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:

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 Ten

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Allan made it back to the Hilton just after four. 'Not bad,' he thought considering how busy his day had been. Oso had gone off duty at three and Israel Schneider was his current minder. The two men entered the lift and ascended to the top floor of the hotel.

As he approached his suite, Allan saw two uniformed Blue Sun security guards at the door. Allan looked at Israel questioningly.

“Too many VIP's in town. Needed to grab some guys from uniforms to fill in,” Israel said to his boss.

“Okay Israel,” Allan replied as he entered the suite, his bodyguard posting himself outside the door.

It was boring duty most of the time but Israel didn't mind. The Boss paid very well and was a decent guy to boot. There wasn't a single member of the team's who wouldn't walk in front of a bullet for the boss or his family.

“Anyone here?” Allan called out.

“In here baby,” called Zoë's voice from the master bedroom.

Opening the door, Allan smiled, Zoë was just finishing putting on her makeup. She didn't wear much. Just some lipstick and eye shadow. She was dressed in the black silk strapless gown Allan had bought for her.

“Wow,” Allan said as he kissed the top of his wife's head while she sat in front of the vanity.

“You like?”

“Very much.”

Zoë smiled at Allan. Surprisingly, the former soldier enjoyed attending the seemingly mandatory social functions that she and Allan had to go to. She was always underestimated by the people she met at these functions. Her rim accent always seemed to throw off people's perception of her.

Zoë also enjoyed rubbing socialite faces in the fact she was a working woman and not just some trophy wife like many of Allan's business contact's spouses were.

“Where's Sara?” Allan asked.

“In her room, getting ready,” Zoë replied.

“Okay. I'm going to take a quick shower and get into my tux.”

“It's already hanging in the bathroom baby,” Zoë said. Allan smiled at her.

Allan quickly undressed and stepped into the shower. In a few minutes he was done and began to dress. Allan was glad that the rapidly changing face of core fashion had swung back to a retro style. The tuxedo he was wearing this night wasn't all that different from the one's he wore at similar functions back on Earth.

As usual, Allan fumbled a moment with his tie before getting it straight. Finally satisfied, Allan headed back to the bedroom.

“Well that was worth the wait,” Zoë said as she admired Allan in his tux.

“Let's go see if Sara is ready yet.”

Exiting the master suite, Allan and Zoë found their daughter impatiently waiting in the living room. Sara was wearing the copper gown she wore to the school formal, accentuated by a short matching jacket to ward off the early spring chill. Zoë grabbed an ivory shawl to wear against the cool night air.

“Yep, definitely look like a princess... Wouldn't you agree honey?”

Zoë nodded, “She cleans up pretty good.”

“Mommm,” Sara drawled.

Okay ladies, lets go eat hideously expensive, small portions and talk to utterly boring people all night,” Allan chuckled. Summing up what he really felt about the parties he was duty bound to attend.

“If you put it that way dear,” Zoë smiled as she took his left arm. Sara took her father's right arm and giggled.

Together, the family headed for the lobby, bodyguards in tow.

XXXXXXXXX

The Governors Ball was held in a large hall on the grounds of the Parliament complex in New London.

With room for over one thousand guests, it was a security nightmare. Attracting everyone from the wealthy elite, industrialists and high ranking government officials. It was not unusual to see a Planetary Governor speaking with the Prime Minister and then turning away to converse with a member of the traders guild.

This year, the ball coincided with the annual Blue Sun stockholders meeting, ensuring many of Blue Sun's wealthiest stockholders would be in attendance besides Allan.

Entering the foyer, Zoë straightened Allan's bow tie. The CEO let out a low grumble that made his daughter giggle.

Zoë shot him a look that said she'd hurt him if he kept it up. Zoë seemed to be more comfortable at an event like this than Allan was. Unusual due to Zoë's upbringing and history.

Taking a deep breath, Allan took his girls by the arm and confidently strolled to the usher. He handed the man his invitation.

“Dr. and Mrs. Allan Bryant. With Daughter Sara!”

The family stepped down into the large room, Allan rarely used the official title that went with his PhD. Only at formal events such as this or whenever he published anything.

