Notes: All the Greek stuffs legit, I consulted with the highest authorities available. All the Chinese is my best guess, I consulted with the best website I could find. This happened before ‘Ariel’ and some details from eps before then are mentioned, but they shouldn’t spoil anything.

“Passengers?” Simon asked nervously. “’Course,” Kaylee said, smiling at the young man. “Don’ you remember how you first came on?” “I remember all to well,” Simon said, taking a deep breath of the planet’s air. It was hot and heavy and smelled like a host of unsavory things: engine exhaust, human body odor, and other things the doctor didn’t want to contemplate. “I thought after such a nightmare Mal would avoid passengers.” “Well, fares is usually pretty good money,” Kaylee said, setting up her lawn chair. “Plus now we can charge more on account’a you.” “Me?” Simon said. “What, the thrill of traveling with a wanted fugitive drives up the price?” Kaylee laughed, “Naw, but havin’ a good medic do. There’s all sorts a hypochondriacs out there won’t travel ta the next town, not ta mention the next moon, without knowin’ there’s a doctor near ta take care a them.” “Ah,” Simon said nodding. “Well, I suppose . . .” His voice suddenly trailed off as he noticed something in the distance. “You know, I think I should probably go, ah, inside.” Kaylee followed his gaze to see a small Alliance patrol, two grunts and an officer accompanied by a well-dressed woman. They seemed to be examining each of the ship’s specs, and talking very briefly to whomever was sitting outside of this ship soliciting passengers. They were about five ships’ away, working towards Serenity with typical Alliance efficiency. “I think they’ve already seen ya,” Kaylee said. Her own stomach was starting to twist into a knot, she was sure Simon was much worse off. “Probably be best fer you ta just sit tight and smile when they walk by.” “What if they’re looking for us?” Simon said very softly. The patrol was only four ships away now. “Then they found ya,” Kaylee said, just as softly. “If you run they’ll follow.” “If we don’t run she’ll be sent back and I’ll . . .” “But,” Kaylee insisted, “If they ain’t lookin’ fer you, seein’ the ship medic lookin’ all timid ‘n panicky might just make ‘um suspicious.” The patrol was three ships away. “Kaylee, I can’t . . .” “Ya ain’t gotta lie,” Kaylee said. “Ya just gotta make em believe the truth.” “Which is?” “That you’re this ships medic an’ there ain’t no place you’d rather be than Serenity.” Simon was somewhat surprised to realize that that was indeed the truth, and that he’d have no problem telling that to the Alliance patrol if they asked. All the same, he prayed they didn’t ask. “Huh,” Kaylee said, “They skipped that Fant class transport.” They had indeed skipped one of the larger, newer looking ships in the row. They were now one ship closer to Serenity. “Why would they skip that one?” Simon asked. “I’da know,” Kaylee admitted. “Guess it weren’t what they were lookin’ fer.” “What do you think they are looking for?” “I’da know that neither,” Kaylee said as the patrol turned away from the Pecker class ship docked next to Serenity and were finally turning their attention to the Firefly’s many qualities. “Can I help you fellas?” Kaylee asked kindly, not getting up from her warn folding chair. The officer turned to Kaylee and offered her an official smile. “How many passengers can you accommodate?” “We got room fer nine,” Kaylee said. “Course if ya need more, we could have the crew double up. Anythin’ fer the Alliance.” Simon glanced at Kaylee bewildered by her openness; he wondered if she’d forgotten they crew of Serenity was, with hardly an exception, criminal. “How very refreshing,” the officer said, taking a step towards the young girl and the ship. “But your friend here doesn’t seem to agree.” The officer, who had a clean shaven, pale, nondescript face, set his official gaze on Simon. “He’s just bashful,” Kaylee said, whapping the doctor affectionately, trying to start him out of his terror. “Say hi to the nice Alliance man, Simon.” “Hi,” Simon said, his throat was suddenly so dry he could barely speak. “Do either of you own this ship?” “Naw,” Kaylee said, “This here ship is owned by Captain Malcolm Reynolds. I’m Kaylee, the mechanic and this here is Simon, ship’s medic.” “Captain Reynolds has a very young crew,” the officer observed. Kaylee wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that, “We are what we are,” she said with a chuckle. “If I told you I needed room for ten passengers, what would you do?” “Like I said, some a us would double up.” “Who? Do you have a protocol?” “Protocol?” “Captain Reynolds isn’t really one for protocols,” Simon observed. “So you don’t know what would happen.” “I’m sure somethin’ . . .” Kaylee said, grasping a little. “We need an answer Miss Kaylee.” “I, ah, I guess I kin see if . . .” “I’d sleep in the infirmary,” Simon said quickly. “I fall asleep there half the time anyways, someone could have my room.” Kaylee looked up and smiled at him. Seem open, seem willing to bend over backward, that’s what governments expected; it’s what they liked, what kept them from suspecting you of anything too nefarious. At least, in theory. “I want to see the inside,” the woman said. Her voice was high-pitched, thin, with a tone of aristocracy. She had very light blond hair, pulled tightly back in a stylized bun, and a thin, shallow face accented with extravagant yet tasteful make up. She was probably in her late thirty’s but she had the bearing of a woman twice her age. She reminded Simon very much of his grandmother’s friends, the kind that would criticize him as a young boy if his tie was not straight or his hair was not properly parted. In a more-or-less pavlovian response to her presence, the palms of Simon’s hands started to sweat. “We require a tour of your ship,” the Alliance officer said curtly. “A tour?” Kaylee said, her voice squeaking just a little as she turned to look nervously at Simon. “We don’ usually give tours.” The officer sighed, “That was not a request.” “Well,” Simon said, trying and failing not to sound nervous. “Then I guess we should give you a tour.” “Is there any reason you wouldn’t want us to look in your ship?” the officer said suspiciously. “Naw,” Kaylee kept her voice light, her smile beaming. “It’s jus’ I’m not quite comfortable givin’ a tour without the cap’in, ya know. I’s his ship.” “I feel it’s important that we tour it now,” the officer said. The two grunts moved forward just enough to remind Serenity’s youngest crew members that they were there, and they were armed, and they were going to get things their way. “Kaylee,” Simon said, not taking his eyes off the guns. “I think maybe I should get Wash. After all, he’s been on the ship longer than either of us. He has seniority.” “Wash?” the officer said, looking suspicious. “Tha’s a great idea Simon,” Kaylee said, feeling very relieved. Turning back to the officer she explained, “He’s ship’s pilot, married ta the first mate. He’s been with Serenity ever since she’s been flyin’.” Kaylee turned back to Simon. “Why don’t you go an’ send Wash out here. Then you can get that thing ya need and I’ll meet ya round back fer the little day trip we were plannin’.” Simon stared at her for a second before nodding, “That is a very, very good idea. I’ll, ah, I’ll go and, and meet you.” He turned to the alliance patrol. “Sirs, Ma’am,” he said, bowing slightly, before turning quickly and jogging in his awkward way up the hatch. Kaylee watched him, smiling blatantly. He’d done so well, she thought. Yes, he’d been a little slow on the uptake, and he’d been very, very stiff, but he hadn’t done or said anything stupid. There was hope for the zheng pa i doctor. When she turned back to the Alliance officers, she could tell that they didn’t suspect a thing. After all, what was suspicious about two very young crewmembers being afraid of doing something without their captain’s approval? And what was more likely then the same crew members