Shadow of Doubt

FADE IN EXT. SPACE A blue world, MIRANDA, pull back as NARRATION starts: NARRATOR (V.O.) Miranda, the planet with the secret that burned River Tam’s brain, the secret testing ground of the Union of Allied Planets attempts to end aggression. Thirty million people dead. The survivors turned mad, savage by the chemicals used in the testing, turned into Reavers. EXT. A SMALL TOWN - DAY Reavers are attacking and slashing, killing, eating people. EXT. SERENITY - SPACE NARRATOR (V.O.) Unknown to all until the Firefly class ship Serenity and her crew, sheltering River Tam and her brother Simon, braved both the Reavers and the Alliance to broadcast a recorded message from Miranda’s lost search and rescue team. INT. MR. UNIVERSE’S LOWER BROADCAST STATION CAPTAIN MALCOLM “MAL” REYNOLDS plugs in the video disk, hits keys and plays the broadcast as the OPERATIVE watches. NARRATOR(V.O) But the Alliance did not take the revelation of this secret too kindly. Especially those who betrayed them.

Hold on Operative’s face and then cut to: INT. COURT ROOM Operative’s face, bruised and cut, like he was in a recent fight. Pull back to reveal him sitting in a chair, chained and cuffed, with six armed men surrounding him and pointing weapons at him. A panel of three Alliance high officials which we’ll call JUDGES, in regal attire, two men, one woman, question him. JUDGE 1 Are we to understand that you had the Tams? JUDGE 2 And let them go? OPERATIVE In a manner of speaking…yes. JUDGE 3 Was this before or after the broadcast about Miranda? OPERATIVE After. She was no longer a threat. The secret was out. Your secret. JUDGE 3 And your fleet? You had more than twenty ships. What of them? OPERATIVE Many were destroyed by the Reaver fleet but we were ultimately victorious. This is pointless. The Tams are no longer a threat. The whole galaxy knows that you, we, created the Reavers. JUDGE 1 We have taken care of that. OPERATIVE Of course. I saw the broadcasts. You called it a hoax. A trick of some who still want independence. Some will believe you, some already do, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t matter. JUDGE 3 You are wrong. You do matter. You are the best we every trained. You were brought in to eliminate a threat. Find the Tams. Kill them and their companions.

OPERATIVE Eliminate? Not capture?

JUDGE 1 River Tam’s usefulness is outweighed by the damage she has caused and could cause in the future. Her brother is an accomplice. As are the others.

OPERATIVE And if I refuse?

The LOUD SOUND of weapons being chambered, all guns pointed at the Operative. He looks at the Judges, face resigned and gives a slight nod in agreement.

JUDGE 1 (to unseen person) Apply the control device.

The Operative stiffens as two guards grab his head and hold him still.

A man in medical attire places a gun like device at the back of the Operative’s neck as the two guards hold his head steady. There is a soft PLOP, he jerks in pain, then relaxes, and then they release him.

JUDGE 2 In case you have any ideas about disappearing again. You have thirty Earth That Was days of 24 hours each before the device we’ve implanted erodes and releases its explosive charge.

OPERATIVE Thirty days. (beat) To kill a little girl.

ROLL CREDITS as we see SERENITY glide through a starry background.

INT. SERENITY BRIDGE

RIVER TAM sits at controls, checking their course. MAL enters behind her. MAL Getting used to it? RIVER Like I’ve done it all my life. MAL Job’s yours if you want it. Your brother might have somethin’ to say about it. RIVER Better than me being an assassin. MAL Suppose so.

RIVER (looking at Mal) I’m not crazy you know. Sometimes…I remember things. Memories that aren’t mine. But I can’t put them together. Or in words to explain. I don’t know why I’m so good at…fighting. And…killing.

MAL You saved my crew from the Reavers. That’s all the explaining I need. Set course for Landsdown. Job waiting for us.

RIVER (smiling) Aye, Captain. MAL Like the sound of that. Wash never...he, well, he was bit more informal. RIVER I miss him. MAL We all do. INT. ZOE’S BUNK ZOE WASHBURNE sits on the bed putting on her boots. She stands, looks at the bed, has a slight sadness then her face hardness and she heads for the ladder. She pauses, looks a little queasy, catches her breath, and then climbs up.

INT. FORE CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS ZOE comes out of her room as KAYLEE FRYE comes down the hall, in her coveralls, with just a spot of grease on her nose. ZOE Everything OK? KAYLEE Serenity’s shiny. Just had to check our gravity ring. Otherwise we’d end up on the ceiling. ZOE See you for dinner.

Zoe heads for the bridge. KAYLEE We’ll be there. Kaylee opens the drop ladder for her room. ZOE Don’t wear the doctor out. Might need him to examine someone else soon. Kaylee blushes. ZOE (serious) Be happy. KAYLEE We are.

INT. KAYLEE’S BUNK – LATER

KAYLEE and SIMON TAM lie on her bed, arms entwined, staring at each other, obviously just after making love.

KAYLEE (blissful) My, doctor, that was some examination you gave me. SIMON Well, I needed to make sure all your parts were in the right place and in working order. KAYLEE Did I pass my physical? SIMON With flying colors. KAYLEE That’s nice. (Beat) You’re nice.

