TITLE: "NEITHER HEAVEN NOR HELL"

CHAPTER: 40. Sequel to "THE FOREST FOR THE TREES"

SERIES: HANDFUL OF STARS Series

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Simon/Kaylee Mal/Inara

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "The Captain tries to work out what is

going on, where he is and who in the nine hells he is

dealing with. Zoe is ready to rip heads off if she doesn't

get some answers, meanwhile Serenity's crew race to

meet Nelson and his men on Silverhold. River has an

equally important task to finish."

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.

"NEITHER HEAVEN NOR HELL"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The door opened with a loud heavy creak as if the cell had been long disused. Funny, but Mal did not feel flattered that they had pressed it back into service to accommodate his own self. The face that stared at him sparked no recognition.

"Out!"

He hesitated.

"Best do as he says," muttered his cell mate.

It was tempting to be as contrary and onery as possible but that wouldn't garner him the information he needed such as where he was, who had them and what the good gorram was going on.

The man was big and blocky, dressed in understated browns and russet colours, the clothing looking homespun. Somehow what he saw didn't quite marry with the circumstances they found themselves in. "Don't take this the wrong way but you don't look like a lawman."

"That's 'cause I ain't."

Ain't. Mal's eyebrows rose a little. "What planet we on?"

"One with plenty of room for two more graves if you keep askin' questions, *dong ma*?"

The Captain nodded cautiously and allowed himself to be herded into a large dusty room, more barn than house. It made him think they must be some place pretty rural, out in the gorram sticks. There were actually som