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!

**********************************************

Leon awoke with a start: his eyes blinked against light, his hand rising to shield his face. For a few seconds he was gripped with dread, catching his breath hard. His muscles tensed and he struggled up onto his elbows, staring around the room. The unthreatening walls of the cabin looked back at him. Slowly his memory caught up with him in the here and now: Not in prison any more. On board that ship. He let out an unsteady breath and pushed himself into a sitting position on the bed, blinking in the light. Guay. Slept in my clothes. He slowly swung his legs over the edge of the bed and rested his feet on the floor: rubbed a hand over his face. Then he looked across the room, to where a stainless steel washbasin was let into the wall. Get it together. Face the day. He stripped off the borrowed shirt and t-shirt, wincing as he moved his left arm. The sharp pain had almost gone, but lifting his shoulder to shuck off the clothes started a throbbing that made him stop and lean on the washbasin, pressing his lips together. The pain gradually eased away, leaving him shaky and clammy-faced. He ran water into the basin and washed the sweat away, sluicing his head and body until he felt fully awake. Dried and back in the clothes he’d shaken the worst of the creases out of, he hesitantly opened his cabin door, to look out onto an empty corridor. It was quiet apart from the steady hum of the ship’s engines. Slowly Leon stepped down the corridor, retracing the route he’d taken the night before. He came out into the common area outside the infirmary and stopped: River was sitting curled up in one of the armchairs. Her eyes rested on him in the doorway as if she’d been expecting him. “Sleep well?” “Uh… Yeah.” Leon rubbed the back of his head with one hand. “Want something to eat? You missed breakfast.” River stood up. “There’s plenty in the galley.” She stepped to the exit, then paused and looked back at him. “Coming?” Dumbly he nodded and followed after her. River led the way into the cargo bay, humming softly as they crossed the open space. The clang of metal made Leon start and look to one side. Across the cargo bay stood a weight bench, where Jayne was just sitting up after slotting a large barbell onto its supports. He reached for a grimy towel, then paused with it in his hand, eyes resting on Leon. An unfriendly scowl crossed his face; he wiped the sweat from his forehead, then tossed the towel onto the bench. Leon held the big mercenary’s hostile gaze for as long as he could, then turned away to follow River. She was climbing the metal stairway that led up out of the cargo bay, her feet light and swift. For a moment she glanced back over her shoulder at him; smiled, and headed onwards. When they entered the galley it was empty, a contrast to the previous evening when all the crew had been there. Leon felt relieved. He followed River as she moved into the kitchen area, showing him where food and drink was stored, how the various appliances worked. He slowly got himself a breakfast of sorts together with River’s sporadic assistance, then sat down at the table to eat… and to drink his way through a large amount of coffee. His head still felt muzzy with sleep; he needed the caffeine to pull himself back to life. River sat opposite him at the table, her eyes sketching over him as he breakfasted. He decided to ignore her attentions as best he could, concentrating on the food. After several long minutes of quiet, she spoke. “You don’t ask any questions.” Leon looked up at her, a little startled. After a moment he said slowly, “Guess not.” “But you’re thinking them.” She put her head on one side. “Why not say them out loud?” Leon took a mouthful of coffee, watching her. “I… got out of the habit.” “In prison?” “Yeah.” “Not in prison now.” She shrugged. Leon said nothing, taking another drink of coffee. After giving him a few moments, River rested her elbows on the table and propped her chin in her hands. “He’s dead. Out in the black. Can’t burn you any more.” Jolted, Leon stared at her. Sweat prickled on his skin: he felt his heart begin to race. His lips parted, but he said nothing. River’s eyes stayed steady on his; a small frown drew her brows downwards. “I know he hurt you,” she said slowly. “Bad.” She leaned back, her hands moving to wrap around her arms as she still looked at him. “They both hurt you. Fire and water.” Leon felt cold, his hands clenched around his coffee mug. “Never stop. They don’t stop. And you can’t get away.” Suddenly River shut her eyes and her head bowed down. He heard her take a breath. After a moment’s silence, her white-knuckled fingers relaxed their grip on her arms; she breathed out slowly. Her head lifted and she looked back at him. There was a visible look of control on her face, but something else too: a recognition in her eyes. “They always hurt,” she said in a soft voice. “And they don’t feel it. They don’t see you. You’re a thing to be broken, to find out what they want to know.” Leon couldn’t look away from her. His throat was locked tight. How does she know? She can’t know what happened. He saw Nash standing over him in the cell; the water choking off his breath. Saw himself lying naked, curled on the floor in solitary, Warren reaching out with the shock baton. She can’t know. His hands were shaking. “I know.” River spoke quietly. “I know what they do.” She was still holding her arms: slowly she let go, her shoulders relaxing downwards. “It stops. If you let it. They can’t keep you there for ever.” Her eyes held his, shining in the soft galley light. Leon felt the shaking in his hands start to travel through his body, growing like a tremor moving through the earth. The fear rose in him: the muscles in his stomach tensed hard, as if warding off a blow. Memories were surging up like a tide; he was drowning, fighting to breathe. No. Not going to do this. He fought the fear, pushing it down. It’s over. Don’t think about