Disclaimer thingy: Firefly/Serenity are owned by other folks and not by me, though I appreciate being able to write some stuff purely for fun inspired by the Firefly 'Verse. All constructive comments and feedback from you shiny readers out there much appreciated!

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Serenity was cruising along on autopilot, following her pre-set course to Athens; so Mal was not surprised when he found Zoë absent from the bridge. The galley was also empty. Pausing for a moment in thought, he backtracked up the fore deck and stopped outside the door of Zoë’s cabin. He looked at the cabin door, frowning. Formerly Kaylee’s room, the door had once borne a cheerful sign decorated with Kaylee’s name and flowers. Once Zoë had moved out of her and Wash’s old cabin, freeing it up for Kaylee and Simon, she had settled into Kaylee’s bunk quietly and with typical lack of ceremony. Mal lifted a hand and knocked on the metal. “Zoë? You down there?” There was a pause then the door opened, Zoë standing at the foot of the ladder beneath. “Anything wrong, sir?” “Nothin’ wrong,” answered Mal. “Got a minute?” Zoë nodded, and stepped back from the ladder. Mal climbed down, pushing the cabin door shut behind him. Zoë moved back and sat down on her bunk, her eyes steady on him. Mal took the chair beside him, his eyes moving briefly across the room. There was a quiet orderliness that he recognized, an absence of clutter that was calming but also spartan. His eye caught on one thing, hanging on the wall beside the bed: a capture of Wash at the helm of Serenity, smiling over his shoulder into the lens. It was clear from the look on his face that the person taking the picture had been Zoë herself. “Sir?” Zoë’s query brought Mal’s gaze back to her. “What was it you wanted to speak about?” “Uh…” Mal got his thoughts back into the room. “Need to fill you in on our non-paying passenger. I had some words with him this morning, to find out just how exactly his path crossed with Jake Ryder’s.” Zoë said nothing, waiting. “And what he said shed some light on things a little. Seems like there’s more to this boy than we thought.” Mal paused, then continued, “I figured maybe he’d cut a deal with the feds, traded some information for time off his prison term. Thought it could be he gave them a heads-up on where Ryder was, so the feds were able to take him off-guard. So that’s what I asked him.” “What did he say?” “He didn’t take too kindly to my suggestion.” The corner of Mal’s mouth twitched. “In fact, he told me to go fuck myself.” Zoë’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Gotta give the boy credit; he’s only been outta that fever a few hours, but he was ready to get off that bed and make me eat my words. Put me in mind of the doc at his most riled and righteous.” “You think it was for real?” Zoë asked. “For sure. Didn’t need River’s readin’ skills to tell that.” Mal leaned back in the chair. “Anyways, once he’d cooled down some from white-hot, he told me what happened. He was crewing for Ryder, had been for a few years. They touched down dirtside to make some engine repairs: he headed into town to pick up some parts, and the local law arrested him. My guess is they ID’d him as Ryder’s crew.” “That’s bad luck.” “Got worse. Local law interrogated him about Ryder’s whereabouts.” Mal’s mouth tightened. “He didn’t go into details, but I get the feeling they didn’t make any allowance for his tender years.” “Poor kid,” said Zoë. “Uh huh. But he held out, didn’t give Ryder up. He was hoping that Ryder would guess what’d happened and make a getaway.” “But Ryder didn’t leave.” “Nope. And the law finally found his ship by groundscan, went out and picked Ryder up. Takin’ the boy with them for a little extra leverage.” Mal let out short disgusted breath. “Some redneck sheriff held a gun to his head, told Ryder he could walk on in or watch his crewman die. So Ryder walked on in.” There was a long silence in the cabin. At last Zoë said, “Tough call.” “Yeah.” They looked at each other for another long moment. Then Mal continued. “Well, once the feds had Ryder, Alliance processed and executed him pretty damn quick. Then they dealt with the boy. Put him away where he wouldn’t stand a chance of tellin’ anyone about what happened. That goddamn high security facility. Know what term they stuck him with?” “How long?” “Twenty years.” Mal shook his head slowly. “Ta ma duh liao mahng… They left that kid to rot. And goin’ by the treatment he got in there, it’s a fair bet he wouldn’t have made it. And they knew that when they sent him down.” “Saved the cost of an execution,” said Zoë, her eyes meeting his: their gazes held for a moment. Then Mal spoke again. “So like I said… All this puts a different light on things. If that boy is tellin’ the truth, and my gut says he is, he’s earned his freedom. He can travel back to Beaumonde with us in passenger quarters, and once we land he can go his way with whatever help we can lend him. I don’t foresee any trouble comin’ back our way; and the fact he crewed for Jake Ryder puts him on my right side. Plus the Alliance put him through a world of hurt, makes me kindly inclined. To a fellow sufferer, y’ might say.” “Right, sir.” Zoë’s affirmation was unwavering. “I agree with you.” “Good. Thought I better fill you in.” “You mentioned any of this to the rest of the crew?” “Excepting the good doctor, not yet. Thought I’d bring everyone up to date soonest, though.” “Jayne ain’t going to like it, sir.” “Well, I’m tryin’ not to let the thought of that spoil my day.” Mal smiled grimly.

