TITLE: "TANGLED"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: RIVER/MAL.

RATING: NC-17

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "PHOENIX RISING"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Shepherd Book starts putting two and two

together. Simon is surprised to find himself viewing the

Captain in a different light. Meanwhile another agenda is

slowly unfolding."

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.

"TANGLED"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

It was hard to keep it all inside. Contained and locked away. Safe. Feelings kept seeping through the iron grip of his will. It was all that had kept him alive through the War. Driven him forward when his muscles were too weak to propel his body. His fear too intense to get beyond the thunder and burn of the battlefield raging night and day around him. Too far behind to catch up. Praying he had not lost him. Hoping there would still be something worth fighting for when the smoke cleared and the blood was washed from his weary eyes.

Jeb Tanner was looking at him strangely but he ignored it. No time for concern. They were a small elite group. Had to be. Every name added was one more link in the chain that could be broken by Alliance spies. Had enough of that in the War, didn't need them dogging his footsteps in the bitter aftermath. Knew their only safety was in being spread out. So thin on the ground as to be almost invisible to them as sought them. Their own would not look. Would know better. Any rutting fool that tried therefore came from the other side. He and his would send them back a piece at a time for their trouble. Seemed like the thing to do. But now. This news had stopped him in his tracks. Heart thudding with an