TITLE: "MIDDLE OF NO AND WHERE"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: None.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "ENEMIES A-PLENTY".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The deadline passes but the Captain can't relax.

Meanwhile their situation becomes a mite more desperate."

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.

"MIDDLE OF NO AND WHERE"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"What're you doin', sir?"

"Makin' a list."

Zoe peered over the Captain's shoulder as he sat at the big oak table in the commons room. They were just a few hours out of Cheverell and so far as she knew they still didn't have a job lined up. Cheverell being almost smack bang in the middle of No and Where made her concerned as to Mal's thinking especially with fuel also running low. It quickly became clear that Mal was not intending to elaborate. Zoe concentrated on the list.

"Don't see Badger's name, sir."

"If'n he was gonna kill me he wouldn't'a sent a warnin'. Would do somethin' mean an' sneaky, put me an' mine in the way of bein' dead rather than do it his ownself."

Sitting at the far end of the table, Jayne paused while cleaning under his nails with his favourite knife. "Should'a killed him months back - that cheatin', lyin', back stabbin' *wangba dan*."

"He's a middle man, Jayne. Can't go takin' out the middle men or there'll be no work, *dong ma*?"

"As in we got work now?" Growled Jayne.

The Captain sighed. He had an idea or two but needed to sound them out private-like before making any promises or suggestions that would sound like promises to his crew. Knew he wouldn't hear the last of it if he raised their hopes only