at him, allowing him to see her worry. "At first I thought it was Alliance but now I ain't so sure."

"You think the pirates are back?"

"*Bu qu, shouwan*."

Before he could ask what she meant by worse they were at the infirmary and Simon hurried to the doorway, worried but ready for any eventuality. "I didn't hear the shuttle dock."

"It hasn't, we're still waitin' on Kaylee an' Jayne fixin' the port stabliser."

"Then..."

"Simon, you need to hide."

Worry changed to bafflement in a heartbeat. "Hide?" The doctor glanced back into the infirmary, everything laid out in preparation for whatever sorry state they found the Captain in. He stared at Zoe. "I can't, I have to be here when we find the Captain."

"You'll be here just not in sight, *dong ma*? Ain't got time to argue about this. If I'm wrong you won't be in hidin' for long."

Simon watched her with that singular intens