TITLE: "THICKER THAN BLOOD"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "SACRIFICE"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Sheriff Bowman and the *laoban's* men board

Serenity. Yen Mah does not follow Harkan but makes for his

destination. Meanwhile the Captain's life hangs in the balance

while conflicting forces decide his fate."

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.

"THICKER THAN BLOOD"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Sheriff Bowman was actually relieved to see Zoe, Jayne and the Shepherd when they docked but his eyes flicked restlessly to either side of the little welcoming committee. Where the rutting hell was the Captain?

Zoe frowned at the men accompanying him, picking up on the tension in the little group. She recognised Deputy Crowther but the others were unknown to her. "Sheriff, what's this about?"

"The Cap'n, Zoe. Where is he?"

He saw something that looked like pain skitter across her wary eyes before the shutter on her emotions slammed down and shut him out. "Not here."

Two men standing just behind the Sheriff stiffened, looks of grave displeasure appearing. The Sheriff frowned at her. "What d'ya mean not here?"

Jayne spoke before Zoe could find a polite way of putting it. "Alliance grabbed him. That ruttin' *goushi buru* Harkan boarded us and took him away in his gorram cruiser. Can't follow neither without riskin' harm to the Cap."

The two men behind the Sheriff exchanged a look that was hard to fathom. The Sheriff looked so worried that for a moment Jayne forgot that he didn't trust him. "What they want with him, Jayne?"

Even if he had been inclined t