To Whom It May Concern,

Enclosed in this letter is the last will and testament of Simon Tam, written so that in the event of his death his final wishes may be carried out…..

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Kaylee stirred .

She didn’t remember falling asleep, but she had, her eyes felt encrusted from dry tears and still fresh sadness, though as the hazel eyes adjusted to the soft, dimmed light of the sterile smelling infirmary, she was given a surprise.

Simon was awake.

Weak, pale with a small smile on his lips, but he was awake, watching her half lucidly.

“Hey.” He said hoarsely, bringing his good arm up and clumsily petting her hand.

Kaylee sat up and read the clock.

Six-thirty in the morning.

She breathed a sigh of relief, he was going to make it. Granted the shepherd needed to check him over, however he had made it through the night. “Do you remember anything?”

“A little.” He squeezed her hand, noting her dishelved and post-traumatic state Simon couldn’t help but feel guilty. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s ok.” Kaylee smoothed his hair out and kissed him. “You won, and you’re gonna get better. I’ll take care of you, we’ll get you all patched up. You’ll be just shiny.”

He nodded his head slowly, scooting closer to her, trying to hold her however his side was sore and that arm was searing. Unable to do so, he kept holding her hand. “Kaylee,” He blinked away tears. “I love you.”

“Love you back sweetie.” A tear fell from her eye. “Just don’t do that again, alright?”

“I’ll do my best not to.” Reaching up, he wiped the tear away.

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Mal was up before Inara

Meilin had been fed, bathed, changed and put to bed, and they had stayed up packing everything that was to go. Tired from boxing her things up, the pair eventually slid into bed, Inara instinctively wrapping Meilin up in her arms and bonding. Mal scooted closer, she felt his hand brush through her hair, the sound of his soft breathing as he teased her ear with his lips. That night the two slept as close together as possible, Mal with and arm draped over her side as the closeness was needed. The morning came, he got up and dressed, slipping out of the apartment before either one of his girls woke.

Malcolm Reynolds walked with his regular clothes on; tan pants, work boots, navy shirt, canvas suspenders and the old brown coat. There was no reason to keep up his appearance anymore, for there was no one to impress. Zaira and Cadoc certainly weren’t impressed, and he didn’t care to keep being something he wasn’t. Walking to the slaves quarters, puzzling a few of the owned workers as he was dressed down. The turned heads didn’t matter to him, for he had a new mission.

Inara’s past had made him realize something.

When she had gone to sleep, he had laid there, watching her and Meilin, understanding Inara’s need to bond with their daughter. She had never bonded, and had been even created, carried, delivered and raised at a distance. Her father could only be identified by a sperm bank donor number, and while Zaira was her biological mother, the one who had actually carried her had been cast aside as soon as she was brought into the world because the slave girl had bonded with her too much for Zaira's liking. It was a complicated, horrible upbringing, and he knew that while she had been given everything in the galaxy, in truth she had nothing. He was the wealthy one, he had had a ma that had loved him fiercely, a rather stable yet carefree childhood, and even at a distance a pa that had loved him.

Mal opened the door to the living area given to his father. “Hey pa….” He stepped inside and saw that the bedroom door was open. Walking inside, checking the room, his stomach twisteded as he began to check the rest of the place. “Dad?”

Hershel and his brothers had already left.

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“You look promising.” Shepherd Kouros smiled, attaching some medication to the IV.

“I didn’t know you were a doctor.” Simon said in lax voice, the painkillers had already been given and were starting to work.

“We don’t all start out as Shepherds.” He explained kindly. “I’m glad I could be of service, more often than not I’m practicing merely basic first aid at the monastery. I feel I was able to use my talents the way God intended.”

Kaylee came in, carrying a tray of food. “Does he look good?”

“It seems you have an eager nurse.” The Shepherd told Simon, who merely smiled. “Yes, while he runs the risk of infection in his chest cavity, I think as long as he’s well taken care of he’ll have a speedy recovery.”

“I’ll make sure he gets all the care he needs.” She set the tray down next to the bed. “Make sure he recovers speedily, cause he’s useless ta me like this.”

“Hey.” Simon griped.

Kaylee giggled, kissing his hair and scratching his scalp lovingly. “I don’t mean it. You hungry?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah?” She quirked a brow at his word usage.

“He’s on some very good pain medication.” Kouros supplied, tidying up the infirmary in a doctorly fashion. “The effects tend to mellow people out.”

“Oh.” Kaylee bit back laughter as Simon did indeed look under the influence of something. “Poor baby.”

“No, no, I’m feeling pretty… pretty good.” He replied honestly. “And you look pretty.”

“Pretty?” Kaylee took a napkin and tucked it into the neck of his hospital gown. “Purttier than usual?”