wanting to get off the ship and explore the city? She was extremely proud of how very probable, and really, how true, their lie had been. “Are you two lovers?” the aristocratic woman asked so bluntly that Kaylee felt like she’d been punched. “Me me ma ?” Kaylee gasped. “The question is fairly self-explanatory,” the officer said. “I suggest you answer it.” “Why da ya need ta know?” Kaylee said. “I mean, what do it matter?” “Why won’t you answer the question?” the officer said. “We’re good friends,” Kaylee finally said cautiously. “An’ mor’in that I can’t really say.” “I see,” the aristocratic woman said dryly. “Hey there little Kaylee,” Wash called from inside the cargo bay. “Doc tells me that someone needs a tour.” “Hey there, Wash!” Kaylee said, relief flooding her voice. “Yeah, these here Alliance folk would like ta take a look ‘round Serenity. I was hopin’ you could show ‘em.” “Ah, sure,” Wash said, smiling falsely at the Alliance patrol and the woman as he meandered down the hatch. “Right, around.” “Thanks Wash, me ‘n Simon are gonna go see the town, then, while ya do this.” “The town,” Wash said, still looking at the Alliance patrol. “Yeah, right, you two wacky kids have a great time.” “Thanks,” Kaylee said. She turned to the Alliance patrol and smiled at them. “Hope y’all have a nice tour.” “I’m sure it will be adequate.” The officer said dryly. Kaylee nodded before turning and scampering around to the other side of Serenity where, she prayed to God, Simon and River would be waiting. * * * “What I see you not comprehending, Captain Reynolds, is that you can not refuse.” “Is this the great freedom you Alliance boys are protecting?” Mal said tersely. “‘Cause if it is I'm thinkin’ some one needs to buy this government a dictionary.” “Witty,” the lieutenant said dryly. “Really think so?” Mal said, lightly. “‘Cause no one on my ship laughs at my jokes. Bein’ the captain and all you’d think they’d fall over backwards to flatter me, but no, all this wit seems lost on them.” “How very tragic for you.” “I’n it though?” Mal sighed, folding his arms over his chest and leaning back in his chair. “Ya know, sometimes I think I'm just life’s punching bag.” “Perhaps you are,” the Alliance lieutenant said with a perfectly straight face, as he’d said everything else in their ‘negotiation.’ Mal was starting to wonder if this man could even make an expression. “Perhaps that's why your ship was selected to transport the Kubats.” “I’m just wonerin’ why one a your pretty new ships couldn'a taken the family to New Dallas. Don’t get me wrong, I love Serenity, but she ain’t exactly the kinda accommodations a Prefect’s wife would be used to. And I’ll be damned if I have to hear some spoiled princess complain 'bout how ruddy awful my ship is.” “That, Captain Reynolds, is not something you’ll have to worry about,” the lieutenant said coolly. “Mrs. Kubat chose your ship personally. She felt that such an environment would be ‘educational’ for her children.” “Shiny,” Mal muttered, “I always wanted ta be a school lesson.” “Then I suppose you aren’t really life’s punching bag, now are you?” the lieutenant said, raising his eyebrow in what might have been a facial expression. “This is a list of Mrs. Kubat’s requirements. She and her children will be boarding tomorrow morning at eight a.m. your ship will depart promptly at eight-thirty.” “Ahh,” Mal said. “That ain’t exactly possible.” “It is not only possible, it is what will happen,” the lieutenant said forcefully. “No, you see, we ain’t scheduled to leave for another day.” “Your schedule has changed,” the lieutenant asserted. “I thought I'd made that clear.” “Problem is,” Mal said, putting an edge on his own voice. “Inara, our registered companion, she’s got clients. She ain’t supposed to come back ta the ship ‘till tammara night.” “Her clientele have been notified of her early departure and we will include compensation for her lost income in your fee.” “Well,” Mal said, suddenly finding his mouth very dry. “I guess you’ve got it all figured out.” “The Alliance is nothing if not thorough,” the lieutenant said, collecting the massive amounts of paperwork that were required to commandeer a privet vessel for Alliance transport work. “Oh, the Alliance is plenty of other things,” Mal muttered. “What did you say?” the lieutenant asked “Just wonderin’ at the great Alliance,” Mal said quickly. “Somethin’ you do often ‘nuff I’d wager.” “Fine,” the lieutenant clipped. “I advise you to return to your ship and prepare it for your passengers.” Mal nodded and stood. “If that’s what the great Alliance wants . . .” “Good day, Captain Reynolds,” the lieutenant said, handing Mal his portion of the paper work. Mal took it, forced a smile, turned and stormed out of the room. “Captain,” Zoë said. She’d had to jog to catch up with him as he made a bee-line to the exit. Jayne followed, as always, ambivalent. “Everything all right?” “Yeah, Zoë, yeah, just great,” Mal said with sarcastic relish. “We got us a real good job. Government work. Woo-hoo.” Jayne laughed, “Fei ha u, I could a sworn you were gonna walk outta that room without a ship.” “There was no call to think that,” Zoë snapped, glancing at the groups of Alliance officers mingling in the barracks hallways. “Cap’in hadin’ done a thing wrong.” Jayne grunted a laugh, “Right.” “Speekin’ a wrong, we’re ya able to convince Mr. Talbar we weren’t narcs,” Mal asked. “’Fraid not sir,” Zoë said crisply. “Yeah, well, not surprised,” Mal muttered as they reached the barracks exit. “Alliance humped us good, pullin’ us outta a bar like they did, in the middle of a transaction. We’ll be lucky ta ever get work in this town again. It’s them or nothin’.” “So we did take the job, sir?” Zoë asked. There was a definite disappointment in her voice. “As it’s been explained to me, we never had a choice.” * * * “W’as that smell?” Kaylee asked, crinkling her nose as the walked into the shop. “Books,” Simon said, taking a deep breath. “Ink and paper.” “Smells all musty,” Kaylee said. “The books are made out of wood pulp, plant mater,” River said. “They’re decomposing. Data is stored more efficiently in binary form in synthetically produced computers. It takes up less space, there is not the threat of decomposition, and it is easier to cross reference and access.” “Oh,” Kaylee said. “Guess that makes sense.” “Well isn’t she a little smarty,” A withered voice said from their right. Simon and Kaylee both jumped, and turned to look at an old man with thick glasses and clearly arthritic hands sitting on a low stool behind a tall desk. River didn’t turn to look at him; instead she took a step further into the store, her quick brown eyes glancing over the many titles. “If she don’t like my books she can leave.” “No,” Simon said quickly, “No, I’m sure she likes your books just fine. Sometimes she’s just, ah . . .” “She don’t always know how what she says sounds,” Kaylee explained kindly. “Ya know how some people is.” “Humm,” the man grunted. “You gonna buy anything or just breathe my air?” “Ah, buy,” Simon said, seeing very clearly that was the only answer that wouldn’t get them kicked out. “We will buy something. I’m just not sure what.” “Well, alls we got we got out,” the man muttered. “’Spect you know the Dewey Decimal system.” “Not by heart,” Simon said. “Six hundred,” River called out, “Technology, applied sciences. Six hundred and thirty, agriculture and related technologies. Six hundred and thirty six, animal husbandry. Six hudred and thirty six point seven, dogs; point eight, cats.” “You lookin’ fer books on breedin’ cats?” the man asked. “I don’t -- I don’t think so,” Simon said quickly. “Kaylee, I should . . .” “Go ahead,” Kaylee said, “I kin brows.” Simon smiled at her, gratefully, and then hurried to find River who was, by now, lost in the stacks. Once Simon was gone, the old man turned his attention to Kaylee, “You want something, Miss? Maybe something for him?” “What?” Kaylee asked, a little startled. “Are you here to buy a book?” “Ta be truthful, I don’t do