She snuggles up to him.

SIMON (serious) Kaylee. I need to ask you something. KAYLEE Um, OK, go ahead. SIMON We’ve known each other...How long? Almost one year? KAYLEE Be a year next month. SIMON And we’ve been ah...we’ve had a relationship for... KAYLEE Seven weeks, five days, 18 hours and 23 minutes. SIMON (surprised) Really? Exactly? KAYLEE Been counting and enjoying every second. Wish I had more. Before Miranda. Before the Reaver fight. SIMON Facing death makes a man a lot braver. Wish I had said something sooner. Just, everything that happened, and looking after River...I think I’ve loved you since... KAYLEE Love? Me? SIMON Very much. Since you picked me up out of the dirt in that town with that awful statue of Jayne. KAYLEE You were so beat up. SIMON I had said some mean things to you. And you were so sweet to me.

KAYLEE You’re forgiven. (quiet, looking in his eyes) You know I love you, too. SIMON I know. I think I’ve known for a long time but so much time was lost and wasted. So many things I didn’t mean to say, so many things I wanted to say. So, I, well, you know how appropriate I like to be. KAYLEE Can’t forget it. SIMON So I want our relationship to be more appropriate.

KAYLEE (shocked) You mean to say? SIMON Yes. I mean to say. INT. DINING AREA – LATER The remains of a finished dinner are on the table. Everyone is there, Mal, Zoe, River, INARA SERRA, and JAYNE COBB, some standing, others sitting, with Simon and Kaylee standing, facing them.

KAYLEE (giddy) Um, well, I don’t know... (to Simon) You tell them. JAYNE Someone tell me something ‘cause I’m awful cranky when my dinner's interrupted for no reason. MAL Jayne... RIVER Wedding...

They all look to River and then to Simon and Kaylee, who is now very red. SIMON Yes. I’ve asked for Kaylee’s hand in marriage.

Shocked silence.

KAYLEE And I said yes!

A stunned eruption of noise.

MAL Huh...?

JAYNE (hopeful, to Simon) Does that mean you’re getting off the boat? SIMON Ah, don’t quite know...yet.

He looks to Kaylee as Inara moves to hug her.

INARA Congratulations! ZOE Well, Doctor, you finally had the guts to do what some others don’t.

Looks pointedly at Mal then to Inara. Mal looks at her. MAL What? ZOE Say something. KAYLEE (worried) Capt’n? Aren’t you happy for us? MAL Sorry. Jus’ kinda took me by surprise. Of course I’m happy for you little Kaylee. And for you, Doctor. SIMON Thank you, Mal. MAL You make a fine couple.

He shakes Simon’s hand and gives Kaylee a hug. Zoe follows suit.

ZOE You’ll make a beautiful bride. JAYNE Guess we need to have us a bachelor party. Simon ignores him as he looks at River.

SIMON River? You haven’t said anything. RIVER (to Simon) There’s a baby.

Mal and everyone look to Kaylee and then to Simon.

SIMON (flustering) NO! I mean no there, she isn’t…Kaylee? KAYLEE (uncertain) No, I’m not. I don’t think I am. Simon? RIVER Not her. Looks at Zoe, who is getting a bit green.

RIVER Her. Zoe doubles over and runs to the sink where she throws up. She turns and looks at them all.

ZOE Doctor, I guess you’ve got a new patient. MAL (in Chinese, quietly)

INT. INFIRMARY – LATER Zoe lies on the examining table as Simon runs an ultrasound scanner over her belly. Kaylee stands to her side and everyone else except River is looking in from outside.

ZOE I am pregnant. Aren’t I? SIMON Appears to be. About eight weeks. ZOE (smiling) Wash...I knew it.

Kaylee holds her hand.

MAL (O.S.) Doctor.

INT. PASSENGER LOUNGE - CONTINUOUS

Simon comes outside with Mal as Zoe starts to fix her clothes.

MAL How is she? SIMON About eight weeks pregnant. Healthy and strong as you know her. She’ll be fine. MAL (beat) Good. (to Jayne) Work to be done. He walks away toward the cargo bay. Jayne follows.

JAYNE Babies? Weddings? Why don’t we just throw away our guns and paint the boat pink? MAL They EXIT.

INARA (looking at Mal) He’s not happy. SIMON He’s losing everyone. First Book, then Wash...now...Zoe’s pregnant and Kaylee and I... INARA (worried) You and Kaylee are leaving? What about River? SIMON Haven’t had time to think on it much yet. Not likely to leave with the Alliance still after River. Being fugitives doesn’t give us much choice. Kaylee and Zoe come out behind them. ZOE (happy) It’s Wash’s baby. SIMON Of course, who else’s would...? (off Zoe’s glare) I mean, ah, it’s been, since he..ah..he...eight weeks... ZOE You can say it. Since he died.

Silence and sadness.

INARA Oh, Zoe. Are you happy? ZOE (rubbing belly) More than you can imagine. I’ll still have part of my man. KAYLEE Do you want a boy or girl? ZOE Boys are an awful handful. INARA You can say that again. SIMON Hey! KAYLEE I love my handful.

