TITLE: "THE ROAD HOME"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash, Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "LIFELINE".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The crew pulls out all the stops while the Captain

fights for his life. Inara makes the most of her time at the Abbey

and Mountjoy and his crew get unwanted visitors."

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.

"THE ROAD HOME"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It was a bit like being a long distance runner, never having time to properly rest along the way or see to his own needs. The pull and pressure to keep going almost overwhelming. Yet he knew why he could not stop, did not dare to indulge in too much introspection. This was the life he now led. A wanted man, a fugitive, and perversely more free now than he had ever been. The dichotomy was like some bad joke the 'verse was playing on him at his own expense and Simon saw the irony dressed as humour, really he did. Such random thoughts helped him to concentrate only on what needed to be done right now not on what he wished he could do, the things he would have were he able, the ease of having to hand every instrument and medication he could ever need. This was make and mend, emergency patchwork on a body riddled with scars he knew intimately. His hands moving automatically, his eyes informing a mind racing through every permutation of information while he snapped out instructions. Before he could even think of putting the Captain back together he needed to stabilise him and time was not his friend.

Economy of movement. Neat, precise work with scalpel and needle. Brittle tiny bone fragments scattere