Episode seven.

INT. INARA’S SHUTTLE - NIGHT

INARA is tending to something inside her shuttle when behind her MAL appears at the doorway in a very smart suit.

He waits silently, for her to realise he is there, this way he gets to watch her for a moment. When she realises he is there INARA turns around and looks at him but says nothing.

Her face says she is still very angry with him for what happened on Sihnon.

MAL goes to enter but realises he has barged in again and takes a step back to smugly knock on the door.

MAL: You can’t hate me too much.

He gestures to the necklace she is wearing, it’s the one he bought for her. She holds it in her hand against her neck.

INARA: What do you want?

MAL holds out his hand for her to take.

INT. INARA’S SHUTTLE – CUT to later

INARA and MAL are dancing with each other. They are dancing formally and not intimately at all. There is no music or noise. As they spin and become consumed by each other’s presence they dance closer and closer.

MAL: Shoulda been me at your fancy ball.

INARA: Yes, it should have.

MAL takes INARA’S chin in his hands and after a very suspenseful full of tension moment, they’re heads fall into each other.

Just before they kiss INARA’S eyes flutter open in her bed where she has been sleeping.

IT WAS A DREAM!

INARA is facing away from the cockpit of her shuttle and is annoyed she woke up when she did. She tries to fall back asleep squeezing her eyes shut a couple of times. When it doesn’t work she throws her covers off of her, turns over and stands up out of her bed.

She is met with a Reaver staring right at her face, it growls and she screams and the Reaver violently slams her across her bed. As she lands and the Reaver looks as though it could jump over the bed to attack her again.

INT. RIVER’S DORM – NIGHT

RIVER wakes with another gasp. She doesn’t cry out this time though, she keeps it quiet.

IT WAS A DREAM INSIDE A DREAM!

EXT. PLANET WOODS - DAY

On a planet and through some woods MAL, JAYNE and ZOE are riding getaway horses. Fast! They are being chased and shot at by thugs also on horses. Ducking the bullets and branches the three come to a sort of crossroads in the woods. Stopping for a moment they panic a little trying to decide which way to go.

ZOE: Sir?

MAL: uh…

JAYNE: I thought you said you been here before?

MAL: I have, got it all planned out.

Bullets fly really close to all three of their heads.

JAYNE: Was getting shot in the head part of your shiny plan?

MAL: No! (to himself) It does always seem to factor in though.

ZOE: Maybe in future plans we should make more allowances for the getting shot at Sir.

MAL remembers or picks a random direction to take, and the others follow.

MAL: (Chinese This way).

Riding through more woods the three jump logs and dodge branches and kick up leaves. Woodsy stuff.

With the thugs still chasing and rather closely behind now, MAL leads as the horses come dangerously close to going over a cliff into a large river below.

MAL pulls on his rains and the others follow suit.

MAL: Never had to factor this in before.

All three abandon their horses and stare down into the river. It’s definitely deep enough to jump off the cliff into, but they would get all wet, so it’s not a favourable option.

JAYNE: We’re so humped.

END TEASER

INT. CARGO BAY SERENITY – DAY

Walking back into the cargo bay of Serenity comes MAL, ZOE and JAYNE dripping wet and soaked to the bone. They obviously jumped, and didn’t get shot in the head.

DERRIA is standing in the middle of the room holding towels.

WASH is standing at the cargo bay controls, hands at his side.

DERRIA: These are from River. What happened?

JAYNE: Tussle broke out when it was decided that payin us like was agreed wasn’t gonna happen.

ZOE: Then with the horses and the woods and the fallin to save our skins…

MAL: …and it was very graceful and elegant the way we took our money anyway and almost got shot in the head.

JAYNE: Damn sure put a hitch in their giddy up though!

MAL, JAYNE and ZOE actually looked happy and pleased with themselves for surviving.

WASH: (bitter) As long as you had fun.

ZOE has walked over the WASH that no one else can see. ZOE begins brushing away stray wet hairs from her face and WASH looks closely on as though he wish he could do that for her.

KAYLEE walks into the cargo bay and the group separates a little, with ZOE and WASH still together and KAYLEE walking towards JAYNE.

The others are doing various Serenity stuff.

KAYLEE: (quietly to Jayne) Anything?

JAYNE: (Shakes head) Like she aint never told a word to no one.

KAYLEE: Do you think we should tell the Capt’n?

JAYNE: What the hells for? She aint pregnant no more, mind our own Gorram business. Nothin to worry your precious self about.

KAYLEE: I know but….

JAYNE: Kaylee….

KAYLEE: He should know…

MAL: (Over hearing) Who should know what?

KAYLEE: Um…

KAYLEE looks over in ZOE’S direction who looks at her in return. DERRIA has approached ZOE in this time and is handing her a towel to dry off.

KAYLEE: uh…

JAYNE: Kaylee’s got this awful rash thing I saw when I was peeking in the showers…uh…cause I do that…She reckons Doc should take a look…

KAYLEE: JAYNE!

KAYLEE realises she can either tell MAL what JAYNE is saying is a lie and then have to come up with her own to cover for ZOE or go along with JAYNE’S story which at this point, could be possible.

KAYLEE CONT: Um, that’s …private…

MAL: I don’t see the big. Doc’s seen a lot more of you lately, you should have it attended to. I need my mechanic.

MAL walks away from the pair and KAYLEE simply glares at JAYNE, who is kinda smirking.

KAYLEE: (Chinese jerk)

Back over by ZOE and Invisi/WASH

WASH: I missed you.

ZOE: I miss you.

