TITLE: "SHINY SIDE UP"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Kaylee/Simon. Mal/Inara.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "DAMAGE CONTROL".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "With the messenger gone and the Captain

recovering everything begins to get back to normal."

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.

"SHINY SIDE UP"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It took hours to clean up the mess in the infirmary. While Simon finished cleaning up the Captain, Book removed the debris to add to what Jayne had taken to the airlock. He was not surprised to see the big man standing by the pressurised door, though the look on his face gave the Preacher pause.

"Jayne?"

Jayne Cobb gave himself a mental shake and glanced at the Shepherd. "Yeah?"

"*Shenme shi*?"

"*Wode hao*. Just thinkin' about that gorram Reaver."

"You do realise he wasn't actually a Reaver, don't you?"

The mercenary scowled darkly. "If it looks like a Reaver, acts like a Reaver, it's a gorram Reaver!"

Knowing nothing he said would convince Jayne otherwise, Book nodded towards the door. "Can you open the door for me?"

Jayne noticed the bloodied sheet that had covered the Captain was now filled with the smaller unidentified bits of flesh and bone. Rather than being disgusted at the sight, it drew a nasty satisfied grin. "Yeah, whatever. Never thought throwin' out the trash would feel so good."

Book said nothing as they put the sheet in with the tarpaulin. As soon as they had the airlock door shut again, Jayne keyed the com to let Wash know he could open the outer airlock door any time he wanted. The Preacher started to walk away t