She hugs him. ZOE (to Kaylee) Sorry for stealing your spotlight. KAYLEE That’s OK. There’s enough happiness in the ‘verse for everyone. Inara smiles, but it is forced. She looks off to where Mal walked away.

INT. CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS

Jayne and Mal are looking at some crates. MAL Need to make some space for that shipment. Man said ten crates. Let’s move these over there. They start moving crates.

JAYNE Hope we get paid this time. MAL Landsdown is friendly territory. We got no quarrels there. JAYNE Good. Maybe we can hire someone. We gonna need a new crew soon I reckon. MAL How’s that? JAYNE Think the fancy doctor wants his new bride tramping around a greasy engine room? MAL Kaylee ain’t going anywhere. Law’s still after Simon and River. She’s been after the Doc for a while and now she’s finally got him she won’t let go. Besides, boat’ll fall out of the sky without her so no way in the ‘verse am I letting her go. JAYNE What about Zoe? She ain’t much good in a fight anymore. MAL I’m still thinking on that. Family does tend to get in the way of our kind of business.

EXT. TAM ESTATE - NIGHT

OVER: TAM ESTATE, CAPITAL CITY, OSIRIS

The Operative stands outside looking at the house.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The Operative sits with GABRIEL and REGAN TAM, Simon and River’s parents. GABRIEL Have you found them? Are they alright? OPERATIVE Mr. Tam, they were the one’s responsible for the broadcast about Miranda and the Reavers. REGAN That’s impossible. Our children wouldn’t have anything to do with horrible independence propaganda. OPERATIVE They have fallen in with some...unsavory elements. Have they tried to contact you? GABRIEL No. It’s been more than a year since we’ve heard from Simon...and River...its been a long time. REGAN She’d still be at school if it wasn’t for Simon. OPERATIVE Mrs. Tam, do you really think your daughter was at school?

Regan is uncomfortable. Her false front is on the verge of collapsing.

REGAN No. Not anymore. I think everything Simon told us is now true. (voice breaking) We supported unification. Can’t they just…come home...lead normal lives. Why does it have to be this way? GABRIEL Because we are fools.

The Operative takes out a list of people’s names.

OPERATIVE These are the people your children were last seen with on a Firefly class ship called Serenity. You will send a wave to their families and ask for information.

GABRIEL (strong) We will not help you find our children. OPERATIVE (icy cold) You will. GABRIEL And if I don’t? The Operative draws his sword.

OPERATIVE Then you will watch as I cut out your wife’s heart.

EXT. FACTORY LOADING DOCK - DAY Over: NEW SHANGHAI, TAOS MOON

A large man in greasy overalls, JONATHAN FRYE, Kaylee’s father, argues with a smaller man.

JONATHAN You said 30 crates. I only count 29. SMALL MAN Carrying charges, old man. You know how it is. JONATHAN Carrying charges my ! You know who I am? SMALL MAN Sure. Jonathan Frye. Small time factory owner. So what?

Jonathan Frye SMASHES him across the mouth and the Small Man goes sprawling.

JONATHAN That’s so you remember next time you want to cheat me. VOICE (O.S.) Hey, Boss. You got a wave.

Jonathan moves to hit the man again, grabbing him by the shirt front.

JONATHAN I’m busy. Take a message. VOICE (O.S.) It’s your daughter.

INT. SERENITY KAYLEE’S BUNK

Kaylee sits on her bed looking at her father on the Cortex screen.

KAYLEE Daddy? JONATHAN Hi, baby. Been a while. KAYLEE I know…we had some…anyway I’m well. I got some big news. I’m getting married. JONATHAN What! Married! Well, now ain’t that something. Who’s the fella? KAYLEE His name’s Simon Tam and he’s a doctor. JONATHAN Snared yourself a rich fella, huh? Always knew you had the brains in the family. KAYLEE He ain’t exactly rich…anymore…it’s hard to explain. JONATHAN You best get him here so he can ask for your hand proper like. KAYLEE Be there as soon as we can. Love you. JONATHAN See you soon baby. Just wish…your mother.. KAYLEE (sad) So do I. See you soon.

She turns off the Cortex. Camera moves to Simon who was off to one side listening.

SIMON Is there some special ceremony I’m supposed to do to ask for your hand? KAYLEE (worried) No. Just drink. (beat) A lot.

INT. BRIDGE

River at the controls as Simon and Kaylee enter. She doesn’t look at them, distracted by the navigation system.

SIMON River? You haven’t said anything about Kaylee and I getting married. I’m not leaving you, you know.

KAYLEE We’re not leaving Serenity.

SIMON Are you OK with us getting married? RIVER I want you to be happy. I love you both. KAYLEE I think I’m going to cry. Give me a hug. They hug. Simon smiles as Zoe enters the bridge.

ZOE Family reunion?

KAYLEE Sorta family beginnings. Ah, Zoe, we need to talk to the Capt’n about heading to my home. My daddy wants to meet Simon and we’re thinking it’s the best place for a wedding. Right, Simon?

SIMON Yes. We certainly can’t go to Osiris. (quiet) At least one of our families can enjoy our happiness.

Kaylee touches his arm affectionately.