ZOE has appeared to have just spoken with herself and DERRIA who is still standing by looks a little confused.

ZOE: What!?

DERRIA: Am I still here? I shouldn’t be right?

DERRIA turns to leave, she almost walks into MAL but awkwardly avoids him at the last minute and changes direction to dodge him. He again notices this strange behaviour she has towards him.

WASH: Are you hurt?

ZOE: Don’t think so.

WASH: You jumped off a cliff into freezing cold water after added fun stress of being shot at? That can’t be good for…

ZOE: I know what I did. I was actually there.

WASH: Yeah so how can you be so…

ZOE: I’m dealin with it all right?

WASH: (sympathetic) You haven’t dealt with anything! You can’t have forever.

ZOE shouts louder now so the others in the cargo bay can hear her.

ZOE: (Chinese CAN”T YOU JUST LET IT GO), let me go!

Pause.

WASH: (comforting) I’m not the one holding on.

Everyone turns to look at ZOE shouting at the hanger door controls, she looks at everyone then climbs the stairs out of sight. WASH has disappeared.

MAL: Kaylee, fetch Simon. Moments now. As soon as Inara’s back from her meetin with the Guild, gather everyone in the kitchen.

KAYLEE who looks really concerned walks off towards the infirmary but stops and turns around at the doorway, looking back to MAL.

MAL: Kaylee?

JAYNE shakes his head slightly at KAYLEE who has looked between him and MAL.

KAYLEE: Zoe told me and Jayne she was pregnant, but sommen went wrong and she aint no more.

With that KAYLEE leaves and everyone is silent.

INT. KITCHEN SERENITY - NIGHT

FLASHBACK

The crew are having a ridiculous competition on the ship back when WASH and BOOK were still alive, INARA was still on board and RIVER was right in the thick of crazy.

JAYNE, MAL and WASH are in a competition at the kitchen table sucking up something through a straw. They are all red in the face and everyone is watching.

RIVER is lying underneath the table supposedly watching through the table, ZOE is cheering WASH on squeezing his shoulders, and INARA and SIMON are standing next to each other trying hard to look as though this doesn’t amuse them.

BOOK is judging (kind of appropriate for a preacher) and KAYLEE is right in on the action, she might as well have her head in a bowl.

ZOE: C’mon baby…c’mon…

KAYLEE: (grin from ear to ear) They look like they could faint, this is shiny.

SIMON: River (Chinese little sister) watch they don’t kick you at the change over.

BOOK: 30 seconds.

RIVER: I’m lying down; it’s not that hard really. Do you understand?

BOOK: 15 seconds, changeover ready?

INARA: I cannot believe…..this is ridiculous….

BOOK: 10.

INARA: (Chinese A monkey and Panda’s love child would have more brains….)

BOOK: 5, 4, 3…

KAYLEE begins to squeal with anticipation…

ZOE/BOOK: 2, 1 CHANGE.

Immediately JAYNE gets up and is replaced with KAYLEE, ZOE replaces WASH and INARA of all people replaces MAL.

The girls begin to suck on the straws while the boys come back to their senses.

JAYNE: Gorramit!

MAL: Phew…

WASH: Did someone put chilli in that?

At that moment KAYLEE chokes a little, eyes watering.

JAYNE: I bet 20 bucks Inara wins this from experiencing alone.

MAL just hits him over the back of the head.

BOOK: Try to keep this tasteful son, it’s just a game.

SIMON who has walked around to stand near BOOK reads out the time left.

SIMON: 15 Seconds.

ZOE slams her fist down on the table she has finished first. She cheers and celebrates with WASH giving him a kiss and hugging him.

ZOE: Ha, no chores for a month and I get pick of Jayne’s guns on our next Job.

JAYNE pouts a little.

JAYNE: Not Vera. She don’t count in this.

WASH: Mostly I’m happy about the lack of work I don’t like doing.

KAYLEE and INARA tie at the 3 seconds left mark and congratulate ZOE and WASH.

INARA: I still can’t believe I did that….

KAYLEE: Aww its all good fun Nara, we aint using chilli next time though…Who did that?

INARA: Oh and there is one more thing…

She walks over to JAYNE to hit him over the head as well.

They break up into bouts of laughter. Ah the good ol times.

EXT. INARA’S SHUTTLE ALLIENCE CARRIER - NIGHT

INARA’S Shuttle is docked in an Alliance carrier.

INT. COMPANION COURT ROOM – NIGHT

Inside INARA is on a level that appears to be specially designed for Companion legal affairs. In the most elegant courtroom you could imagine, draped with satin and gold, sits INARA, SHEYDRA and 4 other Companions on large cushions on the floor.

INARA: Sheydra, you are barely looking at me? What has happened? Is everyone well? Sheydra?

SHEYDRA: I cannot speak for the council Inara, but know that I do not think any less of you. You will always be a most remarkable Companion.

INARA looks confused at SHEYDRA’S words as 2 women enter the room. One is Asian, and the other appears to be of a native background. Both extremely beautiful and obviously important because all the women rise from their seats and bow their heads upon they’re arrival. All the women re-sit apart from INARA who remains standing as though on trial.

INARA is very uneasy.

ASIAN WOMAN: Inara Serra, you were born into being a Companion and you have served The Guild eloquently.

KEZIA: However, we are not unaware that there comes a time in the lives of some, where the life of a Companion no longer not suits.

INARA: I don't understand.

SHEYDRA: (Shaking her head to say no) Inara....

ASIAN WOMAN: Please review Kezia.

