TITLE: "HELL AND BACK"

SERIES: "THE DEVIL'S CRADLE"

CHAPTER: 24. Sequel to "ARMAGGEDON"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon Mal/Inara

SUMMARY: "While Urquart is busy unleashing his

biotech weapon, River returns to Serenity and Simon has

an idea that may help the deteriorating Captain's condition."

"HELL AND BACK"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Oh, the boy was delicious. Silas savoured the young fresh mind, almost tasting the contours of thoughts and emotions still pliable but with remarkable resiliance and properties he could not wait to exploit. The shuddering shock of that mind closing like a clam shell instead of infuriating him brought a smile of pride and satisfaction to his face. Oh, yes, the boy would be a fitting culmination to his life's work. He had been tracking the girl but had lost contact, it would have been frustrating but for the sudden flare in the boy's aura, a mental signature far too enticing to ignore. Even planets apart the boy was that strong. Abandoning his search for the girl he began to make his way rapidly back to the port, he needed to leave as quickly as possible, while the last tendrils of the boy's powerful projections were still easy to follow.

Little Lucy Dengate never knew how close she had come to being captured. Exhausted beyond endurance, she slept the sleep of the dead.

* * * * *

"What'ya mean I can't come in?"

Simon Tam closed the door to the infirmary behind him. "*Duibuqi*, Kaylee, but you aren't sterile."

"I can wash."

It was on the tip of his tongue to explain the difference between splashing water on her face and scrubbing her hands and under the nails until every inch of exposed skin was so clean it shone but there was no time. "*Wo zhidao*.