it. Ever. River was still watching Leon across the table when he broke away from her gaze, his eyes shutting tight. His brow drew into a frown, his head bowing down. His hands grew still, holding onto the coffee mug. There was a brief silence, then Leon took a breath. His eyes opened and he looked down at the table; then his gaze lifted back to hers: searched her face, wary. River regarded him for a moment longer, then got up from the table. “Want some more coffee?” Leon hesitated, then nodded. River smiled. “I’ll make fresh. We can take some to Zoë on the bridge.” Leon sat and watched River move about the galley, moving through a wreath of steam as she brewed up another jug of coffee. He felt confused, off-balance. I don’t understand her. She’s – strange. He thought of River’s eyes on his, as if she was seeing what he saw, feeling what he felt. What did she mean, that she knows what they do? How can she know? “Okay. Let’s go.” River held out a mug of fresh coffee to him, then led the way out of the galley and along the fore deck to the bridge. Leon followed dumbly, glancing at the cabin doors of the crew quarters they passed. They mounted a short flight of steps and went through a doorway into the bridge. Leon moved forward after River, who stepped up to where Zoë sat at the controls. She took the coffee River offered her with pleasant thanks, glanced curiously at Leon then nodded a welcome. “River giving you a guided tour?” “Uh… Yeah.” Leon felt shy of this quiet, serious woman. “Have a seat.” Zoë gestured at the co-pilot’s chair. Leon slid into it, then for the first time since he’d entered the cockpit, lifted his eyes to the window. And there were the stars. Zoë watched Leon silently, her spirit touched by the change in the youth. His eyes widened, his lips parting; his head lifted up as he gazed out into the universe. A deep breath that sounded as if it came from his very soul escaped him. It was the sound of someone finding their way home. River perched on one side of the cockpit, smiling up at the stars too. Long minutes passed. At last Leon sighed, then leaned forward to rest his crossed arms on the console edge, his eyes still trained on the unfolding vastness of space. “Been a while since you’ve seen that,” observed Zoë quietly. Leon nodded. “Looks good?” “Better than good.” Leon sounded dazed. “Didn’t know how much I missed it… Haven’t seen it since… since I left Mawu.” He shook his head slowly, wonderingly. “Well, take your time,” said Zoë. “It’s not going anywhere.” The three of them sat in silence for a while. River was the first to speak. She moved closer to Leon, looking out to where his gaze was travelling over the stars; then she touched the console. “Now you can keep your promise to him.” Leon turned his head to look at her. “He wanted you to be free, out there.” She looked back into space. “Now you can use your wings to fly.” Zoë watched them silently, her eyes steady on Leon’s face. She saw the confusion in the youth’s eyes, the doubt. And the sure smile on River’s face. What does she see? she thought. What does she see inside him? Leon’s gaze dropped down to the console, to the flight controls. She saw him put out one hand, hesitantly: lay his fingertips down to touch the console. His brows drew down for a moment, then he lifted his head and looked out of the cockpit window… And Zoë saw his mouth set in decision. His eyes took on a determined light. Uh uh. That’s a look that’s going places, and heaven help anyone gets in its way. And for a moment, Zoë smiled. “Been on a Firefly before?” She spoke casually. Leon turned to look at her, lifting his hand away from the console. “Uh… No. Jake talked about ‘em some, but I never flew in one.” “Want to get the feel of her?” Leon stared at Zoë for a moment. “What?” His voice was small. Zoë shrugged. “Cap’n said you wanted to look for crewing work once you get back to Beaumonde. Getting some experience on Serenity won’t do you any harm.” Leon’s eyes rested on hers in near disbelief for a second longer – then sheer delight surfaced, lighting up his face. “I can try at flying the ship? For real?” “Sure.” Zoë leaned across and keyed in a code to the co-pilot’s console, activating its controls. “I’ll take you through some of the basics, get you familiar with how she handles. Then you can try flying her a while.” The light in the youth’s face made her smile too. He looked younger than ever, the shadows gone from around his eyes. “Ready?”

* * * * *

Mal climbed up from his cabin and stepped into the fore deck, shrugging his shoulders to wake himself up. As he drew nearer to the bridge he heard River laughing; Zoë’s voice, then an unfamiliar one: Leon’s. His brows quirked and he moved quickly up the stairs. He entered the cockpit to find River perched on one side grinning at Zoë and Leon, who were seated at Serenity’s controls. Or rather, Leon was seated at the controls in the co-pilot’s chair. Zoë was leaning back in the pilot’s seat, her arms folded, nodding encouragement. “That’s it. You got her. Feel it now?” “Yeah. She handles slower than Mawu – but sure. Like she knows what you want.” The youth was smiling. “Feels good.” “Okay. You’re doing fine. Just keep her steady as she goes, get the feel of her.” Zoë turned a little in her chair – and saw Mal standing in the doorway. Instantly she grew still. “Hi, cap’n.” Beside her Leon’s head lifted, his eyes widening slightly. Mal came right into the cockpit. “This a private lesson, or can anyone join in?” His tone was level, but he looked squarely at Zoë and she understood the message in his eyes straight away. “Just givin’ Leon here a little practice, sir,” she answered quietly. As she spoke she reached across and keyed in a command that shut down Leon’s console, taking back control of Serenity to her own station. Leon turned in the pilot’s chair, looking up at Mal. His face was apprehensive. “I was real careful, Captain Reynolds.” Mal nodded. “Right. You want to free me up that seat?” Leon rose instantly, backing away. Mal looked across at