TITLE: "DAWN"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: R for some torture sequences.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "THE DARKEST HOUR"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "All the threads of the tapestry are drawing

together. With the Captain's life hanging in the balance

secrets have a habit of leaking out."

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.

"DAWN"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"I don't understand how you know where to go!"

Everybody stared at Jubal Fox but River was ignoring him. Sheriff Bowman tried to sidetrack him, irritated by the man's poor sense of timing. "Does it matter how?"

Jubal spun round and gave him a really hostile look. "I've been patient with you Sheriff but I have to say I'm getting more than a mite suspicious with you and your little band of thieves."

The temperature on the bridge dropped suddenly way below freezing. Wash was following River's instructions to the letter, trying to hide his alarm at the rising tension behind him. Zoe turned to face the protagonists, determined that if it all went to *diyu* Wash would not get hurt. Everybody else could take their gorram chances. She had just about had enough of the snidey supercilious *justice department* man. In fact, she found it hard to believe that he was on the side of the law in the first place. As for that sidekick of his - Mickey Grey - he just looked and acted like a hired thug. Neither one of them sat well with her and she knew Jayne was fed up with the pair of them.

"I suggest you get off this bridge now." Said the Sheriff tightly. Deputy Andy Crowther was standing just outside the doorway, his body language tensing in case t