TITLE: "UPSTAGING THE DEVIL"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: None.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "POSSUM".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The Captain finally awakes and has something

of a heart to heart with Inara. The messenger finds himself

receiving help unasked for. As Petrie's rage cools he comes

up with another diabolical plan."

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.

"UPSTAGING THE DEVIL"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He was in shock. A grief so deep it had no bottom and no end. How long Ritchie Thomas stared in horror at the box he did not know. The eye. As distinctive to him as Audrey's beautiful face, her sparkling wit and happy disposition. So unlike her solemn father yet their eyes showed their heritage. Green with flecks of hazel. They had attracted him a split second before the smile that blossomed on her lovely face, her voice tinkling like silvery bells, her hair hanging lush and lustrous in waves that bounced with health and vitality at the slightest movement of her head. All gone. Ripped away by the insane actions of one *canku tamade hundan*. All night he sat there staring until his eyes were dry of tears and his heart empty of all emotion except one: anger. It lay beneath his awareness like a second skin. As the cold at last impinged on his befogged and stunned consciousness he moved - slow, aborted little attempts to tear himself away from a scene so horrific it would be engraved in blood on his mind forever. Ritchie shuddered and rose slowly, his joints aching and stiff.

The box was closed now and for good measure he had locked it with shaking hands. It took several