TITLE: "PRICELESS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: NC-17.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "CRADLE TO GRAVE"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "River acts on her own initiative. The Crazy

Goose comes under fire. Simon's need to do something

plunges him and his friends in a whole world of trouble."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"PRICELESS"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He never knew her name. Didn't give a good gorram who she was or what her story was. She was there for his pleasure and amusement nothing more. Badger grinned at her. The girl closed her eyes to try to block out his gloating leer, eyes only snapping open as he pawed her. Unable to mask her panic. He rubbed his hands all over her as he peeled the clothes off her trembling body. Fifteen years old and still a virgin. Old enough to be married and carrying a child on some worlds but still a child her ownself on others.

"Now, now, no cryin' see? Get all sniffy an' I might not be so pleased with you. Might get a little rough, *dong ma*?"

Her throat had closed up so she couldn't speak. Part terror, part revulsion and a hundred percent dispairing sorrow. Yet somehow she managed to give a jerky nod. Badger hardly noticed, eyes undressing her quicker than his hands. Liked to paw her, feel the curves and shivering heat of her as he stripped her bare. Nubile body and pert breasts, no ugly hanging skin or wrinkled flesh. Age had yet to touch and fade the lustre of the girl before him. He didn't undress himself. Being naked was like being powerless and he clung to every artifice of control he had at his disposal. Now others, th