TITLE: "GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "PICKING UP THE PIECES"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The Captain returns with more than a few surprises for his unsuspecting crew."

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 PRESENT"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

After the hearty breakfast and the cake cutting the men had gone off to cut wood and help with the heavy chores while the women cleared the tables and got busy preparing the Christmas Dinner. Somehow overnight gifts had appeared and were crowded now beneath the huge tree. Luckily the weather had stayed fine, just a light cool breeze rifling through their hair. Mr Frye and the menfolk stacked the wood then got busy hanging paper lanterns round the outside of the house and in the branches of the trees. Kaylee watched everything with a joyous look upon her face, the happiness so great she could hardly contain it. It kept spilling out and producing indulgent smiles in anyone who looked her way. Captivated though Simon was he was alarmed at his sister's sad comment. They sat at a trestle table that had once been groaning in food. Now it lay bare but for the jug of lemonade and glasses upon it. He was pleased that the others were too busy to join them.

"River, why's the Captain sad?" He whispered.

Her eyes glittered with unshed tears. "Heart's broken. They took everything he had, even the ashes."

He frowned, his heart going cold. "Who, *mei mei*? Who did this?"

She blinked, focusing on Simon now. "Not who he thinks. How do you fight the enemy if the enemy wears