River. “You been showin’ Leon the sights, little albatross?” “Just got started,” retorted River, her mouth showing just the suggestion of a pout. Mal narrowed his eyes. “Well, how’s about you give him the full tour.” River faced him, unmoving. “Better still, how’s about you start at the other end of the ship?” After a moment’s pause, River got to her feet, bestowed a supercilious look on Mal, and looked at Leon. “C’mon, Leon. Let’s go and find Kaylee in the engine room and press some buttons.” She exited, taking a still apprehensive-looking Leon with her. Mal sat back in the co-pilot’s chair and let out a short breath. Zoë spoke before he did. “Cap’n, he wasn’t doing any harm. It was my idea. Thought maybe it’d do him good, take his mind off his troubles.” “Uh huh. You stop to consider that givin’ him some occupational therapy might end real quick if he flew us into an asteroid?” “Wasn’t going to happen, sir. I kept a close watch on him. Besides, he knows what he’s doing.” “Sure. After all, he’s got oh, must be plenty of experience and know-how, on account of his advanced years. Not to mention he’s just had a considerable spell of doin’ nothin’ to study up on the finer points of being a pilot.” “I take your point, sir, but that boy can fly. Jake Ryder taught him. Plus, he’s a natural. Just watching him, I could see it.” “Ah c’mon, Zoë…” Mal shook his head, smiling wryly. “Coupla years crewin’ don’t make him a pilot at his age, no matter how good Ryder taught him. You’re putting too much stock in this kid’s history. I know Ryder was a flyer, but that don’t make Leon one. You’re seeing too much.” “No.” Zoë spoke louder, the word falling between them. She looked at Mal. “I can see it in him. That boy is a born pilot. When he takes those controls, he isn’t flying the ship. He’s a part of it.” She held Mal’s gaze. “You don’t think I know how that looks in a person? That I wouldn’t recognise it when I see it?” Mal sat still. After a long silence, he said, “You see it in him, Zoë? Or you see someone else when he sits there?” Zoë looked down at the controls. “He’s just a kid. Someone we ran into along the way.” The silence stretched. “Look…” “No. Sir.” Her voice was steady. “When I watched him flying Serenity, he was happy. But it was more than that. For the first time since he came on board, he was himself. A different person. Easy at the controls, like he belonged. Not many folks out there can fly that way… But he can.” Her eyes lifted to his. They were quiet again. At last Mal spoke. “Okay.” He nodded. “He can get some practice in up here when things are quiet. Can’t hurt if you keep a watch over him.” “It’s something that’ll help him.” Zoë rose from the pilot’s chair. “He needs to fly. And it doesn’t cause us any problems.” “No. Guess not.” Mal gave her a small smile. “Just, if you’re plannin’ on letting him try a Crazy Ivan, I’d appreciate some warning.” Zoë smiled back.

* * * * *

Over the next two days Leon gradually got familiar with Serenity, through his forays with River into every nook and cranny. He spent a few hours in the engine room being given a crash-course in mechanics by Kaylee, often finding his way there to help her out with the small jobs that were a constant requirement for keeping Serenity’s hard-working parts running smoothly. Though his slowly-healing arm made him a little clumsy, Kaylee was patient and good-humoured as she guided him through the intricacies of her domain. And when he wasn’t helping her, he was up with Zoë on the bridge, continuing to develop his piloting skills. Leon didn’t know what had passed between the first mate and the captain, but Mal appeared to have given his consent for the impromptu lessons to continue. And he was glad. As soon as he took hold of the controls and looked out onto the stars, all the worries he had fell away. He was flying again: he could fly, and he would go on flying. He didn’t know what kind of crewing job he’d find on Beaumonde, but he knew that he could do it. Nothing would keep him out of the sky again. He joined the crew at mealtimes, each sitting growing more at ease with them and the ship’s routine. All but Jayne were friendly to him: he was especially comfortable with Kaylee and Inara, who went out of their way to make him feel at home. River was still a frequent companion and he was glad for the company, though the disquieting things she’d said stayed in his mind when they were together. Sometimes he would look up to find her watching him across a room, and he’d feel uneasy. She would turn away, or strike up a conversation with someone else; but he couldn’t lose the feeling of being under observation. The afternoon of the second day, he helped Simon to straighten out the infirmary, cleaning down cupboards and surfaces. The young doctor was relaxing to be around: he explained each step of their task clearly, and didn’t seem in any hurry to finish. Once or twice Leon glanced sideways at Simon when he was occupied, looking for a resemblance to River. There was something there: the dark, intent eyes, the way a small frown of concentration drew a line between Simon’s brows. Even his careful movements had something of River’s physical grace, though in Simon it was transformed into a surgeon’s precision. Leon worked on, wondering. At last Simon’s studious face broke into a smile, and he shook his head. “I don’t think I’ve been so closely scrutinised since I took my final medical exams.” He looked up at Leon, still smiling. “I can’t believe that what I’m doing is so fascinating to you.” “I’m sorry - ” Leon felt awkward. “That’s okay. But I get the feeling that there’s something bothering you.” Simon sat back on his stool and regarded him frankly. “Is it something I can help with?” “It’s okay. There’s nothing bothering me. I was… It’s nothing.” “Hey.” Simon spoke gently. “I’m your doctor. Whatever it is, you can talk to me.” Leon took a breath. “I was just – wondering. About your sister.” His words fell between them. “I mean… I like River. She’s been really kind to me, showing me