TITLE: "PRIME MOVERS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash. Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "LIES, TRUTH, AND ALL PORTS IMBETWEEN".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Inara discovers that regaining the crew's trust is

going to be even harder than she imagined. The Captain drifts

in and out of consciousness while Zoe tries to keep ship and

crew one step ahead of their enemies."

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.

"PRIME MOVERS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

She could feel herself shaking in reaction. China Rose gulped down breath after breath until she managed to slow down the shuddering beat of her chaotic heart. What the *diyu* was the matter with her? Leaning against the cubicle she finished her ablutions, flushed the toilet and emerged into the rest room. The cold water was refreshing and helped to ground her as she washed her hands. Afterwards she stared at her reflection as if her mirror image could explain the unreasoning panic that had overcome her. A quiet click behind her made her turn her head, startled to see the man who had stopped her in the corridor now standing inside the ladies' restroom as if he had every right to be there.

"This is the ladies' restroom." She said without thinking. The stupidity of stating the obvious did not hit her immediately, her mind too numb to get beyond the possibility that the man had somehow made a mistake.

He did not reply, nor smile, or offer any kind of explanation for being there. China would have stepped back but the row of sinks were behind her and he was blocking the only exit. Slowly he withdrew his hand from his pocket