Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan. He's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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This story takes place four and a half years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Follows after Birthday and Recollections.

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A/N:

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Thanks again Chris for the Beta.

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The Bash

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Chapter Six

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“Are you going to be alright?” Allan asked as he tried to adjust his tie.

“I'll be fine, “Frederica Cobb replied, “Sara's such an angel. She's not half the trouble that Mattie was at the same age.”

“Most likely since he took after Jayne,” Zoë smirked as she batted away Allan's hands and adjusted his tie for him.

“Time's getting late Boss,” Marion said, “Traffic is going to be a pain in the pi-gu.”

Allan smiled and looked over at his wife. Zoë was dressed in an indigo blue, floor length gown with a plunging neckline accented with a gold toned belt. Hoop earrings were visible under her dark curls and her Firefly pendant contrasting against her dark skin.

Allan was dressed in his formal tuxedo. Zoë thought he looked quite handsome and Zoë, was in Allan's opinion, simply stunning.

“Okay Marion, lets go,” Allan said. Turing to Fred, he smiled, “We'll be back around midnight.”

“No problem. Just gonna relax, watch Sara, order some room service and watch a movie on the coreview,” Fred smiled in return.

She had adapted quickly in the last few days to the amenities of life here on Londonium.

Marion opened the door to the suite and closed it behind her as Allan and Zoë headed for the lift arm in arm. Marion knew that Zoë was carrying a pistol on her somewhere but she couldn't tell where. Allan had his smaller frame 9mm at the small of his back.

Marion patted the bulge under her suit coat. As Allan's security, she was carrying her .40 caliber Callahan semi auto in a shoulder holster, a 9mm strapped to her right ankle under her dress slacks and an expandable baton in a holster on her belt. Marion had extra rounds for both her guns as well as for Allan and Zoë's pistols, just in case.

They could hold off a small platoon with what they were carrying for firepower.

Allan's driver held the door open for Zoë and he as they climbed into the limo. Marion took a seat up front with the driver.

As they rode in silence, Allan thought back about the last few days. Blue Sun's four hundred and thirty fifth anniversary celebrations had become a media spectacular.

Allan had forced himself to sit through three interviews. One including Zoë, much to her consternation. Tonight's Bash was the high point of the celebration. More than a few Parliament members, Military officers, Blue Sun corporate officers, media celebrities and stockholders would be attending.

Allan's speech would be the high point of the evening. He wasn't looking forward to it. He hated public speaking.

Allan groaned when the limo pulled up in front of the pavilion where the dinner was being held. People lined the edges of a huge red carpet while photographers took captures of every dignitary and celebrity who stepped from a limo.

“What is all this go-se?” Zoë asked as the car came to a halt.

“Looks like we're famous,” Allan grumped.

“Shiny,” Zoë replied with more than a touch of sarcasm in her voice.

Marion stood by on alert as the driver opened the door. Allan stepped out and then took Zoë's hand as she exited. Allan was quite surprised to hear the crowd actually applaud.

Moving quickly, Allan and Zoë entered the building, Marion a few steps behind. An usher escorted the couple to the head table near the stage. A string quartet was providing classical background music. It reminded Allan quite a bit of the Yuletide party two years previous when he regained control of Blue Sun.

Allan and Zoë were the first to arrive at the head table. Figuring since he was the boss, Allan declined the offered champagne and ordered a beer instead. Zoë asked for a whiskey on the rocks.

A few minutes later, Madeline Chang and her Husband, Robert arrived.

“Zoë, it is good to see you again,” Madeline said politely.

“You too,” Zoë smiled. She didn't much care for the woman but she had to maintain the appearance for Allan's sake.

When Durin arrived, it was a much different matter. The irony wasn't lost on Zoë that she had once helped rob the man who was now one of her Husband's best friends. Durin had been through so much in the last two years. Nearly killed the night Allan sized Blue Sun, finding out that he was going to be a father and then loosing his wife in childbirth could have broken a lesser man. Durin did indeed nearly break under the strain. The only thing keeping him going was the daughter Yo-Saf-Bridge had given him.

“Hello Durin,“ Zoë greeted warmly.

Durin kissed Zoë on the cheek, “Hello Zoë, you look wonderful this evening.”

