TITLE: "CURE"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Inara/Mal.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "SECRETS"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Inara has a nightmare and uses the good

Captain to help her forget."

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.

"CURE"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"You cannot escape me!"

Inara was jolted awake as if an electrical current had passed through her body. The voice dropped another octave, sibilant and deadly with all the charm of a shroud. "You know you cannot escape. It would be folly to try."

Her breath caught in her throat. Darkness bound her but her limbs were not tied, just immobile with horror. She had to move, to regain use of her body, but something prevented her.

"It is amusing to watch you struggle knowing you have no control over what happens."

Fear. A dark coursing madness infecting the soul. The yawning pit of the abyss opening in front of her and threatening to swallow her whole. Cold damp lips dragged across her heated skin like the kiss of a corpse. She would have recoiled but there was nowhere to go. No place to run. Those whom she had trusted had made it so. And she. Blind reckless fool that she was had believed them. All her strength given up into the hands of a madman.

"Inara..." He breathed.

Her flesh trembled. Her heart quailed. Her body ready to loose its' fluids in blind senseless panic. Only a remnant of her control kept that last shred of dignity in place as she felt her clothes being peeled off her body. Slowly, sensuously, an intentional act not to titilate or excite her but to add to the building terror of her utter helplessness.

"You