The native looking Companion (KEZIA) pulls out some parchment and unrolls it. She also picks up a pencil like object and starts to tap on a desk beside her. Various pictures and symbols appear and disappear as though telling a story.

KEZIA: Charges laid.

INARA: Charges?

KEZIA: Possible affiliation with parties responsible for the theft of the Triact Stone, stolen at the Annual Guild Gala. Desertion of duties, purposely minimalizing client activity, and the possibility of falling in love.

INARA closes her eyes in understanding and stands silent at these allegations. She knew everyone of them was true but still wants to be a Companion with every fiber of her being.

ASIAN WOMAN: Do you wish to defend yourself Inara?

SHEYDRA simply looks to the floor and INARA does not know how to form the words to retaliate. She simply holds her composure and waits to see what they have to say next.

KEZIA: (Chinese As you wish). Inara Serra, we have come to a unanimous decision regarding your position here amongst the Guild.

SHEYDRA: Honey this wasn’t an easy decision, please believe me.

INARA: I am ready.

Pause.

KEZIA: Indefinite Suspension, until you appeal to us otherwise.

INARA’S jaw drops a little.

INARA: How am I suppose to do that if I am not a Companion? How am I meant to prove my loyalty to the guild to be granted an appeal?

ASIAN WOMAN: The guild has reached their decision do not try to argue. It is beneath Companions to argue Inara.

INARA is silent for a moment. She then bows as everyone else stands and leaves. SHEYDRA hovers for a moment.

SHEYDRA: Inara…

INARA: Please don’t Sheydra. A warning might have been nice, I might’ve had time to formulate a defence.

SHEYDRA: You must have known this was coming. You’ve been so irrational, you’re clientele database has barely been touched.

Pause.

SHEYDRA CONT: This is not a punishment. If you are in love this is an opportunity…

INARA cuts her off and the petty thief within comes to the surface.

INARA: Get out. Get the Gorram hell outta my sight before I call them back and ruin your life and don’t you dare think for one second that I wont do it.

WOAH there is obviously another underlining story here but it’s not important at the moment because INARA is still trying to be the bigger person.

SHEYDRA looks awestruck and leaves the room quickly leaving INARA alone to bow her head again.

INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT

Everyone is in the kitchen. KAYLEE, RIVER and JAYNE are sitting at the table, SIMON pacing down the side of the table, MAL is standing at the opposite wall and DERRIA is hiding from him almost ducking his vision from behind the kitchen counter.

MAL: (To Kaylee and Jayne): She say anything else?

JAYNE: Just that she was, now she aint.

KAYLEE: Do we have to do this? I mean, It’s Zoe, won’t she just figure it for herself??

SIMON: (Chinese Dear Girl) She’s trying, but she’s also having conversations with her dead husband. She needs help.

RIVER: (sort of to herself) This is how it will begin….

JAYNE: (to Mal) Inara fetchin her?

RIVER: And no matter what, we have to travel the middle….

MAL: (with an eye on River) Be in, in a few. River? You know you don’t need to hide secrets anymore.

RIVER: They’re not mine.

MAL: (we’ve been through this) Yeah, they aren’t ever yours but you don’t have to keep them. Too much weight in there.

Everyone stops to look at RIVER who looks back at MAL, then quickly to DERRIA and down. MAL follows RIVER’S gaze to DERRIA but has no idea what it means. At this moment INARA and ZOE enter the kitchen. INARA leads the way and sits at the table next to KAYLEE. She looks a little pale and there isn’t much expression on her face but she still holds her composure. ZOE enters and looks suspiciously at everyone.

ZOE: What happened?

MAL: That’s what needs knowing. (Pause) You pregnant Zoe?

ZOE stands a little shocked that MAL came right out and asked, she glares a little at KAYLEE.

SIMON: Mal, a little tact might be nice.

MAL: Aint got time for tact, might be dangerous…

INARA: What might be dangerous?

JAYNE: (To Zoe) Talking with your dead hubby can’t be healthy for unborn bubs…

ZOE moves her focus to JAYNE.

KAYLEE: Jayne she lost the baby remember?

RIVER: Hoban…

SIMON: Please this arguing isn’t helping any…

INARA: (Chinese Everyone shut the fuck up)…

There is silence as everyone turns to INARA, who has stood up abruptly and elegantly cursed in Chinese.

INARA CONT: (slightly yelling) Ever since Wash and Book died this ship has been nothing but confusing. We’ve let the Alliance and their biggest downfall control every moment of our lives. Sorry Derria.

DERRIA: I don’t understand the insult.

INARA: This has to stop. This all has to stop now. No more secrets, no more treating everyone like they can’t handle certain situations. We’ve been through enough together you’d think by now it wouldn’t matter. (Long Pause) Simon….

INARA gestures for SIMON to talk to ZOE, she glances at MAL before sitting back down.

SIMON: Zoe…Are you pregnant?

There is simply silence from her.

SIMON CONT:….Do you know that Wash is dead?

ZOE: (snapping back) Of course I know he’s dead. I know more that he’s dead than anyone else on this ship. It reeks of him. Everywhere I go there is somethin that echo’s him. I hear him everywhere.

RIVER: So do I.

There is once again Silence amongst the crew.

MAL: Zoe…

ZOE: (cutting him off) Yes Mal, I’m pregnant!

ZOE begins to become a little uneasy, almost whimpering. (Damn Hormones.) The rest of the crew look a little surprised seeing KAYLEE just told them all ZOE had lost the baby.

KAYLEE: But you said...

JAYNE: She lied.

More awkwardness as KAYLEE leans over to Whisper something in SIMON’S ear, he nods agreeing with whatever she has suggested.