much readin’ myself.” “Humm,” the old man harrumphed, clearly judging her. “What about the boy you’re with. The one that chased after the other girl.” “She’s his sister,” Kaylee said quickly. “Maybe you’d like ta buy him a book. He clearly appreciates them.” “I don’t know what he’d want.” “Gent like that,” the old man said, glancing towards where Simon had disappeared. “Who appreciates the smell of a bookshop, I figure I know what he wants.” Kaylee walked over to the large counter, “Kin ya show me?” she asked in a very quiet voice. Four large, completely filled bookshelves away, Simon had caught up with River, who was no longer looking at books, but was peering through the spaces between them. He was about to say her name and ask what sort of book she would like, but before he could she spoke. “Why is she here?” River asked, glancing at Kaylee through the stacks, with pure hatred. “Who? Kaylee?” River nodded. Simon opened his mouth, expecting that he’d have a very good, very reasonable answer, because he usually did. But this time, much to his surprise, he didn’t. “Because,” he finally said. “It makes our story more believable.” “Because you want to marry her,” River said, turning from her spying so she could look at him with clear contempt. “What?” Simon asked, his voice an octave higher than usual. “You want to marry her,” River replied simply. “That’s why they believe you’d go off, that’s why you’re not scared. You want to be with her, you don’t want to be with me.” “That’s not true at all,” Simon said, flabbergasted. “We couldn’t tell the Alliance about you, you know that. And I do . . .” “I’m a burden,” River asserted. “I’m a problem.” “No,” Simon said again, desperately. “Not at all.” “You shouldn’t lie; you’re not very good at it.” Simon sighed and looked away. Talking to River was, too often, a heart-and-soul breakingly difficult task, and often her lucid moments were as crushing as her mad ones. “River, I love you.” “Do you love her?" River said, almost accusingly. “Do I . . . .” “You don’t have to lie to me,” River said, turning around, making it clear the conversation was over. “I already know the answer.” She turned to the stack of books behind her and pulled down the thickest volume on the shelf, it was so heavy that she nearly dropped it. She would have if Simon hadn’t reached out and help her catch it “This is the one I want.” * * * “Where the hell are the kids?” Mal demanded. If he’d been able to slam Serenity’s hatch behind him, he would have. “I assume your talking about Kaylee, Simon and River,” Shepherd Book said calmly from the stairs. Mal shot him a violent glance, before ascending, “Yeah.” “They went into the city, I believe,” the shepherd said as he slowly walked down to the main floor of the cargo bay. “I’m sure they’ll be back soon.” “Gan er nu,” Mal spat. “We got us here a situation that’s gonna take some workin’ an’ I can’t exactly work it without them here.” He tuned to Jayne and Zoë, who were, as ever, following him. “We need to find them, Jayne you ought’a . . . .” “They will be back,” Book asserted. “It’d be best to just wait, I’d wager.” “Really, Shepherd?” Mal demanded tetchily. “They give you a schedule, by chance?” “They didn’t want to be around when the Alliance toured the ship. We all thought it would be best if they slipped out the back hatch.” Mal starred at the shepherd, dumbfounded. “I hope you agree,” Book said. Having reached the main level of the cargo bay, he’d started walking towards where Mal, Zoë and Jayne were standing. “The alliance toured Serenity?” Mal said, his eyebrows shooting up. “They wanted to make sure it was up to code.” That actually made Mal laugh, “Code?” “Did they forget that they searched the whole gorramn ship no more’n three months ago?” Jayne asked. “I think they were too busy looking for Simon and River to concern themselves with code,” Zoë said, taking a deep breath. “True,” Mal said, “But that is a point. Why ain’t they brought up the whole reaver incident?” No one had an answer. “This whole job has a stink about it,” Mal muttered. “Well what can we do, sir?” Zoë asked. “Not a gorramn thing’s what,” Jayne said. “So’s if it’s all the same ta you, Mal . . .” “Hey!” Wash yelled from the top of the catwalks. “It’s about time you guys got back.” “What’s the news Wash?” Mal called up as the pilot bounded down the stairs two at a time, using the banisters to propel himself forward quicker. “Nothin’ good,” Wash called. “Is there a reason that the Alliance is sending me flight plans?” Mal sighed and looked away, “Zoë, I’d be grateful if you could explain this to your husband.” “Yes sir,” she said officially, then turning to Wash as he hit the floor of the cargo bay and walked towards them, obvious confusion and concern on his face. “We’ve got a job Honey. Government work.” “We got government work?” Wash said, amazed. “Real honest wages?” Book asked, clearly impressed. “I hadn’t realized . . .” “Look, Preacher,” Mal snapped. “I don’t need any snobbish, sarcastic lessons on morality right now.” “Don’t we hate the Alliance?” Wash asked, raising his hand. “I mean, with the whole war thing, and poor River, I was defiantly under the impression that we really hated the Alliance.” “You know what I hate even more?” Mal said. “Havin’ those huai dans wonder why I’m turnin’ down a perfectly legitimate, all-to-easy job. They got the power fer now, better ta do them a favor than piss them off.” “I don’ see what the big deal is,” Jayne said. “Job’s a job. Who cares who for?” Mal wasn’t about to respond to that, he turned back to his pilot, “Now tell me truthful, Wash, you were here when the Alliance took their tour?” “Yeah, I showed them around.” “And?” “And what? I showed them around. They looked at the engine, looked at the controls up in the cockpit, looked at the infirmary.” “The infirmary?” Mal said. “Yeah.” “Did they ask about the doctor?” Zoë asked. “Ah, yeah, they asked if he was a real doctor or just some meng gu dai fu from a backwater planet believes in acupuncture and herbal remedies.” “What did you tell him?” Mal said, fury skirting around the edges of his voice. “Cool it,” the pilot said, holding his hands in front of him. “I told him I’d never seen the kid’s credentials.” “I believe your exact words were ‘We didn’t ask to see his degree before he saved Kaylee’s life, and we didn’t need to see them afterwards.’” Book supplied. “What did you tell them about when Kaylee got shot?” “Well I sure as hell didn’t tell them the whole truth,” Wash snapped, a little annoyed that Mal was so worried, like he didn’t know how to lie to authorities. “I said that we’d picked up passengers between Boros and Calloway and that there was an accident. Simon Tambarino just happened to be one of our passengers and after he saved Kaylee you offered him a job.” “Tambarino?” Jayne laughed. “Was the best you could do?” “Hey, I was under pressure,” Wash said defensively. “And that explanation,” Mal asked. “That was enough for them?” “I guess,” Wash said. “Didn’t hurt that a Shepherd was swearing to its validity.” “Preacher,” Mal said, wonder in his voice. “Did you lie?” “I said that we were extremely lucky to have such a talented doctor on board,” Book asserted calmly. “I’m not responsible for how they interpreted that.” “What happened next?” Mal asked. “After that they moved on to the guest quarters.” “Did they see Rivier’s things?” Zoë asked. “Naw, they just wanted to see one of the rooms. I showed them an empty one, they asked if the others were like it, I said pretty much and they moved on to the engine room.” “They didn’t ask to speak to Kaylee?” Zoë asked. “Or Simon?” “Naw, I know they saw Kaylee and Simon coming in,” Wash explained. “She was getting passengers and he was keeping her company.” “The fact that they rabbited, that didn’t make them suspicious?” Mal asked. “Don’t think so,” Wash shrugged. “It was Kaylee and Simon. What would you think if you saw the two a them sneak off together?” “I’m too decent minded to think anything,” Mal quipped. “But I see