TITLE: "EROS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal/Constance.

RATING: NC-17.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "HAIR OF THE DOG"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The crew reluctantly follow their Captain's

orders More confused now than they were at the beginning."

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.

"EROS"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Eros was much as they expected it would be. Wash had been braced for the sand, the dunes, the dry clime, but not the utter and total desolation of the place. It already gave him a creepifying feeling. Death by dessication coming primarily to mind. Mal tried to still the rattlers stirring up in his gut knowing it was only his will that had brought them here. He knew how it looked but then they had just landed. Time enough to think on it once they had taken a look around. Got their bearings. Zoe was dry and to the point, her expression as she squinted across the harsh bright shimmering of unrelenting sand made his heart sink. "Bearings?" Her tone was mild but scathing. Made him wince internally. "You want us to take a moment to get our 'bearings', sir?"

"That was my notion, Zoe."

She glanced off him again and swept critical eyes over the barren landscape in a 360 degree round of angles. Making the turn slow as if to underline her sarcasm. "A bit difficult to take bearings when there's no structures. No landmarks." She turned her piercing gaze back to him. "No nothing."

Jayne scowled and spat into the sand at his feet. "We been set up, Cap. Let's move on."

He did not move. "Can't. Took half pay up front."

That surprised the big man. Everybody turned to stare at the Captain. He felt unc