TITLE: "NO GOOD DEED"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Simon/Kaylee.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "CLOUDS".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Even when he knew it was a set-up a cry for

help was still a cry for help."

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.

"NO GOOD DEED"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

When the call came it was not what Captain Malcolm Reynolds expected. For a moment it threw him off-kilter.

"Paul?"

The face on the other end of the cortex screen didn't smile. Was far too solemn for a social call and all kinds of alarms were going off in Mal's head. Fortunately, River's words from two weeks ago were firmly fixed in his mind, not that he let any of that show upon his face.

"I have a job for you, Cap'n."

"Really? An' what job would that be?"

His reservations about dropping Paul and Natalie off on Whitefall came flooding back. It took all his control not to start quizzing the boy in earnest. River had said not to trust his eyes and ears, just family. Well. Paul and Natalie weren't family, were they? Had been getting that way but then they left. And why was that? Paul looked awkward, as if he really wasn't used to doing this sort of thing but had no choice. Mal could not have said how he knew that but gut instinct had kept him and his alive this long. Wasn't about to ignore it now.

"Need somethin' transportin', can you do it?"

Can not will. Hmm. Interesting choice of words for someone trying to broker a deal. "I can do a lot of things. What's the cargo an' where?"

Paul seemed to need an extra moment to keep his composure. "Natalie. She's on White Sands."