your point.” He sighed and looked at the portion of his crew that he trusted the most, that he didn’t have to stay up at night worrying over, that he knew would be able to take care of themselves if this thing turned sour. Not that he wanted them to have to take care of themselves, but at least, worse come too worse, they could. Now, the Tams and Little Kaylee, they were another story entirely; innocent kids who got thrown into a very corrupt and grown up world. Then there was Inara, who wasn’t innocent and wasn’t a kid but she was still . . . well Mal still felt responsible for her. “There’s no reason to think that the Alliance here’s connected us with River, even if they did see Simon. Wash’s lie’s close enough to the truth to hold a lake a water. Maybe that business with the Reaver did us a good turn, maybe after such a thorough search we’re in the clear. In any case we gotta make the best of this Gorramn business and get it done as soon as possible. Wash, you heard from Inara?” “Ah, yeah, she contacted me and was in a real snit, said the Alliance canceled one of her jobs.” “When will she be back?” “She’s got a client tonight and that she’ll be here by seven in the morning.” “Ling,” Zoë muttered. “Well, ‘spect she’s got to get it in when she can,” Mal said dryly. “Until then we gotta . . .” “Cap’in?” Kaylee’s timid voice called from outside. Mal turned and saw his little mechanic looking in on the gathering, chewing on her lower lip as if she’d done something wrong. “Well now girl, I was just about to say how we were waitin’ on you. Where ya been?” Mal asked. “’Round,” Kaylee said vaguely. “We were just wonderin’ if we ought’a come back now or, you know, keep outta yer hair. What with the important Alliance . . . stuff.” “I’m thinkin’ now would be a good time for y’all ta come back,” Mal said. “Ain’t no one here but what you see.” Kaylee nodded and smiled, “Shiny.” She disappeared back to the street, presumably to fetch Simon and River. Two minutes later the three of them walked up the hatch. Simon, who looked as if he had been holding his breath since they’d left Serenity, was guiding River back into the ship. There was little worry that anyone would have recognized the young girl, her face was buried in a large book, too large a book to be reading while walking, but somehow River managed. Kaylee brought up the rear, looking for suspicious people, making herself somewhat suspicious in the process. “Is everything all right, Captain?” Simon asked with no confidence in his voice. Mal wondered, for a second, what the young doctor would do if the answer to that question had been no. Would he have grabbed his sister and disappeared into the masses of people in the city and hoped against hope that would be enough to keep them safe? It was an interesting question to ponder, but Mal didn’t really have the time. “Seems ta be, although we’re gonna be a bit touch and go for the next week or so.” “What do you mean?” Simon asked. “Alliance commissioned us to take a group a passengers to New Dallas for them.” “And you accepted?” Simon said, his voice panicked. “Are you mad?” “At them pushy government folk, hell yah,” Mal said. “But it’s a good job and it’s good money. And it won’t hurt fer us to be on the good side a the law for once.” “But Cap’in?” Kaylee asked, “What about . . .” her gaze drifted towards River, who was utterly consumed in her large volume. “That’s a problem, I admit. But it ain’t one we can’t work out. I got here a whole list a orders and regulations and such. Now that we’re all here we’re gonna sit down and go over them and figure a way to make this work. An’ it will work. They’ve already inspected Serenity once and they ain’t found a thing wrong. Less we do somethin’ damn foolish, there ain’t no reason fer them ta do anythin’ but pay us.” Simon didn’t look convinced. “It’ll be all right, son,” Mal assured him, then turning to the rest of the crew. “I know we were all lookin’ forward to a nice night out, an’ you can still have it. But first we’re gonna have to figure ‘xatly how we wanna play this. So if we could maybe close up Serenity, Zoë?" “Yes sir,” she said, turning and jogging to the hatch controls. “I think it might be best if the rest a us go ta the common area an’ talk over how, exactly, this is going to work,” Mal said as the hatch rumbled to a close behind him. There was a general nodding and mutter of agreement. “I’ll just take River to her room,” Simon said, ushering his oblivious sister towards their quarters. “No,” Mal said. “She’s a part a this. There’s times ta protect your sister, boy, and there’s times to make her stand on her own two feet.” “Captain, I don’t. . .” “This is one of them latter times,” Mal said forcefully. “Now come on.” “Yes sir,” Simon said, tugging his sister’s elbow slightly, following the rest of the crew. “Good Phryxis,” River muttered. “What?” Simon said, truly confused. “You should always follow Odysseus,” River said, glancing up from her large book. “He may not know the way, but he does get home. Which is more than I can say for you.” Simon looked at her, unsure of what to say. The explanation had made perfect sense, if they’d been talking about Greek Mythology and not real life. “Are you talking about the book?” “The book is talking about us,” River answered. “Didn’t you know? Why, why would you know? You can’t believe me. No one can believe me.” “River, I’ll believe you,” Simon said, turning and trying to look her in the eye. He couldn’t, she kept glancing away. “No, you can’t. No one can,” River muttered again. “She’ll slaughter everyone and no one will believe me.” * * * “Everything’s set,” Inara said as she floated down the stairs. “Thank you,” Simon called over his shoulder from his place in line. Serenity’s seven crew members, minus Inara who was hurrying to her position were all lined up, Zoë, Wash, Jayne, Kaylee, Simon, Book: like the crew of a cruse ship to welcome passengers. Simon couldn’t shake the feeling that it was more like lining up for a firing squad. Mal was also looking at Inara, her dress, which seemed to be a random composition of silken scarves and sashes, flowing behind her. He had to force himself to keep his mind on business, “She ain’t gonna get out?” “River understands the situation,” Inara said, taking her place at the end of the line, next to the Shepherd. “She has plenty of food and that big book. There’s nothing out here she needs.” Simon glanced behind him, towards the door to Inara’s shuttle. “Right,” he said very softly. Kaylee slipped his hand into his and squeezed comfortingly, “Don’ worry,” she said softly. “This’ll work.” “And you locked it?” Mal asked. “From the outside?” “Yes, Mal, I locked it,” Inara sighed. “I just . . . I hate to think of her alone, all the time,” Simon continued in a whisper. “She does so much better when there are people to talk to.” “She don’t hardly ever talk to anyone but you,” Kaylee pointed out. “Still,” Simon said. “I think she needs to see people. If I’m here, if I’m real, then she can know that the nightmare’s over.” “Would you two stop whispering?” Mal said sharply, turning to glare at Simon and Kaylee. “Yes sir,” they both muttered. “Now remember, we’re a perfectly respectable crew doin’ a perfectly respectable job. We ain’t hiddin’ nothin’ and we’er glad to be helpin’ out the alliance. Is that understood?” Everyone nodded, with the exception of Jayne looked straight ahead, icily, and Zoë who offered a crisp, “Yes sir.” “Good,” Mal breathed. Turning back around to see an Alliance patrol, looking very much out of place at the lower rent docks, escorting a very affluent, stiff woman and a gaggle of well behaved boys with blond, curly hair in matching suites, whose age seemed to range between six and sixteen. There was also a pair of soldiers carrying a young girl on stretcher As Mal sussed up the family he couldn’t help but hope that his first impressions were not accurate. If they were, this was going to be one of the worst weeks of his life. Regardless, he stepped forward, offered