TITLE: "MORE THAN A SHEPHERD"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Kaylee/Simon. Mal/Inara.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "SHEEP'S CLOTHING".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Unable to stop Serenity being boarded, Mal

and his crew are powerless to do more than await what

doom may fall upon them."

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.

"MORE THAN A SHEPHERD"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

There wasn't much time, in fact even as the Captain tried to scramble all his brain cells together to work out a gorram solution the tell tale sound of a ship docking with Serenity told him that if he failed to let the Inspector General board his boat the *tamade hundan* would just cut his way in. Much as he wanted to get River and Simon into hiding there was no point with Book openly willing to sell them out. He had no words for how much that twisted him up inside.

"Ain't you the poisonous one."

Not a flicker of regret showed on the Shepherd's face. In fact, Mal was beginning to doubt he was a Preacher at all. Just using one of an infinite number of guises most like. "I never promised you anything, Captain."

"*Wo zhidao* an' that's always bothered me. You're a man of a million secrets. How many of 'em are gonna do harm to me an' mine?"

They were all assembling to await the boarding party: Simon's protests loud, strident and full of panic. River's voice a calm counterpoint that felt all manner of wrong,

"At the end of the day, Captain, I'm just a man."

The Captain stared at him, sickened. How could such a well travelled, seemingly intelligent man, make such an idiotic statement? Was it meant in some