TITLE: "BABY STEPS"

SERIES: THE DICHOTOMY SERIES

CHAPTER: 4. Sequel to "NEW START"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Tracy

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "Things are beginning to look

up for Malcolm Reynolds. Zoe and Tracy

plan to catch fish and Jayne is more confused

than ever when the Horse Doctor disappears."

"BABY STEPS"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

If Mal had not been with Henson he would have missed the place, night closing in so fast and with no street lights to speak of. There wasn't even a gorram moon just a few fitful stars and a cool breeze. The eatery was right on the waterfront, pale lights only visible through the windows when you got right up close. He figured they didn't pay much mind about keeping the windows clean, maybehaps they thought an extra layer or two of dust and dirt would make the place warmer.

"You sure this place is open?"

Henson laughed. "Sally don't close, she just locks the door when she runs outta customers."

Mal chuckled. "Like the sound of this place already."

When they got to the door, Henson gave the lock a tap then pressed up and did something complicated with his wrist. The door swung open as if the hinges were oiled. Henson grinned at Mal's expression. "What can I say? I got magic hands."

As they stepped through into the dipped lights of the eatery, a husky female voice cut in on their conversation. "That better be you Lyall or some stranger's gonna get a new hole in his head."

"Calm down, sister. That any way to treat someone bringin' ya a new customer?"

The lights brightened and Mal saw a busty lady in her mid forties holding a shotgun as if she knew how to use it. Gorramit, didn't Henson say the place was always open?

"Sally, put that thing d