TITLE: "HELPING HANDS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: G.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "A QUESTION OF BALANCE"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The crew of Serenity get some unexpected help.

The Captain insists on going home and Zoe tries everything she

can think of to stop him."

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.

"HELPING HANDS"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It was late when Captain Reynolds returned to Serenity. He was a little surprised to see his entire crew waiting up for him including the Companion, Inara Serra. Jayne was relieved to see him return alone. Seeing that lawman getting all cosy with the Captain just didn't sit right with him. Mal did not try to hide his surprise as he closed the bay door fast behind him and locked up for the night. Yen Mah extricated herself from Kaylee and ran to him, the Captain automatically putting an arm around her before continuing up the ramp to where the rest of them were hovering. He paused at the top of the ramp and looked at their faces.

"I do somethin' wrong or have you some bad news needs tellin'?"

Zoe shook her head. "Nothin' like that, sir, it's just we were a little concerned."

Yen Mah tucked herself in tight against the Captain as if afraid he would vanish if she let go. Her sigh of simple content helping relax him. "Concerned about what?"

"That lawman for a start." Blurted Jayne. Zoe shot him a look of annoyance but he ignored her.

"What about him?"

"You and him seemed mighty cosy." Said Jayne suspiciously.

The Shepherd tried to head off any ill feeling Jayne's blunt comments might cause. "Sheriff seems a right fine man so don'