TITLE:: "ON THE ROAD TO WHO KNOWS WHERE"

SERIES: THE DEVIL'S CRADLE

CHAPTER: 41. Sequel to "COMPETING FORCES"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon Mal/Inara

SUMMARY: "With the Captain ready to embark on

their next hair raising adventure some of the crew have

reservations while the others worry about how the *diyu*

they are going to pull it off."

"ON THE ROAD TO WHO

KNOWS WHERE"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Wash was concerned. So far as he could tell their glorious and noble Captain did not have an actual plan, more a loose collection of vague objectives which would expose not only himself but the ship and crew to all manner of danger. Not only was Mal talking about taking on the almighty Alliance but Blue Sun as well. If the man wanted to commit suicide so badly why take the rest of them with him? He did not say anything out loud, with many of the crew on the bridge as he brought Serenity in to land he did not want his comments sparking off any problems with Zoe. No, this was a conversation for when he could get his wife alone. Maybe talk a little sense into what he saw as gungho madness.

"Not *fafeng*."

Kaylee turned her head and looked at River. "Who's mad?"

The girl shook her head. Although River was staring straight ahead Wash just knew she was speaking to his thoughts and how creepifying was that? Then everyone was hurrying off the bridge. Wash turned his head, willing his beautiful but deadly wife to hang back, spare a few words for him but she was already gone. Caught up in Malcolm Reynolds' wake as if the two were joined at the gorram hip. Kaylee looked bright eyed and excited. River had said they needed to hurry or would miss them. She couldn't wait to find out who. With a sigh, Wash powered the ship down. The now empty bridge comfor