ZOE You two in an awful hurry to get married.

SIMON (moves arm around Kaylee) We love each other. It’s what we want. (quiet) No one knows what tomorrow will bring.

ZOE Can’t disagree. Best wait to see where the job takes us. (to River) How long to Landsdown?

RIVER About an hour. Coordinates uploaded and inputted.

INT. DINING AREA

Mal sits at the table, has a cup of coffee, deep in thought. Zoe enters from the fore corridor. ZOE Captain, should be on Landsdown in an hour. River got the navigation down pat. MAL (flat) Girl’s a wonder. ZOE Something on your mind, sir? MAL Don’t know how to say except say it. We got some decisions to make. She sits opposite him.

ZOE (tense) If you mean me carrying a baby, I can still do my job. I’m still part of this crew, sir. MAL You got to be worrying about a little one now and I don’t feel inclined to put you in the line of fire. ZOE So I’m supposed to stay on board from now on? Is that the way its gonna be? Sir?

Mal stands and moves to the sink with his empty cup. Zoe follows as Mal talks.

MAL There’s plenty to do here. (he looks at the full sink) Dishes. Lots of dishes. And garbage, and... ZOE I’m a soldier not a gorramn kitchen scrub woman. Isn’t this my decision? MAL I’ll not risk you losing what little of Wash you got left. ZOE That wasn’t your fault, sir. Reavers killed my man. MAL I pushed us to Miranda. ZOE It was the right thing to do. MAL Maybe. Alliance propaganda says otherwise. Says were rebels looking for a new war. ZOE How long do you think it would have been before they found us anyway? MAL Wasn’t Wash’s war. Nor the Shepherd’s. You stay out of the line of fire.

He walks away. She doesn’t question him again.

EXT. FOREST, LANDSDOWN – NIGHT

Serenity lands in a quiet forest.

EXT. SERENITY, FOREST CLEARING - NIGHT

The cargo bay ramp comes down as Jayne and Mal walk off. Behind them Zoe stands with her gun ready. Mal turns and looks at her. ZOE Be waiting for you. MAL Keep her running. Might be back real quick

Jayne and Mal walk off. EXT. FOREST - NIGHT

JAYNE You said they was friendly. MAL Friendship sometimes gets in the way of making money. Three men walk out in front of Mal and Jayne. They are scruffy looking and well armed.

MAL Howdy! MAN Malcolm Reynolds? MAL I’m Captain Reynolds. You boys got something for us?

The Man unholsters a futuristic type weapon and hands it to Mal. MAN State of the art. 40 watt range laser with auto sights. Straight off the factory line. Got ten crates, twenty to a crate. They fell off the back of a truck. MAL Happens all the time. He hands the weapon to Jayne, who falls in love. JAYNE Shiny! MAL Where you want them sent? MAN Shadow. Know the place? MAL (nodding, almost smiling) Been once or twice.

Man hands him a piece of paper.

MAN This the people, place, and price I’m expecting. They paid half already. Man pay you the rest on Shadow. You get half of that half. JAYNE One quarter! Mal! MAL One quarter of something is better than one quarter of nothin’. Let’s load the boat. JAYNE (re:laser) I’m keeping this one. MAN Fair enough. (to Mal) They gyp you down on the price, comes out of your end. MAL (false cheer) Nice doing business with you.

EXT. SERENITY, LANDSDOWN - NIGHT

Cargo bay closes and she rises in the air.

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY

Jayne and Mal stack the last crate to the side as Zoe stands nearby.

ZOE Got a course, sir? MAL Not sure yet. JAYNE What? Man said Shadow. ZOE Shadow? Chance to go home, sir. MAL You think on why someone on Shadow wants ten crates of lasers? ZOE Someone having a battle? MAL Or starting a war. JAYNE I don’t like the way this talk is going. You gonna get on your honorable high horse again and we’re gonna be broke. Again. MAL I’m not gonna be part of starting some new war of independence. ZOE How do we know? MAL We don’t. But funny how our crew gets this job. Bet they know I’m from Shadow. Bet they know my war record. ZOE They’re looking for a leader. Grim look from Mal. River’s voice comes over the intercom. RIVER (O.S.) Captain, do we have a course? Zoe speaks before Mal can answer River.

ZOE Capt’n, Kaylee said she needed to speak to us first before we set course.

INT. DINING AREA - LATER Everyone is here as Kaylee speaks to them.

KAYLEE So, we want to get married on Taos, my home. Soon. MAL Can be arraigned. It’s on the way to the drop off. Have to be quick though. INARA You need a dress. KAYLEE Oh, my daddy said he still has momma’s dress so that’s OK. He can’t afford much, factory not doing so good. SIMON Sorry I’m not able to... KAYLEE I’m not marrying you for your money. JAYNE Good. Cause he ain’t got none. Matter a fact none of us does. MAL After this job we’ll make good. Jayne snorts. Mal ignores him. KAYLEE And we want all of you to stand with us. JAYNE You mean…best man? INARA I’d be honored. JAYNE Does that mean I get to prove I’m... SIMON/KAYLEE NO! INARA (to Jayne) Mind always in the gutter. JAYNE Least I don’t work there. MAL Jayne, what’d I say about that kinda talk on my boat?