* * * * *

Zoë’s prediction was accurate. Jayne emphatically did not like the news, and saw no reason to be reticent about his feelings. “You crazy?” he exploded, staring up at Mal from his weight bench in the cargo hold where Mal had found him exercising. “You’re lettin’ that little hwoon dahn have the run of the ship? Jesus, Mal - ” Jayne’s brows knotted in outrage. “It ain’t bad enough we got the doc’s sister walkin’ about like a goddamn timebomb, you’re settin’ this shiong-mung duh liao mahng on the loose?” “Take it easy, Jayne,” Mal answered lightly. “Looks like this boy ain’t going to be any kind of problem. Turns out he’s been on the receivin’ end of all manner of Alliance gos-se, endin’ up with bein’ sent to that prison. He ain’t a killer or somesuch; just unlucky enough to get on the wrong side of the same people make our lives so interestin’ from time to time.” “That’s what he says,” growled Jayne. “And you buy his bullshit? You’ve gone fong luh!” “Tell you what.” Mal smiled dangerously. “I’m wrong and he starts runnin’ amok, you figure you can handle him? Bein’ as how he maybe just about comes up to your shoulder, and probably weighs less than the hardware you carry?” Jayne stared back at him angrily. “You don’t want to share his company, you can hide in your bunk till we reach Athens. With the door locked, if that makes you sleep easier.” With that Mal left Jayne sitting on the bench, fuming at his captain’s retreating back. Figuring that Inara might be in her shuttle, Mal headed there next. He paused to knock on the shuttle door, hand raised, when a muffled burst of women’s laughter came from the other side. Frowning slightly, he opened the door and walked straight in. Kaylee and River were sitting cross-legged on the floor, their laughter dying down, whilst seated across a low table from them, pouring cups of tea, was Inara. Her face was set in a wide smile; as Mal came in her eyes lifted to him and he saw her brows draw down slightly at his unannounced entrance. He affected not to notice and came to a halt. “Mornin’, ladies. Having a tea party?” “Just a little refreshment,” Inara returned, her dark eyes resting on him, then turning back to the others. Kaylee spoke up, damping down her giggles. “Everything’s running smooth, cap’n; bein’ as how Serenity’s cruising steady, didn’t seem like it’d hurt to take a little break.” “Uh huh.” Mal folded his arms. “Well, I hate to break up your party, but long as we got work, it’d make me real happy if my crew at least looked like they was doing some.” “Okay.” Kaylee got up, the smile replaced on her face by an exasperated look. Under her breath she muttered, “Suo-shi jiou cha wen…” “Jen mei nai-shing duh lao bao-jurn,” added River helpfully, eyeing Mal over her cup of tea. Mal gave her and Kaylee a look, then turned his gaze towards Inara. “Before you go, I got somethin’ to tell you all. That boy we got down in the infirmary: I had a talk with him this morning, and it turns out he ain’t gonna have to be kept under lock and key. He had something of a run-in with the Alliance, through no fault of his own; ended up in that prison for a long spell which he didn’t earn. So I’ve told him he can settle into passenger quarters soon as he’s feelin’ up to movin’, travel the rest of the way back to Beaumonde a little more easy.” “Oh.” Kaylee looked surprised. “But what’d he do, to wind up in prison?” “Stood by a friend.” Mal spoke quietly. At the women’s questioning gaze, he shrugged. “Jake Ryder.” River’s voice was low. She was looking at Mal. “They used him to bring Jake in. He wouldn’t give his friend away. They hurt him.” There was a dead silence in the shuttle now. “They hurt him to make him talk, but he thought his friend could get away. So he wouldn’t talk. Then they hurt him more.” Inara put out a gentle hand to touch River’s arm, but the girl was still, her eyes fixed on Mal. “But they found Jake Ryder anyway. Took the boy with them to make it easier. They put a gun to his head. Said they were going to shoot him. So Jake came out. Because of the boy. And then they took Jake away. Took him away forever.” Mal held River’s gaze, unable to see clearly in the dim light of the shuttle exactly what was looking out of her eyes. Whose thoughts are you reading, little girl? Mine? Or that boy’s down in sick bay? “All his fault.” River