TITLE: "DOUBLE BLUFF"

SERIES: THE DEVIL'S CRADLE

CHAPTER: 21. Sequel to "MIGHT AIN'T RIGHT"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon Mal/Inara

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "Commandant Urquart leaves Serenity

not realising he has been fooled on two accounts. While

Captain and crew seek to stay out of Alliance hands they

piece together a disturbing possibility. Meanwhile, Lucy

seeks to hide from Silas while the Hunter plans a surprise

for those looking for him."

"DOUBLE BLUFF"

A "Firefly" Story

Writtenby Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Kaylee shuddered. "He gave me the creeps, *dong ma*? Cold eyes."

"He's Alliance." Growled Jayne as if that explained everything.

None of them could quite get over the fact that the purplebellies had actually left. For a heart stopping moment it had looked as if the Commandant was going to drag Serenity's Captain off the ship under the guise of getting him 'medical treatment'. No one was fooled into thinking there was anything kindly or philanthropic about the so-called offer. Now they were standing around in the commons area kind of stunned as if waiting for the other shoe to drop. Kaylee narrowed her eyes, still thinking about that gorram Commandant Urquart.

"I don't trust him."

Jayne snorted. "Yeah, 'cause he's Alliance."

Kaylee ignored the mercenary and stared at Shepherd Book. The Preacher had helped the Captain to sit down at the table and was hovering while trying not to look like he was doing so. The Captain didn't take kindly to folk fussing over him except when the pain was so bad he didn't notice. The fact that he was so quiet was making them a mite jumpy. A minute or so later Zoe joined them, a dark frown on her face. Inara had been keeping one eye on the Captain but