Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. I’m just playing. No money being made.

This story is set fifteen years into the future from my current storyline “Big Blue”.

Cast of characters:

Parents: Malcolm Reynolds 51 Inara Serra-Reynolds 44 Allan Bryant 68 Zoë Bryant 48 Simon Tam 43 Kaylee Tam 40 Jayne Cobb 52 River Cobb 36 Kids: Jefferson (Jeff) Reynolds 15 Emma Reynolds10 Sara Bryant 14 Rebecca Tam 15 John (Jack) Tam 11 Rachel Cobb 8 Jesse Cobb 6

Heritage-Chapter Five

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“That's it in a nutshell,” Allan said on the wave.

“Not good Boss,” Oso replied.

“Tell me about it. I'm heading to the hospital in a few minutes.”

“Will he survive?” Oso asked.

“I don't know. But Simon's working on him.”

“If anyone can save him, it's my brother in law,” commented Fred.

“How soon can a team be here?” Allan asked.

“If we take the Heracles... Less than thirty hours.”

“We?”

“Fred and I will be leading the team.”

“You two don't...

“Need the varsity on this Allan,” Oso said sharply.

“Fine... I'm just the boss.”

“And our job is to keep the boss breathing,” Fred replied.

“I give up,” Allan huffed, “Heracles is too big to land at the Acres. You'll need to use the port.”

“Got it, Boss. See you in a bit.”

“Thanks guys,” Allan replied.

XXXXXXXXXX

Allan exited Zoë's office. His wife was leaning over an officers shoulder looking at a cortex screen. She looked up at Allan's approach.

“Call Oso?”

“Yeah,” Allan replied, “The terrible twosome will be here with a team in about thirty hours.”

“Fred's coming too?”

“Yeah, she doesn't let Oso out of her sight much.”

“I know the feeling.”

Allan rolled his eyes, “Find anything?”

“Jayne uploaded the video from Eddie's car,” Zoë said as she pushed the play button on the cortex screen.

What was shown on the clip was harsh. Eddie had barely exited his ground car when a hail of gunfire erupted from the white ground car. The young deputy hadn't stood a chance.

“Facial recognition?” Allan asked.

“Never showed their faces. Camera couldn't see through the windows with enough resolution.”

“Damn,” Allan muttered.

“Waved Monty,” He didn't pick up any passengers,” Zoë replied.

“One down.”

“Chief!” Called the dispatcher, “Lucy spotted the white ground car abandoned near the spaceport.”

“I'm on my way. Call Jayne, have him meet us there... C'mon baby, I ain't lettin you outta my sight.”

Allan and Zoë exited the office and climbed into Zoë's official vehicle. An SUV looking ground car. Soon they were moving quickly through the late Saturday afternoon traffic. It only took a few minutes to drive to the location. Spotting the officer's patrol car, Zoë pulled in behind it.

“You have your gun... right?” Zoë asked her husband.

“Yes dear,” Allan replied. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Zoë gave him a quick smile.

“Lu! What you got?” Zoë asked as she exited the vehicle.

The young woman turned to face her boss, “Spotted it here in the alley. No one around. I haven't touched it.”

“Good job Lucy,” Zoë said. Lucy Lee was a short woman of Chinese decent. Smart and deadly with a gun or hands. Zoë had recently promoted the woman to Sargent.

“Jayne on the way?” Lucy asked.

“Yep, bringing one of the techs with him.”

Ten minutes later, Jayne Cobb arrived on the scene. A serious looking young man in the passenger seat of his ground car.

“Hey Jayne,” Allan said in greeting.

“Hey Gramps,” The big man said in reply, “Zoë? This is David Conrad, Planetary Law Center.”

“Mr. Conrad,” Zoë said in greeting.

“Chief Bryant,” the man replied as he shook Zoë's hand, “I take it this is the vehicle?”

“It is”

“And no one has touched it?”

“Not since I've been here,” Lucy Lee replied.

“Well, I'll get to work.”

