TITLE: "THE DEVIL'S OWN"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Kaylee/Simon.

RATING: NC-17

STATUS: SEQUEL to "PAYBACK"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The Captain is a driven man but his crew are

determined to stick by him. None of them realising just what

the *diyu* they are getting into."

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.

"THE DEVIL'S OWN"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He woke in darkness. Sticky heat plastered the bedclothes to his sweaty body, the darkness seeping in through his closed lids inveigling its' way into his groggy consciousness. As soon as his mind became aware of it he caught his breath, memories crowding in and taunting him with the murmured hush of unquiet ghosts. The last vestiges of sleep deserting his fevered brain. Shoving back the covers Malcolm Reynolds sat up and swung his legs out of bed, his bare feet connecting with the bare floorboards with a jolt that hardly registered on his weary body. Yet nothing he felt penetrated his befogged senses. Something was wrong. He shook his head but the muzziness did not vanish. Only then did he recall letting Simon drug him.

"*Tzao gao*, what was I thinkin'?" He murmured softly to himself. Running a slightly shaky hand over his face he just sat on the bed for a moment or two trying to collect his wits.

The house was quiet. Most like everybody else was still sleeping but Mal knew he would never get back to sleep now. An urgency burned in him that demanded attention. He wondered if it were too early to get up then realised he could not lie a-bed and wait for a more suitable time. If he was quiet he should be able to get washed and dressed without rou