Disclaimer: All things Firefly/Serenity are the property of Whedon et al. I’m not making any money off this, just playing with the toys.

***** Always knew when Uni Day was. Mal’d get that look in his eye as he walked down the ramp looking for all the world determined to right the wrong done. Zoe was always there, too, just to keep an eye out, she’d say, being the First Mate and all. We all knew the truth of it, though.

First time was strangest. Setting down on Persephone and seein’ all them purple balloons and long strings a paper. Zoe called ‘em streamers. We walked right on through the celebrations, the three of us, and I ducked my head more’n once with all them Feds around. Weren’t looking to get pinched so early on in the sweet gig I’d fallen into. Hell, I knew from the second I stepped on the crate that she were better’n anything I’d ever flown in. Seeing that pretty little mechanic girl helped some. Even more when she done miracles to keep us from blowing up on more than one time.

So when Mal’d upped and punched that drunk Alliance supporter, I was sur-prised. Ain’t like I’d ever not seen the Captain get tetchy and riled, but that was come clear outta nowhere. Just stood up looking ready to join in the song and he punched that hwoon dun square in the nose. Zoe jumped right in and I weren’t too far behind, feelin’ a need to stretch my muscles some. Figured later on why Captain’d started that fight in the first place.

The deal was set from then on. Last two Uni Days we’d find ourselves somewheres that folks love having the Feds breathin’ down their necks and telling ‘em when it was okay to take a piss. Yeah, Mal’s brawlin’ got real regular.

‘Afore Mal and this boat, was harder’n witch’s tit for me to reckon on the date. Been more’n one time I missed Ma’s birthday. Ain’t easy out in the Black remembering time. Crazy’d been right on the Doc’s birthday, once you explained it to me.

You were good for that stuff. Didn’t never make me feel dumb as a bag a hammers. Always listened to my stories and I knew you didn’t much think on ‘em being good, but you never said nothing bad. Never thought preacher stories’d be much interestin’, but you made ‘em good. If Mal’d let ya, I’da listened to your sermons. Folk don’t think I got any faith or understanding of anythin’ beyond coin, but that ain’t true and you knew it. Guess our time in the cargo bay was like a bit of sermonising.

It’s gettin’ easier to grin on them memories, Shepherd, of me and you. It was good, you know, having someone to spot and just talk to plain, man to man. The Captain’s a good man, but he got worries go beyond my understanding. Ain’t no other men no more. Simon don’t count no matter how much Kaylee says otherwise.

Don’t tell nobody, but there’s hearts missing you. Keep watch over ‘em from up there, will ya? I’ll do my best down here, but there’s only so much I can do. ‘Sides, doubt the Man upstairs would take kindly over someone like me keepin’ guard over the good folk on Serenity. Know I ain’t gonna see you in the hereafter as I’m as like to be real acquainted with Lucifer, but maybe you could throw in a good word for the crew.

Last cooban, Preacher, and I saved it for ya. Just gonna sit here and smoke it while Mal and the rest remember on what happened a year ago. Maybe you can smell it up there? Maybe not, but I’m glad as all grape that I was able to keep time about this day. Ain’t ever gonna let the Black take that from me again.