TITLE: "MIRROR IMAGE"

CHAPTER: 48. Sequel to "THE FACE IN THE MIRROR"

SERIES: HANDFUL OF STARS Series

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Simon/Kaylee Mal/Inara

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "While Mal, Monty and co try to find out what

is going on Caleb learns from his father how Marcus died.

Meanwhile, Shepherd Book is having something of an

epiphany."

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.

"MIRROR IMAGE"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"No, no, no, no! Didn't listen!"

Simon rushed over to where River appeared to be freaking out, in obvious distress. "*Mei mei, shenme shi?"

Eyes wide she stared at him with a mix of distress and horror. "I warned him, Simon. Why wouldn't he listen?"

"*Shei*?"

"Shepherd Book."

Kaylee was confused. "Warned him about what?"

River though was getting more and more agitated and upset, her body fairly vibrating with it. "We have to tell Captain Daddy, Simon, before it's too late!"

"River, Book went with them, *jide*?"

The girl nodded but was not calming down. "Yes, but they split up. They weren't supposed to split up!"

* * * * *

Caleb's eyes widened, his father's words hitting him hard. "Dead?"

Sheriff Bourne nodded. "But that's not the worse part."

Feeling a mite faint, Caleb sat down and waited for his father to stop pacing and tell him the rest of it.

"He was tortured, Caleb."

His son paled. "Why would anyone wanna hurt Marcus?"

The Sheriff sat on the edge of his desk and rubbed his troublesome knee. "*Wo bu zhidao* but I can't help thinkin' it wasn't personal."

"How can you say that, *fuqin*? A man is dead, tortured to death..."

His father shook his head and corrected him. "*Bushi*. He was tortured but that isn't why he died. When