“Not entirely sure.” He announced, appearing to think it over. “But I think you look really really pretty.”

She wanted to laugh because her lover was absolutely stoned. “I brought you some oatmeal and some juice, how’s that sound?”

Simon nodded his head and tried to lift his hand. However along with being mellow, he had lost coordination and couldn’t even reach out without his hand swerving around as if it had a mind of it’s own.

“How about I help ya.” She took the bowl and spoon, lifting a small amount to his lips.

“I can feed myself.” Simon slurred stubbornly.

“Will ya humor me?” Kaylee asked sweetly.

Kaylee’s sweetness paid off as he complied, there was just no denying that sugary little lilt in her voice, especially whilst under the influence.

Zoe leaned on the door and smiled gladly. Simon was going to live to see another day, as he relaxed to Kaylee’s babying. He began to smile again, and when he did, through all of the drugs he had been given Zoe could see his pure adoration for Kaylee, and Kaylee’s adoration was just as obvious. Their bond was deep, the kind that could last fifty years or more. It brought a tear to her eye, she remembered what that felt like.

Simon, upon swallowing a mouthful of oatmeal (Kaylee spoiling him with some cinnamon and sugar in it), saw Zoe. “Zoe, you ok?” He asked in stoner concern.

She gave a tight smile. “Just glad you’re alive.”

“We’re all glad you’re alive.” Kaylee agreed softly, patting his shoulder.

Zoe turned around and slipped out of sight as Simon was given another spoonful of breakfast. Composing herself, the second in command headed out the cargo bay towards the house. There were only non-perishables in the galley, and after a long day and night she needed something a little heartier to get her through the new day. Pulling the collar of her coat up, she stepped out into the yard to find the dogs barking at Boss Tig’s hovercraft tearing down the road. Freezing for the worst, she reached for the stock of her gun as he abruptly parked a few feet from her.

Jayne and Colter came out, having been in Serenity enjoying some coffee. Seeing who it was they jogged over.

Boss Tig got out of his hovercraft, his legs wobbling as his face was the palest they had ever seen. The father of the fallen stared at all three of them with dark, grieving eyes that had not seen sleep. The large man was slumped in defeat and mourning. “A father shoulder never haveta bury his children.” He began in a trembling voice, the words crisply forming clouds in the winter air.

“I agree.” Zoe told him sincerely, there was no edge, only understanding. “But your boys brought it upon themselves.”

“I only have two left.” A fat fist clenched as he swallowed thickly.

Colter could tell the poor man didn’t know whether to lash out or fall apart. “We never wanted ta fight them, they approached us.”

“Will’s gotta have his leg amputated.” Boss muttered.

“He’s still alive though.” Zoe replied. “That’s somethin’…”

“Colter how could you?!” He finally exclaimed with heavy eyes and devastation written on his swollen features. “You were there when they started walkin’…”

“I’m hurtin’ too.” Colter told his old friend softly, nodding his head in slow admittance. “My heart’s gotten sick over all this, but I had ta take a stand. They had ta be stopped Tig, they were gonna ruin a life that does nothin’ but good for us.”

“We never wanted this to happen.” Zoe said. “We ain’t proud of what we did, we had to though. There were plenty of chances for this to stop before reachin’ that point, your boys didn’t take them.”

“Do ya want yer horse and money?” Jayne entered the conversation awkwardly.

“Keep it.” Boss Tig brimmed with tears. “Only remind me of what happened.” He looked to Zoe, showing what compassion that had been muddied by his remorse. “How’s your doc?”

“He’s ok.” She responded. “He either got really lucky or someone up above watches over him.” It was how she truly felt, for experience told her a better gunslinger like Bailey didn’t miss the center mass.

Colter walked across the invisible line that separated them from Boss Tig. He hugged his old friend. “I’m sorry.” The old cowboy whispered.

Tig shook with emotion, unable to contain his sorrow anymore.

Zoe and Jayne walked away as Boss Tig sobbed on his friend’s shoulder.

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Inara kept Meilin in her arms at all times, protective and more than ready to get away from her mother as she readied to leave. Meilin didn’t mind the extra attention either that morning, she jabbered happily and played with her mother, trying more often then naught to pull on Inara’s hair. Inara didn’t mind though, she had all the patience in the world when it came to Meilin. Tickling her daughter, she checked to make sure nothing had been left in the bedroom.

“Nara?” Mal hollered from the living room.

Quirking a brow, she followed his voice as it sounded uneasy. “What….”

She stopped, and began to giggle hysterically.