Slowly they made their way into the crowd, escorted by an usher who led them to their reserved table. As they approached, Allan was glad to see Durin Haymer was already at the table with his daughter Bridgett.

Durin rose and shook Allan's hand. He gave a chaste kiss to Zoë and hugged Sara. Bridgett hugged her 'Uncle' Allan and 'Aunt' Zoë. Sara and Bridgett hugged and sat at the table next to each other. Intent on trading gossip as teenagers were wont to do.

“How are you Durin?” Allan asked.

“I am well, Allan. Zoë you are radiant tonight.”

“Thank you Durin,” Zoë replied.

“And Sara, you are prettier every time I see you.”

“Thanks Uncle Durin.” Sara replied with a shy smile.

“Bridgett, you are becoming the spitting image of your mother.”

“Thank you Uncle Allan,” The girl replied.

Bridgett Haymer did look like her mother. Her pale skin, vibrant red hair and green eyes were all her mothers. Fortunately, she lacked her mother's knack for larceny and deception.

Yolanda/Saffron/Bridgett had stolen, cheated and conned her way across the verse. Marrying her marks as part of her scams, she bedded men ranging from wealthy aristocrats like Durin to freighter captains like Mal and Monty. After teaming up with Mal to rob Durin, Mal had arranged for Yo/saff/Bridg to be arrested.

Durin truly loved her and did his best to get Yolanda the psychological help she needed. There were a few setbacks. Particularly the time Yolanda tried to seduce Allan in a space station bar in an attempt to run away from Durin.

After that, Durin had been indispensable in helping Allan retake Blue Sun. In the process, Durin had been nearly killed. After that, Yolanda became a model wife to her husband. Several months after Durin had recovered from his wounds, Yolanda had become pregnant with Bridgett. Unfortunately, Yolanda died in childbirth. Leaving a devastated Durin with an infant daughter.

Bridgett had grown into a sweet girl, although a bit spoiled, since she was his only link to Yolanda, Durin didn't deny Bridgett much.

Sara and Bridgett were good friends despite their different upbringings. Bridgett attending a private academy for the rich on Belepheron and Sara going to a public high school on Boros.

Bridgett who knew all the 'right' people, wore the latest fashions and knew how to behave in high society. And then there was Sara. A girl who could fly a shuttle, fix a broken mule and shoot the hairs off a flea at one hundred yards.

Somehow the girls clicked.

As the evening wore on, Allan and Zoë were forced to mingle a bit. Some of the higher class people they spoke with looked down their nose at Zoë. This infuriated Allan to no end. Zoë just patted his arm and told Allan to remember his blood pressure.

Some of the wives did consider Zoë a trophy wife due to the nearly twenty year difference in her and Allan's ages. Zoë scoffed at them, Calmly telling the women that she fell in love with Allan well before he regained his leadership of Blue Sun.

“You actually have a job?” one fancily dressed woman asked Zoë as she mingled.

Zoë did her best to keep a straight face. She enjoyed putting these women in their place.

“I actually have three,” Zoë began.

“Three?” another woman asked, jaw agape.

“First, I'm the mother to a teenage girl. That is a job in itself.”

“Don't you have a nanny or governess?”

“I'm a hands on parent. So is my husband.”

“I see,” replied the first woman.

“And the other jobs?” a third asked as she looked down her nose at Zoë. A feat that was rather hard since she barely stood five foot three in heels, compared to Zoë's five foot ten in flats.

“I've been the first mate on a transport ship for over twenty years. That's more of a part time job now.” Zoë said, with a slight smile. Mentally pushing in the knife.

“And the third?”

“I am the Police Chief in the City of New Edmonton on Boros.” In her mind, Zoë twisted the knife.

The three women looked shocked.

“Oh, and before that, I was a soldier... A Browncoat.” The women looked like they were going to faint.

Zoë turned on her heel and glided away, a sadistic grin on her face as she searched out a waiter for a glass of shimmer wine.

Meanwhile, Sara and Bridgett, mingled as well. They spotted a group of girls near their age and approached.

“Hello,” Sara said to the girls.

“Who are you?” the oldest, a brunette asked.

“Sara Bryant”

“Oh.”

“What does that mean?”

The other girls giggled as the brunette continued, “You aren't from Londonium are you?”

