TITLE: "THE HAND THAT FEEDS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "DAMAGE CONTROL"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "The Captain meets their new employer. Simon

and River leave Portree. A not happy situation begins to look

decidedly more ugly."

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.

"THE HAND THAT FEEDS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

They were all sitting round the big oak table. Meal was pretty much finished but folk lingered. They still had a couple of hours until the Captain was due to meet their contact. Book was looking thoughtful. Trying to puzzle something out. "If you didn't push them..."

"I didn't!" Protested Mal at the head of the table.

"And we didn't push them, something must have happened."

Wash frowned. "Like what?"

"I take it there were no unexpected waves?"

"No!"

Book watched the pilot's face for a moment. Beside him Jayne was beginning to get ansty. He couldn't see what folk were so upset about. "Well I say it's a good thing."

Kaylee looked horrified. "How can you say that?"

The big man did not relent and had no intention of backing down. "They's trouble, always said they was."

"They're also crew." Said Zoe flatly.

"An' now they ain't." The mercenary finished brightly. "I call that a win."

The Captain had just about enough of the way this was going. "Jayne!"

"What? Just sayin' what we all's thinkin'."

"No, no you're not but you are right on one thing. What's done is done. Mayhap when Simon an' River have walked a while in the world they'll come to their senses but maybe not. Either way, it's