TITLE: "THE DOMINANT GENE"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

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

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "DISINGENUOUS".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Badger tries to wrap his head around a complete

change in circumstances. Inara worries about the fallout of

Simon's discovery. River wants to reassure the Captain and

Jordan keeps a promise."

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 DOMINANT GENE"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He was genuinely shocked. Shaken even but in that distant, distracted way that didn't connect immediately with the here and now or what he had done. Badger stared at the crumpled body, eyes open but no longer pleading. Noticing idly the white hairs showing through at the base of the scalp where her fall had dislodged the carefully coiffed and tinted hair. It was easier from this angle to see the ravages of time previously hidden by cunning necklines and high fashion. The hands, always a give away, had been treated with the kind of cosmetic surgery only available to the very rich. Now, all that artifice seemed the height of folly. As if anyone could cheat death.

Badger had no idea how long he sat there, the bottle of tiny white pills as heavy as lead in his hand but unable to let go. Only minutes ago his mother had been alive and pleading, first with her cracking voice then with her eyes. How quickly they had dulled! Almost he disbelieved the evidence of his eyes, half expecting her to be playing some mean and evil trick on him. But no. The awkward angle of her limbs, the unblinking staring eyes clouded with death. Even the air in the hotel room