TITLE: "DANCING WITH THE DEVIL"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13

STATUS: SEQUEL to "BLOOD OF INNOCENTS"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Jayne keeps the children safe. Meanwhile

a vengeful enemy presents the crew of Serenity with a

chilling ultimatum."

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.

"DANCING WITH THE DEVIL"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It was not so much a cellar as an underground store. Where once grain and animal feed had been packaged and stacked there was now little more than the musty aftermath of generations of neglect. Yet the cellar was more bunker than store. Little Kirsty's eyes were shining even in the dim light as the hatch closed over their heads. Fourteen children aged from five to eleven, every one of them like taut bowstrings trembling with excitement. Jayne spoke softly, telling them stories his ma had told him as a boy, weaving a safe little world for them far away from what was going on above. River had not returned, made no attempt to see where they went or what they did. Jayne did not know whether to be flattered that she trusted him or annoyed at her lack of interest. Either way he was glad she was gone. It creeped him out how that girl seemed to look right inside his head. Wasn't natural.

Now though he had other worries. Instead of being punctuated by gasps and cheers, his words were shaken by a distant thunder that was coming nearer and nearer until even Jayne Cobb let the words taper away. Fourteen pairs of eyes looked at him, all trusting and innocent. Made him almost chok