Zoë pulled Jayne and Lucy aside, “Jayne, you find anything?”

“Shell casings at the shootin scene. Found tracks near the gate to the Acres. Looks like they were waitin... whoever they were.”

“I didn't see anyone when I pulled out,” Allan said.

“They was back by that grove o' trees bout fifty yards south o' the gate. Hard to spot unless you were lookin for somethin,” Jayne replied. The former mercenary had poured himself into his new job. Jayne wanted to set a good example for his children. The former mercenary poured over the latest investigative journals in the same way he used to gawk at gun and girlie magazines in the days before he and River had gotten together. Jayne Cobb was truly a changed man.

“Oso and Fred are bringing a security team. Be here sometime late tomorrow night,” Allan said.

Jayne smiled. He liked his big brother in law. They had been friends for years and Jayne never missed a chance to get together with family. “Guess I'll put Oso and Fred up at my place, the team can stay in the guest house maybe?”

“That will work Jayne,” Allan replied.

“Jayne, We're heading for the hospital to check on Eddie. Call my com if you find anything,” Zoë ordered.

“Got it Zoë,” The big man nodded.

“Come on baby,” Zoë said to Allan.

XXXXXXXXXX

Unknown to Zoë, Allan and Jayne. The two gunmen hadn't escaped New Edmonton by ship. Instead, they had simply rented a ground car with a fake ID and drove the two hundred miles to Wellspring. Once there, they boarded a Mag-Lev train that took them to Capitol City. From there they booked passage off world without attracting attention.

Six hours after the shooting, the two men were relaxing in their business class cabin on a liner bound for Londonium via Shinon.

XXXXXXXXXX

Zoë and Allan arrived at the hospital. As modern as any in the core due to the generous donations made by Allan himself and Blue Sun, New Edmonton General was the best hospital for a thousand miles and probably the second best hospital on the whole planet.

Entering the spacious lobby, The couple made their way to the surgery waiting area. The crowd of deputies told Allan and Zoë that they were in the right place.

In the center of the crowd stood the normally imposing form of Sheriff Jacob Buford. The former Browncoat Sgt. Major on this day, looked worn out and much older than his sixty five years. Not only was the officer that had been shot one of his deputies... he was also the Sheriff's son.

“Sar Maj?” Zoë asked as she approached her old friend. Jacob Buford had been Zoë's first commander when she joined the Independents. When Zoë made Corporal, she was transferred to Mal's unit.

“Hey Zoë,” Jake replied. Zoë pulled the older man into a hug.

“Any news?” Zoë asked.

“None yet. Simon's workin on him.”

“If anyone can save him it's Simon,” Allan said as he walked up, “I'm sorry Jake. I feel like this is my fault. The bastards were following me.”

“Now you forget that Allan,” Jacob replied, “Eddie was doin his job. Getting shot at comes with the territory sometimes.”

“Where's Alice?” Zoë asked, referring to Jacob's wife.

“Had one o' the boys take her down to the cafeteria. Be back in a bit.”

Zoë nodded, “Jayne found some shell casings and where they were parked waitin outside the Acres. Lucy found the car near the spaceport. Three ships got off before we got everything else landlocked. Got a forensics team from Capital City working both scenes.”

Good, good,” Jacob replied. The big man sighed and looked at his boots, “Just hope that I don't get my hands on who did this. Most likely won't make trial.”

“That's why I'm runnin the investigation Jacob,” Zoë replied, “But 'tween you and me, don't expect a trial if me or Jayne find em' first neither.”

“What I wanted to hear Zoë.”

A moment later, an obviously exhausted Simon Tam entered the waiting room. Nodding to Allan and Zoë, He walked up to Sheriff Buford.

“Doc?” Jacob asked tentatively.

A slight smile appeared on Simon's tired face, “He's stable. I won't lie, it was a near thing. However, given time, I think Eddie will make a full recovery.”

Jacob Buford looked like he was going to collapse with relief. Zoë steered him to a chair while several of the deputies shared subdued high fives.

“When can I see him?” Jacob asked.

