TITLE: "SAFE AND SOUND"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: River. Mal.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. 1/3

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "River has trouble sleeping but her solution is

nothing if not unexpected. Meanwhile Mal takes on a new job."

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.

"SAFE AND SOUND"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He was tired. The job on Tremont had been all kinds of frustrating what with their contact having to be broken out of gaol before they could make the deal and the shipment being raided by Alliance goons and such. But in the end everything had played out well and they had been paid. As Jayne would say, "Any one you walk away from". He sighed. Some days winning didn't feel much different from losing though he would never let his crew see the flatline of weary pain in his eyes like a flag of defeat. He would fight because he had to. Wasn't any other way he knew how to live.

It was why he was a mite distracted when he finally got to his bunk. The early hours of the morning stealing up on him until his body began to collapse around his tense frame luring him to get some much needed sleep. Not that the nightmares were any more comfort that the day ones. It wasn't much but it would have to be enough. So finding the crazy girl in his bunk, in his BED, was not a funny thing. Unamused he glared down at her as she feigned sleep.

"River, what the gorram are you doin' in my bed?"

"Sleeping."

"You ain't asleep."

"Yes, I am."

"If you're asleep we can't be havin' this conversation."

No reply.

"River?"

Silence. He sighed. Too tired for this *gou shi*. He turned to go, maybe he could get som