TITLE: "FRIENDS AND OTHER ENEMIES"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash. Kaylee/Simon. Mal/Inara.

RATING: R. For violence/adult situation.

STATUS: Sequel to "REPERCUSSIONS".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "River begins to worry Simon that she is becoming

unstable. The Captain wants to go with Mistress Barbette's plan

while Badger wants to find a way to turn his current predicament to

his advantage."

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.

"FRIENDS AND OTHER ENEMIES"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

With a guilty start Simon realised he hadn't been keeping an eye on his sister for days now. So much had happened and his worry over the Captain's condition had taken precedence. Now the soft wimpering sound caught his ear and tugged at his heartstrings in that all too familiar way that told him River was having a bad night. Quietly he slid back the door to her bunk and was not surprised to find her sitting in a miserable huddle in the corner, oblivious to the cold deck and her thin dress in the chill air of Serenity's artificial night.

"It's okay, *mei mei*, I'm here."

He moved slowly, arms outstretched, careful not to alarm her. A sob bubbled up in her throat as she looked up from her knees and stared at him through the overhang of dark tangled hair. "*Ni bu dong*."

Reaching out, Simon gently put his arms around her to draw her close. To protect and reassure her with his body. "What don't I understand?"

She watched him brush back the lank locks of hair obscuring her face from his worried scrutiny. "They're hurting him, Simon, and nobody knows!"

"*Shei*, River? Who are they hurting?"