TITLE: "THINGS UNSPOKEN"

SERIES: THE DEVIL'S CRADLE

CHAPTER: 4. Sequel to "STRONGER THAN STEEL"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M, DOBELL

PAIING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon

RATING: R

SUMMARY: "Kathleen passes from one hell to another.

Meanwhile, Serenity gets re-fueled and Zoe discovers a

caveat and addendum not mentioned by the Captain. On

Anaeron there is still a cargo needs delivering."

"THINGS UNSPOKEN"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

'Soon you will go free,little one'

The monster coos, her mind shuddering in mental aftershocks that she has no control over. He lingers as if to savour his handiwork. Knows she does not believe him but that is of little consequence.

'This may hurt but you will feel better soon'

What the *diyu* does he mean by that? Then the pain hits and it robs her of everything except sensation. The one thing she would block if she could he leaves intact. Twisted perverted *chusheng xai-jiao de xiang huo*. He does not commune with her again, too busy wiping out all trace of his interference. Her mind a shiny new thing that reflects nightmares while appearing so clean, so innocent. As he works he hums quietly and the action steadies him in a way that normal conversation or interaction cannot. Her name was Kathleen but he gave her another and though she will answer to her given name he can control her with the other. It is neat, precise, and such a simple solution that he revels in its' elegance. Yes, she can go free but only for as far as the tether allows.

* * * * *

Wash shook his head. Partly amused and partly annoyed that their courageous but *shenjingbing* Captain had not told them his plan in full. Even his stern but loyal wife looked less than happy though of course she was not about to say so. Sometimes he wondered what it would take to sh