“As soon as he's out of recovery and in his room,” Simon replied, “Probably in an hour or so.”

“Thank you Simon,” Jacob said, his eyes beginning to tear up.

Simon pulled Zoë and Allan aside, “What is happening?”

Allan sighed, “Looks like someone might be after me... again.”

Simon groaned sarcastically, “Wonderful.”

“Looks like the bad guys might be off planet by now,” Zoë said, “Jayne and a team from Capital City are working the crime scene.”

“Oso and Fred will be here late tomorrow night with a security team. That way we can relax a bit at home. And I think that each of the kids will have a bodyguard at school.”

“You think that someone might be after the children?” Simon asked.

“Not sure but better safe than sorry,” Zoë replied.

“I agree,” Simon said.

XXXXXXXXXX

Allan and Zoë headed back to the police station to secure Allan's motorcycle in the garage and then swung back by the hospital again to pick up Simon. He had ridden in from the scene on the ambulance. River had sensed Jayne's anger at finding Eddie and had sent her brother to assist.

Normally Simon wasn't even on call on weekends, unless he wanted to be. But with Eddie being virtually family, he was compelled to do the surgery himself. Besides, due to his time on Serenity, Simon had more experience with gunshot trauma than any other surgeon on staff.

On the ride home, the three didn't speak much. Allan's face turned grim as they passed where Eddie had been shot. The forensics team had set up portable lighting as they worked into the darkening twilight. Pulling onto the road to Serenity Acres, Zoë hit the button on her remote to open the gate.

Halfway down the driveway they encountered Kaylee and River on one of the small utility vehicles Mal used on the ranch. The cargo bed filled with sandwiches and cold drinks for the techs. Zoë was pleased to see that River was armed. The two vehicles stopped next to each other. Simon stepped out of the back seat while Zoë also exited.

“Allan, why don't you take doc and Kaylee back to the houses. I'll bring the food out with River. I want to see if they found anything anyway.”

“Okay hon,” Allan replied, “Come on Kaylee, Simon.”

On the short drive back to the houses, Simon and Allan filled Kaylee in about the situation. Pulling up in front of the Cobb residence, Allan saw that Mal and Jeff Reynolds were sitting on the porch. Mal and his son were both armed.

“Welcome back,” Mal said, “Hows Eddie?”

“Stable,” Simon replied tiredly.

“Good to hear.”

“Uncle Allan?” Jeff asked, “What's happening?”

“Soon as your aunts get back, We'll bring everyone up to speed, Jeff”

“Nara and Sara's got supper cookin inside. Should be ready in a jiff,” Mal remarked.

Allan smiled, “Better lay in some more supplies tomorrow. I got a Blue Sun security team on the way, along with Oso and Fred.”

“If we gotta feed Oso we better get some more food. Man eats more'n Jayne and all the kids combined,” Mal chuckled.

Entering the Cobb's living room, Allan saw his daughter helping Inara in the kitchen. Rachel Cobb was playing chess with her cousin Jack. Becca Tam and Emma Reynolds were playing in the corner while Jesse Cobb sat on the bottom stair with a pile of toys surrounding him. All in all, it was a normal night when the kids were inside.

Sara ran to her father, “Daddy!” she exclaimed, “Where's momma?”

“Helping Aunt River. She'll be back in a few minutes.”

“Hows Eddie?” She asked, not sure if she wanted to hear the truth.

“Uncle Simon thinks he'll be fine,” Allan replied with a smile, “He'll just be laid up a while.”

Sara relaxed and smiled. “Better go back and help your aunt Inara,” Allan told his daughter.

“Okay daddy.”

Allan dropped himself down on the sofa next to where Rachel and Jack were playing chess, “Who's winning?”

“Rachel of course,” Jack huffed, “She's got an unfair advantage.”

“Rachel... are you reading your cousin?” Allan asked, a slight grin on his face.

“No,” she said quickly, “I'm just calculating all the possible moves,” The eight year old replied, twirling a strand of her long hair in her fingers.

