TITLE: "RESURRECTION"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: RIVER/MAL.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "BENEATH THE MASK"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Inara acts. River waits for the right moment.

The crew of Serenity slowly realise there is more than one

battle going on and forces gathering that will change their

'verse forever."

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.

"RESURRECTION"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

He eyed the syringe warily. Tried to back away only there was nowhere to go. Harry's smile held no humour, it was a grim unrelenting mask. There was something almost detached about it as if any pain inflicted was a routine necessity he should surrender to if not embrace. His back stiffened, fingers flexing in the tight steel cuffs that bound his hands behind his back. Harry put his hands on the Captain's shoulders and pressed him down into the chair. Mal swallowed. More afraid of what was in that syringe than any torture he had faced with Niska. He raised his eyes to Inara's and saw no emotion that deserved the name. There was something very creepifying about a woman doing this to him. His brother would have laughed at his distinction and reminded him who had taken the first bite out of the gorram apple. Frustration. Fear. Sorrow. Anguish. All the borders of dispair. To have come so far, suffered so much, for this. He could not bear to have it all ripped away by this scheming black hearted *pofu*. Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but arsenic would.

He closed his eyes on the sharp bite of steel and felt the slide of the needle sink into his vein. He did not want to open his eyes. To see her gloating as t