TITLE: "BELIEVE"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "WHEN THE DEVIL DRIVES"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Zoe does some straight talking. Simon tries

to find a way to further his plans without his mother finding

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.

"BELIEVE"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The wave was short and bitterly polite. All protocol and manners, so heavy with subtext that Commandant Bliss wanted to explode but discretion was the better part of valour and keeping his temper meant he and his crew would actually outlive their error. This time. As the screen darkened the Commandant ground his teeth. "They deceived us!"

None of his officers made a comment. The transmission from Parliament had unnerved them all. The thinly veiled threat of what would happen should such a thing occur again had hit home with a vengeance. Bliss had wanted to turn his ship around and go hunting down the Firefly that had made such a fool of him but the Councillor had dismissed the notion. In fact, had insisted that he step away from such thoughts. The matter was out of his hands now but it left a sour taste in his mouth. Keeping his ship on course, Bliss vowed that if he ever came face to face with Serenity and her crew again he would make every last one of them live long enough to regret it.

* * * * *

On Serenity things were not as smooth as the Captain would have liked. Even though his crew were not openly rebelling he knew they were unhappy and not with the job neither but with him. He sighed, trying not to wince at the look in Zoe's eyes. He really did