TITLE: "TAKING STOCK"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Mal. Jayne. Zoe. Simon. Book.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "ARTICULATION"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Once on Levington the crew concentrate on

the job but Simon cannot get beyond his guilt and Shepherd

Book tries to find out what is wrong."

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.

"TAKING STOCK"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Jayne couldn't understand it. Captain had seemed to be getting better so why was it that when they got to Levington he looked as if he had been pummelled by an army of purplebellies? Man looked about ready to collapse but was too rutting *wangu* to admit it. He could tell that Inara was worried about him though she also looked irritated to *diyu* which probably meant the two had quarrelled. He couldn't wrap his gorram head around it. Getting sexed always loosened him up and made him feel all manner of good. Trust it to have the opposite effect on Mal.

They were in the cargo hold. The Captain giving out last minute instructions at the end of which he turned to Simon. "You an' River stay on the boat, *dong ma*?"

Simon readily nodded in agreement, anything to let the Captain's attention move on and away from him. Zoe frowned. Why did he look so awkward, jumpy even?

"I thought Levington was a peaceful planet, Cap'n?" Asked Wash.

The Captain shook his head slightly, not in disagreement but to try and clear it some. Gorrammit, what in the nine hells was wrong with him? All he knew was there was danger, something to do with Simon. Why Simon and not River he couldn't fathom but best keep them both on the boat to be on