Inara smiles at Mal. INARA There’s no need to defend my honor. Jayne and the gutter have more in common than I do. Jayne looks like he’s going to say something but Mal gives him a glare. INARA (CONT’D) Who knows? Maybe I can pick up a client or two on Taos.

Mal’s face goes tight at this and the exchange is not lost on the others. He turns to Simon and Kaylee.

MAL We’d be happy to stand with you. ZOE What about your parents, Simon? SIMON We weren’t on the best of terms when I left for Persephone. My father has basically disowned me. I want to contact them, but... MAL Don’t be sending any waves. Alliance might be listening. RIVER They wouldn’t come anyway. Not out to the black. MAL Any thoughts on the future, doctor? SIMON I’m not leaving. We, I mean, we’re not leaving. KAYLEE Capt’n, I still want my job. MAL Good. Cause I surely wasn’t looking forward to you explaining how everything works.

Everyone grins at this. MAL (to River) Set course for Taos.

EXT. FACTORY - DAY Kaylee and her father have a big embrace as Simon stands awkwardly nearby. Jonathan eyes him and his neat clothes and trimmed appearance.

KAYLEE Daddy, this is Simon, Simon Tam. Simon, this is my father, Jonathan Frye. Simon holds out his hand. Jonathan looks at Simon again, wipes his hand on his coveralls, and shakes with Simon.

SIMON Pleased to meet you, Mr. Frye. JONATHAN You sleeping with my daughter, young fella? SIMON Ah... KAYLEE Daddy! T’ain’t none of your business! SIMON Sir, I came here to ask for your blessing for our marriage. JONATHAN First we drink. KAYLEE Oh, boy.

INT. BAR - NIGHT Mal, Jayne, Simon, and Jonathan drinking in a crowded noisy bar, sitting at a table covered in empty bottles and full cups.

JONATHAN Doctor, eh? Ever fix a gut shot?

Simon looks at Mal, who nods OK. SIMON As a matter of fact, I took a bullet out of Kaylee. JONATHAN That so? (angry to Mal) You said you’d look after her after I let her go with you. MAL Seems you might had too much to drink. I recall Kaylee telling me she mentioned that to you. JONATHAN Oh yeah! So you saved my little girl! JAYNE Yeah, but first he wasn’t....

Mal kicks Jayne under the table.

JAYNE Hey, what did ya...oh yeah. SIMON (pointedly to Mal and Jayne) I’ve fixed plenty of wounds on Serenity, Mal and Jayne’s included. MAL Doc healed us up after we got in more than one fix. JONATHAN Don’t sound like a safe boat you got there, Captain. MAL Boat’s safe. Sometimes the jobs ain’t. JONATHAN (to Simon) Best you and Kaylee get off. MAL You tell me a place in the ‘verse that’s safe and I’ll drop ‘em there soon as they get hitched. JONATHAN Hmmm, can’t say there is such a place. (to Simon) So, what’s a fancy doctor like you doing on a Firefly? SIMON I won’t lie to you. I’m a wanted man. JONATHAN (low whisper) Kill a fella? SIMON No. Just a few Reavers. JONATHAN Kill more if you get the chance. SIMON Actually, I helped my sister escape from a government facility. JONATHAN I don’t follow. JAYNE They was experimenting on her brain, turned her into a...super weapon. When she ain’t craz...

Mal kicks him again.

MAL Can’t take you anywhere you start flapping your gums. SIMON It’s true. They did some terrible things to her. We’ve been on the run for more than a year. JONATHAN (to Mal) You hiding this boy and his sister? MAL Appears to be so. JONATHAN From the Alliance? MAL That’s a fact. Jonathan lets out a big WHOOOHOOO! JONATHAN Well if that don’t beat all! I hate them purple bellies myself. Always interfering in business. MAL They tend to do that. Gets so a man can’t breathe. JONATHAN (to Simon) Well, son, you got good skills, being a doctor and all. And you saved my girl. Killed Reavers. Stuck a thorn in the Alliance. Just one more thing. Do you love her? SIMON I truly do. JONATHAN Then welcome to the family! Big hugs, drinks get spilled, much laughter.

INT. FRYE HOME - NIGHT

Kaylee and the other women, Inara, Zoe, and River, sit around the floor with pillows, candles and wine, all drinking except Zoe of course, who is expecting. They are laughing and the atmosphere is cheerful. INARA So I said to him no more but he was unstoppable! KAYLEE Seven times! In one night! ZOE Must’ve been some kind of drug. KAYLEE Guess he got his money’s worth. RIVER I don’t get it. ZOE (gentle) Never have, have you? River is embarrassed. RIVER (quiet) There was this boy at school, I had a crush on him…but, then…they took me away...

Silence. Kaylee doesn’t want the good mood to end.

KAYLEE Well, sweetie, the first time ain’t the best. But all those that follow are…oh, heaven. RIVER Simon is a good man? KAYLEE (dreamy) Hands so gentle. Doctor’s hands. ZOE (remembering) Wash was always cracking jokes. INARA In bed? ZOE Oh, yeah. Man’s funny bone was on all the time. A sound CHIMES in the background. Kaylee turns toward a Cortex screen.

