TITLE: "INSIDIOUS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

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

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "DEMONIC FORCES".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "River is alarmed by changes she cannot control.

As Badger reveals things are even worse than they can imagine

more bad news is on the horizon."

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.

"INSIDIOUS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

She could feel something inching its' way through the pathways of her mind, a barely there tendril worming deeper and deeper. An insidious yet silent intruder. Every mental defence slowly but inexorably breached without effort before the alarm could be raised. River was not afraid, confident that whatever it was it could be overcome. At least, she was not afraid at first.

With the crew's reaction to Badger's duplicity still flooding her senses it had been hours before River became fully aware that what she was sensing was not a side effect. It was so vague, so peripheral, that like smoke she had difficulty grasping what it was but now she knew what it was not. Not an after image, an echo left of strong competing emotions. No. This was something different. Something 'other' and none of her mental failsafes appeared to have any effect. It was beginning to scare her. What was it? Where had it come from and what was it trying to do? Was it a virus or something controlled by an intelligence not her own? Or was she really, finally, taking that last irrevocable step into madness?

River Tam had been sleeping, dozing to be precise. Perched on the edge of sleep and waking, poised to fall into that deep welcome slumb