TITLE: "PURSUIT"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: Inara/Mal. NC-17.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "BELIEVE"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Inara uses her wiles on the Captain. Thadius

tries to convince Zoe he and the others are no threat to the

crew. Simon wants to go on the hunt but first he has

something important to do."

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.

"PURSUIT"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Inara had tried to ignore the odd mix of tensions. That and the disappearing Captain were causing her to lose the sense of calm detachment critical to her equanimity. Plus she had to admit, if only to herself, she missed him. A day and a half out of Greenleaf and nothing to do to wile away the hours. Even Inara could not meditate that long. Choosing a moment when everyone seemed to be busy or distracted, Inara slipped away and went to the Captain's bunk to see if he was alright. She paused at his hatch, about to knock, when a little smile quirked her lips. Lowering her hand she swung the hatch inwards and descended into the Lion's Den.

Malcolm Reynolds was sitting at the end of his bed. Head bowed, hands loosely entwined. Something about the way he was sitting stabbed at Inara's heart, concern taking the edge off the ascerbic retort she had been going to greet him with. "Mal? *Shenme shi*?"

He looked up and Inara's breath caught. The man looked terrible. Without realising she had moved, Inara closed the distance between them and knelt in front of him, a hand lifting to cup his cheek, her eyes searching his for reassurance. What she saw did not comfort her. "*Wode hao, fang xin*." He l