round the ship. But…” His throat tightened with nervousness: Simon’s eyes were bent seriously on him now. “She’s said things to me. About – stuff that happened. And I don’t understand how she knows it. I haven’t told her.” He swallowed. “I haven’t told anyone here about some of it. But it’s like - she knows. Like she was - there.” Simon rested his hands in his lap and appeared to be thinking. His eyes fixed on Leon appraisingly; the frown had returned, drawing the line between his brows once again. After a long pause, he spoke. “Leon… River is a very special person.” His voice was calm and quiet. “Not only special to me: of course she is the most important person in my life, with Kaylee. But beyond that…” He hesitated, and Leon saw doubt in his face. “Leon, what do you know about River? Of her past? What has she told you?” “She hasn’t told me anything much.” He recalled her words. - I know. I know what they do. “Kaylee said…” He tried to recall Kaylee’s words. “She said River was really smart, and funny. But that some of the things she said could… catch me unawares.” He swallowed again. “She got that right.” Simon gazed ahead at the infirmary wall, but Leon suspected he wasn’t really seeing it. Then his chin lifted; he turned his head and met Leon’s uneasy look. “Leon. I’m putting my trust in you. For River’s safety.” His words were measured, quiet. “I want you to promise that you won’t speak of this to anyone outside this ship.” “I promise. I won’t say anything to anyone.” He felt Simon’s uncertainty. “I wouldn’t do anything that might hurt River, or anyone on Serenity. I owe you everything. I owe you my life.” Simon nodded slowly. “You’ve been through some bad times yourself. So you’ll understand when I tell you, my sister has been hurt. In bad ways.” He took a deep breath. “She was… experimented on. That’s the best way I can describe it. The authorities did things to her and she couldn’t get away. She was only fourteen when she left home to go to what my family thought was an academy for gifted students. Over the next two years, the… things they did to her in that place altered her. Nearly destroyed her. But she was able to get word to me, to tell me in letters that no-one else understood, of what was happening to her. And she begged me to get her out.” Leon said nothing, his eyes fixed on Simon’s face. Simon’s eyes had filled with painful memory. “When I tried to get my parents to help, to bring her home, they brushed me aside. Told me I was imagining things. The more I pleaded with my father to help me get River out, the more distant he became. And then I understood that if River was to be helped, I would have to do it alone. So that’s what I did. I made contact with people who knew how to break into government facilities. And with their help, I got River out.” “But they’d hurt her? The people in the place you took her from?” “Yes.” Simon shut his eyes briefly, then stared into space again. “I ended up taking a passage on Serenity, with River stowed away in a cryo-case. But that didn’t fool the captain for long.” His mouth quirked momentarily. “Not much does. So there we both were, River and me, on board this ship. And she was… very ill. Mentally ill. Disturbed. Unpredictable. Dangerous to herself… And sometimes to other people too. But she was my sister. I love her. There is no way I would ever give up on her. So I tried to treat her, the best I could. Only I didn’t have much success, for a long time.” He shut his eyes again, as if trying to shut out the memories of his own failure. “It was… terrible to see her going through so much pain, so much distress. I thought I had freed her from the place she’d been, but the pain of it stayed with her. Until we went to Miranda.” “Miranda?” The name meant nothing to Leon. “You probably wouldn’t have heard about it. Though a lot of people do, now. It happened whilst you were in prison.” Simon looked at him. “It was a terra-formed world. An Alliance colony out on the Rim. There was an experiment there, a government-sanctioned experiment involving all the people on that world. They were exposed to something the Alliance called the Pax: G-23 paxilon hydrochlorate, a mood-altering drug. It was supposed to suppress aggressive tendencies, produce a docile population. Only it worked too well. Not only did the people on Miranda stop arguing and fighting: they stopped everything. Working. Moving. Eating. And then they died, in their thousands.” Simon’s voice was thin. “A miracle of modern medical science gone wrong. And the final evil was, not everyone died. For a small fraction of Miranda’s population, paxilon hydrochlorate had the opposite effect. Their aggression was triggered to uncontrollable heights. They went insane, into a killing frenzy. They ceased to be human… Or they lost the part of themselves that made them human. They raped and mutilated and murdered every living thing on Miranda that crossed their path. Then they took to space, staying on the farthest edges of the Rim, preying on any ship unlucky enough to stray too near them.” “Reavers…” Leon said unsteadily. “You’re talking about Reavers?” Simon nodded. “But I don’t understand. What has this got to do with River?” “When Miranda spiralled into disaster, the government knew they had to conceal what they’d done. So they cut all links with the planet, erased all records; made what had happened there disappear. Only a few people, key politicians, knew of exactly what had been done. And no-one else would ever have known, if those same men hadn’t met my sister.” Simon held Leon with his gaze. “They were brought to see her, on some official tour of the facility she was being held in. They were in the same room as her for a while, being told what remarkable progress was being made in her case.” His voice was bitter. “And all the time they were looking at my sister like a lab rat in a cage, she was looking at them. Inside them. She saw what they had seen, knew what they knew. And that’s part of what turned the world into a nightmare for her. She