“I'm from Boros,” Sara said proudly.

“What I thought... border trash trying to play dress up.”

“What did you call me?” Sara replied, her blood up.

“Easy Sara,” Bridgett cautioned, “You don't want to get blood on your dress.”

“What do you mean blood?” the brunette asked.

Bridgette smiled sweetly, “I mean, yours. If you call my friend border trash again. I think it just might spatter on her dress after she punches your lights out.”

“Do you have any idea who I am? My father is a member of Parliament.”

“Isn't that nice,” Sara smiled, “My father is the President and CEO of Blue Sun and Bridgett here is the daughter of the Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Board of Blue Sun. Our allowances alone could buy and sell a mere politician. Have a pleasant evening.”

With that, the two friends turned and strode away, giggling as they went. Leaving the so called socialites in their wake.

Allan grinned as he saw his daughter and Bridget walk away. He had seen and heard it all. It would almost have been worth it to see Sara deck that arrogant child. Sara was definitely her mother's daughter when it came to fighting.

As the evening wore on, Zoë and Allan danced a few times. Allan took Sara for a turn or two around the floor as well. Bridgett giggled and Sara rolled her eyes as they watched Allan and Zoë dance a tango. It looked like they were trying to have sex with their clothes on.

As the evening wound down, Zoë, Allan and Sara, took their leave. On the way back to the hotel, the teen spoke up.

“I invited Bridgett to come with me tomorrow.”

“Doing what princess?” Allan asked.

“She said she wanted to learn how to cook. I thought that after shopping, we could stop by Aunt Alisha's...”

“It will take more than one lesson to teach Bridgett how to cook baby,” Zoë said.

“I know, but we don't seem to be able to spend much time together.”

“Okay okay,” Allan said. When you go shopping, you'll have Marion with you. I'll set it up so you can stop by the restaurant for lunch. And if Your Aunt has time, she can give you two a lesson.

“Thank you daddy.”

XXXXXXXXX

“Uhhh,” Allan moaned as he awoke. Shimmer wine always gave him a hangover. Even if it was only one glass like he had last night.

Rolling out of the empty bed, he heard the shower running. Zoë was already up. Allan staggered into the bathroom, searching for a smoother. Zoë stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped around her.

“Mornin baby,”

“Mornin... I think,”

“Shimmer wine get you again?” Zoë teased.

Allan growled.

Zoë kissed Allan's cheek, “Take two of these and have a good long shower. You'll fell better.”

Allan felt vaguely human after his shower. Emerging from the bathroom in a towel, he saw that Zoë was dressed in a fashion she rarely did. It was her 'professional' outfit. The one she only wore in her capacity as police chief.

Zoë was dressed in gray slacks, white blouse and a matching gray blazer. Her hair was pulled back into it's usual tight ponytail. Allan saw she was wearing her shoulder holster and pistol.

“What are you doing today?” Allan asked.

“I have an invite from Scotland Yard for a visit.”

“Cop stuff?”

“Cop stuff,” Zoë smiled.

Like many things on Londonium, emulating institutions from Earth was common. The New London Police had of course named their headquarters after the headquarters of the original London police.

Like anything she did, Zoë poured herself into her career as police chief. She had taken classes all over the 'verse and since she knew how the criminal mind worked due to her time as one. Zoë had become an accomplished investigator and routinely visited with colleagues on her travels about the 'verse.

“What are you doing today?” Zoë asked her husband.

“I have a meeting with Admiral Ming about the new patrol cutter contract.”

“Sounds exiting,” Zoë deadpanned.

“Well at least you won't be draining my bank account like Sara will be on her shopping trip.”

“Sara'd have to buy the whole planet before that happened dear,” Zoë chuckled.

After dressing, Allan joined his wife and daughter for breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. Marion Vorrasi along with a new security officer introduced as Rafe Wing joined them.

“Where are you from Rafe?” Allan asked the new man.

“Persephone Sir.”

Zoë looked up sharply, “Any relation to Atherton Wing?”

“Distant cousin,” The man replied smoothly. “The black sheep of the family.”

Zoë nodded, “Can say that again.”

“Atherton Wing... Where do I remember that name?” Allan said.

