TITLE: "STATUS QUO"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: R. SERIES CONCLUSION.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "DEALING WITH THE DEVIL".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The crew of Serenity discover that nothing is

quite what it seems."

River tries to warn them but her sanity keeps slipping."

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.

"STATUS QUO"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Inara was terrified. She could not find Wash and the echoing silence of Serenity was filling her veins with ice. She tried to com the others but either something was interfering with the transmission or Zoe and the others had troubles of their own. Why could things not go smooth? Looking round the empty bridge made her mind scream with fear. She tried to calm down, use her Companion training to maintain control but it was not working. If only she did not feel so alone. So utterly and totally helpless. Slowly she retreated to her shuttle. The one place she still felt safe.

Eyes watched her. Cold detatched humour. They let her go. Run, whore, run. There was nowhere for her to go. He smiled and retreated back to Kaylee. He loved the salty gleam of tears on her cheeks. The undisguised fear and terror was delicious to him. Made him feel powerful. He licked her face and enjoyed the way she shuddered. Kaylee screwed her eyes shut. Jubal Early seemed amused. "Can't shut me out. You know that." He paused. "Maybe I should rape you, what do you think?"

Kaylee's eyes sprang open, wide with panic and pleading for mercy. Oh he liked that, yes he did.

"Your body is mine." He reminded her darkly, eyes watching hers intently. Reading her