spoke again. “Jake died because of him. If he hadn’t got caught, they wouldn’t have been able to use him. His friend would be alive.” River’s eyes slid to one side, drifting into the shadows. “He’s back in the drowning room, every time he thinks of it. Can’t breathe underwater. It never stops.” “River.” Inara took the girl’s cold hand in hers, stroking it. “River.” Her voice was gentle, calling the girl back. “Let go of it. It’s not your memory to carry. Let it go.” Gradually River’s face changed, her eyes clearing. She slowly looked back from the shadows, at Inara. For a moment her face frowned in thought, then she lifted Inara’s hand to the side of her own face, resting her head on it. Kaylee stepped to her side and laid a hand on her back, stroking gently. Inara watched River for a moment, then her eyes switched up to Mal. She said nothing aloud. Tyen ah. Mal looked down at River’s down-turned head. Well, I guess that answers my question. He thought about her words. - Back in the drowning room. Leon’s face came back to him, the boy’s shadowed eyes. The way he’d spoken about Ryder. - He was my friend. He gave me a life when he took me on his crew… And Jake could have got away. But he didn’t. Because he wouldn’t leave without me. Kaylee spoke hesitantly. “River, you okay?” River lifted her head, letting go of Inara’s hand. “My tea’s gone cold.” “I’ll pour you some more.” Inara rose from the table, glancing at Mal. “So… This boy, Leon? He’s not a danger to any of us?” Her eyes flickered momentarily but meaningfully towards River. Mal understood her inference. “I reckon he’s safe enough. He puts any of you on edge, you speak up and I’ll reconsider arrangements. Okay?” All three women nodded. Mal turned to leave, letting Kaylee to exit first. River stayed sitting at the table, lifting the fresh cup of tea that Inara had poured for her to her lips. As Mal reached the door Inara stepped after him, causing him to pause and look at her. “Mal. This boy…” She studied his face. “You’re sorry for him.” “Be sorry for anyone been dealt with the way he has.” Mal spoke shortly. “Enough for a grown man to live through, let alone someone his age. And I had my fill of the way the Alliance dispenses its justice on children.” His mouth tightened. “I know they don’t let compassion interfere with their righteous purposes. I saw enough on Haven to remove any lingerin’ doubts I might have had on that score.” Inara saw the anger deep down in Mal’s eyes; and deeper still, the pain behind it. “And this is one boy you can save from their justice.” “Yeah.” Mal turned his face away. “ ‘Whoever saves a life, saves an entire world.’ ” Inara spoke quietly. Mal’s head lifted. “That sounds like one of Book’s sayings.” “It isn’t. But he would have known it.” Inara glanced back into the shuttle, to see River still quietly sipping at her tea. Then she looked at Mal. “It’s a small thing for us to do, but it means freedom for this boy. A chance to make a new life.” “Wouldn’t be a small thing if the Alliance got wind of it,” commented Mal. “If they’d a notion we’d given a ride to another fugitive from the law, reckon we might as well kiss goodbye working any place in the ‘Verse except the Rim for the rest of our short and interestin’ lives.” “Well, as long as it’s interesting...” Inara let the corners of her mouth turn up. There was a short pause, then Mal smiled too, his eyes lighting at her humour. He turned once more to go, but Inara’s voice held him again. “Oh, and Mal?” “Yeah?” “That conversation we’ve had some number of times about you entering my shuttle without my invitation?” Inara’s tone took on a firmer edge. “Do you recall it?” “Hey, I knocked. You ladies were just partyin’ so loud you didn’t hear me.” Mal feigned innocence. Inara raised one elegant eyebrow. “Of course.” “Anyways, didn’t figure you’d mind another guest at the table. But now I know I ain’t welcome…” Mal let a mock-doleful expression come on his face. Inara kept calm, her voice assertive. “What part of ‘please don’t enter my personal space uninvited’ do you not understand?” “Oh, I understand.” Mal nodded seriously. “I’ll surely bear it in mind in future.” “Good.” Mal stepped out of the doorway, then paused as though struck by a sudden thought. “Seein’ as how I’m here anyway… There any tea left?” “Out!” Inara pointed at the door. Mal vanished.

