TITLE: "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR"

SERIES: THE DEVIL'S CRADLE

CHAPTER: 64. Sequel to "EVERYBODY LIES"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon Mal/Inara

SUMMARY: "Jerrod's death throws an unwelcome

spotlight on Badger's dirty dealings. While a replacement

for Titan Station is well under way, different forces are

coming into an unexpected alignment."

"BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

At last Inara was able to get the Captain alone though she was in no doubt that it would not be for long. "*Ni juede zenme yang le*?"

*Fang xin*, 'Nara. *Wo hao danir le*."

"You had most of the skin burnt off your face, Mal, so don't tell me not to worry, *dong ma*?"

The Captain sighed. He had not meant to upset Inara but with everything that was going on he had no time for hurt feelings except in Inara's case he was wont to make an exception. Her gentle hand fluttering above his cheek softening the sharpness of his reply. He caught her hand before it touched his newly mending skin. Simon did good work but even Top Three Per Cent didn't work that fast. "Hush now," he said softly "Not nothin' gonna happen to me, *xin gan*."

The Companion's look of concern hardened into a different kind of worry. Inara lowered her voice. "Mal, be careful with Badger."

"Simon removed the bomb..."

Inara shook her head. "That is not what I meant."

The Captain frowned. "There somethin' you're not tellin' me?"

"Come to my shuttle. I'll make us some tea."

It was on the tip of his tongue to say they were closer to the commons area but realised that whatever she had to say needed to be imparted in private. That alone put him