`TITLE: "THE LOST ONES"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "STANDBY"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Mal wants to help, the whores want to escape and Badger has a scheme that will unleash unforseen complications on them all."

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.

"THE LOST ONES"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It was a sight that would haunt the Captain's mind for the rest of his gorram life. One minute they were deep in the bowels of the earth with not enough light to cover a rutting pin head. The next, a fierce blaze of illumination blinded him, the women crying out in alarm and sudden fear. Where the good gorram was River? He had to find her, get her out of there before unseemly things started to happen. As he blinked in the harsh light laughter tinkled soft and rare inside his head. He blocked out the voices of the women, not hearing a word Carla was saying to him. Oblivious to little Evie's hand tugging on the front of his shirt for his attention. Not nothing penetrating but a host of thoughts crowding into his head to the rythym of River Tam's merry laughter. It was more than a little creepifying.

Seeing Mal's distraction, Anna shook his arm. Carla blinked in the strong light and stared stupidly at her. "*Shenme*?"

Anna looked more serious than Carla had ever remembered. "Gotta get outta here."

"You won't get any argument from me, *mei mei*, but I don't think Mal will leave without the girl, *dong ma*?"

Anna did not reply but shook the Captain harder. Hard enough for Evie to release her grip on his shirt and stare at her in alarm. "What's *cuode