TITLE: "DEVIL'S DEN"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: None.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "HINDSIGHT".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Serenity's crew make a slight ammendment

to Mal's original plan. Ritchie explains just why Petrie is an

even worse foe than Niska."

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.

"DEVIL'S DEN"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"You need to put this off, at least until you've had more time to recover."

The Captain tried to hide a wince as Simon finished his examination. Seemed every time he moved his gorram head it felt like it was gonna fall off and not without all manner of agony in the process. "Can't."

"Captain..."

"Doc, I know you're just doin' your job an' for that I'm all manner of grateful but this needs doin' sooner not later."

Simon Tam sighed, not bothering to hide his frustration. For once they were the only ones in the infirmary and Mal appreciated not having a gorram audience.

"I'm not saying not to go ahead with the plan just - let the others handle it."

He was so surprised that Mal just stared at him, his brain taking the circuitous route in absorbing what he was being told. Or rather. What Simon was suggesting. Not a bad notion in and of itself but the Captain had a stubborn streak wider than Serenity plus he wanted to finish this himself. Things had gotten all manner of personal. "Petrie needs to be stopped, Simon, an' I don't plan to be waitin' idly by while it happens, *dong ma*?"

"Then remember this: if you go ahead you risk blood bleeding into the brain. When I said you needed time to recover I wasn't just saying it, Mal. Given a f