couldn’t understand where these memories, these terrible visions came from. They haunted her day and night until one day she was able to bring a name to the surface: Miranda. So we went there and found out the truth, and River was finally able to face her nightmares.” “But how did she know?” Simon sighed. “River is a Reader, Leon. She can see or hear people’s thoughts; perceive their feelings. That’s how she knew about Miranda. And that’s how she knows those things about you.” “She reads minds?” Leon was incredulous. “No-one can do that!” “River can do a lot of things I’ve never seen anyone else do. I said she was a very special person: I meant it. Not only is she a Reader, she is more intelligent than anyone I have ever met: beyond genius level. I am pretty smart.” Simon smiled self-deprecatingly. “But River leaves me standing. And beyond her abilities of the mind, she is physically talented to an extraordinary level. She has the skills of a climber, a dancer, a first-class gymnast. And she can fight better than Jayne.” “Fight?” Leon still couldn’t take this all in. “But she’s… she’s younger than me. And she doesn’t look like she could hurt a fly.” “Looks can be deceptive.” Simon shook his head. “Trust me, I know.” “But… fight better than Jayne?” Leon was incredulous. “I don’t believe it!” “Believe it. She once put Jayne down in a bar fight.” Simon smiled. “In between taking out a dozen or more other rowdies in the bar without even breaking into a sweat.” His smile faded. “Not to mention, she took on a crowd of Reavers hand-to-hand and lived to tell the tale. They didn’t.” He seemed lost in memory for a moment. Leon said nothing, too surprised by what Simon had told him to respond. River came into his mind’s eye: slight, dark-haired, quirky River. With her sidelong smile and disconcerting way of speaking. Reavers? She fought and killed Reavers? He couldn’t make the two pictures fit. “Leon…” Simon addressed him directly, and Leon met his eyes. The young doctor was looking very serious. “I’m telling you this because I think it’s better that you know. Better for you, and for River. But I want you to understand something else about my sister as well. Something very important. River has these… abilities, and they set her apart. But they are not her, not what makes her who she is. She is a person. A human being. She’s my younger sister; a friend to everyone on this ship. An individual in her own right. What Kaylee said, about her being funny and very smart, that’s all true. And she’s loyal and sensitive and generous and loving. And being her brother, I can also admit that sometimes she’s a real brat. But all I ask is, now you know some of River’s history, don’t let that change how you are with her. That would hurt her. And I don’t want that.” At last Leon found his voice. “I won’t.” He held Simon’s gaze. “I promise.” Simon looked at him for a long moment – then a quiet smile returned to his face. “Okay. Then let’s get back to work.”

* * * * *

Mal was pouring himself a coffee in the galley when the intercom crackled to life with Zoë’s voice. “Just hit comm range for Athens, cap’n. Shall I contact Vaughan?” Mal crossed the room and thumbed the intercom button. “Wait up. I’ll come and do it myself.” He headed up to the front of the ship. In the cockpit Zoë shifted from her seat to make way for him, moving into the co-pilot’s chair. “Ready to dial, sir.” “Thanks.” Mal flicked the switch and waited, arms resting across his knees. After a few seconds of static, the comm screen flickered up the face of a thickset man with a shaved head and a short black beard. Mal leaned forward. “Mr Vaughan? Captain Reynolds. Comin’ in with your shipment from Jing-Mei. You got her wave?” “Yeah. I got it.” Vaughan looked less than delighted. “You got my cargo?” “Every nut and bolt accounted for. Should be with you in about six hours.” He glanced at Zoë, who nodded. “You got some muscle for unloading?” “You’re the delivery boy, Reynolds. Figure that makes shifting cargo your job.” Vaughan let the corner of his mouth twitch upwards. “That’s what you’re getting paid for.” “Oh, I surely am.” Mal smiled humourlessly back. “Just might get your shipment unloaded a little quicker if you were willing to lend a hand. But we can handle it.” “Good. I don’t like being kept waiting.” Vaughan reached down out of view. “Transmitting coordinates to you now. I’ll see you there in six hours.” “With the payment in full for my worthy employer,” rejoined Mal. Vaughan’s mouth twisted a little sourly. “When I see my goods.” “We got your goods.” Mal kept his voice level. “So it’d be right handy to see some money in exchange waitin’ for us. Otherwise my crew’re likely to be a little slower unloading than you’d like.” Vaughan scowled. “I’ll have the money. But all of the shipment that conniving slant-eyed bitch promised me better be there. See you in six hours.” The screen went black as he cut the connection. Mal leaned back in his chair with folded arms and stared thoughtfully at the console. Beside him Zoë propped her chin on one hand. “And there we were worrying that Vaughan wasn’t going to be a reasonable man.” “Wasn’t exactly a promising start,” Mal allowed. “The part where he called Jing-Mei a slant-eyed bitch, or where he called you a delivery boy?” “Man could’ve put it a little nicer.” Mal’s brows drew down. “But provided he comes through with the cash he can call us what he likes. I ain’t doin’ this run to cultivate new acquaintance.” With the drop-off coordinates entered and Serenity moving into entry orbit, there was little else to do except check the cargo was ready for unloading. Mal gathered everyone into the galley before their descent into atmosphere. “Okay, folks. Job’s nearly half-done; next part’s likely to be the most delicate so we’ll keep it simple. Jayne and Kaylee, you’ll help us unload the cargo. River, you go sit up on the bridge: I want Zoë down with us for security.” He turned to Leon. “And you find yourself somewhere private to go sit and stay there. Best you don’t get