TITLE: "THE RIGHT THING"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "BODY BLOW".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The crew help Zoe and Hope get settled

on Bernadette."

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 RIGHT THING"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Zoe had known leaving would be hard but oddly enough it wasn't the Captain standing in her way. Fact was he had been remarkably supportive. It was the rest of crew that piled on the guilt. Not in so many words but with reproving looks, a world of hurt in their eyes and sometimes tears. Even Jayne was unhappy with her, only brightening up when little Hope was around. The crew forcing on so much false cheer for the little one's sake that it made Zoe's teeth ache. At first Hope had been happy. Excited at the thought of their new home and having a room of her own and a garden. A real, honest to goodness place with soil and growing things and a big blue sky above to watch the birds come soaring down to pinch the berries off the trees. The picture her mama had painted made Hope so impatient to see everything that it took a while for the full import of what was happening to creep into the little girl's brain pan. River took her hand and elected to show her the newly fenced in garden, Kaylee trailing along like a mourner at a wake. In the single bedroom she could hear Inara talking to Mrs Johnson as they made up the two beds and began filling the blanket cupboard with her things.

"Where'd you want your trunk?"

Zoe paused, tearing her eyes away from Hope's happy bright face as the little girl ran in from the g