TITLE: "PAYBACK"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13

STATUS: SEQUEL to "FRIENDS AND ENEMIES"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Sarah makes a decision. Alex Trent begins to

see flaws in his plan too late to escape the consequences."

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.

"PAYBACK"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The spaceport was shabby, pretty much nothing but a landing pad with a few aging ships rotting on the apron. Shara-li pulled a face. "This is *it*?"

Her friend ignored her tone, eyes looking left and right, head tilting up and down, as wary as a cat on hot bricks. "I told you, he'll come."

"Yeah, an' I'm the Queen of all Londinium!"

Sarah shot her a look. "Queen maybe, but *all* Londinium? Dream on, *jie jie*."

"There's still time to go back. We can say you took sick."

"No. You go back, my ride'll be here any minute now."

Shara-li nodded. Truth to tell she was getting as nervous as *diyu*. At first it had seemed like some big gorram joke but her friend was serious and as that little fact sank in she realised nothing she could say or do would stop her from doing this. The least a good friend could do was make sure the ride turned up. If it didn't she could still get Sarah back without them both losing their jobs. The sudden whirr and updaft alerted her to the flaw in her plan. The transport, such as it was, had arrived. Shara-li's mouth dropped open in shock. "You have got to be kiddin' me?"

"Beggars can't be choosers, *jie jie*."

"But you got money, I know you have. Surely you can get better than this girl?"

"Not where I'm goin' I can't. Now, you g