KAYLEE Got a wave. She stands and looks at it mounted on the wall near a chair. On screen it says: “Gabriel Tam, Capital City, Osiris.” KAYLEE River, it’s your father! River’s face melts into shock.

RIVER It can’t be. ZOE Did you send him a wave? RIVER No. INARA How does he know this wavedress? KAYLEE (panicky) Zoe, what do I do? ZOE Don’t answer. RIVER (near tears) Daddy...

Suddenly River lunges for the screen, hitting the Talk button before anyone can stop her. Zoe grabs her from behind and clamps a hand over her mouth, hauls her out of shot as the screen comes to life. River doesn’t resist.

GABRIEL Hello, may I please speak to Jonathan Frye? KAYLEE I’m...I’m sorry he’s not home. Can I...can I take a message? GABRIEL My name is Gabriel Tam and I was told that my son Simon and daughter River knew Mr. Frye’s daughter Kaywinnit Lee...are you Kaywinnit? KAYLEE (unable to lie) Kaylee. Everyone calls me Kaylee. GABRIEL Hello, Kaylee. I looking for news of my son and daughter. I was told they were with you in a Firefly called Serenity. KAYLEE Mr. Tam, who told you that? GABRIEL Ah, I hired some private investigators. They tracked them to Persephone and found a man named Badger who recognized their pictures. For a considerable sum, I should add, he told my men that he met Simon and River on board a Firefly class ship called Serenity about a year ago. Said Capt. Malcolm Reynolds was the owner and you were a crew member. KAYLEE I saw them. About a year ago sounds right. They went to Boros. We dropped them there. GABRIEL Oh. You haven’t seen them since? KAYLEE Nope. GABRIEL Are you sure? KAYLEE (struggling) Mr. Tam, I wouldn’t lie to you. GABRIEL No, I suppose not. You are no longer with Capt. Reynolds? KAYLEE Work for my daddy now in his factory. GABRIEL Sorry to have bothered you. KAYLEE They was real nice. I didn’t know them long but they was real nice. GABRIEL (surprised) Thank you, Kaylee. It’s been hard for us. We’ve had no news in such a long time. Please wave me if you know or hear anymore. KAYLEE I will. Bye. GABRIEL Good-bye. Inara lets out a breath of air she was holding. Zoe lets go of River, who is in tears and just lies on the floor. Kaylee sits next to her, strokes her hair. KAYLEE I’m such a . I’m sorry, River. INARA You did what you had to do. RIVER It’s OK Kaylee. I shouldn’t have done it. I just...wanted to hear his voice. It’s been so long. ZOE Think he believed you? KAYLEE I didn’t believe me. INARA He didn’t believe you, either. He knows more than he said. Now it all depends on who else was listening.

INT. TAM ESTATE - CONTINUOUS The Operative stands to one side as Gabriel turns off the Cortex screen.

OPERATIVE She was lying. GABRIEL No more than I was. She is very loyal to them. OPERATIVE Of course she is. They have been shipmates for a year. Your son and daughter have not left Serenity in that time. That story about Badger and Persephone will not fool Captain Reynolds for long.

Operative signals to some soldiers out of shot who now come into frame.

OPERATIVE You are going to be confined until this matter is dealt with. REGAN Confined? Where? OPERATIVE We have some comfortable...cells, waiting for you. GABRIEL You think they are on Taos. OPERATIVE And I will not have you contacting them. GABRIEL Now just a minute. We’ve done what you’ve wanted. OPERATIVE Take them away.

The soldiers move in to the Tams and start to take them as the Operative turns his back.

REGAN Gabriel?! GABRIEL Regan, everything will be fine. (indignant) My legal advisor will be hearing about this. OPERATIVE This matter is above the law, Mr. Tam. Take them. Now.

They exit. The Operative puts a communication earwig in his left ear.

OPERATIVE (CONT’D) (to himself) Taos. Always one step behind. He touches the back of his neck, just for a second.

OPERATIVE (CONT’D) (into mic) Prepare my ship for immediate take off. Get a message to Taos. They are there. Find the Firefly Serenity and you will find the Tams and their shipmates...Start near New Shanghai and a factory owner name Jonathan Frye and his daughter Kaylee... Don’t forget to pass on the special instructions concerning River Tam.

INT. BAR, NEW SHANGHAI, TAOS - LATER Bar still full and noisy, Mal, Jayne, Simon, and Jonathan as before laughing at an unheard joke and then...

LUND (O.S.) Shut up! I said shut up! I got words...

It’s the same drunk, Lund, from the Train Job bar scene. Mal looks at him, eyes wide in surprise.

MAL Jayne, what day is today? JAYNE Beats me. Hey, that fellow looks familiar. MAL Yeah… Jonathan stands and heads toward Lund as Simon follows him.

LUND ..sent the Browncoats pissing themselves.. JONATHAN Hey! We celebrating my daughter getting married tomorrow! So shut up with your U-Day crap! LUND If she’s got a face like yours I feel sorry for the poor son-of-a bit...