SIMON: Were about 7 hours out. Might be good a time as any to stop in and visit. Pay our respects?

INARA: Didn’t Badger relocate out that way?

MAL: After we alerted him in time to hide aways from the Operative. Why?

INARA looks up as though she has received an idea that has nothing to do with visiting WASH’S grave. She shakes her head to dismiss it and keeps it to herself.

ZOE: Can I go sir?

Mal: That’s never a question you need to ask. I’ll plot a course.

With this MAL leaves everyone to murmur to them selves in the Kitchen.

INT. HALLWAY TO BRIDGE – NIGHT

ZOE leaves after him and goes to her bunk and MAL turns back to see her climb down. Deciding her can’t say or do anything right now, keeps walking up to the bridge and sits in the pilot’s chair.

INT. BRIDGE – NIGHT

MAL plots a course and then stares out into space.

EXT. SERENITY HULL PLANET BOUND - DAY

FLASHBACK 2

MAL and WASH are on the outside of Serenity, they are obviously planet bound and the pair are trying to fix something.

WASH is working while MAL is annoying him.

MAL: Make good ‘n’ sure those bolts won’t rust or detach. That’s the last thing we need comin in on atmo.

WASH: I got it.

MAL: And Kaylee said somen bout metal fragments flyin into the engine room, so watch we don’t leave somen to fly into the air ducts…

WASH: I know Mal.

MAL: And…

WASH stops what he is doing to turn and talk to MAL.

WASH: I know how to fix a Gorram primary buffer panel…(of Mal’s look)….sir.

The pair are silent for a moment while WASH continues to work.

WASH: You know we’ll be flyin right by there, wouldn’t be trouble to stop in for a visit? I know Kaylee would love to see Inara.

MAL: Troubles all it would be, sides minds were made, no point in dwelling on it.

MAL leaves the top area of Serenity they were working on and jumps to the ground to walk past ZOE.

ZOE: Capt’n?

ZOE and WASH exchange glances. WASH shrugs and goes back to work. ZOE climbs up and places a hand on WASH’S shoulder and looks after MAL. ZOE: Inara still in his head?

WASH: And other body parts.

ZOE raises an eyebrow and looks at her husband.

WASH CONT: Like, his heart! Hey promise me something?

ZOE: (playful) I’m not doing that.

WASH: (ignoring her comment) Promise me if you ever need to leave me for any reason that I get to know the reason? No matter what?

ZOE: I’m not going anywhere.

The pair kiss.

INT. CARGO BAY - DAY

In the cargo bay RIVER and DERRIA have decided to teach JAYNE some fighting techniques. He goes in for the attack and RIVER flips him to the ground.

RIVER: What did you do wrong?

JAYNE: (groaning getting to his feet) Not bring a weapon of sorts.

DERRIA: You’re nine times her size, she shouldn’a been able to do that.

JAYNE: Well ok maybe I’m a little distracted with all of what’s going on round here.

JAYNE reaches for DERRIA as though he is going to pummel her. She growls and dodges his hand with her head and then pushes it aside also using her head.

DERRIA: Can’t do something smart, do sommen right.

JAYNE stares a little at DERRIA, a light bulb has gone on inside his head.

RIVER: Can’t just fight, have to calculate, understand, and become an element.

JAYNE: (Still referring to Derria’s comment) Shepard Book used to say that.

DERRIA: What?

JAYNE: Can’t do sommen smart, do sommen right.

RIVER: (explaining) Used to fly with us.

DERRIA: (shrugging off comment) Must’ve known what he was talking bout.

JAYNE: Where’d you hear it? Out skinning?

DERRIA: (sarcastically and a little defensive) Yes one day while I was a slaughterin, some tasty gent parted some words of wisdom along with his tongue for my amusement. I just know it is all.

JAYNE: Gees I aint after ya life story….

JAYNE leaves the pair and DERRIA turns back to face RIVER.

After a slight pause she attacks RIVER and the pair begin to play fight. With RIVER’S precise fighting moves that looks as though she is dancing and DERRIA’S growling and more animal-fighting manner it’s a pretty entertaining play fight.

SIMON enters the cargo bay.

SIMON: Derria? You want me to take a look at your leg again? We have a little time before we land?

DERRIA stops fighting but RIVER finishes with a ballet move. SIMON gestures for DERRIA to go to the infirmary.

INT. SERENITY BRIDGE - DAY

INARA enters the bridge and stands coldly behind MAL. He doesn’t turn around.

INARA: We landing?

MAL: Soon enough.

INARA: I have a client, I’ll be taking my shuttle.

She is very short with him but for some reason MAL thinks it has nothing to do with what she was originally mad at him for. He turns around on his chair to face her.

MAL: You angry at me for sommen I don’t yet know about?

INARA: That depends, what else have you done?

MAL: (changing the subject) You’re choosin work over comin to visit Wash and Books graves?

INARA: I’ve mourned for them Mal, and like I said I have a client.

MAL: I heard, lucky fella. Nothing mysterious about this one I spose?

INARA: If you mean will I be entertaining him to my full potential then yes. There is nothing mysterious about him.

As Serenity breaks atmo the change in light reflects off INARA’S necklace, the one MAL gave her. He notices and she notices he notices so that’s her cue to leave.

She places a hand over it to cover it from MAL. As she leaves the bridge we can hear a conversation her and BOOK once had echo over the top. When MAL looks back out to the sky INARA sneaks a glance back at him.

ECHO

BOOK: He's not wildly interested in ingratiating himself with anyone, yet he seems very protective of his crew. (beat) It's odd.

