TITLE: "THE FACE IN THE MIRROR"

CHAPTER: 47. Sequel to "NEVER LET GO"

SERIES: HANDFUL OF STARS Series

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Simon/Kaylee Mal/Inara

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "Marcus finds out you cannot escape fate

and just as Shepherd Book finds a reason to be happy

the other shoe drops."

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 FACE IN THE MIRROR"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He knew he was being followed but it did not matter. He could come and go as and when he wished. Right now what he needed was a little intel and the risk of being seen was worth it to use his own eyes to get the lay of the land. It was something of a dispiriting place with people locked in occupations they hated or despised. Lacklustre couples, grey lives, and yet they thought it living. He would have laughed except the humour of it all escaped him. Having seen all he needed, his exit was as rapid from view as his entry had been. Much as he would have liked to linger and watch the Sheriff's reaction such diversions were childish and he did not have the time nor the patience to pander to such whims.

* * * * *

Doc Greenway was smiling, his long lanky frame hanging out of the armchair as if someone had plonked him down and let the limbs spill over the sides. He could hear the banter of the card game from the little rest area, the borrowed book making him smile again. It was poetry of a sorts but the kind written by someone with lots of life experience and not much learning. It by turns amused and touched him. Rough, ready, honest and true. If a man's life amounted to such a cipher it would make a worthy epitaph.

"What'cha readin'?"

Elias was startled by a grease marked face peering at him with open curiosity. He did not thi