“This old thing?” Zoë teased. Allan just rolled hi eyes before turning to his friend and business partner.

“How are you Durin?”

“I am well, Allan.”

“How is Bridget?” Allan asked as Durin sat down next to him.

“Growing quickly,” Durin beamed as he pulled a capture out of his coat pocket.

The capture showed a clip of the red headed toddler struggle to her feet and take her first steps. The video ended with Durin sweeping his daughter into his arms.

“She's a cutie,” Zoë said, grinning, "Takes after her momma with that red hair."

“That she does,” Durin replied.

“One capture deserves another,” Allan said as he pulled out one of Sara. Durin smiled as the clip showed Sara crawling across the carpet as fast as she could go. Calling out 'Mama' as Zoë picked her up.

“She's talking already?” A surprised Durin asked.

“Just Mama so far. But I can tell she's very bright. She's doing things six and seven month olds should be doing and she's not quite four months,” Allan said proudly.

“That is amazing,” Madeline Chang said.

“Speaking of children, how are yours and Robert's?”

Mr. Chang spoke for the first time. He normally was even more terse than Zoë on a bad day.

“Suzanne starts university this fall. And Robert Jr. is starting medacad.”

“That's wonderful,” Durin replied. Turning back to Allan he asked, “Who is watching Sara? You initially were asking about using my Nanny...”

“A family friend is watching her,” Zoë replied.

“Very good,” Durin nodded, “Regina is at your disposal if you ever need her.”

“Thanks Durin,” Allan replied just as dinner was served.

As the second course was brought to the table, Durin gave Allan a sly grin, “Are you ready for your speech?”

Allan groaned, “I suppose... I hate public speaking.”

“I thought the interviews went well.”

“I thought Zoë was gonna shoot that reporter for the Alliance News Bureau.”

“His questions about Zoë's military service were uncalled for. I did more than a few things I'm not proud of during the war,” Durin said sincerely, “But calling Zoë a traitor...”

“Got called the same on the trip over on the Shinon Queen ,” Zoë replied.

“Some people have no idea about how the 'Verse really is.”

“You can say that again my friend,” Allan replied.

XXXXXXXXXX

Marion kept a close eye on the head table. She and Durin's bodyguard, Richard wandered about, neither more than a few score of steps from the table. If one of them needed to step away for anything, the other covered.

Unknown to the pair, two tables away two men were discussing something that would make their evening more exciting than they had planned.

“Are you ready Mr. Baer?”

“As ready as I can be,” the older man replied.

“I would suggest that you wait until Bryant makes his speech, perhaps even until the end. Applause might cover the shot and if everyone is up giving him an ovation, your standing to shoot might go unnoticed.”

“Why would they give that Ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng an ovation?”

“Pretty standard for a situation like this... unless he is a really bad public speaker.”

“When are you leaving?” Andrew Baer asked the younger man who had been assisting him in his quest for vengeance.

“After desert. I can't pass up on the food,” the man smiled.

“It is quite the spread.”

“I have... other plans in motion tonight as well. I must see to them.”

Andrew Baer nodded and tried to take a few bites of the food in front of him. His cancer combined with nerves had robbed him of most of his appetite.

“I must be going now,” the younger man said with a warm smile, “Best of luck.”

“Thank you Mr. Smith,” Andrew replied. He knew the man's name was a pseudonym but he didn't care at this point.

Allan Bryant would die by his hands this night... or he himself would die trying.

“Mr. 'Smith' calmly walked towards the rear of the hall as if he was heading for the restroom. Instead he exited through an un-alarmed fire door into the alley where his ground car was parked.

Unlocking it, Smith quickly pulled out into New London's heavy Saturday night traffic. He hoped that the traffic didn't slow him down too much. His target for the evening was much well less protected.

Just a rim girl Nanny if his information was correct.

XXXXXXXXXX

“Seen Allan yet?” Mal asked Kaylee as the young mother sat on the sofa between Jeff and Becca.

“Not yet Capn'.”

“Allan will probably be the last speaker of the evening,” Simon commented from his perch on the arm of the sofa.

Blue Sun had it's own channel on the coreview. Normally it was used for advertising but at the moment it was being used for live coverage of the Blue Sun, four hundred and thirty fifth anniversary party.