INARA: Why are you so fascinated by him?

BOOK: Because he's something of a mystery. (beat) Why are you?

Beat. INARA smiles softly.

INARA: Because so few men are.

INT. INFIRMARY - DAY

SIMON and DERRIA are both in the infirmary. DERRIA sitting on the bed and SIMON standing to the side tending to her puss infected gash on her leg. After cleaning the puss he picks up a needle and thread and pauses.

SIMON: Are you sure about this?

DERRIA: No, but ...

SIMON nod’s agreeing and begins to sew up the gash on her leg. She is staring right at him not flinching at all when the needle enters her gash. SIMON keeps catching her staring at him but says nothing and looks back to his work quickly.

SIMON: How are you doing with all this commotion?

DERRIA Shrugs.

SIMON: It’s not you anybodies angry or upset at.

DERRIA: I know that. It’s different is all. Lotsa looks, no words or attackin. Different way of crew I guess. Just…Please don’t…

SIMON stops sewing and looks right at her.

DERRIA CONT: Don’t look at me like I’m her. I aint your sis, aint broken, aint nothing you can fix.

SIMON: I uh…trust me I don’t think of you as someone I am related to.

Insulted at first DERRIA then realises what he means and tilts her head to look him directly in the eyes.

DERRIA: Don’t look at me like that either…I’ve changed my mind.

She pushes SIMON back and struggles with him a little to rip the remaining thread with her teeth. She hasn’t realised there is still the needle in her leg, he was mid stitch.

DERRIA goes to jump off the bed but he grabs her around the waist and forces her to stay sitting. The pair are all of a sudden very uncomfortable at their proximity and there is a moment as he moves his hand down her leg. Their eyes don’t leave each other’s until he pulls the needle out. DERRIA flinches a little and then again pushes him away and jumps of the bed to leave the room.

SIMON waits for her to leave a little confused then decides to walk after her. She is waiting right outside the doorway and when SIMON appears she leans up to kiss him gently, softly, unlike you’d think a Reaver could.

Now SIMON is really confused and as DERRIA turns and leaves for good this time SIMON focuses on KAYLEE who was in the cargo bay and saw the kiss.

SIMON walks out towards her.

INT. CARGO BAY - DAY

KAYLEE is fiddling with her outfit trying to forget what she just saw as she is waiting to land. She has changed into a dress and brushed her hair and looks a little nervous.

SIMON approaches her and reaches for her hand. There is a slight hesitation after what just happened with DERRIA but mostly KAYLEE knows it meant nothing, so she takes his hand.

SIMON: I can explain that. (pause) You look lovely.

KAYLEE: (Chinese Thank you), I’m all kinds of nervous though. Been a while since we been back. Ship just aint been the same since… ‘Nara was right. (Beat) Wonder what brought Shepard Book here, really? For someone means so much, we knew so little.

SIMON: He’d probably say, guess were not meant to know.

KAYLEE: He liked her though, Serenity. Never cared where we went, just cared on the ship. Do you think that’s strange?

SIMON: Maybe he just could see her soul, like you can?

KAYLEE: (cynical and sarcastic) Gee I’m so glad you learnt how to talk to girls.

SIMON: I had a good teacher.

SIMON goes to kiss KAYLEE on the cheek but she pulls away from him slightly. Ok so the DERRIA thing did get to her.

EXT. SHUTTLE YARD - DAY

INARA’S shuttle has pulled away from Serenity and she has landed in the town centre shuttle yard.

INT. INARA’S SHUTTLE – DAY

INARA is dressed as a Companion but dulled it down a little so as not to draw too much attention. She opens her shuttle door and lets a curtain flow over the doorway, she then returns to her couch obviously waiting nervously for someone.

Someone enters.

BADGER: Miss Serra, it is a pleasure. Or will it be?

INT. HALLWAY TO BRIDGE – DAY

MAL knocks on ZOE’S door on Serenity, but there is no answer.

MAL: Zoe?

ZOE: Mal.

He takes this as an opportunity to enter and climbs down into her bunk.

INT. ZOE BUNK - DAY

ZOE CONT: I don’t think I can go.

MAL: Sure you can.

ZOE: I can’t walk Mal, my legs, my head wont let me.

MAL looks to the ground and then goes to sit by ZOE. The pair sit in silence.

EXT. WASH/BOOK’S GRAVES - DAY

KAYLEE, RIVER, SIMON and JAYNE stand over WASH and BOOKS graves. KAYLEE and SIMON are staring at the graves, RIVER slightly petting one of them and JAYNE looking at his feet.

EXT. SERENITY SHUTTLE YARD - DAY

KAYLEE, RIVER, SIMON and JAYNE return from visiting WASH and BOOKS graves. KAYLEE is distant from SIMON, JAYNE is silent in his mercenary way and RIVER is skipping.

RIVER: That was beautiful.

JAYNE: Girl, you’re a nutter. Wanna run your explanation behind that by me?

RIVER: So much love, and respect and peace.

SIMON: I understand where you’re coming from River.

KAYLEE: (To herself) Of course you would.

JAYNE: Um, I’m gonna see if the Cap wants to uh…play cards.

RIVER: I’m going to tell Derria to hide. She has bigger things to deal with soon.

JAYNE and RIVER leave KAYLEE to glare at SIMON.

KAYLEE: (After River) What’s that spose to mean?

SIMON: No idea.

KAYLEE: Really? You have no idea?

SIMON: No, should i?

KAYLEE merely gives him a ‘what the hell is wrong with you?’ look.