the entire company his most congenial smile and said, “Mrs. Kubat, welcome to Serenity.” The stiff woman looked up at Mal and seemed disappointed. “You are the captain?” “Yes, ma’am, I am,” Mal said, bowing slightly, not letting her coldness chill his warm demeanor. “Cap’in Malcolm Reynolds, this here’s the first mate Zoë . . . .” “Perhaps later,” she said dismissively, as her eyes scanned the seven people lined up before her. Once her gaze found Simon, she smiled, “Ah, Doctor, come here.” Simon felt his heart stop, he couldn’t breath. He would have stayed still, frozen in terror if Kaylee hadn’t whispered, “Go on, Simon,” and pushed him forward gently with her elbow. “Ah, ye--yes?” Simon said, swallowing his fear as best he could as he walked down the hatch towards Mrs. Kubat. “This is Evangeline,” the stiff woman said, nodding to the girl lying, semi-conscious, on the stretcher. “These men will take her to your infirmary and you will make sure she is properly cared for.” Simon found he could breathe again. He took a more confident step towards the girl, “What’s wrong with her?” “I wish to get off this disgusting planet as soon as possible,” Mrs. Kubat snapped. “Do as I say!” “Of . . .” Simon stuttered, glancing somewhat fearfully at Mal, who could do little more than shrug at the boy. “Of course. If you, ah, gentlemen will follow me.” Simon led the two men carrying the little girl past the rest of the crew and to the back of the ship. “I, ah, I wasn’t aware that we were going to be transporting someone who required medical attention,” Mal said, trying to smile at Mrs. Kubat. “You didn’t need to know,” Mrs. Kubat said formally. “Now, if your crew would load our luggage, my children and I would like to see our quarters.” “Course,” Mal clipped, still smiling, although that exercise was becoming somewhat taxing. He turned to the line of crewmembers, “Zoë, you heard the lady, gotta get their bags on board.” “Yes sir,” the first mate said. “Wash, Jayne, Kaylee.” “I’ll help too,” Book volunteered. “Fine, Inara, you can come with me to show our guests their quarters.” “Of course, Captain,” Inara said. “That’s the companion?” Mrs. Kubat said, sucking her breath in with obvious distain. Inara, ever the lady, ignored the older woman’s poor manners. “My name is Inara Mrs. Kubat. And anything I can do to make your trip more . . .” “Don’t tempt my boy’s, seductress.” Inara’s composed smile faltered just a bit. Mal cleared his throat, “She don’t service crew or passengers, Ma’am,” he informed her. “Strict policy, never broken.” “It’s better that way,” Inara said, having regained her flawless composure. “Sex too often complicates situations that need to stay simple.” “Good,” Mrs. Kubat said icily. “Now, if you please.” “Of course,” Mal said, leading her and her entourage past the laboring crew, through the cargo bay, and towards the passenger’s quarters. “Serenity is the most dependable ship you could hope to travel on. She ain’t flashy, but that’s all for the better. Real reliable make, Fireflies.” “How fast does she go?” the second tallest boy asked. “Well, in deep space she can make about . . .” “Don’t ask the captain questions,” Mrs. Kubat said forcefully. “He’s a very important man and should not be bothered. Now apologize.” “I’m sorry Captain Reynolds sir.” “Ain’t no problem,” Mal said, more than a little startled by the woman’s severe reaction. “I don’t mind the questions.” “Indeed,” Inara said smiling broadly at the family. “I can’t think of anything Mal likes talking about more than his ship.” “You call him by his first name?” Mrs. Kubat asked, almost accusingly. “Ah,” Mal said, “Nara’s been shipping out with us nearly a year now. With such a small crew can’t help but be friendly.” “I don’t want you being friendly with me, Captain. Me or my family.” “No worries there Ma’am,” Mal said. “I’m sure the crew will be as, ah, unfriendly as you want us.” “I’ll be holding you to that, Captain.” “Right,” Mal muttered, wondering how he could convince Kaylee to be unfriendly as he led the family into the common room. “Well, this here’s the common area,” Mal said. “It’s a niceish sized room. While y’all are on board you can use it as much as you like for just ‘bout anything you like. School lessons or, whatever.” Mrs. Kubat looked over the room and didn’t comment, Mal, feeling the need for someone to say something, kept talking. “And, ah, as you can see this here’s the infirmary. Seein’ as your daughter might be needin’ ta be in there for, ah, for some time, I figure you’ll be glad ta see it’s so close.” “Captain, our rooms.” Mrs. Kubat said, her patience was clearing growing thin. “I, ah, I actually didn’t set that part a it up. Inara,” The companion smiled and stepped forward. “I’m afraid that the orders we were given were unspecific in terms of how many rooms you would be needing. Kaylee was under the impression you needed ten?” “You’re mechanic was wrong,” she said solidly. “I will require a room for myself, four rooms for my boys, and a room for my husband.” “Yer what?” Mal asked. “Husband,” Mrs. Kubat said coolly. “I thought you were gonna go meet yer husband,” Mal said. “Over on New Dallas.” “Who said that?” Mrs. Kubat demanded. “Well, ah,” Mal stuttered. “No one, I guess.” “Most of these rooms are singles,” Inara said calmly, trying not to react to the news that an Alliance Prefect would be on the ship. “But there are a few that can be opened and changed to doubles. It will only take a minute.” “My husband and I will not be sharing a room, not under any circumstances,” Mrs. Kubat said with unquestionable firmness. “Now, I want to make sure that my boys are settled before their father arrives.” “Of course,” Inara said graciously. “If you’ll just follow me . . .” * * * River sat in the pilot’s seat of Inara’s shuttle and watched the world disappear behind her. She toyed with the idea of overriding the lockouts and taking off. The ship was rising at a speed of three hundred miles per hour, which meant she had approximately six minuets until they reached the edges of the atmosphere. She could easily override the lock out by then, as well as hack into Serenity’s computer and override the air locks there. She wouldn’t be able to hide her escape, she reasoned, the sudden weight and balance change would be immediately apparent so close to a gravitational field. But she wasn’t convinced that would matter, because she wasn’t convinced they would come after her. They might come after the shuttle, that much was true, but she could easily dump that and start out on her own. Inara had enough money saved in her account to facilitate a fairly comfortable, if not extravagant life, on a backwater planet for years, and it couldn’t take more than thirty seconds to use the cortex to hack Inara’s account, and another minute to set up one of her own and transfer all the funds. Simon would have to repay the companion, naturally, but that was all right. Simon wouldn’t mind because, with River gone, he could marry Kaylee and have a happy life. River could live alone in a small cabin, grow her own food, and not talk to anyone. Well, except her cats. She would have to have cats if she was going to be living alone in a small cabin in the middle of a backwater planet, otherwise she’d go totally insane. River was defiantly tempted. But she was also afraid. This was nothing new; at the Academy fear had become her constant companion; fear of pain, fear of feeling nothing, fear of the things she saw, fear of the things she didn’t see, fear of the noises, fear of the silence, fear of tomorrow, fear of memories of yesterday, fear of everyone and everything. She’s lived and breathed fear for almost three years. And then Simon had come, and the fear was gone. She could remember before the fear, and Simon had been there too. Simon was the only one who’d ever been able to keep the fear at bay. He didn’t conquer it, he didn’t slay it, but he pushed it away at arms length, and kept her sheltered behind his back, where she could pretend there was