TITLE: "FLESH AND BLOOD"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "HOMING INSTINCT"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "With Serenity's crew reunited there is the

dilemna over what to do about the Tams."

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.

"FLESH AND BLOOD"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Waking was all manner of crazy. Not only was the pain running rings around his memory and comprehension it was fragmenting what little grasp he had on the Here and Now. Faces kept looming into focus then out again, the yawing motion making him vaguely sea sick if such a thing was possible in the Black. At least that was where he assumed he was, the familiar thrum of Serenity's engines as distinct as his own gorram heartbeat.

Simon hovered but the Captain did not snap or call him on it, too swiftly losing consciousness again for temper to assert its' impatient and irrational head. It seemed everybody in the 'verse was crammed into the infirmary but the Captain had been wrong in one respect. Serenity was not in the Black, she was landlocked. Kaylee had the engine running ready for Wash to get them out of this world the moment they could shake free of this latest complication, not giving a thought to the fact that they still had not managed to refuel. One catastrophe at a time was all either of them could handle.

"Why ain't he wakin' up?" Growled Jayne, his eyes angry and suspicious as they flicked from the unconscious Captain to just inside the doorway where Gabriel Tam stood staring at them.

"Strictly speaking the Captain *was* awake..."

"Ain't talkin' about nearly, doc. Did