TITLE: "AS ONE DOOR OPENS"

SERIES: THE DEVIL'S CRADLE

CHAPTER: 57. Sequel to "TANGLES"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon Mal/Inara

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "Kaylee and Wash put their plan into

action. Minister Heyerdahl is far from happy with

the Alliance. Just as things start to look good on the

freighter it all goes to hell and even Serenity isn't out

of the woods."

"AS ONE DOOR OPENS"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It was exciting but also traumatic. Kaylee watched as Wash put the finishing touches to the plan. Fingers crossed, all her hopes placed on a successful deception. It seemed hard to believe that the small but effective thrusters from the Cry Baby could do the same job for the doctored engine. Timing was critical. At last Wash was satisfied and looked up, his eyes glittering with nervous excitement. Eager to put the plan in action but worried that the slightest error would be catastrophic. Kaylee nodded, her eyes egging him on. Wash held up a hand and began the count down with his fingers. Both in their respective positions they acted in concert, the connection between the monitoring equipment and Serenity severed and re-routed to the Cry Baby. The tricky part was then getting the engine piggy backed to the Cry Baby to the hold. As the loading bay hatch was opened releasing it into the atmo Wash shut and sealed the loading bay doors with visible satisfaction.

Kaylee could not hide her anxiety. "Do ya think it'll work?"

Wash beamed back at her, any reservations he might have hidden by a determination that only positive thinking would get them through this. "Should do but either way we need to get out of here, *mashang*, Kaylee. If it doesn't work they'll know we're on to them in minutes."

They shared a look of hope mingled wi