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”.

AN: Still more family fluff but the action is coming... I promise.

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 Reynolds 10 Sara Bryant 14 Rebecca Tam 15 John (Jack) Tam 11 Rachel Cobb 8 Jesse Cobb 6

Heritage-Chapter Five

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

Allan awoke about seven. Zoë had done her best to distract him from what had happened the night before. Intellectually, Allan knew it was just an innocent first kiss. Emotionally, the father in him wanted to strangle the boy Sara had kissed.

The problem lay in the fact that said boy was Jefferson Reynolds, Mal and Inara's son. Allan cared for Jeff like he was one of his own. Hell, Allan had delivered Jeff. Kaylee and Inara had gone into labor at almost the same time. Torn between his duty as a doctor and his duty as a husband, Simon had handed off Inara's delivery to Allan while he attended to Kaylee. Had there been any complications, the two men would have switched patients.

In his college days as a paramedic, Allan had delivered three babies. He had more experience in childbirth than Simon did.

In the dead of the night, while River piloted Serenity full burn for Londonium, Allan had delivered Jefferson Reynolds. Three hours later, he assisted in the delivery of Rebecca Tam.

Now the boy he had brought into the 'verse had kissed his own little girl. Rolling out of bed, Allan stumbled to the bathroom, returning a few minutes later his mind still whirling.

After giving his sleeping wife a kiss, Allan, dressed in sweats and a t-shirt, headed for the kitchen. Passing his daughters door, Allan quietly opened the closed door and peered inside, Sara was still sleeping. A slight smile on his face, Allan snapped his fingers and Sam hopped off the bed and headed for his dog door.

Closing Sara's door, Allan followed the german shepherd to the kitchen. While Sam did his business outside, Allan filled the dog's food bowl and started the coffee maker.

As the pot finished, Allan saw the door to the guest bedroom open across the living room. Allan's log home had an open floor plan on the first floor. He liked the open space and being able to work in the kitchen and still see the large cortex screen in the living room.

A yawning Marion Vorrasi walked across the room to her boss.

“Morning Marion,” Allan said as he handed the woman a cup of coffee.

“Mornin boss... thanks.”

Allan took a sip from his own cup, “Sorry for being such a jerk last night.”

“Hey, Sara's your little girl. You're supposed to act like that.”

“Still...”

“Don't worry on it boss.”

“Give me a hand with breakfast?”

“You got it.”

Half an hour later, Zoë awoke to an empty bed. Saturdays were her usual day to sleep in. Zoë had unusual hours as police chief since crime wasn't nine to five. Dressing in shorts and a shirt, she could smell breakfast cooking.

A slight smile on her face, Zoë entered her daughters room, Sara was on top of the covers. Lying on her stomach, the teenager sprawled across most of the bed. Still dressed in the sweats and t-shirt she had changed into after the dance.

Zoë sat on the edge of the bed and gently shook Sara's shoulder, “Come on sleepy head, yer burnin daylight.”

Sara groaned and swatted at her mothers hand, “G'way... sleepin,” she mumbled.

“Sara Jane Bryant, get yer pi-gu outta that bed!” Zoë ordered in her corporals voice.

Sara's eyes shot open and she rolled over, “Mommm,” she whined.

Zoë chuckled at her daughter, “You father's already making breakfast. So if you want any food you better get a move on.”

“Fine!” Sara huffed. Rolling off the bed, the girl headed for the bathroom. With Sara kick started, Zoë headed downstairs.

“Mornin baby,” Allan said to Zoë as she rounded the corner from the stairs.

“Mornin, honey,” she replied, “Hey there Marion.”

“Hey Zoë.”

“Sara up yet?” Allan asked.

“Sort of... she's movin at least.”

“Close enough.”

Sara stumbled around the corner, still bleary eyed, “Mornin,” she yawned.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Allan chuckled.

“Not funny daddy.”

“All that kissin must have tired you out...”

Sara shot her father an evil glare and mumbled something under her breath.

“What was that little one?” Zoë asked.

“Nothin momma.”

“That's what I thought.”

Sara stared at the top of the breakfast bar in silence. She was sure her father was mad at her. Her fears were unfounded as Allan slid Sara's favorite breakfast in front of her. The smile Allan got from his daughter, as usual, melted his heart.

As Sara dug into her pancake sandwich. A concoction of two pancakes, with scrambled egg, sausage and cheese between the two cakes covered in maple syrup, Allan addressed his daughter.

“Ground rules.”

Sara paused mid bite, “Huh?”

“You and Jeff.”

“Oh,” Sara replied, her voice small.

“No sneaking off. If you two want to spend some time together, thats fine. But tell someone where you are and how long you will be.”

“Okay daddy.”

“Number two, no using Becca to run interference. Also be warned that I will be speaking to Jeff and Mal. I want to set the same rules with him... understand?”

Sara nodded.

“Good,” Allan finished. A warm smile came across his face, “I love you Sara, I know this is all new for you. I want you to be happy and safe.”

“Thanks daddy,” Sara replied with a smile, “I love you too.”

“Now eat your breakfast... it's getting cold.”

