TITLE: "SIDETRACKED"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "BAIT"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Before the Captain can follow the tantalising

map he finds himself sidetracked. In more ways than one."

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.

"SIDETRACKED"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Wash stared at the Captain. Zoe narrowed her eyes but said nothing. Waiting for Mal to explain himself only Wash was not so patient. "Why are we going back to Porchester?"

The Captain's look was a grim blank. Zoe knew that look. It sent chills of apprehension shivering down her spine. "This have anything to do with that necklace, sir?"

He shook his head. "Just got an errand needs seein' to."

Now she was even more suspicious. "Errand? What errand, sir, and how come I don't know anything about it?"

He blinked. For a moment she thought he wasn't going to answer her. His eyes flattened into a look so bleak that she caught her breath then it was gone. Smoke and mirrors hiding what was. "My errand not yours, Zoe."

"But sir..."

His eyes flashed a warning. "*Gou le*!" He turned to Wash. "Porchester, Wash."

The pilot nodded, unwilling to push Mal in the mood he was in. The Captain gave him a curt nod and left the bridge, Zoe's eyes following him until he was gone. "I don't like it, *zhangfu*."

"What's not to like?" Wash tried to joke. "Just another fun day in the life of our Captain."

She shot him an unamused look. "*Duibuqi, bao bei*. I know you're worried but if it was something we needed to know the Captain would've told us."

The look she gave him silenced any