* * * * *

Leon dozed for most of the day, rousing occasionally to the sounds of Simon working quietly in the infirmary. Each time he woke the doctor gave him something to drink: water, fruit juice, a warm mug of broth. The sleep and the fluids continued the healing process that had begun with Simon’s care, and slowly Leon’s strength returned. The next time he woke it was not Simon he turned his head to find sitting at the bedside, but Kaylee. She grinned when she saw him awake. “Hey, there. How’re y’ feeling?” “Okay…” Leon pushed himself up against the bed-head. Kaylee nodded with satisfaction. “That’s real good. You were in a pretty bad way for a while, had us worried.” She nodded at the infirmary door. “But Simon pulled you through. He’s a real fine doctor, y’know.” “Yeah… I know.” Leon found himself smiling back at this cheerful young woman. Kaylee nodded again, then turned to one side, lifting a pile of clothing onto the bed. “I scrounged up some clothes for you, from folks on board. They’re kind of a mixture, but they’re clean.” She held up a pair of trousers. “These’re Simon’s spare ones, I figured he was probably about your size. Then there’s a shirt Zoë gave me, of Wash’s.” Her eyes took on a momentary sadness as she smoothed it with one hand. “And a pair of sneakers of mine, ‘cos it turns out you and me got the same size feet.” Her smile returned. “They been worn a lot, but I freshened ‘em up the best I could.” She heaped the clothing together. “I mean, it ain’t exactly high fashion, but at least you got something to wear.” Leon laid his hands on the clothes, touching the different colours. “They’re… great. Thank you. And thank the others as well.” “You can thank ‘em yourself at supper, if you’re up to takin’ a stroll soon,” said Kaylee. Leon looked up, his face somewhat apprehensive, and Kaylee smiled. “Don’t worry. Mealtimes ain’t no high society event. Long as you can get past Jayne’s manners, nobody’ll bother you while you’re eating.” “Simon said something about that.” Leon leaned back, looking at her. “He’s a – mercenary? The one who laid me out?” “Yep. But don’t take it personally.” Kaylee shrugged. “Jayne’s took a swing at near about everyone on board, ‘cept me and Inara. Kind of a habit with him.” “Inara… She’s a Companion?” “Yeah. Real beautiful and real smart. And she’s the nicest person you could ever meet. Keeps the cap’n on his toes, too!” Kaylee laughed. “Which keeps things interestin’.” “And Simon’s your medic…” “Best this side of the Core worlds.” Kaylee’s eyes warmed, and Leon saw the change in her face when she spoke of the doctor. “But I’m kinda biased.” She laughed again. “And Simon’s got… a sister?” “Yeah. River.” Kaylee looked a little thoughtful. “She’s real smart, too. Smarter than Simon, even. Scary smart. And she - ” Kaylee broke off as if unsure of what she had been going to say next. After a pause, she continued, “Well, River’s kind of different. Some of the things she says might catch you unawares. But don’t let that fool ya. She don’t mean any harm. Plus she’s got the wickedest sense of humour I ever seen.” “Then there’s… Zoë?” Leon looked at her. “And Wash?” Kaylee’s face fell. After a moment’s pause, she said quietly, “Wash was Zoë’s husband. Piloted Serenity. But he… ain’t with us no more. He died.” She swallowed. “Reavers killed him. A while ago.” “Reavers?” Leon knew their reputation. “Wuh de mah… I’m sorry.” “It was quick. He didn’t have time to feel it. Simon said.” Kaylee’s eyes were wet, her voice unsteady. “But that don’t make it any easier him bein’ gone.” She stroked her hand across the shirt on the bed. “We don’t talk about him much. Spare Zoë the hurt.” There was a long moment of quiet in the room. Then Kaylee sniffed, blinking her eyes, and visibly pushed the memories away. “So that’s everyone on board. With the cap’n.” “Simon said his name was Mal.” Leon tried to help take the conversation away from the subject of Wash, the memories that had put out the light in Kaylee’s eyes. “He wear that browncoat because he fought on the Independent side?” “Yep. Him and Zoë both. But that’s something don’t neither of them talk about much.” Kaylee spoke carefully, and Leon got the message. After a pause, Kaylee said, “Well, you want to