TITLE: "THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE CRIMINALLY INSANE"

CHAPTER: 44. Sequel to "LATERAL THINKING"

SERIES: HANDFUL OF STARS Series

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Simon/Kaylee Mal/Inara

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "Just when everything appears to be shiny

unexpected complications arise."

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.

"THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE

CRIMINALLY INSANE"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"You are not to try to warn anyone, do you understand?"

Mr Universe stared at the Operative and tried to hide how much his heart was quelling inside. The man was tall and urbane, well dressed and with an odd inflection to his accent which he could not place. The silver grey suit made him oddly seem more dangerous not less. Maybe it was the sword strapped to his back in a matching silver grey leather harness. The fit was so good that when he put his raincoat on you could not even guess there was anything unusual about him. But the eyes, the eyes held him in their orbit and would not let him go. Brown eyes so dark they almost appeared black. They were startling and mesmerising with not an inch of give or compassion in them no matter the inflection he put into his voice.

"As you no doubt have guessed, we are able to monitor both your input and output. If either displeases us we will not need to have this conversation again, *dong ma*?"

He nodded, unable to get his voice to work properly. The sweat sliding down his face began to sting his eyes but he did not dare raise a hand to wipe it away. Who knew what would set the man off again? Mr Universe tried not to think about the 'example' the Operative had made of his very expensive, very specialised equipment. He really would need to find a more secure location and install several layer