TITLE: "ALL THE KING'S HORSES"

SERIES: THE DICHOTOMY SERIES

CHAPTER: 8. Sequel to "FRIEND OR FOE"

FAMDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: None

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "The compound comes under attack

and while counting their losses Zoe has to decide

who to trust."

"ALL THE KING'S HORSES"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Looking up at the lowering cloud base Lyall Henson lengthened his stride. With no moon to speak of once the night set in there would be precious little light to see by and he wanted to check on the compound before heading back to a warm supper and his bed before full dark descended. As he got closer he paused mid stride and tilted his head the better to listen. Was that voices? Just then he heard the distinct sound of wood splitting. The gate to his compound if he was not mistaken. Anger rising he shifted the rifle off his back and thumbed off the safety. Lyall moved slowly, figuring stealth would serve him better than speed. Didn't know what in the nine hells he would be walking into but was determined not to be taken unawares.

* * * * *

"*Women qu nar*?"

When Book told him, Wash stopped in his tracks and stared at him. The Horse Doctor was *shenjingbing*, there could be no other explanation.

"It's night time, Book!"

Book was calm, his voice soaked in reasonableness. "*Wo zhidao* an' we are out of coin."

"What makes you think they'll let us in at this time of night?"

In the falling darkness, Book's smile had an eerie shine. "Trust me, I can be very persuasive."

Instead of reassuring him, Wash felt something cold touch him. Not sure he wanted to go with Book let alone be part of whatever the man had in mind.

"*Fang xin*, Wash, I know what I'm doing."

The trou