TITLE: "ONE FOR ALL"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "ALL FOR ONE"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "An unexpected act cheats destiny. The Captain tries to explain himself to his crew not realising they are as stubborn as he is."

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.

"ONE FOR ALL"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

She could not help it, her skin was itching so bad her body was trying to crawl out of it. For the umpteenth time Wash tried to calm her down. Fortunately they were alone on the bridge of Serenity. "Relax, *bao bei*. You know what they say, 'no news is good news'."

Zoe paused, her lips pressed so tight they were almost bloodless. A strained expression on her face. She had a hollow look in her eyes that made him feel cold right through to the marrow in his bones. If she was this bad now what the *diyu* would she be like if they lost the Captain? He did not want to think about it. Would not, could not, go there. He glanced at his instruments to check all was well then tried again. "The Captain knows what he's doing."

Her eyes widened. Something akin to lightening flashed in them only it was a lot more deadly. "*Gos se*, he hasn't a clue what he's up against. This is all kinds of wrong."

"What do you mean he hasn't got a clue? This is Mal we're talking about, *jide*?"

Zoe put her hands on the arms of Wash's pilot's chair and leaned in close. He had to resist the urge to openly squirm at the look in her eyes. "*Bushi*, Wash. This is the Captain without all the memories, the experiences that give him the edge. Without that knowledge to guide him he's like