INT. INARA’S SHUTTLE - DAY

In INARA’S shuttle INARA is standing awkwardly across from BADGER who has taken his bowler hat off in some form of respect.

BADGER: Let me get this straight. You want to pay ME for MY services?

INARA: Yes.

BADGER: Not the other way round. (Slight pause) When I walked in here Miss Serra, I must confess I was a little intimidated. What’s a classy Companion like yourself inviting a entrepreneur like myself into her humble abode? But after hearing your situation and what your asking of me I’ve come to a bit of a realisation, that maybe you should be intimidated by me. What do you think of that Miss Serra?

INARA: Inara’s fine.

BADGER: You’re right, Miss is too formal for an Ex – Companion.

INARA: Think whatever it is you wish to think, I am here for a business arrangement and nothing more.

BADGER: My kind of business right? Just checking. (Pause) Legal documents, reinstating you amongst the guild under a false alias will not come cheap.

INARA has begun fidgeting her fingers slightly at her side. Subtly.

INARA: I have no issue with money. I can assure you I am quite well off and once the documents are in my possession will have no problems with payment at all.

BADGER: Am I making you uncomfortable Inara?

INARA: (with anger building) This whole chain of events has made me uncomfortable. You just, unintentionally add to it. Do we have an agreement or do I need to take this elsewhere?

BADGER: Whoa hold up missy. I am still quite grateful at yourself, Captain Reynolds and that tin can he likes to fly in for saving me and mine after that bounty hunter a whiles back. (pause) We have an agreement. I can get you your papers.

BADGER holds out his hand for her to take, but she crosses her arms across her chest instead.

BADGER: I’ll need a few hours to have everything in order.

INARA nods and BADGER sleazily bows and leavers her shuttle.

INARA’S arms drop and she appears a little defeated.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

KAYLEE: I saw you kissing her!

KAYLEE had come bursting into the kitchen where MAL and JAYNE had started playing a game of cards on the table. They both look up at the commotion.

SIMON is following KAYLEE frantically trying to explain.

MAL: (to Jayne) This why you wanted to play cards so badly?

Simon: I wasn't kissing, kissing. It was...a kiss. That she instigated. You saw! Why didn’t you say anything about this before?

KAYLEE is giving him the strongest 'It really doesn't matter' look.

JAYNE: Them big words won't get you out of this Doc, our Kaylee Don't get messed with.

SIMON:...and besides, It was Derria Kaylee. I would never, I could never... She's a Reaver, she's confused is all. Since she's been on Serenity she would have all matter of new emotions to deal with.

There is a slight pause as JAYNE plays another hand, but both him and MAL keep their eyes on the conversation.

KAYLEE: It aint just Derria, Simon. Not lately.

SIMON gives her a look as though he knows exactly what she is referring to but can't believe she is still so caught up on it.

SIMON: So we’re back to that?

MAL: Where is out little cannibal anyhow?

They all look to SIMON for the answer. SIMON knows answering will get him into more trouble, but he does anyway.

SIMON: Probably a smuggler hole somewhere. River said she was telling her to hide.

There is a slight pause before ZOE also enters the kitchen.

JAYNE: Kaylee...want me to (Chinese knock his pretty boy lights out), cause I can if yeh want.

JAYNE makes a fist with one of his hands as ZOE pulls up a seat. She has warily left her bunk.

ZOE:(to mal) Sounds interestin...

MAL:(to zoe) All matter of...Change your mind on the outing?

ZOE says nothing.

KAYLEE: No thanks Jayne, probably get more satisfaction if I do it myself.

Kaylee pushes past Simon and runs out the kitchen towards the engine room with Simon groveling as he follows.

SIMON: Kaylee......Kaylee...

MAL: Speaking of satisfaction, Nara checked in yet?

ZOE: Yes, she’s fine. I checked the comms on my way down.

MAL: Good.

ZOE and JAYNE exchange a glance.

ZOE: Sir, you and Inara...

MAL: Aint nothin to discuss, aint never will be. She's neck deep in her world (little snigger from Jayne), and I'm......not. We better go find Derria before Kaylee does.

ZOE: I’ll go.

JAYNE: Little Kaylee can handle herself.

ZOE gets up to go look for DERRIA.

ZOE:(to Jayne) Don't think its Kaylee the Cap is worried bout.

INT. CARGO BAY SMUGGLERS HOLE - DAY

ZOE enters the cargo bay and looks about for something. She spots a smugglers hole and goes to sit buy it. She looks as though she is hiding and stares off into space a little.

After thinking she is sitting alone….

ZOE: You kissed Simon?

From behind the grate in the ships wall DERRIA replies.

DERRIA: Yeah, that what it’s called.

ZOE: Why?

DERRIA: He looked at me. (Pause) Are you going to say goodbye now?

ZOE: (echoing her words but for a different meaning) Yeah, that what it’s called.

DERRIA: At least you get the chance. Least you have someone to say goodbye to.

ZOE buries her head in her hands.

DERRIA CONT: Stay here, I’ll get Mal. If you want you can hide in here?

DERRIA crawls out leaving ZOE by herself.

WASH crawls out after DERRIA and sits next to ZOE.

WASH: I love you.

ZOE: Shut up.

WASH: Why should I? I’m a hallucination that’s about to end. I’m getting all the time in I can. You can’t live with us both. It doesn’t work like that.

ZOE: Then I chose YOU. I want YOU back.

WASH: You wont mean that when you meet him. I’ll be with you, I promise.

ZOE: Good.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Still in the kitchen MAL and JAYNE are finishing up their card game. DERRIA moves swiftly passed JAYNE to cower a little at MAL’S side.