try your stuff on? I’ll leave y’ in peace for a few minutes. Then when you’re up and ready I’ll show you where you can sleep.” “Okay.” Kaylee smiled at him one more time, then left the room. Slowly, and not without some self-conscious glances at the infirmary windows, Leon began to put on the borrowed clothes. It took him several attempts to stand up long enough to pull on the trousers, and afterwards his legs shook so that he had to sit and rest on the bed for a while. They fitted him well enough, so he turned his attention to the t-shirt and brightly-coloured shirt. These were larger and had room to spare, but getting his injured arm into the shirt sleeve proved painful enough that he was thankful for the extra space. Once he was dressed and wearing Kaylee’s sneakers he sat on the bed to catch his breath, feeling sweat damp on his face and body. Tyen ah. I feel like I could lie down and sleep for a hundred years. His left arm throbbed under the bandage, but he breathed steadily through his nose until the pain died down. Okay. Just take things slowly. He slid off the bed and walked on legs that felt like water to the door. Kaylee was sitting in the outer communal area, getting up when she saw him. “Hey, you’re looking okay! Those clothes fit alright?” “They’re fine.” Leon put a hand on the back of chair, trying to conceal how he might fall flat on his face without it. Kaylee nodded. “Good. I can show you your bunk, if you’re up to it.” Leon followed her down a short passageway to some passenger quarters, where she showed him a basic but comfortable room, quickly demonstrating its fixtures and fittings. Leon nodded at her explanations, and shot a longing glance at the bed. The effort of standing and moving around had made every muscle in his body ache, and he wanted nothing more than to crawl into the bed and sleep. But the doctor said I got to eat to get better: and I want to get better quick. So I got to keep on my feet a bit longer, make it through a meal with these folk. His stomach knotted tight at the thought of facing all of the crew around a table, especially the one called Jayne. But I got to do it sometime. So better get it over with. A face appearing in the doorway gave him a start: a girl about his own age with long dark hair, gazing at him intently. Kaylee turned. “Hey, River.” “Hi.” River leaned against the doorframe. “You’re going to have this room?” she asked Leon. He looked uncertainly at Kaylee, then nodded. “I… guess so.” “I’m just along the hallway,” River announced, tipping her head to show where she meant. “What books do you like?” “Uh… I haven’t read one in a while.” Leon felt uncomfortable under River’s scrutiny. “You ought to.” River spoke matter-of-factly. “Books are pieces of other people’s minds. Even the dull ones.” She looked around the cabin. “Shepherd Book had some good ones. Although the one he read the most never had all the answers he was looking for.” “Shepherd Book?” Leon was confused. “He had the room across from yours,” River stated matter-of-factly. “He died.” “Oh.” Leon didn’t know what else to say, and Kaylee rescued him. “Shepherd Book travelled with us for a while. But he left. And… a while later, he died.” “Got killed,” corrected River. “On Haven. Him and everyone.” “Um… Yeah.” The pain was back in Kaylee’s eyes. “River, you want to go see if supper’s ready yet?” River shrugged. “Okay.” She glanced at Leon. “See you upstairs.” She departed with a light step that quickly faded into the distance. Kaylee turned to Leon and brought her smile back. “Well... Now you’ve met River.” “Is she… okay?” Leon couldn’t think of how else to ask. Kaylee hesitated. “Yeah. She’s okay. Just… has her ways of speakin’.” She nodded at the room. “This here okay for you?” Leon looked around too. “It’s better than okay. It’s…” He couldn’t find the words. “Compared to where I’ve been, it’s a luxury cruise.” Kaylee smiled. Shortly afterwards they were climbing the cargo bay stairs, heading for the galley and supper. Leon noticed that the hold was stacked with containers and secured crates. “You’re transporting cargo?” “Yep.” Kaylee led on into the aft passage. “We’ll be droppin’ it off on Athens in a few days, then heading back to Beaumonde.” “Athens?” Leon