Shan-shan had been moping all morning, for she knew what moving trunks meant. Assuming she had to stay, the giant russet cat had been following Inara and Mal relentlessly. And as Inara stood there laughing, Shan-shan had jumped up and wrapped her front paws around Mal’s neck to hug him as her large sandpaper tongue raked across the side of his head. His hair stood askew to the tongue bath, and Shan-shan grumbled sadly. Mal on the other side of the tiger hugs and kisses, was frozen stiff.

“Oh Shan-shan.” She sighed in amusement.

Shan-shan heard her name and let Mal go, trotting over to Inara and letting out a deep ‘raowl.’

“I thought she was gonna eat me.” The captain smoothed his hair back down before briskly brushing orange fur off of his clothes.

“She doesn’t want you to go.” Inara knelt, Meilin in arm as she ran the other across the top if the striped head of Shan-shan. “Shadi mao, you’re coming too.”

Shan-shan gazed at her morosely. Letting out a long raowl of sadness, she set her head on Inara’s knee. She didn’t get any attention when Inara was gone, she didn’t want to be left with the dogs that never played with her or Zaira whole kept her like a prize.

Mal came over, and Inara gave him Meilin as she went and fetched a leash. “Look Shan-shan, you know what your leash means.” Taking it, Inara hooked it to Shan-shan’s collar, who immediately cheered up.

Shan-shan was so happy, that she jumped up and hugged Inara.

“I know, I know.” Inara told the cat sweetly. “I like it when you come too. Because you’re a good girl, aren’t you?”

The feline chuffed joyfully, nuzzling Inara.

Mal raised his eyebrows, stiffening to the cat’s display of affection as Inara scratched a mighty jaw and talked to her as if the beast were a kitten.

Meilin cooed at Shan-shan.

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Kaylee cleaned up Simon’s face as he had finished eating the oatmeal.

“Thanks.” He said with a lazy smile.

“No problem.” She sat next to him on the bed. “How are ya feeling?”

“Full.” Simon wasn’t entirely aware that he was patting his stomach the way a two year old would, but he was, making it a challenge for Kaylee to keep a straight face. “Better.”

“Good.” She ran her fingers through his dark locks.

“Hey Kaylee?”

“Yeah Sweetie?”

“I was gonna ask you for Yuletide… but will you marry me?”

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Zaira stood at the door as her daughter walked towards it, the rim hick in tow carrying her granddaughter.

Inara didn’t even cast a glance to her, as she walked her family out the door with her head held high.

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Kaylee’s mouth fell open.

Simon pursed his lips, mulling over what he had just said. “I don’t have the ring… necklace… cause I thought you might smash a ring… but… y’know…”

“Yes.”

He gazed up at her, his eyes glazed over but none the less excited. “Really?”

She laughed as she figured he wasn’t going to remember asking her in an hour what with the drugs, cupping his face in her hands and kissing him. “Yes.”

“I… I can’t think of li… I mean… you’re my ‘verse.” Simon announced dopily, with a grin to match. “I… I… I love you, Kaylee Frye.”

Kaylee kissed him passionately.

Simon Tam was her 'verse too.

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Mal could tell something was wrong at the ticket kiosk. He had Meilin in one arm, and Shan-shan’s leash in the other hand. Meilin was watching the busy world of the port building as rich core folk bustled about in their finest clothes, and the domestic tiger sat obediently by his side, leaning against the captain's legs contently.

Inara turned and retreated back to him with a flustered mien.

“You don’t look like you have good news.” He muttered.

“My mother cancelled the account she had set up.” She sighed, taking Meilin as he seemed to have alot on his hands.

“What does that mean?”

“We have no ticket, no room, we have to pay for it ourselves.”

Mal’s mouth fell open. “Excuse me? I hate to be the bearer of bad news but we don’t exactly have a lot of money.”

“It’s ok.” She rubbed the small back as Meilin made her stream of noises amidst the chatter of the high end port building. “I have some things I was going to sell anyways.”

“I don’t want you payin’ for our tickets!” He exclaimed. “That ain’t right.”

“You want to pay for the tickets?”

“Well I’d rather pay for them than have you”

“How are you going to do that?”

“Well…. Alright so I don’t have the money but I don’t want you buyin’ the tickets, we can figure out another way.”

“Mal, what else are we going to do? Seedy cargo/transport ships aren’t in abundance here, nor would I want to get on one and take the risk. It would take days for Zoe to come and get us, and I want to get off of this world now.” Inara emphasized greatly.

There was a pause that hung between them before Mal blurted “Get cheap ones.”

“Those are the only ones we’ll be able to afford.”

*** *** *** TRANSLATIONS/DEFINITIONS Shadi mao: Silly cat

****As always, the writer appreciates all comments whether they be positive, negative, or suggestions.**