TITLE: "MIGHTY"

SERIES: THE DEVIL'S CRADLE

CHAPTER: 27. Sequel to "REPAYING DEBTS"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon Mal/Inara

SUMMARY: "Ship and crew go to Jerrod Perkin's aid

while Commander Urquart is furious to realise Serenity

appears to have slipped through his fingers. Silas goes

into hiding while Davie and Suzie come face to face with

the last thing either of them had expected to see."

"MIGHTY"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The Captain felt his heart sink. Why didn't anything ever go smooth?

"You really want me to answer that, sir?"

He blinked at Zoe and realised he must have said that last thought out loud and shook his head. Instead of pulling back from the opening he leaned forward so that those below would be able to see him more clearly, ignoring Jayne muttering about how he was like to get his fool head shot off. "Jerrod, it's me, Malcolm Reynolds!"

At first nothing happened, then slowly, more slowly than Serenity's crew would have liked, they heard safeties being clicked on and the weapons were lowered but not re-holstered. Jerrod Perkin's voice drifted up to them as if being born on a harsh unremitting wind. The man sounded mighty tense, even knowing who his gorram visitor was. Made the Captain wonder what had happened since they last spoke.

"What're ya doin' here, Cap'n Reynolds?"

"Thought you might be needin' help off this rock, *dong ma*?"

Perkins' eyes narrowed. "An' why in the nine hells would you be thinkin' that?"

The Captain coughed and then found it hard to get his breath for a moment. He nodded to Zoe and gave a vague wave of his hand to let her explain for him. Gorram throat was still a mite sore and touchy.

"If you don'