Inara walked in from the kitchen with a tray of coffee and tea cups. It was mid morning on Boros. Mal had taken a break from his chores and come into the house. Kaylee as usual was visiting with Inara. Simon had tagged along. Reggie and Alisha were in town on a grocery run.

A few moment's later Jayne and River walked through the front door.

“Mornin Tross, Jayne.”

“Hey Mal,” the big man replied, “Y'all watchin the shindig?”

“Yeah...”

“Ohh! Theres Zoë!” Kaylee called out, “Look at that dress she's wearin!”

“That's Zoë?” Jayne asked as the camera moved across the lead table.

“Cleans up purty good don't she,” Mal chuckled. Inara batted him on the arm.

“That dress is indeed lovely,” River said.

“Ah, there's Allan,” Simon said, “Looks as if he is ready to begin his speech.”

“Turn up the volume Kaylee,” Mal ordered.

XXXXXXXXXX

Allan stepped behind the podium and smiled at the nearly four hundred faces in the crowd. They expected something profound from him. Counting his time in cryo, he was the oldest living Human in the 'Verse. Allan didn't consider himself like that. He was just a fifty four year old new father who grew up on a farm.

“Good evening,” Allan began, “Thank you for coming tonight to the four hundred and thirty fifth birthday party for a little company I started in my grandfathers barn.”

A murmur of amusement ran through the crowd.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that Blue Sun would survive the exodus, grow into the largest provider of consumer goods, medical supplies and the core of the company, spacecraft.”

“In the intervening centuries, there have been highs and lows. Terriforming the outer core worlds along with the border worlds of Persephone, Boros and Hera. Discovery of miracle drugs that helped ease suffering for many millions of lives. Building the ships that helped colonize the known verse. In all, a wonderful legacy.”

“However, the lows were beyond vile. I founded blue sun on the promise to help mankind. That promise has been broken time and again by the people tasked to steward this company in my absence.”

“Unethical medical research, human experimentation, chemical and biological weaponry. Things I would have never tolerated became the order of the day. Miranda and the so called Academy were just the culmination of the things that can happen when a company such as ours looses sight of what it is really there for...”

“... Providing a product or service for the customer... ethically and without malice.”

“Blue Sun, over the years, evolved profit into an art form. Steadily increasing prices while decreasing quality. Making a product for 'X' amount and then selling it for ten times that price in the core and twenty on the rim is not good business... It's profiteering for the sake of profit.”

“I understand the responsibility we have to our shareholders to make a profit. That's why they bought stock in Blue Sun in the first place.”

“As the latest figures have proved. By dropping prices one hundred fifty percent like we have over the last year, profits have risen fifteen percent because now, nearly everyone can afford what we produce.”

“A clear cut example of cutting our nose off, despite our face.”

“As I conclude, I will again make a promise. Blue Sun under my stewardship and by my successors will continue to be at the forefront of scientific research and development, low cost, quality products and many, many philanthropic endeavors.”

“The first of which is the 'Rimworld Medical Initiative'. Funded partialy by myself, this initiative will provide training and supplies to any world that requests it. Without charge I might add.”

“Blue Sun as a company will begin building clinics and hospitals around the frontier. In the interim, the company has acquired three former Alliance fleet hospital ships and refitted them for service for the initiative. Equipped with the latest core, medical technology. These ships will bring medical care to worlds like Deadwood, or Three Hills. Places where medical care is at best, perhaps a midwife or if a person is lucky, a real physician who has but rudimentary supplies and equipment.”

“This is my promise to you. And as my lovely wife knows full well, I never break my promises... Thank you.”

The room broke out in applause and people began to rise to their feet...

Andrew Baer among them. In one smooth motion, he drew the gun Mr. Smith had somehow smuggled past the gun scans at the entrances.

Time seemed to slow down.

Marion saw the sudden movement from the corner of her eye and began to run...

Allan saw Marion's expression and her sudden turning...

Baer completed his draw and began to pull the trigger, “Die you sangshang liu hundan!”

“Gun!” Marion screamed as she dove for the man...

Zoë started to stand, reaching for the gun strapped to her thigh...

Allan froze for a moment as he saw the crimson beam of a targeting laser flash into his face...

