TITLE: "ACTS OF GOD"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash. Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "CONNECTIONS".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Badger feels as if he has jumped from the frying pan

into the gorram fire. The Captain is given some good news but

Simon's reaction isn't what he expects."

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.

"ACTS OF GOD"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He had no idea how she had pulled it off but grateful didn't come close to the sudden euphoria racing through his veins at his too-close brush with torture and imminent death. Somewhere along the way he had lost his very fine hat but right now that was one loss he would happily live with just to breathe fresh air again. Her voice was far too casual when she finally spoke, putting him on edge.

"What did they want, Stephen?"

Badger bit back the automatic reply forming on his lips. He owed her big time and she knew it. Throwing her help back in her face by being pissy was not a smart way to keep on living. "Some girl."

His mother paused. They had been walking from the ground car she had requisitioned. Badger didn't know this area well, it being where all the big noises liked to strut about flashing their coin. It was too big, bright and brash even for Badger's tastes. All them high class dealer's tables and bars and this was the residential district. Cost more for a drink in one of those places than he paid for a crate of the gorram stuff back home. Course, it didn't peel the skin off the back of your throat going down either but then that's how you knew it was genuine.

"What girl?"

"How should I