TITLE: "A THOUSAND IRRITATING THINGS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: None.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "THE CAMEL'S BACK".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The Messenger finds he has an unexpected

visitor. Monty calls for help and Zoe discovers something

disturbing. Meanwhile the Captain just wants to shoot

Ritchie and be done with it"

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.

"A THOUSAND IRRITATING THINGS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He could feel the headache coming on. The plate inside his head like a tuning fork every time his master called him. It made him tremble knowing that not even his deepest thoughts were his own but that was not the worst of it. The lack of privacy or free will he had become inured to. After you had died multiple times the quality of your life failed to leave an impression. Bits of his brain missing or rearranged. Each re-awakening to a new life left him that bit more handicapped but it also conferred an unexpected gift. He no longer cared. Life, death, pleasure, pain: all was as one to him. Nothing could touch him and yet. He blinked his eyes open, the foreign touch oddly gentle. If he had the sensitivity to still feel it he would have thought it gentle, apologetic almost.

*He wants to kill someone I love."

The messenger blinked. It was the closest thing to shock he could muster. "Who are you?"

*Think don't speak*

*Then identify yourself*

*You do not know me but I know you. Your pain, your torment. The nightmares of denial that paper over the cracks where a life should be*

*Are you a new programme?*

A gentle laugh reverberated throug