seen.” Leon nodded. “Right. Everything goes as it should, we’ll be off-planet within a coupla hours. I don’t plan on being dirt-side here any longer than necessary.” “Can’t we take a quick nose around town, see if there’s any bargains?” asked Kaylee. “Athens is kinda down-at-heel, likely we could pick up some more supplies cheaper’n we’d get ‘em somewheres else.” “I don’t know about anyone else, but I’d like just to get outside to stretch my legs and get some daylight and fresh air,” said Inara. “This ain’t a tourist stop, y’know,” replied Mal impatiently. “Just a face full of quarry dust is all you’ll find on Athens.” “I wasn’t expecting a walk through the Paradiso Gardens,” she answered with a smile. “Just an hour’s change of scene would be good.” “And a cold drink in a bar with some women worth lookin’ at‘d be even better,” put in Jayne, folding his arms on the table. “Been awhiles since I had me some R and R.” “Is anyone else rememberin’ we’re workin’, or is that a delusion I’m party to alone?” Mal glowered at his rebellious crew. “We unload the cargo and get the money off Vaughan, this job’s but half-done. We got to deliver Jing-Mei’s payment back to her on Beaumonde before pay day.” He looked at their unconvinced expressions. “Zoë, help me out here!” “Well; an extra hour or two wouldn’t make much of a difference… would it, sir?” Zoë fielded Mal’s irritated look with a shrug. “Couldn’t hurt.” Mal looked around the room again – then admitted defeat. “Fine. Why the hell not.” Everyone looked suitably cheered by this decision. “But not everyone’s gettin’ a holiday. You - ” he pointed at Leon “ - stay on board. And you, Kaylee.” “Me? Why?” Kaylee looked startled. “You were telling me about them running repairs Serenity needs, you can use a couple hours’ down-time to make a little headway on ‘em.” “But cap’n, that ain’t fair - !” “If it cheers you up any, I’ll be staying behind too. I don’t plan on doin’ any sight-seeing.” Mal spoke decisively. “So that makes Inara, the doc, River, Jayne and Zoë the tour party. You got two hours to buy some tasteful souvenirs and be back on board.” He gave a meaningful glance around the table. “That means two hours or less, dong ma?” There was murmur from the crew in response. “Okay. Let’s get to work.”

* * * *

Zoë brought Serenity down through atmosphere and in towards the landing coordinates, watched by Leon in the co-pilot’s chair. He observed her movements carefully. “What’s she like in atmo?” “You just got to be decisive,” Zoë replied. “She’s got plenty of manoeuvrability. Probably more than most ships half her size.” She checked the readouts and reached up to press a couple of controls. “You use the engines to bring her in, then lower her down nice and gently on the downthrust. As long as you keep a watch on her attitude and don’t give her too much burn… She’s got a pretty big mass to start balancing if you don’t get it right first time.” “And she responds real quick to controls.” Leon was frowning with concentration as he watched Zoë bring Serenity down. “I guess you need a light touch.” “Yeah. Light but sure. You don’t commit, she doesn’t like it.” A slight tremor ran through the ship and Zoë’s mouth tightened slightly. “Damn it. Never did get that smooth.” She reached up and keyed in engine shut-down as Serenity settled to rest. “You better go find your hiding place. Don’t know how big a welcome party we’ve got waiting for us, but Vaughan doesn’t strike me as being the friendly type.” “Okay.” Leon got up and headed out of the cockpit. As he left, Zoë clicked on the intercom. “All shut down. River, you want to take over up here?” Mal stood by the cargo bay doors, casting a last glance over the crates and containers behind him. Jayne stood to one side, eyes narrowed, waiting for a view of their customers. Kaylee stood in her overalls by the cargo, pulling on work gloves ready to do some lifting. Her gaze drifted to Mal momentarily: a frown crossed her face and she pointedly looked away. Mal lifted his eyebrows, then looked up at the sound of footsteps on the gantry: Zoë was descending to the cargo bay. “River’s got the bridge. We’re all set.” “Good.” Mal turned to the door controls. “Everyone look friendly.” Slowly the doors opened to reveal the unloading ramp. Beyond it, standing in some hazy yellow sunlight, were a small group of men: behind them, two cargo-pullers with drivers leaning on the wheel. Mal signalled with a movement of his head for Zoë to accompany him, then walked down the ramp. A warm wind lifted the dust and swirled it around their feet as they advanced towards the men. As they drew closer, Vaughan detached himself and came forward a step to meet them, thumbs hooked into his belt. In the flesh he was even more solid than he had seemed on the comm screen: a square-shouldered man with the hard-muscled build of a wrestler. His dark eyes took in Serenity’s crew waiting in the cargo bay, lingering on Jayne: then they travelled to Zoë, finally coming to rest on Mal. There was no welcoming light in them. “Mr Vaughan? Captain Mal Reynolds.” Mal considered putting out his hand to shake, then elected not to waste the effort. “Got your cargo ready to unload. You got the payment?” “Not till we make inventory,” retorted Vaughan coldly. He took out a battered databook. “Anything on this list ain’t there, we’re talking discount.” “Well, that’s thorough,” said Mal, allowing his business-only smile to appear. “Everything’s there that Jing-Mei had loaded aboard, so there shouldn’t be any problems.” He stepped to one side as Vaughan headed up the ramp, then fell in behind him. As he did so he said out of the corner of his mouth to Zoë, “Just make sure none of his trained monkeys look to joining him on board.” Vaughan strode up to the first pile of crates, next to where Jayne was standing. The two men exchanged unfriendly looks, then Vaughan unfastened a crate lid and looked inside. He scanned the engineering parts minutely, then checked them off on his databook. He dropped the lid back down, then moved