"Please Cap'n. It's on the way and we ain't been had no fun in the longest time." Kaylee pleaded with Mal. They were on their way to Mriel and had been traveling for weeks without much of a stop or as stretch. It was about time that the crew of the Serenity had a bit of fun.

"Kaylee, we don't get paid to go to no gorram races."

"But Cap'n' they's not just any races. Theys the Canoline Races. The fastest ladies and the best pilots from the 'verse. Tho' none can hold a candle to my girl."

"That may be li'l Kaylee but, time is money and we need to get movin' on to more work."

" 'Nara says she ain't never been Cap'n. She'd really like to go. Too bad. I'll just have to tell her we's gotta work"

"You go tell her that." Mal nodded his head in the direction of the companion's ship. He knew that Kaylee was right but, he wasn't about to give in just yet. He was the captain afterall. He'd let Kaylee fuss a bit more and let her know at dinner that they'd be dropping down to the races.

"Yes Cap'n" Kaylee went off in search of the others. Not even bothering to cover the disappointment on her face.

~

Dinner was full of talk as the crew joked about their days. All except for Kaylee who was still a tad bit disappointed about not being able to see the races. It was all Mal could take watching the usually bright young woman with such a somber look on her face. Taking a swig from his mug, Mal's thoughts were interrupted by Jayne.

"Hey, what kind of working are headed for?"

"Well, if you must know Jayne. We'll be taking a bit of a break"

"What's that?"

"We're setting down on Canoline for the races," Kaylee jumped up squeeling and ran over to Mal and squeezed him about the neck.

"I loves my Cap'n."

"That's good Kaylee but, your Cap'n needs to breathe right 'bout now,"

"oh!" Kaylee let go and began to dance about the dining area. River just happy to see Kaylee dancing decided to join in.

~

The crew took their places among the spectators of the races. It was a sea of people surrounding the cliffs that overlook the gorge where the races were held. After a few overeager folks slid into the gorge while watching the race, a net was placed the length of the canyon to catch the "flyers".

"I ain't seen this many folks in a long time." Mal scanned the crowd around him. This would be the safest place for them all considering no law dare try to contain this crowd.

"Isn't it wonderful!"Kaylee wrapped her arms through Simon's as she bounced about. "Isn't it so magical and shiny?"

"That's one way to put it" The doctor didn't quite understand the draw of this kind to a race. He looked down to his sister who stood with with wide eyes at the crowd. She seemed quite happy to be out of the ship as much as it had become their home. River spoke as if to noone," They all want to see the flame."

Wash held Zoe by the waist and looked over to the young girl, "Well, that's one way to put it if you mean the crashes. I used to come here as a kid. Thought I would fly it then too."

Raising an eyebrow at her slightly cowardly husband Zoe asked "Why didn't you?"

"Grew up. Decided I wanted to live....at least a little bit longer. Glad I did." He smiled at his wife squeezing her a little bit closer.

A squeal from Kaylee got everyone's attention. "They're starting!"

This race was known for it's brutality on pilots mostly, being known for having the highest death rate of any race in the 'verse. The canyon was filled with jagged edges and holes that any ship could get lost in. There were ten lined up ready to go but, in this race they were lucky if one came back.

The red flag was dropped from a platform that was built across the gorge. At the sign, the racers took off as the crowd cheered and within moments the first loud crash came. The first casualty of the race.

Zipping through the racers went over and under the formations of the canyon. A second and third ship were wrecked before the course was halfway through. Slowly, a bright red ship that had been a good distance behind the rest began to creap up on the others. Narrowly missing a wing that had been snapped off of yet another casualty, the bird made it's way up. It drew cheers from the crowd as it drew behind the leader.

Having lost seven of the ten racers, the remained close trying to edge the other out. They came around the last bend with the front racer weaving to keep out the bright red ship. The ship dropped down to the base of the canyon and out of sight. The two remaining began to battle it out as the finish line drew closer and closer. Then out of nowhere the red ship pulls up in front of them both causing the too to hit the brakes. The crowd roared as the ship ripped through the white line.

Simon was the first to speak,"Wow, that was fairly exciting as well as barbaric."

"What I want to know is who is that pilot and where did he learn to fly like that? No offense Wash."

"None taken Captain. I'm fairly impressed myself."

Inara who was just a tad bit curious herself asked,"Well, why don't we go find out?"

"Little flame not so little anymore." River announced.

Shrugging at the rest of the crew, Mal headed towards the platform that ran across the canyon. The racer who won stood there but, was hardly discernable at this distance. They walked to the ramp that came down and waited for the champion to walk down it. The first glimpse of the racer shocked them all. Down came the ramp was a woman, with hair brighter than red clay.

"Where's the winner?" Jayne grunted.

"That is the winner you gorram idiot."

"What?"

"Yes, Jayne....a girl won."

The conversation was interrupted as the woman came bounding down the ramp and wrapped herself around their pilot.

"Wash!" She exclaimed as she held him tighter. The crew looked over at the confused man as he tried to pry the girl off of him while his wife raised an eyebrow at the spectacle.

"Don't you remember me? Has it been that long?" She searched his face and as he stared into her blue eyes a dawning of recognition crossed his face. "Sabha? What are you doing here?" He hugged her tighter and swung her around in a circle; the others stil unsure of what was happening. The embrace was interrupted by Zoe clearing her throat, "Husband, could you introduce us to your friend?"

Blushing, Wash set the racer down and grinned back at everyone. "This would be my sister, Sabha." As the knowledge set in, the Kaylee was the first to speak, "Wash, I didn't know you had a sister and fair pilot at that. Congratulations!"

"Yeah, she is a good pilot....Wait, what the hell were you doing flying in this gorram race anyway. You could have killed yourself!" The dangerous position that his sister put herself into sinking in.

Sabha pushed herself away from Wash. "Hold on. Who are you to tell me what I am to do or not to do. I ain't seen you in 15 years!"

"That's no matter. I'm still your big brother and you should.....you should listen to me. You don't need to be racing like that."

As the newly reunited siblings continued to squabble, Simon looked over to the others and smiled, "They are definitely brother and sister."

Mal a little suspect of the attention they were getting grabbed each one by the collar and separated them, "Well that may be but, I think we need to separate them a bit before this draws any more attention."

~