tried to keep up with her on legs still unsteady from days spent in bed. “Didn’t think there was much of a trading market there.” “Oh, we already got a buyer,” Kaylee answered. “This is more of a delivery run. Won’t be big money, but it’ll pay enough. Jobs been pretty few and far between lately.” She stepped through a doorway, beckoning him through. “Hey, everyone! We got a guest for supper.” Leon followed her and halted just inside the room, feeling the gazes of six people turning on him. The crew were seated around a plain wooden table with plates and bowls of food spaced along its length. The lights in the galley were turned to a low setting, making a warm glow that lent the room a calming feel. To one side was a kitchen counter and some storage cupboards, both painted with colourful scrolls and flowers. His eyes took all this in because it was easier than looking back at the people sat around the table. What Serenity’s crew saw was Leon standing hesitantly in front of the doorway, his dark eyes apprehensive in a face still pale from the fever he’d recovered from. The over-large shirt that hung loose on his frame emphasized his slightness: as he felt their appraisal his shoulders unconsciously tensed as if he was bracing himself for a blow. Kaylee took his hand. “C’mon and sit down.” She smiled at him, not allowing him to be intimidated. He advanced slowly at her bidding, moving towards the chair pulled out for him by Simon. He sat down and lifted his eyes to the crew: Mal, sitting at the table head; Zoë on his left, nodding a welcome; Simon smiling encouragingly. Then opposite, River sitting bright-eyed and unconcerned, already eating; next to her a lovely-faced and elegantly-dressed woman he assumed to be Inara; and beside her, looking darkly at him from under lowering brows, the big mercenary Jayne. “Are you feeling better?” Inara spoke kindly. “Yes. Thank you.” Leon swallowed, feeling unsteadiness even in his voice. “You must be ready for a meal,” said Kaylee cheerfully, sitting down at the foot of the table opposite Mal. “Been somethin’ of a while since you last ate.” She handed him across a dish of food. “Sorry it ain’t anything fancy. You missed out on a better meal we had the other night.” Across the table Jayne snorted derisively. “Where he come from, likely he’ll be glad enough for what’s offered here.” Mal levelled a look at him, which Jayne ignored. “Where are you from, Leon?” Inara’s question was quiet but somehow welcoming. “Where’s home?” “Uh… I grew up on Persephone. Not that I ever thought of it much as home.” Leon started to try the food in front of him, tentatively. “Come from Eavesdown.” “That figures,” growled Jayne. “Nothin’ but da bian ever came outta that ruttin’ hole.” Leon flushed under the big man’s hostility. Across the table Mal spoke, his tone suddenly iron. “Anyone eatin’ at this table, gets spoken to civil, Jayne.” For a moment the two men’s gazes locked; Jayne’s eyes dropped first, and he sullenly resumed eating. Kaylee passed Leon a jug of cider, a rueful smile on her face. Inara asked him another question. “So you grew up in Eavesdown docks? Your family work in the shipping line of trade?” “Uh… My old man ran a shebeen, for a while. Then he got in trouble with the local Tong and disappeared.” Leon swallowed a mouthful of cider, its sweet strength flooding him. “So I took care of myself after that.” “How about your mother?” asked Kaylee. “Don’t know.” Leon met her frank gaze. “My old man said she moved on pretty soon after I was born. So after he disappeared, I got by on my own.” “How old were you?” asked Simon. “Nine, I reckon. Maybe ten. Never been sure when my birthday was, so it could’ve been either.” He shrugged. “Geez.” Kaylee sounded horrified. “That’s terrible.” “Wasn’t so bad.” Leon tried not to think about those lean years. “I got by. Then a few years later Jake happened along, offered me a place on his crew. I didn’t have to think twice about it. Best thing that ever happened to me, him taking me in.” “Was he still flying Mawu?” asked Zoë. “Yeah.” “She was a tough little ship,” said Zoë leaning her elbow on the table. “He flew her through those Alliance blockades time and again, and they never brought him down.” “Yeah. She was a