nothing to be afraid of. Even as she pondered the implications of leaving Serenity, leaving Simon, her hands started to tremble and her breathing started to come in gasps. This was a horrible, horrible thing to consider. She would die without Simon. Whatever that big blackness was that whispered her name in her darkest nightmares, it would reach out and get her if her noble brother wasn’t standing over her, defending her, a knight in armor, an epic hero. “’I am sinking beneath my troubles,’” she muttered, quoting from her very large volume, which was lying open on Inara’s bed. “’Send me my brother!’” No one heard her. Simon didn’t come. * * * “Hey Simon,” Kaylee said, smiling as she saw the doctor enter the kitchen. His shirt sleeves were rolled up and he had a generally weary look in his eyes that always made her heart go all mushy. “Hey,” he said, smiling weakly at the assembled crew, Zoë, Wash, Jayne and Kaylee, who were sitting cozily in the arm chairs around the small circular table at the edge of the kitchen. “Is this hot?” he asked, motioning to the kettle. “Should be just ‘nuff for one more cup,” Zoë said. “Thanks,” Simon said, politely, as he pulled a mug out of its cubby. “How’s that girl?” Kaylee asked, leaning forward so she could keep her eyes on him as he pulled a packet of powdered tea out of the drawer. “Evangeline?” Simon asked, glancing up from his packaged tea. “She’s, ah, I don’t know.” “You been workin’ on her since take off,” Jayne sneered. “Ain’t you even figured out what’s wrong with her yet?” “No,” Simon said softly, poring the powder into his hot water and stirring the mixture for a moment before turning and refilling the kettle. “Is she sick?” Wash asked. “Or hurt, or . . .” “I don’t know,” Simon asserted, walking over and sitting down an empty chair next Kaylee. “She seems weak, and, ah, doped, but beyond that . . .” “You just spent four hours examinin’ a little girl an’ you can’t even figure what’s wrong with her?” Jayne laughed, clearly enjoying Simon’s failure. “There are any number of diseases she could have,” Simon said a little defensively. “Some types of cancer, some blood diseases, an infection of the nervous system. If I had a medical history I'd have a treatment plan developed by now, but I couldn’t even get Mrs. Kubat to talk to me. And the man who joined them, whoever he is, just referred me back to her.” “Wait,” Zoë said, holding her hand up. “You don’t know who he is?” “No,” Simon said, “Why, who is he?” “That man is Mr. Kubat.” “Mister . . .?” Simon muttered, “Her brother?” “Try her husband,” Wash said with a dry laugh. “But I thought her husband was a Prefect, didn’t Mal tell us . . .” “Her husband is a Prefect,” Zoë said. “Seen his papers and everything. He’s being transferred to New Dallas and decided that we were the perfect ship to give him an’ his a ride.” “A Prefect?” Simon asked again. “An Alliance Prefect, on Serenity?” “Damn hilarious ain’t it?” Jayne asked. “I mean, if you ain’t bein’ hunted down by the Alliance Brass like some sort a dirty dog what killed a chicken.” He laughed wickedly in Simon’s general direction. “Stop it,” Kaylee scolded, placing her hand on the doctor’s shoulder and patting it kindly. “They’ve seen you an’ they trust you,” she assured the young man. “Ain’t no reason to be afraid.” “Kaylee’s right,” Zoe said. “If they intended to turn you in they’da done it before we left port.” Simon took a deep drink of his tea and tried to believe was he’d just been told. “This job just doesn’t make sense,” Wash mumbled. He was playing with the salt shaker, unscrewing and rescrewing its lid. “If we ignore the fact that the overly starched Mrs. Kubat chose Serenity, why the hell would her husband come with?” “And why would they bring the kids?” Zoë added. “This ain’t exactly a family friendly ship.” “Hold up,” Jayne said, glancing maliciously at Simon. “That oldest boy, he looked ta be about River’s age. Hey Little Kaylee, feel up to some match makin?” “No,” Simon said. “We’re not even talking about her.” “I da, know,” Jayne mused. “I think it’d be fun.” “Shut up, Jayne,” Zoë ordered. “Doc’s right. Cap’in ordered us not to talk ‘bout her.” “Hope she’s alright,” Kaylee said, glancing out the door, as if the interior of Inara’s shuttle was just through it. “She’s fine, she’s just fine,” Simon said, more to convince himself than Kaylee. “Bu bi fan,” Zoë said firmly. “Soon as things here get settled and . . .” She was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of a group of boys bounding up a mettle staircase. Seconds later the four blond haired, blue eyed, porcelain skinned Kubat boys burst into the kitchen. Obviously, their mother had no idea what they were doing. They were talking to each other in the excited voices of children who are disobeying, not really quiet, but obviously endeavoring not to be loud. Their suit jackets had been disregarded, with the exception of the second smallest boy’ who’s jacket was tied around his waist. Their ties were undone, and retied on various parts of their body, across the forehead, over the right bicep, around the thigh, and the youngest had it simply slung over his shoulder. As son as the boys realized that their exploring had lead them to an occupied room they stopped. Innocent, naive, childish terror filled their eyes. Serenity’s crew couldn’t help but think it was amusing. “Well hello,” Zoë said, trying not to laugh too hard at the boys. Her husband’s snickers were conspicuous, but then, Kaylee’s giggles accompanied them. Simon was smiling, almost fondly, and Jayne looked like he would laugh as soon as he figured out what exactly in this situation struck him as funny. “Oh, I’m sorry,” the oldest boy said, ushering his brother’s behind him. “We didn’t know anyone was up here.” “That’s fine,” Zoë said, “Come on up. There’s plenary a room.” The second youngest boy peeked around his brother’s shoulder. “Is this where you have the food?” “Yes it is,” Zoë said. “You’re welcome to any of it you’d like.” The two middle boys smiled at each other with a knowing look and scampered over to the cabinets to see what they could find. “Maybe I should make sure they don’t make a mess,” Wash said, pushing himself out of his chair. “Fine,” Zoë said, grabbing his hand and squeezing it before he could scoot away. “Just remember to act your age.” “Hey,” the youngest boy said, taking a step away form his older brother closer to the table. “Our mama always says that.” “Really?” Wash said, smiling down at the boy. “So does my wife.” “You are married?” The oldest boy said, glancing from Zoë to Wash and back to Zoë again as he approached Serenity’s crew with a caution his brother’s lacked. The boy looked to be about fifteen, with shrewd eyes and a generally commanding stance. “That we are,” Zoe said. “I’m Zoe, ships first mate, and that there’s Wash, my husband.” “So, you are in charge, after Captain Reynolds, I mean,” the boy asked. “Yes, I am,” Zoë said, smiling up at the boy. “Wanna sit down? There a space open,” She said, nodding towards Wash’s recently vacated chair. “Hey, hey,” Wash said, turning, “You givin’ my seat away?” “Just seein’ that there’s someone here ta keep it warm fer ya,” Zoë said playfully. “I don’t want to sit down,” the boy told Zoë. “Does your husband have a job?” “Yeah,” Wash called over his shoulder, “I keep her from becoming a grumpy old maid.” “Lao gong,” Zoë laughed, “I could never be an old maid.” “Yeah, but you sure can be grumpy,” Wash retorted. Serenity’s crew laughed good naturedly at the marital banter, the oldest Kubat boy continued to stand stoically and just observe. “He’s the ships pilot,” Kaylee explained, since the boys clearly weren’t getting the joke. “Best in the sky.” “We’re in deep space,” the boy said seriously. “Not in the sky.” “Well when you’re in space every where’s sky,” Kaylee said simply. “Who is she,” he asked Zoë. “I’m Kaylee,” the young woman said, before Zoë could answer for her. “What do you do?” the boy asked causally. “I’m the mechanic.” “Kaylee makes sure