As the family and Marion went back to their food, Zoë shot her husband a smile. Despite his bluster, Allan was a great father and she loved him more every day.

XXXXXXXXXX

A few hours later, Zoë and Marion had taken Sara into town for some 'girl' time. Allan found himself alone in the house with just Sam for company. With a sigh, he stepped out onto the porch, Sam at his side. The big dog wined when he saw the Emma and Rachel playing in the yard, “Go on Sam.”

The german shepherd took off like a shot, barking as he ran to the kids. Sam was ostensibly Allan's dog but Sam was fiercely protective of all the children and played with them all. Mal and Inara had a female border collie named Mollie that helped Mal around the horses as well as being the family pet. The Tam's had a cat that lived in fear of Sam and Mollie while River, being as she was, leaned towards the more exotic by having a pair of Ferret's as pets.

When the families traveled off world, only Sam was allowed on Serenity since he was a trained protection dog. The rest of the pets as well as the horses were cared for by Mal's hired hands and Jacob Buford's daughter, Liz.

Strolling across the compound, Allan entered the horse barn. He found Mal brushing down Zau, his prize stud.

“Mornin Allan,” Mal called.

“Hey Mal,”

“You look a bit troubled,” Mal commented.

“Might say that.”

“The extra security?”

“No... that's well in hand. Something with Sara.”

“What's wrong?” Mal asked as he moved around his horse.

“Sara likes a boy.”

“Bout damn time,” Mal chuckled, “Who's the lucky fella?”

Allan smiled at Mal, knowing what he was about to say would wipe the smirk of his friend's face, “Jeff,” he replied.

“Huh?” Mal replied, his smirk fading.

“About what I said.”

“This does complicate matters a tad,” Mal said thoughtfully, “I reckon you want to speak to my boy bout this?”

“I would.”

“Jeff took Jack and Jesse fishin in the creek down the other side of the landing pad,” Mal said, “I suppose I better have a chat with Inara.”

“Wouldn't hurt.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Allan wandered past the concrete pad that held Serenity. As he looked up at the old ship, he smiled. It would be good to get back in space with the old girl again in a weeks time. Allan had a love for the firefly that was as deep as the love held by Mal or Kaylee for the ship. If not for Serenity and it's crew. Allan most likely would be dead. And he sure wouldn't have Zoë or Sara.

Patting the ships landing leg, Allan continued down the path that lead to the creek and also the shooting range Jayne had built on the property years ago. Allan smiled as he saw Jayne and Oso in the range shack, cleaning their weapons. The brothers-in-law never missed an opportunity to shoot together.

Continuing his walk, Allan followed the path leading to the small bridge over the creek. The property encompassing their home was just over three thousand acres. Over half of the area was virtually untouched forest and fields, only broken by a few horse trails. Near the barn were the horse corrals for Mal's ranch and of course the landing pad and the houses proper.

Approaching the bridge, Allan spotted the three boys sitting on the edge, their legs hanging over the side, the lines from their poles in the water.

“Mornin boys, anything biting?”

“Not so far unca Allan,” little Jesse Cobb replied.

“Yeah, I think Uncle Jayne an Oso scared the fish away shooting Vera,” Jack Tam replied.

“Wouldn't surprise me if that's what happened boys... Uh, Jeff? You got a minute?”

The fifteen year old looked nervous, “Sure Uncle Allan.” Laying his pole on the bridge, the young man stood up and walked to where Allan was standing.

Allan led the teen aside out of earshot of the two younger boys. “Before you get too nervous, I'm not mad about Sara kissing you... well not now anyway.”

Jeff visibly relaxed, “Thanks.”

“Jeff, I need to know a few things. First off, this isn't some rebound thing because of Yasmine is it?”

Jeff shook his head, “No it isn't... I mean, I always thought Sara was pretty, I mean when I started noticing girls a few years back. We always got along and...”

“Let me guess. You felt uncomfortable because you two were almost brother and sister, growing up together,” Allan smiled at the boy.

“Yeah.”

“I know Sara felt the same way. She's also frustrated because none of the boys near her age will even look at her.”

“Because she looks different?”

It was Allan's time to nod, “Kids can be cruel to one another.”

“She doesn't deserve that.”

Allan smiled, “You're a good kid Jeff. As long as you treat Sara with respect, take things slow, Don't do stuff behind her back. We won't have a problem. If later on, you find that you and Sara aren't getting along in a romantic way. Don't just dump her like Yasmine did to you. You two practically live together. Might make things a bit... tense.”

“I understand.”

“Furthermore, I laid some ground rules for Sara. I'm gonna tell you the same. If you want to spend time together... fine, just tell someone where you'll be. No sneaking off behind the barn or something. It might have been a very long time ago but I do faintly remember what it was like to be fifteen, and what... feelings went through my head. Both of them. Dong-ma?”

“Shr-ah... Wait a minute. Did you actually say something in Chinese?”

“I picked up a word or three along the line... just don't tell Zoë.”

“You got it Uncle Allan,” Jeff laughed.

A bit lighter in step, Allan made his way back toward the main compound. As he passed the shop, Kaylee called to him.

“Read Jeff the riot act?” the mechanic asked with a grin.