DERRIA: Uh Mal?

MAL: You better run little cannibal. Your learnin skills aren’t doing you any favours.

DERRIA: Wasn’t learning. Zoe’s ready to visit. Can I uh… come?

MAL looks up at DERRIA and then over to JAYNE.

JAYNE: I been enough times.

INT. CARGO BAY HANGER DOORS - DAY

In the Cargo bay ZOE and MAL, RIVER and DERRIA are almost at the hanger doors ready to leave. The doors are open and MAL sees BADGER approach the ship on a muel. He is riding with a gun-wielding thug.

MAL Gestures for the girls to stop and he and ZOE put their hands on their weapons ready. DERRIA growls and RIVER gives her a calm down look, so she does.

BADGER hops off the muel, grabs some papers and heads to MAL. He notices DERRIA but quickly glances away.

BADGER: Should I ask? (meaning Derria)

MAL: Not unless stayin alive is still a high priority of yours. What are you doing here Badger?

BADGER: Finishing a little business transaction between myself and the ships newly reinstated Companion. I finished up a little earlier than expected.

ZOE: Reinstated?

BADGER: Yeah, was a lot of commotion but I even managed to print the documents with her original name. I shock even myself at my brilliance. (spots River) Hello love. Hows your world?

RIVER: (With Badger’s accent) Wouldn’t you like to know.

BADGER: Right.

MAL takes the papers badger is handing out to him.

BADGER CONT: All the money was in order like she promised, so I didn’t skimp on the details if you know what I mean.

MAL: (confused) I can honestly say that I don’t.

MAL who has hardly shown an emotion looks down at the papers and gives them a quick read.

MAL: You were her client?

BADGER: In a matter of speaking. If you don’t mind passing those along I best be off. Lots of petty thieving to attend to. You all know how it is.

BADGER tips his hat and leaves on the mule, just in time for INARA’S shuttle to be seen flying back towards Serenity and docking.

MAL turns and heads back in the ship towards where the shuttle will be.

ZOE: Sir?

MAL: I’ll catch up you girl’s head out.

RIVER: The days are getting longer.

DERRIA: (to River) Mine still the longest?

ZOE: Everything will play out fine. You’ll see.

WASH walks up to ZOE and actually takes her hand as they head out of the cargo bay.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY

Back in the kitchen SIMON and KAYLEE are fighting again around JAYNE.

KAYLEE: Stop defending her!

SIMON: She’s my sister how am I not meant to defend her Kaylee?

KAYLEE: She can take care of herself, you don’t always need to be stuck to her side. It’s like your not ok if you don’t have someone to look after, and now with Derria?

SIMON: Wether it’s shown or not Derria and River are still in need of medical attention sometimes. They’re not going to get over what they’ve been through with a few pills and a pat on the back.

JAYNE: I got an idea…

SIMON/KAYLEE: (Chinese Shut up!)

JAYNE: No, I’m not gonna Kaylee. I told you this would get ugly if things weren’t shiny. Doc’s gonna be looking out on his sis for the rest of their lives wether you like it or not, so accept that or move on. As for Derria, well I just don’t even want to think on her bumping anyone’s ugly.

Pause.

SIMON: (quieter) It meant nothing. I’ll make sure she knows the kiss meant nothing.

INT. INARA’S SHUTTLE - DAY

The moment INARA’S Shuttle docks, and he can enter MAL storms his way into INARA’S shuttle.

MAL: Why were you at Badgers?

INARA: I beg your pardon, that’s hardly any of your business Mal.

MAL: Well actually, it is my business. Exactly my business, and especially my business when he hand delivers illegal Companion documents for one of my crew without my knowledge.

INARA: (Chinese arrogant, thinks everything is his business…) I’m not even on your crew Mal how many times have we made that distinction.

MAL: What happened?

Pause.

MAL CONT: ‘Nara, what happened?

Pause as INARA tries to form the right words.

INARA: They stripped me of my title. The guild. Mal I was at the council chambers earlier and they, took away my Companion rights.

MAL: Triact stone?

INARA: Amongst other things.

MAL: What type of documents are these exactly?

MAL holds the papers up to show INARA, she moves in to take them but he holds them away from her.

MAL: You should never have gone to Badger alone ‘Nara. The man is ruthless, dangerous, he smells funny…and of all the stupid things I thought you would have learnt NOT to do runnin with a crew like this….

INARA: Mal, please shut up! This has nothing to do with you or this crew. I want my work back, my life. The Guild have taken everything away from me.

MAL: That aint true and you know it.

INARA stops arguing for a moment because she knows he is meaning himself and the crew on Serenity.

INARA: He was setting some papers in order for me. Companion documents…..

MAL: Fake companion documents….

INARA: Fake documents so that I could continue working from Serenity, as a bonified Companion.

MAL: You’re not a companion anymore? You just said so, you’re lying to yourself if you use these. You don’t have to live by the Guilds rules. You can do whatever you want, you can (a beat) be with whoever you want.

INARA: Mal…

MAL: (interrupting her)….walk away. You wanna live your life that way, that’s fine by me but you don’t do it on my ship. I aint got time for those games.

INARA: (very hurt by his last comment) you….don’t want me…..here?

MAL: What you an I both want and what you and I both can have always been dissimilar, and sides we both know you aint been a Companion for a while now. (beat) When was the last time you actually slept with a client…

A tear had begun to fall down her cheek and MAL, to stay in control has looked away from her.

INARA: They’re just papers Mal….