Simon SLUGS him and he goes down. More men stand and approach as Jayne and Mal come into scene. JONATHAN (to Simon) Good one. JAYNE Doc’s got a mean right hook. SIMON (shaking hand, in pain) Son-of-a-bitch! JONATHAN Can cuss too! MAL Um, trouble coming our way.

A bottle sails over their heads and smashes into a wall.

JAYNE My kind of party. He SMASHES a guy, then another, then a third as general mayhem ensues, punches, chairs throw, chaos. Lund stands up and sees Mal.

LUND Hey, your coat is kinda brown. MAL This is getting old. Mal drops him with one shot. The he gets hit from behind as more fighting continues as we cut to:

INT. CHURCH - DAY

A large crowd here for Kaylee and Simon’s wedding.

Wedding March plays as we pan over the Serenity men in their Sunday best, first Jayne, then Mal, then Simon, all three with cuts, bruises, and bandages, all sheepish looks and hangovers, then to Inara, Zoe, and River dressed in their finery, glaring at the men.

INARA Idiots! MAL There was no law. ZOE I go with what she said. JAYNE You should see the other guys. RIVER Kaylee’s , Simon. SIMON (regretful) Might be a cold honeymoon.

ANGLE ON Kaylee, picture of loveliness in a white wedding dress, enters with her father on her arm. He’s also a bit battered. She’s mad one moment, them smiles and nods to people in the crowd the next as she talks.

KAYLEE (low voice) You men! Look at my husband. Fine state for a wedding. Everyone’s talking about the fight. JONATHAN He defended your honor. KAYLEE (smiles) He better have. Kaylee and Jonathan approach. Simon sees her in her dress, hair perfect, face a vision of loveliness, not at all the coverall wearing, grease splattered Kaylee he usually knows. His jaw drops. SIMON Wow.

Kaylee sees Simon’s wounds, tries to be mad but sees his look of adoration and goes all soft, doesn’t wait for her father to give her arm to him, just hugs and kisses him, as he winces in pain. GASPS from crowd.

KAYLEE Oh, Simon, my love. What did these brutes do to you?

Kaylee glares at Mal.

MAL Me? He threw the first punch!

ANGLE ON a PREACHER. PREACHER Excuse me, is this a wedding or not? JONATHAN Just a moment. He takes Kaylee by the hand pulls her away from Simon, then puts her hand in Simon’s, the father giving away his daughter.

JONATHAN (CONT’D) OK, Preacher, get on with your business. PREACHER We are gathered....

And a MONTAGE as the words of the wedding ceremony are read in the background. Flashback to scenes of Kaylee and Simon, the first time she saw him on Persephone, the time she got shot and he runs to her side, the time he thinks she is dead and he races for the infirmary, the time when she wakes up in the bar in his arms, the time she picked him up out of the dirt in Jaynestown, the time with her legs on his lap as they are laughing, the time he almost kissed her in the corridor, and the time kissing on Serenity.

PREACHER (CONT’D) And do you Simon Tam take this lady, Miss Kaywinnit Lee Frye to be your lawful wife?

MAL as he looks at Inara. She looks back, then turns away, shy. Mal smiles.

SIMON I do.

ZOE sad wistful look, then a smile as she places a hand on her belly.

PREACHER And do you Kaywinnit Lee Frye take this man, Mr. Simon Tam, to be your lawful husband?

RIVER glowing with happiness for her brother and friend.

KAYLEE I do.

JAYNE looking at the people, eyeing a blond woman, smiles at her and she smiles back.

PREACHER The rings?

Simon looks to Mal, who has a surprised look, feels around his pockets, then a sigh as he finds the rings, hands them to Simon, who gives one to Kaylee.

PREACHER (CONT’D) Place the ring upon her finger.

Simon does so. SIMON Kaylee, you are my sunshine and joy, my love and strength, my friend and soul mate. With this ring I thee wed. Kaylee almost ready to cry places ring on Simon’s finger.

KAYLEE Simon, I waited for you for so long and finally you saw I was there. I cannot say how my heart fills with love for you. I reckon there are no words in the whole ‘verse to express such joy. Forever and ever I will be yours. With this ring I thee wed.

PREACHER I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride. LOUD CHEERS as Simon and Kaylee kiss and we cut to:

INT. DANCE HALL - NIGHT

As they still kiss, camera tracks around them and we see them dancing a slow dance, music playing, a waltz, as the crowd looks on. Simon hugs her and then slowly other people start to join their dance, couples joining hands and approaching the floor. JAYNE approaching the blond woman from the wedding, taking her hand, heading to the dance floor.

RIVER dancing with a YOUNG MAN, both smiling and laughing.

MAL, ZOE, INARA and JONATHAN by the bar. JONATHAN So you’re a Companion? For real? INARA Yes, Mr. Frye. For real. JONATHAN Care to dance with an old drunk? INARA I’d be delighted. Seems my dance card is empty.

Looks at Mal at this last as they walk to the dance floor.

Mal gives a sheepish grin and then he’s all business with Zoe. MAL So what did Kaylee say to him? ZOE Said we dropped them at Boros a year ago. Inara thinks Simon’s father was lying. MAL Well, she knows men better than any of us. That story about Badger smells worse than he does. Alliance has gotten to the Tams.