great ship.” Leon looked down for a moment, warding off the memories. “Jake taught me to fly her, too. After I got good, he let me co-pilot.” “Then what happened?” asked Kaylee. “How’d you end up in that… prison?” “We had engine trouble. Had to land, and the local law caught us.” Leon swallowed. “The feds took Jake away and... put him on trial. Killed him.” He paused, staring down at his plate, then took a breath and continued. “Then after… They tried me too. Sent me to prison.” “Oh.” Kaylee looked crestfallen. “That’s awful.” Leon liked the way Kaylee seemed to feel for the woes of all around her. She made him feel more at ease, despite the glowering Jayne across the table. He took another drink of cider, and worked at getting through his plate of food. “So the cap’n says you flew with Jake Ryder a few years,” said Zoë. “Yeah.” Leon looked at her. “Worked with him four years, near enough.” Zoë nodded. “You must’ve learned flying pretty good. Ryder was some pilot.” “Yeah, he was.” It felt strange to be talking about Jake to people who knew of him, who spoke about him with praise. Leon suddenly felt a wave of loss welling up in him, tightening his throat so that he could hardly swallow. Ai ya, don’t let me fall apart now, in front of all these people. It’s over, it’s done with; don’t think about it. Don’t think about Jake. He saw River watching him closely over the top of her cup. Guay, I wish she’d look somewhere else. River blinked, then turned her gaze away. Relieved, he managed to swallow another mouthful of food. The rest of Serenity’s crew, sensing his discomfort, attended to their own meals and gave him some time to recover. For a while the only sounds were of eating and the occasional quiet murmur of someone asking for a dish to be passed. Simon eventually broke the silence. “This cider’s really good.” He poured himself another glassful, then offered the jug along to Zoë. “Ain’t it, though?” Kaylee nodded, grinning. “That was another thing we got offa the market on Beaumonde. Little old lady there, she really got the hang of brewin’. Gave me her recipe.” “Wouldn’t you need a heap of apples, though?” queried Zoë, passing the cider on to Mal. “Mmm.” Kaylee looked thoughtful. “She reckoned a coupla barrels at least.” “Well I hate to put the crimp on your brewin’ empire,” Mal commented, filling his glass. “But when they built this ship they forgot to put in a root cellar. We ain’t got the space for a cider press.” He pushed the jug along the table to Jayne. “ ‘Fraid you’re gonna have to stick to your inter-engine fermentation factory, Kaylee.” “Oh, well.” Kaylee looked philosophical. “Last batch of hooch I turned out wasn’t so bad.” Inara let out a half-smothered sound, then turned it into a cough, waving her hand in apology. “Sorry. Something went down the wrong way.” “Only thing wrong with it I noticed was there weren’t enough of it,” Jayne grunted. “And it coulda had a little more kick.” Kaylee looked peeved. “Well, maybe next time I just won’t bother makin’ any, if it don’t suit folks!” “Ain’t nobody sayin’ that, Kaylee,” Mal interposed quickly, shooting a look at the others around the table. “You do a mighty fine job.” His mouth twitched but he kept a straight face. “Your wine goes down a treat.” Everyone hurriedly gave their assent. Mollified, Kaylee took the cider jug as it came to her and refilled her glass. “Okay. But I bet I could make cider if we had the room.” She pushed the jug to Leon. “Here y‘ go.” “Think I’ve had enough.” Leon let the jug stay where it was. The sweet alcohol had rushed into his system, and now he felt warm and light-headed despite the food he’d eaten. “It was great… But I’m kind of tired.” His eyes were trying to close of their own accord. “You will be.” Simon looked at him. “You should get some sleep: rest as much as possible. Don’t overdo things, that’ll only set you back.” “Yeah… Think I’ll go get some sleep.” Leon rose unsteadily, one hand on the table, then looked around at them all. “Thanks for the food.” “You want a hand back to your bunk?” asked Kaylee. “No, I’m okay. Thanks.” Leon gave them all a quick, weary smile, before turning and making his way out of the room. They listened to his footsteps go. After a moment, the meal resumed. “He