TITLE: "GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing

RATING: PG-13. COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS Series

STATUS: SEQUEL to "A SIMPLE PLAN"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "As Serenity sails closer to her destination the crew complete their chores and the Captain finalises the rest of his plan."

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.

"GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Despite the grumbling and initial protests Serenity's crew got to work on the cleaning and sprucing up with a vengeance. No doubt figuring that the quicker they started the sooner they'd be finished. Not knowing that if they finished too soon their devious Captain would have to find something else mind numbingly boring for them to do. Only Kaylee attacked the task with gusto her whole face alight and shiny, chatting away to River about the decorations they would make. River got swept along with the mechanic's enthusiasm until she couldn't tell where Kaylee's excitement ended and her own began, even though part of her knew they were building a smokescreen. Buying into the deception. But she could forgive the Captain because she knew why. Not that she would ever tell. Would spoil the surprise if she did and she couldn't do that to Kaylee.

Shepherd Book watched, a gentle smile on his face, his eyes sharp and discerning. He took it upon himself to scrub the kitchen, Inara actually agreeing to help with the commons area. The reluctance turning slowly to anticipation, plans being formed between them not on only how to make the decorations they would need but also how to turn their humble fare into a feast.

"I h