Just as Andrew Baer completed the pull of his trigger, Marion's hand came down on his wrist. Deflecting the shot only slightly...

Allan felt a searingly hot thump in his chest as the gunshot echoed in the room...

Marion's baton came up and in one smooth motion she extended it and slammed it against the head of the gunman, knocking him to the floor...

Women in the room began to scream as the shot registered...

Allan staggered back a few steps and then collapsed in a heap...

Time sped up again.

“Allan! Baby!” Zoë screamed as she leaped onto the stage. She collapsed on her knees next to her husband.

Allan coughed blood and looked up at Zoë, “Should've... ducked...” he croaked before coughing again.

“Medic!” Zoë screamed, falling back into her military training as she pressed her hand to the bleeding hole in Allan's chest, just a few inches from his heart.

“Take... take care... of Sara,” Allan struggled to say as blood ran from his lips.

“You're gonna have plenty o' time to do that yourself,” Zoë replied.

“Not... so... sure... about...”

“Don't talk Baby,” Zoë pleaded.

“Love... you...”

“Love you too Baby... just you hang on.”

Zoë felt a presence beside her and saw an older man in a tux kneel down next to her husband

“Son of a... where's the gorram ambulance!” the man yelled.

Zoë looked at him.

“I'm Dr. Zadovsky. I run Blue Sun's Medical division. Keep your hand there but I need to see what we've got...”

Zoë nodded as the doctor pulled back Allan's coat and tried to look.

“I need to cut his shirt so I can see...”

Zoë reached back with her free hand and produced a dagger from under her dress. The doctors eyes widened for a moment then began to cut away Allan's shirt with the weapon.

Zoë tried to look confident as she looked into Allan's eyes. He was having trouble breathing.

“Damn, he just dropped a lung...” Zoë heard the doctor say.

Just then Paramedics arrived and began to assist Dr. Zadovsky.

“You can let go now Mrs. Bryant, we got him,” the doctor said reassuringly.

“I...”

“Come on Zoë,” Durin Haymer said behind her, “They need to get him to the hospital.”

Zoë nodded and pulled back. The medics quickly moved Allan to the gurney and hustled him from the room.

Zoë slowly stood. The man who had shot her husband was sitting on the floor, handcuffed and surrounded by security personnel. She locked eyes with Marion who quickly looked away. She couldn't face Zoë in her shame. She had failed in her charge to protect Allan.

Allan's blood on her gown, Zoë walked up to the man who looked only a few years older than her husband.

“Why?” She asked simply.

“Blue Sun took everything from me.”

“What did they take?” Zoë asked flatly.

“My beautiful children killed at that gorram academy.”

“My husband had nothin to do with that.”

“My wife killed herself after we found out what the place really was. He was responsible for that though!” the man snarled, “I lost my wife and my twins. I don't care what happens to me.”

“Twins?” Zoë asked.

“Audra and Andy Jr.”

Recognition flashed through Zoë's mind.

“Your children ain't dead.”

“What?”

“Your kids were sent to kill my Husband. They failed and now they're in Alliance custody tryin to have what was done to em' reversed...”

“Oh god...” Andrew Baer cried before sobbing.

Zoë turned on her heel and came face to face with Marion.

“I'm... I...” the woman stammered.

Marion was surprised when Zoë pulled her into a hug.

“He's still alive cause o' you. That was a head shot till you intervened.”

“Still...”

“Lets get to the hospital...”

“Car's waiting.”

XXXXXXXXXX

“Kaylee, how soon afore we can get Serenity ready for the black?” Mal asked breaking the oppressive silence in the room. Everyone had just witnessed Allan's being shot, live on the cortex.

Kaylee sniffled back her tears, “Three, four hours iffin Reggie and Jayne help.”

“Go.”

Mal turned to the rest of his stunned crew, “Doc, find out where they took Allan and get an update on 'im, quick as you can. 'Lisha load all them groceries you just got on the boat. Nara get the kids ready to travel. Tross, get Serenity preflighted. I'm gonna wave Jacob and see if his boys can come over and see to the animals. I want to be outta the world soons Kaylee says we can fly.”

As everyone set about their tasks, Mal shook his head in frustration, “We're comin Zoë, We're comin.”

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TBC