TITLE: "HOMING INSTINCT"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "NO RULES"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Inara reflects, Zoe goes in search of Badger

and while the Captain and whores are engineering their own

escape an unexpected visitor kicks everything into high gear."

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.

"HOMING INSTINCT"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It had been something of an epiphany listening to Mistress Alena telling her all about herself in that low, calm, soothing tone of hers. So much so that Inara had inwardly shivered and felt fragile enough to shatter but the House Mistress knew that. Had depended on her reading of the Companion to use the right words to end this charade. It had hurt. The truth laid bare was like peeling off a skin she was inordinately attached to leaving her tender and exposed and yet something in that denudation also freed her. In ways that both frightened and exhilerated her.

"You're saying I have to go back?"

The House Mistress just stared at her. Waiting. Inara slowly raised her eyebrows.

"You're saying *I* have to decide to go back?"

A smile. Rare, undiluted and without any kind of spin to it briefly illuminated Mistress Alena's features. It was startling and warmed that place of lurking dread in Inara Serra's heart. Maybe things could work out after all. "You cannot outrun your own heart, Inara."

"I don't love him."

Silence.

"I.. I care for him. I care for them all."

"Do you love the others?"

Less hesitation now. "*Qu, wanquan*."

"Just not him." Stated the House Mistress quietly.