ZOE Could be, sir. MAL As soon as the wedding’s over, we head to Serenity and make for Shadow. They can have their honeymoon shipboard. The dance hall door bursts open and an ALLIANCE OFFICER and ten armed men move in fast. ZOE Might be a bit late. SIMON and KAYLEE, Kaylee’s face crumbling.

OFFICER Simon Tam, you are bound by law! KAYLEE No! MAL (in Chinese) Dead silence. Music stops, all joy is gone. The Officer approaches Simon as he shields Kaylee behind him.

OFFICER Simon Tam, you are wanted for broadcasting anti-government propaganda, breaking into a government facility, assault on federal officals, aiding a fugitive to escape, and transporting said fugitive across interplanetary boundaries.

SIMON She’s not a fugitive. She’s my sister. What rights have you here, on our wedding day?

Murmurs through the crowd, getting ugly. MAL, ZOE as JAYNE joins them. Jayne reaches for his gun, but Mal stops him.

MAL Too many innocent people here. JAYNE I just wanna kill a few feds. MAL Jayne, follow me.

Zoe gives him a sharp look. ZOE I ain’t staying behind again. Sir.

MAL (resigned) Got no time for arguments. Let’s go.

ZOE What’s the plan, sir? MAL Working on it.

They slip toward the back door. Inara and Jonathan approach the Officer as men go to cuff Simon.

KAYLEE Oh daddy, they ruined everything! He hugs her.

JONATHAN Everything gonna be alright. (to Officer, mad) This here’s my daughter’s wedding day and you come in here like a bunch of thugs. INARA We’ll be sure to tell your superiors how much tact you have shown. OFFICER This man is wanted. (to his men) Take him away and find his sister. SIMON (looking around) RIVER! RUN!

River walks out of the crowd, face determined. KAYLEE (scared) I’ve seen that look before.

As River KICKS the nearest Alliance man in the head. She’s a whirlwind as she KICKS and strikes out, knocking another man down. SIMON River! OFFICER (what Simon said in the Maidenhead) ETA KOORAM NAH SMECH!

River collapses in a heap as Simon is in shocked surprise at the officers words. Two men move to cuff her.

OFFICER (CONT’D) Take them away!

Many men move toward them but the Alliance men block them, weapons drawn.

JONATHAN Stand down, stand down! There’s too many womenfolk and young ones here.

People back down. KAYLEE Simon! SIMON Kaylee! I’ll be back! I love you! KAYLEE I love you!

The Alliance men take Simon and River out the door. Inara looks around desperately.

INARA Gorramn it! Mal’s gone! KAYLEE (in tears) He’s got a plan, he’s always got a plan. Oh, daddy! JONATHAN We’ll get him back, don’t worry none on that. Jonathan pulls out a pistol, looks to a bunch of other men, relatives most likely, all start pulling out guns.

JONATHAN Come on!

They head out the door.

EXT. OUTSIDE DANCE HALL - NIGHT

Simon and River are placed inside the back of a truck like vehicle with four guards. River is laid on a stretcher on the floor. Simon tries to go to her but they pull him off and make him sit. The Officer gets in the front with a driver as other guards, including the two injured ones, load into a second truck.

OFFICER Move out!

They take off. Jayne, Mal, and Zoe stand up from behind some bushes.

JAYNE That was the plan? Watching ‘em drive away? ZOE Now what, sir? MAL Odds not in our favor. There’s ten of them, three of us... A commotion out the front door of the dance hall as all the men pile out followed by Kaylee and Inara and all the women folk. ZOE Not any more. MAL Blood don’t need to be spilled yet. They wanted them dead they would’ve done so already. The men start to run after the trucks when Mal steps in front of them.

MAL (shouting, commanding) Hold on now fellas! Lest some of you want to be ended this fine night I suggest we start thinking more stead of acting too hasty like. JONATHAN Captain, we aims to get my new son-in-law back! KAYLEE Just hold on, daddy. Capt’n has lots of experience in these matters. JAYNE (to Zoe, aside) Experience don’t always equal success. MAL There’s ten armed feds and more in the neighborhood I suspects. Now you folks have to live here. We can run away anytime but you can’t. Don’t want to involve you in our troubles. JONATHAN They’s our troubles too. Gorramn Alliance! Now less talking and more action! Lots of yeas and shouts of agreement. Kaylee steps forward and faces the crowd, determined. KAYLEE You all shut up a minute! Shocked silence and surprised looks, this coming from Kaylee. JONATHAN Kaylee..? KAYLEE I’m sorry daddy, but Capt’n Reynolds is right. Simon’s my husband and getting him and River back is our problem. We didn’t mean to bring our woes here. You all my family and friends and I love you to pieces but you got families and lives here. We belong out there in the black and can leave anytime. You run off hot-headed and people are gonna die. I’ll never forgive you or myself if that happens. Some mummers of agreement especially from the women. Jonathan goes up and holds her hands.

JONATHAN OK, little Kaylee. We’ll do what you asks. KAYLEE (uncertain) Right. (Beat) Ummm, Capt’n? MAL (to Jonathan) Where they taking them?