TITLE: "VISIONS OF HELL

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Inara/Paul.

RATING: NC-17. Non-consensual but not graphic.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "NIGHTMARES"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "It falls to Zoe to fill in the blanks of Mal's

memory. Meanwhile Inara faces unpleasant truths of her

own while enemies slowly and inexorably plot their move."

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.

"VISIONS OF HELL"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Inside the infirmary Yen Mah was getting more and more agitated. The Captain tried to calm her but it was becoming harder to convince her that nothing bad was going to happen. Simon cleaned the wound, administered something for the pain then stitched him up. He winced once or twice but bit back the urge to say anything, not wanting to alarm the girl even more than she was already. Zoe was pacing just behind the Captain, not wanting him to see how on edge she was but he knew. Without turning his head he called her on it. "*Shenme shi*, Zoe? You're wearin' a hole in the deck."

Zoe exchanged a look with Wash. He mouthed 'tell him'. Shepherd Book stepped in the infirmary at that moment. Kaylee and River were in the engine room. Jayne had gone to shower after his workout. Simon watched the tension in Zoe become so pronounced it made him flinch. She huffed as if coming to a decision and stepped round in front of the Captain. Yen Mah gave her a wary look but did not move away. Zoe put her hands on her hips. "How much do you remember, Mal?"

He frowned. "About what? I know everything that happened to you since your pa sold up his boat and stuck to land. What you wantin' to know?"

"Not about the past,"