Serenity’s runs smooth,” Zoë said, patting Kaylee supportively on the back. “She’s a real hoa shou.” “And you’re the doctor?” The boy said, moving on. “Doctor Tambarino.” Zoë and Jayne started laughing; Kaylee tried her best to cap her giggles for Simon’s sake. “You should just call me Simon, I think,” the doctor said. Even he was trying not to laugh at Wash’s mangling of his name. “I think it would be easier.” “Doctor Simon,” the boy said officially. “Just Simon,” the doctor insisted. “Titles aren’t really . . .” “Doctor,” the boy insisted forcefully. “We’ll just call you doctor. It’s respectful.” “It is at that,” Simon said softly. “An’ you can call me Mr. Cobb,” Jayne said, loudly pulling the attention away from Simon. “What do you do, Mr. Cobb?” the boy asked. “Pretty much what I like,” Jayne said. “How ‘bout you, boy?” Zoë asked. “Think you could introduce yerself ‘n your brothers?” “My mama doesn’t want us conversing with the crew.” “Seems a might late fer that,” Zoë observed. “No, no, no,” Wash said from around the corner. “You don’t eat that blue paste on red crackers, you want the green ones, here, I’ll show you.” “Come on,” Kaylee pleaded. “We’re real nice.” “Mama said . . .” the boy hesitated. “Who care’s what ol’ Mama said?” Jayne demanded. “We should respect his mother’s wishes,” Simon said cautiously. “I’m Felix!” the youngest boy said, “And I’m seven!” “Well hello Felix,” Kaylee said, smiling beautifully at the boy. “Felix,” The oldest boy scolded, obviously embarrassed. “This here’s Robert, an’ he’s fifteen.” “Pleased to meet you, Robert,” Zoë said, nodding at the boy formally. “That’s Albert, he’s ten, and Thomas is twelve.” “You’re real friendly Felix,” Kaylee said. “Wanna have a tour a the ship.” “Mama wouldn’t,” Robert started. “Mama wouldn’t want you up here, an' still, here ya are,” Zoë said, “Why don’t you go on the tour. There ain’t much ta see on Serenity, but what’s worth a gander Kaylee’ll show ya.” “Felix, no.” Robert said firmly. “Hey, Robby,” Jayne said. “Ya ever see a gun?” “A . . . a gun?” “Yeah,” Jayne said, standing up, showing how very impressively muscular he was. “A real gun, not one a them pussy hand arms they give Alliance patrols, or even them semi-automatic jokes they seem ta think is so impressive. A gun with kick.” “No,” Robert said, obviously interested. “Well, hows ‘bout this,” Jayne said. “You stop bein’ such a pain in the ass and let yer brother’s do as they like an’ then, then maybe when I show you these guns, I’ll be less inclined ta shoot you in your little retentive anus.” “Jayne,” Zoë scolded with comfortable familiarity. “Don’t threaten to kill the passengers.” “Can I threaten to kill Doctor Tambarino?” Jayne asked, trying and failing to suppress a bout of hysteric laughter. “So long as you only threaten,” Simon said, glaring back at Jayne. “Would you really show me your guns?” Robert asked, taking an intrepid step towards Jayne. “You really wanna see ‘em?” Jayne asked, a little taken a back by the boy’s interest. Robert nodded, “These are real guns, I mean, you’ve shot them.” “Yeah,” Jane grunted. “Used real bullets an’ everything.” “Could I, maybe, shoot one?” Robert asked boldly. “Da dai,” Zoë muttered. “Not a big one,” Robert explained. “But, you know, I’d, ah, I’d like to shoot a gun.” “Well now,” Jayne said, a smile spreading across his face. “Why don’t you follow me and we’ll see what we kin do.” “Yes sir, Mr. Cobb,” the boy said, obviously grateful and excited. “Now that’s some words I could get used to,” Jayne said. “Come on, boy.” Jayne started walking out of the kitchen, with the eager Robert on his heels. “Ah, wait,” Simon said before the pair had made it past the long table. Jayne turned and glared at the doctor; Simon didn't back down. “Robert, I need to ask you a question, if you don’t mind.” “Go ahead, Doctor,” Robert said, totally unaware of the hateful look Jayne was shooting at the young doctor. “What’s wrong with your sister?” “Evangeline is sick,” Robert said simply, before turning to follow Jayne again. “I know that,” Simon said, falling in step behind Jayne and Robert. “But I need to know what kind of sickness.” “She’s always been sick, Doctor, ever since she was born.” “Always,” Simon said, stopping for a second to consider the new information. He had to jog two or three paces to catch up before he could ask his next question. “How has she been sick?” “Just sick, Doctor,” Robert shrugged. “That’s all I know.” “That's all the boy knows, Doc,” Jayne growled behind his back. “Stop pesterin’ the kid.” “Did you ever hear the name of the disease, or maybe, what types of specialist were brought in?” “I don't know,” Robert said. “Pulmonalogist, cardiologist, oncologist, neurologist, does any of that sound familiar?” “I don’t know,” Robert instead. “He don’t know,” Jayne said emphatically. “Now, lest ya want ta be our target, go away.” “Sorry,” Simon said, stopping in the middle of the hallway, letting Jayne and Robert outdistance him on their way to the armory, otherwise known as Jayne's room. “Don’ worry son,” Mal said, stepping out of a connecting hallway right behind Simon. The boy's heart jumped in his throat as he turned to find the Captain standing, staring at the retreating Jayne and Robert. “Sir?” “Jayne knows better than to use you as target practice.” Simon smiled briefly, “I know.” “Worried over that little girl, are you?” Mal said, turning back towards the kitchen and nodding that Simon should follow. “She seems to be very ill,” Simon said. “And I can’t figure out why.” “You mean you ain’t been told?” Simon shook his head, “No. It’s like it’s a secret.” “Yeah, this family’s got all sorts a secrets,” Mal sighed. “What do you mean?” Mal pursed his lips and shook his head, “I’da know. But there are thing ought ta been told that weren’t.” “Like the fact that we have a Prefect on board.” “Yeah, fact like that,” Mal nodded as they entered the kitchen. “Hey Cap’in, Hey Simon” Kaylee said in warm way that was almost enough to melt away the men’s foreboding. “I’m takin’ Li’ll Felix here on a tour a Serenity, either a you gents wanna come?” “Sorry, Little Kaylee,” Mal said. “But you ain’t doin’ that, not just yet.” Kaylee’s smile slipped a little, “Wadda ya mean?” “Little Felix’s Ma is complainin’ about the engine noise.” “Engine noise?” Kaylee asked, flabbergasted. “Does the engine make noise?” Simon asked. “I mean, when it’s running properly it’s more or less silent, isn’t it?” “She’s as quiet as any engine could be,” Kaylee said, obviously offended by the inference that Serenity wasn’t in perfect condition. “I believe ya,” Mal said quickly. “Just thought I’d give you some warning, that’s all.” “Warnin’? Why, Mrs. Kubat sure ain’t gonna be talkin’ ta me,” Kaylee said keeping what was left of her smile tenaciously. Mal starred down at her, seriously and apologetically. Kaylee’s smile slipped a little more, “Is she?” “She wants ta cook fer that girl a her’s,” Mal said with a sigh, “An’ some one’s gotta show her round the kitchen.” “Kitchen ain’t hardly . . .” “An’ she wants someone else ta cook fer the rest a the family.” “What?” Kaylee said, her smile gone. “I’m the cook now?” “Just fer a bit,” Mal assured her, speaking softly so the Kubat boys couldn’t hear. “We kin go without your gourmet meals for a spell, but I don’t wanna make waves with these folk, and neither do you, I think.” “Yes sir,” Kaylee grumbled, then, turning to Felix, she managed to find her smile, which was a bright as if she’d never lost it. “I’ll show you round Serenity another time, kay, Felix? Right now ya think you could introduce me ta your Mama?” The little boy nodded enthusiastically and grabbed Kaylee’s hand with both of his. “Come on,” he said adventurously. “I know the way.” “Well why don’ ya just show me?” Kaylee asked, laughing as she was dragged out of kitchen. * * * Inara sat in River’s room and tried to meditate. She wasn’t having great success. The cliché ‘Silence is golden’ seemed to her, at this point, to be an amazingly insightful nugget