TITLE: "THE OTHER SHOE"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

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

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "INSIDIOUS".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Serenity and her crew find themselves faced with a

quandry. Simon finds out just why the Captain is so anxious to

leave Burnt Cross. Paul and Natalie come to an understanding."

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.

"THE OTHER SHOE"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The boy was unremarkable in so many ways. The long lanky limbs, all awkward elbows and knees, the blind growth of puberty now governed by a mind built virtually synapse by synapse like some obscene mechano set. Yet he looked so normal. Quiet and biddable. The finished product as it *should* have been only the Operative was used to looking beneath the surface. Listening for the sounds that were just short of being completely in tune. The little mannerisms and actions that to a trained eye like his spoke volumes. And still he did not know what was wrong or even if anything really was. Yet the boy, as seemingly innocent of all but the most foul knowledge, set some deep instinct ticking inside him.

At that moment the boy, Jordan Parker, turned his head and stared straight at the Operative. Unlike regular folk the man did not flinch or look away, not even a trace of discomfort marring his features. The Operative didn't question him because there was no point. Besides, if the boy was as good as his handlers at Blue Sun had claimed he could read what he was thinking anyway, all but the very deepest and darkest thoughts and those were buried where not even the most gifted of Blue Su