seems like a decent enough person,” said Inara. “Especially given the life he’s had.” “Huh… Decent actor, more like.” Jayne looked sour. “No tellin’ what’s goin’ on under that meek an’ mild front.” “Give the kid a break, Jayne,” said Zoë. “He seems for real.” “Yeah, well don’t blame me when he gives you a wake-up call with a carvin’ knife,” Jayne snorted. “Me, I’m keepin’ my cabin door locked while he’s on board.” “With you inside it?” Mal looked up with feigned thoughtfulness. “Then that’s one good turn we owe him already.” “But it’s so sad,” said Kaylee. “He didn’t have no mother, and he lost his dad when he was real young… Musta been tough for him gettin’ by alone.” “I think he’s a survivor,” commented Simon. “He made it through that; then later on, being arrested by the authorities, sent to prison, beaten. And losing his friend. And now he’s come through an illness that some grown men wouldn’t have survived. It doesn’t seem as if he gives up easily.” “Looked pretty wiped out, though.” Kaylee sounded sympathetic. “Thought he was gonna fall asleep face-down on his plate for a moment back there.” “Hardly surprising, with all he’s been through,” Inara said. “But despite all the adversity he’s suffered, he’s had some better luck as well. To be taken in by this Jake Ryder and given an opportunity to learn a trade. And he was fortunate the second time he boarded a ship, too.” “Wouldn’t call gettin’ his brains acquainted with the business end of Jayne’s wrench especially lucky,” commented Mal, smiling as he took a drink of cider. Inara looked at him, a small answering smile coming to her own face. “No. But boarding a ship run by a captain who gave him a chance…” Her eyes held his for a moment. “That was.” Mal met her gaze for a half a second: Inara saw the beginnings of surprise in his face, but it passed quickly; Mal raised his cup of cider and tipped his head back to drain it, breaking their contact. When he set the empty cup down on the table, his expression had returned to its familiar matter-of-fact look. “No cause to treat folk harsh unless they’ve earned it,” he said. Back down in his cabin, Leon was unaware of the conversation his presence had generated amongst Serenity’s crew. In fact, he was unaware of almost everything except the growing drowsiness that was filling his head like warm mist. In a fog of cider and weariness he closed the cabin door and sat heavily on the bunk. Pulling off his shoes made his head swim as he bent over: he sat back on the bunk, leaning against the wall. Once his vision steadied he looked slowly around the room. The walls were bare but clean: the bunk felt firm and smooth underneath him, the coverlet rustling against his legs as he moved. He wanted to sleep so badly, but something was holding him back. Some indefinable wariness, a feeling of needing to be on his guard that had grown up in him during the time in prison, still sat as a twist of tension in his gut. He breathed out slowly and deliberately, trying to will the tenseness away. They seem like decent people. And the captain played it straight when he talked to me. If they meant to turn me in to the feds, they’d have done something about it by now. Not given me a cabin to sleep in and invited me to dinner. He thought back to the crew around the table. It was a strange mix of folk to find crewing a transport ship out on the Rim. The doctor and his unsettling sister; cheerful Kaylee and beautiful Inara; quiet, serious-looking Zoë; the intimidating and unfriendly Jayne; and headed up by the puzzling Mal. And there had been the other former crew members that Kaylee had mentioned: Wash, Zoë’s dead husband; and Shepherd Book. It seemed an unlikely collection of characters to be making a living out of carrying cargo on an elderly Firefly, across the anarchic fringes of the universe. He let himself slide down, lying on his side on the bunk with his back to the wall. The knot of tension in his stomach had eased a little: he felt his eyes growing heavy with sleep. Should get out of these clothes. So damn tired. His eyes closed; slowly the muscles in his shoulders relaxed, his hands falling open and loose on the coverlet. His breathing settled down into a slow, deep rhythm as sleep took him away.