MAL: (Chinese fine) But not on my boat, go take your papers and do what you do best somewhere else, but remember this ‘Nara. They don’t want you anymore. The Guild doesn’t want you. You do this and you …..are just a whore…

A tear out of INARA’S other eye runs down her face, everything MAL is saying is true but he hasn’t said the one thing she wants to hear. He also still hasn’t made eye contact with her again.

MAL CONT: They don’t want you anymore Inara (after a heartbreaking pause), but I still do.

MAL leaves INARA where she is standing and walks away from her. INARA stands broken and very confused.

EXT. WASH/BOOK’S GRAVES - DAY

At WASH’S grave RIVER is tracing the outline of the dead’s faces on their headstones and sort of petting them again. She notices MAL approaching and walks over to meet him.

DERRIA is holding one of ZOE’S hands and imaginary WASH is holding the other.

WASH: This is the weirdest thing, to be looking at your own grave.

DERRIA chooses to walk over towards RIVER and MAL who are standing at BOOKS grave.

ZOE: Did you say ‘He’ before?

WASH: Or she, it was all in context. Are you ready yet?

ZOE: No.

Pause.

WASH: Yet?

ZOE: Shut up. (grins)

WASH: I love you.

ZOE: Don’t go too far all right?

ZOE lets go of WASH’s hand and walks forward and places a toy dinosaur on the headstone.

ZOE looks back at WASH.

ZOE: I get to love your more, seeing I’m still alive.

WASH: Fair enough.

She turns down to the grave again and then walks away from WASH, not turning back, not crying, not anything. Just leaving him there.

ZOE walks past MAL, RIVER and DERRIA and RIVER follows her.

MAL reaches out for DERRIA but she jumps a mile when he touches her causing him to jump also. DERRIA growels a little.

Mal: Woah! (pause) We ought to get back to the boat. Derria?

DERRIA is in her own little sad world for the moment.

DERRIA: I didn’t know Book was dead.

MAL: You knew him?

INT. SOUTHDOWN ABBEY - DAY

SHEPARD BOOK enters a room within the Abbey, a Girl about 15 stands in front of a mirror brushing her hair and applying some make up as best she can. We can only see her from the back.

BOOK: Good morning.

BACK GIRL: Morning.

BOOK: How is everything today?

BACK GIRL: Much of a muchness.

We see the girls grin in the reflection as though she has accomplished something. There are some pretty nasty bruises and a few cuts in the middle of healing around her mouth.

BOOK: Our lessons are paying off quite nicely. (beat) Ah the other Shepard’s and I were talking, about what you were planning on doing after leaving the abbey? They were curious about me too but that’s a story for another time.

BACK GIRL: Been thinking bout that a bit myself. Come up with a few ideas. One in particular stands out.

BOOK: And what would that be?

Pause.

BACK GIRL: You have to understand firstly I am very grateful for what you have done for me. You saved my life. You gave me a life when we came here to the Abbey, but I don’t see a place to go forward to.

BOOK: I don’t understand.

BACK GIRL: I want to go back. You been teachin me all kinds of things, ways of the world, language, all about God and Earth that was? I’m not understandin why I was put through all that to become, um …what would my purpose be?

BOOK: God doesn’t work in ways we understand child, he works with a purpose that is sometimes unclear but….

BACK GIRL: I have all this knowledge, from now and before and if I go forward from here I can only use half of it? How is that helping? I’m going back to learn, and then we can stop them.

BOOK: No, I will not let you, you are more than that now.

BACK GIRL: Am I?

The girl turns around and we can see that it is a younger DERRIA. She has cuts and looks a little rough around the edges although her hair is smooth and normal looking and she is wearing a dress.

BOOK: You aren’t happy here?

DERRIA: I have never been anything before coming here. I’ve never been anything! I don’t want to leave you, but you don’t need me…

BOOK: They don’t need you. I told you I would find them for you, find what you need to mover forward..

DERRIA: Find who?

BOOK: Someone who needs you, your family, a relative, someone who knows you exist….

DERRIA: No, I told you, they’re all dead and I don’t even know my own mothers face how are you spose to find anybody? I’m going back, I have to.

BOOK looks heartbroken but knows he can’t stop DERRIA.

DERRIA CONT: Shepard? Have you decided on…

BOOK: Yes we have.

We can see DERRIA’S face now and she looks hopeful. You can barely tell its DERRIA.

BOOK CONT: The Abbey would like to name you Derria, the female version of the one I chose before coming to the abbey. If you’ll take it.

The girl forces a smile at BOOK who doesn’t change facial expression at all. He is tormented by her decision to go back to live with the Reavers.

DERRIA: That man, I hope would be honoured that his name lives on in two souls. Lost souls, but souls just as good.

EXT. WASH/BOOK’S GRAVES - DAY

Back at the graves DERRIA is still standing with MAL.

DERRIA looks as though she has let some information slip and tries to cover her tracks. DERRIA: I’d uh heard bout him. River. He sounded like an amazing, selfish Shepard.

MAL looks across at her.

DERRIA: (correcting) Selfless.

MAL: (beat) He was all right.

DERRIA leaves the grave sight without looking at MAL following the others back to Serenity.

MAL watches her go and then remains for a moment paying his respects to the fallen. He pulls a cross out of his pocket and holds it for a moment. It’s the cross he wore in the Battle of Serenity. After he is finished having his moment he puts the cross away and heads back to Serenity himself.

(Voice over as MAL is walking away.)

MAL: I look to be bored by many more sermons before you slip. Just don’t move.

BOOK: Can’t order me around, boy. I’m not one of your crew.

MAL: Yes, you are.

BLACK OUT