“Uh, huh,” Allan replied, not believing a word of it.

A few minutes later, River and Zoë returned. Mal and Jeff followed the two women inside. Once everyone was gathered together and the kids had quieted down. Zoë and Allan began to fill everyone in on the day's happenings.

The younger kids only cared that their friend Eddie was going to be okay and that uncle Oso and Aunt Fred were coming to visit. The older kids as well as the parents realized the gravity of the situation.

As dinner was served, Jayne walked in, obviously tired. River gave her husband a long kiss that seemed to rev up the former mercenary a bit. As soon as dinner was over, Jayne scooped up his kids for some playtime before bed.

Inara and Mal collected their brood as did Simon and Kaylee. Allan and Zoë stayed a bit longer while Sara helped River clean up in the kitchen. Soon, Jayne put the kids to bed and sat in the living room with River, Zoë, Allan and Sara.

Allan had a sinking suspicion that Sara might be the primary target in whatever was happening. When it came to their daughters safety. Allan and Zoë tried their best to treat Sara as much like an adult as possible.

“Anything, Jayne?” Zoë asked as the big man sat down in his overstuffed recliner.

“Same as before. These guys were good. Not pros mind you. A pro wouldn't a' shot Eddie. No fingerprints or usable DNA traces from either scene.”

“They are most likely are off planet as well,” River commented.

“I agree,” Zoë said, “Port control got the other two ships that lifted off before the land lock besides Monty. No one had passengers.”

“Crew maybe?” Allan asked.

“Not likely,” Jayne replied.

“Just before me an River got back, got a call on my com. The rental agency reported a missing ground car. It was rented out but after it left, they found out the ID the renter used was fake.”

“That's a start,” Allan said.

“Got an alert out on it now,” Zoë replied, “No video from the rental agency either. Seems their system is down for repair.”

Jayne grumbled at that. Sara looked up with a mischievous look on her face, “What about any other security feeds?” she asked.

Allan slapped himself on the forehead, “Must be getting senile in my old age. My little girl is a genius,” he said smiling and gave Sara a peck on her cheek. The fourteen year old blushed.

“An excellent suggestion,” River said, “Any nearby feeds might have picked up the perpetrators.”

“I'll get on that first thing in the mornin,” Jayne said, “I don't know about you folks but this old man needs some shuteye,” he finished with a wink at River.

Sara rolled her eyes,” You guys are as bad as my parents,” she pouted while giving Zoë and Allan a dirty look.

“We're worse,” River giggled.

“Don't be giving our girl any bad notions mei-mei,” Zoë mock scolded.

“Time to go,” Allan chuckled as he stood up. Zoë and Sara followed him, “Good night.”

“Night All,” Jayne said as he let the Bryant's out. Outside, Sam was sitting at attention. As his family stepped off the porch, the dog fell in next to them. Pausing only to lift his leg on the corner of Jayne's police ground car.

Giggling at Sam's antics, the family entered their own house. Allan looked at his daughter, “Bed young lady. It's late.”

Sara rolled her eyes and grumbled something under her breath until she saw the look on Zoë's face. Snapping her fingers, Sara climbed the stairs, Sam on her heels.

“And I mean bed! No surfing the cortex all night!” Allan called after her.

“Yes daddy!” Sara called back just before shutting the door to her room.

Allan plopped tiredly down on the sofa, Zoë snuggled up beside him, “You okay?” she asked.

Allan rubbed his face and nodded, “Yeah, I'm okay. Just a little... worried. I thought having someone after us was a thing of the past.”

“I know baby,” Zoë replied, “Might've been worse. Could'a been a boy chasin after Sara. Can't shoot a boy come callin.”

“Who says I can't?” Allan chuckled.

“There's the overprotective father I married,” Zoë giggled.

“Better remember that when I get arrested for shooting the first boy that breaks her heart.”

“Won't have to worry about that dear.”

“Why's that?”

“Cause Sara'll shoot him first. If not... I will.”

“That's my girls.”

TBC