of truth. She was used to the deep velvety quiet of her shuttle, hours of nothing but the hum of the life support. She was not used to a young boy playing Alliance vs. Independents as loudly as he could mere yards away from her seemingly paper thin walls. The most important skill a companion has is the ability to go within herself and find a deeper quiescence, a calm, a joy. That is what she gives to all the men who see her, whether they realize it or not, her inner peace, her total self-assurance and possession. And sense this all came from within her, she had it in abundant supply. As long as she had ample time to meditate. The room was too small to burn incense in, so Inara was forced to resort to a small votive candle. There wasn’t a table for her to sit at, so she had to practice her calligraphy sitting on the floor. There weren’t even pillows and if Mal considered the matted floor covering a rug that space-pirate needed a lesson in interior decorating. Of course, she mused, she’d known that ever since she’d first seen the godawful wall hanging in the common area. But she didn’t want to think about that, she wanted to focus on her calligraphy. Straight line, straight line, curved line, thick line fading into thin, an arch, a perpendicular line. A high pitched scream as a boy viciously attacked his imaginary foes. Inara suddenly felt the need to scream herself. The companion took a deep breath and remained herself that this was a little boy, that he didn’t know any better and that he didn’t have anywhere else to play. The incessant wailing of the younger brother calling for his mother made Inara realize that she didn’t really care. When she had joined the crew of Serenity she had been promised her privacy, she had been promised a space where she could sit and meditate and not be interrupted, she had been promised the illusion, at least, of calm. And while she did not mind giving up the comforts of her shuttle so that River could be safe, she was not about to give up her internal peace. She leaned forward and blew out the candle. While the wax dried enough for her to carry it, she collected and packed her paper and her ink and as she was rinsing the ink out of her brush there was a knock at her door “Jin.” The thin, translucent, panel that served as a door slid aside and the Prefect Kubat was standing in her doorway, looking at her. He was about fifty, with a husky build and pale skin and a very well trimmed white beard. His eyes were the same striking blue color as his children, although they were obviously the eyes of a very worldly man who’d lost his innocence and joy a long time ago. “Madame Inara?” “Can I help you with something?” Inara asked, smiling beautifully. “I was . . . I wondered if you would be so kind as to accompany me at dinner tonight.” “I was under the impression that your family wanted to eat as a unit.” “My wife manages the children,” he said dismissively. “I would like to eat with you.” “I see,” the Companion said, with perfect composure. “I’m afraid I take my meals alone.” “Ms. Inara, you have been invited . . .” “A companion must live a very regimented and solitary life,” Inara said sweetly. “I’m afraid that, under no circumstances can I accept your invitation.” “Do you understand who I am?” Kubat demanded, anger sulking behind his eyes. “A passenger on Captain Malcolm Reynolds ship,” Inara said simply. “And as such, I can not service you in any way.” “How dare you?” he seemed dangerously near outrage at this point. “This was a polite invitation.” “In any way,” Inara said softly but firmly. Her fixed smile didn’t falter. “Now, if you please, I need to find a spot slightly more restful. You’re son is playing a charming game, but I find I require quiet for my meditations.” “Of course,” the man said stiffly, stepping out of the doorway and clearing a way for Inara, who glided past him with pure grace. She felt his large deep blue eyes watching her as she walked away and his gaze made her skin crawl. * * * “Wash.” “Ah, yes Captin?” “This is what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna turn around and walk down these stairs. Then, when I get ta the bottom, I’m gonna take a deep breath, turn right around, and walk back up them. And when I get up to the top a these stairs and look around the cockpit, you know what I ain’t gonna see?” “What would that be Captain?” “I ain’t gonna see no eight-year-old flyin’ my ship.” “Not really a problem Captain,” Wash said. “Albert here is ten, Thomas is twelve, no eight-year-olds up here, sir.” “This ain’t funny,” Mal said, pulling himself fully into the cockpit. “And no matter how you dress her up,” he said, picking up one of the many plastic dinosaurs in the room “Serenity ain’t no toy fer kids ta be playin’ with.” Albert and Thomas, who were sitting in the pilot and co-pilots seats respectively, were on either side of the argument, looking in on it very sheepishly. “I’m sorry,” Thomas said. “We didn’t mean to get you in trouble Mr. Wash.” “Their not flying anything, Mal,” Wash said, very softly so the boys couldn’t here. “The course is locked in and I disengaged the manual controls. The boy’s are just pretending.” “Well,” Mal said, clearing his throat, feeling like an unqualified ass. He desperately tried to save the situation, “You say these here boy’s are flyin’ straight?” “As a bird flies,” Wash replied. “So a might better than you?” Wash laughed, “Flyin’ straight ain’t the challenge.” “Fer most, maybe, but you, Wash, are special.” “That’s why you hired me.” Mal took a deep breath and smiled at the boys, “Well, can’t argue with that.” The boys smiled back. “So we aren’t in trouble, Captain?” Thomas asked. “Naw, you ain’t in trouble. Just watch out for them moons, tend to pop up on ya.” “Yes sir, Captain,” Thomas said, excitedly. “Yes sir, Captain,” Albert echoed. “Well, then, carry on,” Mal said, smiling at the boys before turning and heading out the other door towards his bunk. “Mal,” Wash called after his Captain, “You need anything?” “Yeah,” Mal sighed, turning and speaking to his pilot in a low voice. “I need a room without a gorramn Kubat in it.” “Sorry, Cap, can’t help ya there.” “So I see,” Mal muttered. “I’d guess that your room would be pretty safe.” “That was my very notion,” Mal said. “If anyone needs me, you know where I am.” “Yes sir, Captain,” Wash said imitating the tone of the two boys perfectly and comically. Mal rolled his eyes, turned, and retreated quickly to his cabin, hoping to find a little solitude. He found something else. “Come up a little short on this months rent?” Mal asked with a swagger in his voice. “I needed an escape from the Kubats,” Inara said coolly. “I thought hiding here would be poetic justice.” “Poetic because I’ve got such a romantic soul?” Mal asked, walking over to the bed and lounging on it. Inara, consumed in her calligraphy, ignored him. “Poetic because you always barge in my shuttle,” Inara quipped. “You got a room.” “I have a cubical with paper thin walls,” Inara said, glancing at Mal for the first time. It wasn’t a friendly glance. “I need quiet and, while the hellions are on board, this is the quietest place on Serenity.” “What about Kaylee’s room.” “Kaylee doesn’t barge into my shuttle,” Inara said. “I need a place to collect myself, work on my calligraphy and poetry. And like I said, being in here is poetic.” “Right,” Mal said, leaning forward and pushing himself off his bed. “’Spose that’s fair, you had no kinda choice when I asked ya ta give up your shuttle for River.” “You did ask Mal,” Inara reminded him. “I could have said no.” “But we all knew you wouldn’t,” Mal said, not unkindly. “So, during the day, you can just make yourself at home.” “Thank you,” Inara said, smiling up at Mal, who was now more or less directly over her. “There is just one thing,” Mal said. “And what would that be?” “Ya gotta leave at night.” “I don’t see that being a problem,” Inara laughed. “Just so long as were clear.” “Oh, Captain, you’re always perfectly clear to me.”

To Be Continued . . .