to the next crate. Slowly, watched by Serenity’s silent crew and tailed by a watchful Mal, the big man worked his way thoroughly and tediously through the entire cargo. At last Vaughan kicked the lid shut on the last crate, folded the databook shut and put it in his pocket. Mal waited for him to speak, but Vaughan just walked past and down the cargo loading ramp. Mal took a second to get his temper under control, then followed. Vaughan had stopped a few paces away. He gestured at the two men on the cargo-pullers. “All right, drive ‘em in close. They’ll load ‘em up.” Mal stepped in close as the cargo-loaders’ engines roared into life. “You want door-to-door service, better cross my palm with silver. Or the only place your boys are goin’ with those is back home all empty and disappointed-like.” Vaughan regarded him stonily. “I got payment. Right here.” He slid his hand inside his jacket and took out a leather bag. As Mal reached for the money, Vaughan pulled his hand back suddenly. “Less that discount we mentioned.” He tipped the bag up, shaking out a large handful of coins into his free hand then returning them to his pocket. “You can tell Jing-Mei she’s only getting the other four thou because I already got customers waiting for this shipment.” Mal took the leather bag; hefted its weight, looking down at it. Then he lifted his head. “How you figure that discount again?” “She promised me two crates of carbide-tipped drill bits as part of this delivery. They ain’t there.” He shrugged. “You do the math.” “The math ain’t my problem.” Mal held the other man’s gaze with his own. “I contracted to ship this load from Jing-Mei to you; collect a payment from your good self and ship it back to her. Which is what I’m doin’. Cargo’s delivered, not a nut or bolt less than was loaded on Beaumonde. You want to talk discounts, you can send Jing-Mei a wave and argue it out: I wish you lots of luck. But the deal was I bring her back five thousand platinum from you, and I don’t go back on a deal.” “Then you’re gonna have to make it up from your own pocket money,” sneered Vaughan. “Because I ain’t paying that old bitch money for cargo that ain’t here!” “Then don’t think of it as paying her.” Mal stepped up close and his voice dropped to a dangerous low tone. “Think of it as paying me.” They were face to face now, gazes locked. “Jing-Mei ain’t here right now. But I surely am. And you don’t settle up right now what’s owed for this cargo, you are gonna be out more than a thousand platinum on this deal.” His eyes burned into Vaughan’s. “A lot more.” Standing three paces behind the two men, her back to the ship, Zoë watched the way Mal’s shoulders tightened: saw his right hand uncurl next to his holstered gun. She took a breath, her eyes switching across Vaughan’s men. Six of them including Vaughan. And the captain’ll take him down and maybe another one. Which means me and Jayne’ll need to be good for two each. She watched Mal to see which way this was going to go, lifting her weight into the balls of her feet so she would be ready to move. Vaughan held Mal’s gaze a minute longer – then let out a harsh breath. His mouth thin with anger, he dug into his pocket and hauled out the extra coins, dropping them into the leather bag in Mal’s outstretched hand. Mal smiled, but only with his mouth. His eyes stayed cold. He gave a small nod of acknowledgement. “Now that’s a done deal.” Without taking his eyes off Vaughan, he raised his voice. “Jayne! Start unloading.” And with that he stepped back to the cargo ramp to stand next to Zoë. Vaughan turned and paced back to where his men waited by the cargo-pullers. A tall, bull-necked man with a clan tattoo looked at him doubtfully. “You givin’ him the money, boss?” “For now.” Vaughan regarded Mal thoughtfully in the distance. “Man’s got a reputation. And he’s got that tooled-up nigger amazon, with that big merc too… No sense starting a firefight with those kinda odds.” “So we’re just takin’ the cargo and goin’ back to town?” asked the man. “Oh, we’re takin’ the cargo,” replied Vaughan. “Get Lol and Gage to ride it back with Drew and Mitchell riding shotgun. They know where it’s going.” “We ain’t going too?” “Sure, Felix. Some of the way.” Vaughan was still watching Serenity’s crew. “But I think you and me’ll stop off and do a little sight-seeing before we go home.” His eyes narrowed as they rested on Mal. “Maybe work on a way to even out this deal a little.” It was hot and heavy work unloading the crates from Serenity’s hold onto the cargo-pullers, especially as none of Vaughan’s men made a move to help. Jayne did the work of two, giving the idling men a scornful look as he tossed a crate onto a cargo-puller. Mal, Zoë and Kaylee worked together to shift the heavier loads, moving as quickly as they could to get the crates off Serenity so that the deal could be closed. Finally the last crate was heaved onto the back of the second cargo-puller by Jayne, who spat contemptuously in the dust before strolling back to Serenity. The others were already walking up the ramp back into the ship, leaving only Zoë and Mal outside. Mal stood with his arms folded. “Okay, Vaughan. It’s all yours.” “All except those ta ma duh drill bits,” ground out Vaughan. “For which I paid that cheating, conniving, slant-eyed bitch!” “Hey, you’ll have to take that up with the dealer,” replied Mal. “I’m just the delivery boy.” And with that he gave Vaughan one last hard-eyed smile; then stood on the ship’s ramp to watch him and his men depart. As the cargo-pullers trundled off in a plume of dust towards the nearby town, Zoë came to stand next to him. “That could’ve gotten interesting.” “All’s well that ends well,” said Mal in reply, still watching Vaughan depart. As the dust trail of the vehicles faded into the distance, he swung around with a grin on his face. “Hell, nothin’ to it! Job done; everybody’s happy.” He patted the money stowed in his coat. “Well… everyone that counts, anyhow.” At Zoë’s level look, he raised his eyebrows. “Me, for one. Jing Mei for