TITLE: "LAYER ON LAYER"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Kaylee/Simon. Mal/Inara.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "MORE THAN A SHEPHERD".

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 needs to decide what to do about

Book. Inara informs them they may have a bigger problem

to worry about."

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.

"LAYER ON LAYER"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He could hear voices, not yet distinct enough to make out words but the tone and timber were easy to identify. Simon Tam was talking to the Captain. Years of training made it second nature to feign sleep, his heartbeat kept low and even to match it at rest. After a moment or too, Book had to resist the urge to frown. Why were they whispering?

"He's awake."

"*Mei mei*, you're mistaken. The readings haven't changed."

River Tam shook her head, moving to stand over the suppine Shepherd. "Not real, fake."

The Captain's voice chipped in from the other bed, a mix of intrigued and irritated. "Then maybehaps we should be takin' this conversation somewhere else."

There was a moment or two of silence. What were they doing? Book would have heard had they left and he could sense River still hovering over him. Then someone else stepped up beside him and a creeping lethargy gave him his answer. Gorramit they were sedating him! How many times had they done that, and why? If they wanted to kill him wouldn't... His thoughts trailed off, too sluggish to inform his fading mind. The darkness clouding his senses deepened until it was complete and Shepherd Book knew no more.

"You sure he can't hear us?"

"Captain, I gave him