TITLE: "ANOTHER MAN'S POISON"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing

RATING: PG-13

STATUS: SEQUEL to "ONE MAN'S MEAT"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Not everybody finds it easy to accept the return of Chung-li. Inara has to face her own dark night of the soul."

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.

"ANOTHER MAN'S POISON"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Inara read the message again. Michael Tollan's Last Will and Testament had a file attached. One with her name on it. She clicked on the file with a shaking hand, relieved to be the only one on the bridge of the Crazy Goose right now. Tears slowly rolled down her face as she read the brief apology, able to imagine all too easily the grief that had driven him to do what he had done. And yet. Even as he must have contemplated death by his own hand he had spared a thought for her. This missive from beyond the grave intended as an absolution for any feelings of guilt she might be harbouring. He knew her so well. Dear Michael, he and Thomas were truly matched in mind, body and soul. No wonder the one could not bear to live without the other. Yet it was the tenderness of the last line that broke through the last of her control. The admonishment not to let another day pass without telling Malcolm Reynolds how she felt about him. A plea not to leave it until it was too late.

"You can't dream his dreams."

River. The last person Inara wanted to see right now. Keeping her back to the girl the Companion wiped the tears from her face and closed the file, encrypting it as she did so. River walked slowly towards her, a mix of sadness, understanding and wisdom on her pale face.