another, once we get her cash back to her. Then all of us, when she pays up.” He grinned again at Zoë, then walked back up the ramp onto Serenity. For a moment Zoë stood with her arms folded, her eyes ruefully scanning the landscape in the direction which Vaughan and his men had gone. Then she let out a brief sigh and headed after Mal. “Okay, boys and girls, all ashore that’s goin’ ashore.” Mal made this announcement cheerfully over the intercom. “Clock’s runnin’ for the sightseein’ tour. We lift in two hours.” It didn’t take long for the visiting party to assemble: within minutes all the crew except Mal and Kaylee were seated in the mule, with Zoë turning over the engine. “Don’t think Vaughan should give you any trouble, but might be diplomatic to make sure your paths don’t cross in town,” remarked Mal. “Right.” Zoë answered laconically. “And don’t let Jayne get drunk.” This time Zoë made no reply, but just looked at him. “Okay – try not to let Jayne get so drunk he comes back horizontal.” “First beer I drink’ll be for you, cap’n,” announced Jayne, grinning hugely. “Let’s get movin’, this is cuttin’ into my drinkin’ time.” “Have fun.” Mal smiled at Zoë and stepped back. “See y’all in two hours.” Zoë gunned the mule’s engine and let her into gear. Mal and Kaylee stepped down the ramp as the town party drove away, River waving cheerfully from the back, Simon and Inara either side of her. As they accelerated into the distance Kaylee said glumly, “Off they go to the bright lights.” “Bright lights? On Athens?” Mal turned around and dropped an arm around her shoulders, leading her back on board. “Nothin’ but quarry men and biaou-tze hanging out in whatever dives they got passes for drinking houses here.” “Drinking houses sounds pretty good to me.” Kaylee stuck out her lower lip. “Been more’n while since me and Simon had a chance to just sit and sip some shinny together.” “Well, maybe he’ll bring you back a bottle of something,” suggested Mal. “I’m sure the fine ladies they got workin’ the bars here’ll be happy to cut him a deal on a little something to take away… With those winning good looks and charm of his, he’ll be right popular in a place like this.” Kaylee stopped and glared at him, shrugging his arm off her shoulders. “Oh, that’s great! Not only am I not havin’ a good time with Simon, but he’ll be havin’ a good time without me!” She began to stomp up the cargo bay stairs. “Aw, Kaylee - ” Mal lifted a hand. “Where you goin’?” “To fix stuff!” she snapped over her shoulder. “That’s what you told me to do, ain’t it?” And with that she was gone, heading to the engine room. Mal let out a short sigh, then shook his head. Turning away, he began to straighten up the cargo bay, tidying away the securing straps and clamps which had held Vaughan’s crates.

* * * * *

Moving down the aft hallway from the galley, Leon heard a sharp clang and a string of cursing in Mandarin come from the engine room. He stepped down into the space and looked warily around. “Kaylee? You okay?” “Oh, I’m just dandy.” Her voice came from low down: Leon bent double, to spot Kaylee lying on her back under part of the engine housing, wrestling with an access panel. Leon looked at her fuming face doubtfully. “You sure?” “Abso-lutely,” she muttered. “Nothin’ I like better than crawling around under here making believe I can fix things with spit and thin air. Especially while everyone else is off whoopin’ it up in town.” “Can I help?” Leon crouched down beside her. “No.” Kaylee levered at the panel, then hit it with her wrench. “Come open, you - ” She hit it again, then stopped and closed her eyes. When she opened them again she looked up at Leon and gave him a wry smile. “No. No thanks, Leon. Reckon I’m doin’ a pretty good job of throwin’ a fit without your help.” Leon grinned. “Looked like it.” He gestured at the panel. “Sure I can’t help?” “No, I’m good.” Kaylee recommenced work. “Less you wanna go drop a rock on Mal’s head for me, ain’t nothing you can oblige me with.” “Can it wait till he’s given me a ride back to Beaumonde?” asked Leon. Kaylee snorted with laughter. “Sure, why not. But make it a big rock.”

* * * * *

Mal was unaware of the banter going on between his engineer and non-paying passenger, which was probably just as well. He had finished tidying the cargo bay, stowing away the clutter in a locker. It wasn’t a particularly satisfying task but he whistled softly as he worked, content in the knowledge that the job had been successful and he had been paid the money Jing Mei was owed. Fastening the storage locker, he glanced towards the stairs where Kaylee had disappeared in high dudgeon. His mouth pulled into a wry expression. Guess I’m the Big Bad Captain, for raining on her parade. Better remember to make it up to her when we get back to Beaumonde. He turned and walked down the cargo bay ramp, stepping out into the lengthening afternoon shadows. The wind had strengthened and was blowing swirls of dust across the ground. For a moment Mal stood looking into the distance towards the town, where the crew had gone. Then he strolled idly along the side of Serenity, one hand resting briefly on the hull. I’ll make it up to you too, old girl, he thought. Been running on a wing and a prayer too long. Take a look at Kaylee’s shopping list first chance I get, see if we can’t fix you up a little. Been a tough year for you as well as the folks on board. His fingertips brushed a scrape in the metal and he paused to rub at it with a frown; then walked on. But you haven’t let me down. Still flying, even after the punishment you took. Some folks look at you and all they see is your age, but when they built you they built things right. A smile lifted the corner of his mouth. I saw that the first time I laid eyes on you, sitting in that salvage yard. Knew right away I’d found me my boat. He laid a hand on the metal hull again and gave it an affectionate pat, then stepped forward around the corner of the hull. Where the sky fell on his head with an explosion of pain and a flash of darkness.