TITLE: "WAKING DREAMS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "MEMORY"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Captain Reynolds wakes to a new world and

a whole lot of unanswered questions."

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.

"WAKING DREAMS"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He woke dizzy and in pain in the early morning light, the cold making him shiver so hard his teeth ached. It was a small movement against his side that urged him to open his eyes. Almond shaped eyes stared at him, the deep brown pupils focused on him to the exclusion of all else. He was so surprised he just stared back. Who was she? What was going on? Where the hell was he? She gave him a tremulous smile balanced between wanting to reassure him and tears. Instinctively he reacted to her vulnerablity, his own confusion pushed momentarily to one side not wanting to frighten her away. He needed answers. "Hey. *Ni hao ma*?"

She nodded that she was okay then pointed at him with a jerk of her chin. "*Ni*?"

He tried to hide another shiver but failed. He was so gorram cold. "*Wo touteng* but apart from that I seem to be in one piece. What in the nine hells happened?"

She shrugged, her expression sad but her eyes alive with interest. He thought she looked half starved. "You unconscious, bleeding. I thought you die."

Mal sat up, groaned and put a hand to the back of his head. It took him a moment to bring the world back into focus. His hand came away bloody. He searched his pockets for a handkerchief, folded it into a wad and carefully pressed it to the back of his head. The girl was watching him warily. "