TITLE: "WARNING"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: None.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: One off story. First in the HANDFUL OF STARS series.

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "A warning out of the blue unsettles Serenity's crew."

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.

"WARNING"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"You'll be dead by midnight."

Several guns cocked but the stranger didn't twitch so much as a muscle nor did he look away from Malcolm Reynolds. Serenity's Captain had his hand resting on his gun but didn't draw. Something about the man intrigued him just not enough for him to turn his back.

"*Shenme*?"

Jayne couldn't surpress a growl. "If ya ain't gonna shoot him Mal I will."

Mal stared at the stranger, a hundred possibilities and combinations thereof sifting through his brainpan. The thoughts like shooting stars, not staying around long enough to accrue any permanence. Each idea superceded by another, all of them extinguished by the fact that he was still standing. Huh. How about that?

"I'm guessin' if you wanted to kill me I'd be dead."

The stranger didn't smile but something flickered in those unaccountably ancient eyes which hinted at a humour darker and blacker than anything seen by the living should be. The face was vaguely Chinese with a mottled patina that made his skin look painted then poorly dried in an over enthusiastic sun. There was something that didn't quite add up beyond the fact that Mal had never seen the man before in his life or why a complete stranger should be warning or threatening him with imminent death. The man gave a tiny nod, waited a second, then turned and beg