Allan chuckled, “Must be Becca filled you in about the dance?”

“Yep,” Kaylee giggled, “And?”

“The Serenity love boat syndrome has kicked in again I'm afraid.”

“Always does,” Kaylee agreed, “Surprised Jeff's still walkin.”

“He's a good kid. He won't do anything Sara doesn't want him to do... therein lies the problem. Sara's more than a bit like her mother at that age. At least according to Alisha.”

“Don't you fret none ge-ge. They'll be just shiny.”

“You know... I think you're right.

XXXXXXXXXX

Late in the afternoon, Zoë, Sara and Marion returned from their shopping trip. Upon entering the house, they spotted Allan asleep on the sofa, Sam curled up on the floor next to him. The dog knew it was Zoë and Sara and didn't alert to their presence. If anyone besides the families of Serenity Acres had entered unbidden, they would have had to contend with one hundred and ten pounds of ticked off german shepherd.

Quietly the trio started dinner. As usual, Zoë supervised while Sara and Marion cooked. With a snort, Allan awoke to the smell of lasagna cooking.

“Bout time you woke up,” Zoë chided her husband.

“Hey... I'm an old man. Need my sleep,” Allan yawned. Sara rolled her eyes at Marion who tried not to giggle.

Getting off the couch, Allan walked the few steps to the kitchen. Spying the freshly made dish of lasagna on the counter, he smiled at Sara, “My recipe or your aunts?”

“Aunt Alisha's,” Sara replied proudly.

“Good, hers always comes out better than mine.”

XXXXXXXXXX

The next day, Allan spent the morning mowing the extensive lawns around the property. Noting that on several occasions he saw Sara and Jeff sitting close and talking. Even holding hands once. A smile on his lips, Allan parked the mower in the garage and made his way back towards the houses.

As he rounded the slight bend in the driveway, he spotted Sara and Jeff again. The pair were sitting on the swings near the gazebo. They leaned in and kissed. Breaking apart a moment later, Sara giggled and the new couple kissed again.

Allan stood in shock. His mind whirling. In the abstract, he thought he was prepared for his little girl to be kissing a boy. To actually witness it... He felt like he was going to faint.

“Breath da-shu,” River said as she and Rachel moved up to his side.

“Ewww, icky stuff,” Rachel commented.

“I'm with you short stub,” Allan said after a moment. River smiled at her friend.

“Could be worse,” River said, “At Sara's age, I was at the academy. And Kaylee had already lost her virginity.”

Allan blinked, A sudden snort escaped him while River giggled.

Rachel looked confused. Despite being able to read minds, the little girl still couldn't figure out adults She much preferred the minds of her cousins or even animals..

XXXXXXXXXX

Over the next few days while the kids finished their last few days of the school year, Allan assisted Mal and Kaylee in getting Serenity ready for her trip to the core. While Kaylee took the ships reactor critical for the first time in nearly four months, Allan and Mal set up the modular horse stalls in the cargo bay. Three horses were to be delivered on this trip to Inara's Uncle Ahmed. The man used them at his polo club on Shinon and was one of Mal's best customers. Buying several horses a year.

Jayne and Zoë busied themselves in trying to tie up any loose ends regarding Eddie Buford's shooting. Using Sara's suggestion, security cameras had spotted the two men fitting Eddie's description near the car rental agency as well as at the Mag-Lev station. From the camera footage and Eddie's recollections, composite drawings had been generated and forwarded to the Alliance Justice Ministry for facial recognition comparison. No hits had been generated as of yet but it was a start.

Soon, it was Wednesday and the school year officially ended. As the kids returned home escorted by their bodyguards, they were happy the year was over but sad because they knew that the security team was returning to Londonium.

With the obvious threat seemingly gone, Oso and Fred needed the team back at Blue Sun headquarters to prepare for the stockholders meeting the following week.

Soon, the team departed Serenity Acres in the two hover Vans and made their way to the port. After takeoff, Oso ordered the Heracles' pilot to make a low pass over the Acres before heading for Londonium.

The next days went quickly as the adults and older kids pitched in getting the ship ready to fly. Food was loaded as well as bedding and feed for the horses. By Saturday morning, all was in readiness. Mal, Jayne and Jeff led the three horses onto the ship while Rachel calmed the animals. Luggage put away, Allan took his seat at the co-pilots station while River sat in the pilot's seat.

While Sara sat on the steps to the avionics bay, Sam lying on the deck next to her, Serenity flared her engines and made for the black. It would be thirty hours before Serenity would be close enough for Zoë, Allan and Sara to break off and head for Londonium.

Meanwhile on Londonium, one of the gunmen who had shot Eddie, saw a flight plan pop up on his security screen. In about thirty seven hours, the Bryant family would be arriving on Londonium. A slight smile crossed the man's face.

“Hey! Get back to work, you've got three more building checks to do,” The man's supervisor yelled.

“I hear ya',” the man replied. Hefting his flashlight, the lowly Blue Sun security guard continued his foot patrol of the main factory grounds. Soon he thought, he'd be back home on Persephone and living like he should be. The forty million credits he was going to ask for Bryant's daughters ransom would let him live like a king.

TBC