“He's the hundan that you decked on Persephone just after you came on the ship.”

Allan snapped his fingers, “Oh yeah, the one who hit Inara and called her a whore.”

Throughout the conversation Rafe Wing did his best to not react to what he was hearing. Atherton wasn't his cousin but instead was his uncle. Allan Bryant had a hand in ruining his family. Rafe had been forced to become a cop and then a security guard to make a living. Something he shouldn't have had to do if his family had retained their wealth and standing on Persephone.

Just before breakfast was over, Bridgett Haymer joined them, escorted by her bodyguard. A Young woman named Shiloh Rogers. She was a member of team three.

The Blue Sun Security teams were created to oversee executive protection, Threats to company personnel and property. There were three teams in all. Each with ten members. All of whom were highly trained former law enforcement or special operations troops.

Marion led team one and Shiloh was the assistant team leader for her team. All team members operated as executive bodyguards, and in the event of a kidnapping or other threat, a heavily armed and lavishly equipped hostage rescue team.

Ora 'Oso' Tangaroa and his wife Frederica Cobb- Tangaroa were the co-directors of Blue Sun security. Since they were member's of the extended Serenity 'family' Allan trusted them implicitly.

Soon breakfast was over. Oso arrived to pick Allan up and take him to the office. Zoë's companion for the day was Olivia Little, the tech expert for team one.

Sara and Bridgett set off for a morning of shopping, escorted by Marion, Shiloh and Rafe. They were scheduled to stop at Alisha's for lunch.

XXXXXXXXXX

“Gorramit,” Marion swore. There was a van parked in front of Alisha's restaurant, requiring them to circle the block to find a parking place. New London downtown at lunchtime was notorious for it's lack of parking places.

Finding a space half a block away, Rafe parked the armored SUV they were using to transport Sara Bryant and Bridgett Haymer. Marion exited first, eyes scanning the street for trouble. Satisfied that it was clear, She and Shiloh escorted the girls towards the restaurant. Rafe hung back a bit. As the group passed the van in front of the restaurant, the side door suddenly opened. Instinctively, Marion and Shiloh reached for their weapons...

It was too late.

Rafe Wing already had his gun out and fired two quick shots.

Marion and Shiloh dropped to the pavement. Dead from head shots at close range.

“Marion!” Sara screamed as strong hands pulled her into the van. Bridgett tried to run but was grabbed by Wing and thrown roughly into the van beside Sara.

Sara did her best to fight, using every move River and her mother had taught her. The hiss of a hypo spray was the last thing the teenager heard before being rendered unconscious by the drug. Bridgett was similarly drugged.

The van pulled away from the scene, it's plain white color changing to black as the liquid crystals in the paint were energized.

Sara and Bridgett were gone.

Inside the restaurant, Audra Baer heard two shots. Grabbing the pistol she kept behind the register, the former academy trained assassin ran for the front door, Her twin brother Andy running from the kitchen, with his own gun. He had sensed his sisters alarm.

“Oh my god,” Audra said as she saw the bodies of the two women lying on the sidewalk.

One woman she didn't know. The other she did. It was Marion Vorrasi. A woman Audra considered a friend. More than a friend. Audra was sly and Marion had been her lover on more than one occasion.

Andy swore as he reached his sister's side. He knew what Marion had meant to his sister. The twins shared a look that said volumes. Even if they didn't share a psychic link, they knew what the other was thinking...

Whoever did this was going to die.

Pushing her grief aside, Audra called out to the crowd that had gathered, “What happened?”

“A man in a dark suit shot those women. Then the two girls with them were thrown into a white van and it took off,” Said a man in a business suit.

Audra's heart sank even more, “What did the girls look like?”

“A redhead and dark skinned girl.”

Audra hung her head. She knew who the victims were. Sara Bryant and Bridgett Haymer.

Andy growled something unintelligible and Audra mentally agreed with her brother.

Audra had always been the boss of the duo since she was eight minutes older, “Call the cops... and Oso.”

“On it sis,” Andy replied. Still in his chefs whites, he ran back inside to the cortex.

Audra knelt next to Marion's body, a tear running down her cheek, “I'll get them ai-ren... I'll get them.”

TBC