TITLE: "LAYERS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash. Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "ISSUES OF TRUST".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Paul Rinkman discovers more than he ever wanted

to know. The Captain hears some straight talking and Badger finds

himself in a very nasty place."

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.

"LAYERS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"Did you think we wouldn't find you? That we wouldn't know?"

Rinkman stared at the unknown figure in confusion. His head was still a mess of obscure competing images none of which resolved into anything resembling common sense. It was as if his memories had been swapped with someone else's. Just the notion of such an absurd idea chilled him to the bone. "Who the *guai* are you?"

The man gave a placid smile. His ebony skin clean shaven, all his clothing matt black as if he was no more than a shadow made flesh. "An interesting choice of words."

Paul blinked. "*Shenme*?"

"To some we are no more than ghosts, to others servants of the devil. Which did you mean?"

This was too confusing. Rinkman looked beyond the Operative to the woman by the door. He still didn't know who she was though there was something familiar about her that troubled him. While the Operative was obviously a clear and present danger it was his curiosity over her identity that distracted him. A thin smile crept over her face, oddly enough it turned her plain ageless features into something less benign. How creepy was that?

The rap on the table made him jump. The Operative was no longer looking quite so serene. "You did a very foolish thi