TITLE: "LOOSE ENDS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "RESOLUTION"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "River and the Lost Ones come face to

face with Atherton and his men. Meanwhile the Captain

catches up with Badger."

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.

"LOOSE ENDS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Some days were definitely better than others. This Atherton knew from long and bitter experience. His mouth felt dry, his heart stuttering in his chest with reaction. All the happy crushed out of him by the bitterness of disappointment flavoured with a heavy dose of utter panic. What should have been the crowning glory of his spite had been turned against him with an elegance he failed to appreciate. *Goushi* why did this kind of thing keep happening to him? And what was it about Serenity's crew that always left him on the wrong end of any encounters he had with them? Bad enough that the warped *shenjingbing tamade hundan* of a Captain had taken Inara from him, now the *yuchen baichi* got to rub his nose in it.

At first he had thought it was a gorram joke. They were little more than children, what could they do against him and his armed men? He had not initially been concerned much less afraid. The fear came later, once every exit had been blocked by his men and he made the mistake of confronting the odd group, thinking he had the upper hand. With a swagger he looked for the leader, his arrogant gaze settling on a pale faced girl with an oddity to her manner that was kind of chilling. She watched him intently and the others appeared to take their cue from her. Good