“… and in the end, maybe she was too special a gift, and we didn’t deserve her. But before she left, I learned some things from her. She taught me that your family is who you surround yourself with, those who love you for who you are. They may not always be your blood, but they will always be by your side. She also taught me that all it takes is one person to shine the light for others to see the way. She was a single, extraordinary light, for her time here. And even though we may not be as extraordinary as she was, if we come together, we can shine just as brightly. We have to take control when no one else will. We have to take a stand for those who cannot. We have to make the effort for those who do not have the strength. And we must do all this while we are here, now, because tomorrow we may be gone. If we want the ‘verse to be the beacon of civilization it can be, we must rise from the ashes of this tragedy and kindle that glorious light together, because no one will do it for us. That is what my sister taught me. I think that is how she would want to be remembered. Thank you.” The dignitaries and sponsors who lined the platform and the small audience gathered beneath the overcast sky rose and applauded Simon as he finished his speech. He nodded his head in thanks and smiled, feeling his cheeks flush slightly. He also felt a familiar sensation, but one he had not experienced in a long enough while that it seemed new. He felt whole. His smile broadened as he realized how good it felt. He stepped back from the podium and towards the crowd on the platform. His father met him first, wrapping him in a powerful embrace. “That was beautiful, son. She’d be proud of you.” Gabriel Tam wiped a few stray tears from his eyes. “I know. Thanks, Dad.” He glanced up at the former Academy dormitory, the part that actually looked like a school. It was being gutted in the process of the renovation, but the large sign posted in front of it proclaimed it as the new River Tam Memorial Rehabilitation Center. It was poetic justice that they would turn the place where River and the others had been tortured and experimented on into a place where those same people could recover and heal. It would be a haven for all who suffered from mental disease and trauma, as well a research facility for the further exploration of psychic abilities. Dr. Harder had eagerly signed on as the new Director. He smiled at the man, standing with his wife. They both smiled back. “Marvelous!” Jansen Locherbie pounded Simon on the back with his massive arms. The politician had become one of the new center’s most ardent supporters, steering funds and raising donations with his influence. After the hearings, he had earned a reputation as a crusader against the less scrupulous parts of the Parliament and its bureaucracy. The files River had taken, plus Dr. Harder’s testimony, were more than enough to open a criminal investigation into the Academy. Locherbie had been made chair of that committee as well, and, amidst massive public outcry in response to the evidence, quickly had the place shuttered and the major players brought to justice. Major General Kriegel was tried and convicted of crimes against free citizens, including kidnapping and torture. He received a four year prison sentence. Representative Chu-yu was stripped of his chairmanship and his seat in Parliament for his abuses of power. He was still facing trial for conspiracy and unauthorized use of government funds. Ironically, Locherbie had been nominated to fill his slot on the Military and Security Oversight Committee. Many of the doctors and employees of the facility were brought up on charges as well that ranged from abuse of a minor to murder. No one could explain why they performed the terribly painful, harmful, and unethical procedures on innocent young men and women. The only excuse many of them could provide was that it was just their job. The Blue Sun Corporation also suffered massive losses when the investigation revealed they were a silent partner in the entire project. Many of the doctors and scientists were their employees, contracted out to the government. The resulting lawsuits and loss of other key government contracts as punishment brought down the entire board of directors. As the applause died down, Simon re-took the podium. “Thank you. Please, be seated,” he said. His smile turned gradually more somber. “Before we end today, I would like to have a brief memorial for River. Dr. Harder and his wife Anna have a song they would like to perform in her memory.” Matthias, guitar slung over his shoulder, and Anna stepped forward to the two extra microphones on the platform. The crowd grew resepectfully silent, and Simon stepped back to his seat. Matthias, head down, started the song with a few simple plucked notes. He held in silence for a beat after the last little trill. Then he picked an arpeggiated chord and Anna’s voice rang clear and pure over them all.

Now you’re gone We’re left to carry on Though the night seems twice as long And here within my heart I don’t feel very strong But we will meet again

Simon could not prevent his eyes from filling with tears. Anna’s voice gave words to his heart. It still hurt. He knew it might never stop hurting. But at the same time, he did have hope that somehow, somewhere, he would see River again.

Now you’re gone We’re left to carry on In the wind I hear your song With every passing hour I’m feeling more alone But we will meet again Someday (1)

Anna’s voice rippled away, and Matthias drew the song to a close with the last few notes on his guitar. -It’s done,- Simon thought. The Academy was gone, and its wounds would gradual heal and fade. -We did it, River.- He tilted his head towards the sky. She would always be close, as long as they remembered. The memory of her had kept him strong over the past month and a half, through the ordeal of the hearings, and then of establishing the new facility. When he felt lost and wanted to give up, she carried him through it. He thought of her smiling now, hoped that she was, wherever she was. Moisture blurred his vision a little and he blinked it away. Her smile was always just like sunlight breaking through the clouds. As if reading his mind, a shaft of sun pierced the gray veil over the sky, parting the clouds as it widened. It fell on him and the surrounding crowd. He closed his eyes, basking in the radiance. Now he knew she was smiling. “Well, I must say that was a mighty fine speech, Doctor. Didn’t know you could be so eloquent. Guess that three percent’s good for somethin’,” Mal ribbed a little. He strode up to the platform, arm in arm with Inara. They were both dressed for the occasion, though Simon guessed that one suit was probably only one the captain owned. “Bu ping fan, Simon,” Inara smiled at him. “Xie xie.” “Yeah, that was really beautiful,” Kaylee climbed up onto the platform and greeted him with a huge hug and a kiss. “I know River would’ve liked it.” “Yes,” he smiled wistfully, glancing up at the break in the clouds one ore time. -Thank you, mei mei.- Then he returned his attention to Kaylee. He had bought her the dress she was wearing just for this occasion. Inara helped her pick it out, and had even done her hair up in a rightfully elegant fashion. She looked as radiant and beautiful as the former Companion herself. As for Inara, after the hearings she was officially exonerated by the Guild and regained her license. However, she chose retirement instead. It allowed her to retain some of her Guild benefits and her social status while giving her the freedom to stay aboard Serenity. It was obvious now she and the captain were building something together between them, though no one, not even them, could say exactly where it would go. Simon led Kaylee off the platform. Zoe and Jayne strolled forward and Simon gave Zoe a hug and got a hearty handshake from Jayne. “So this is where you’re gonna stay?” Zoe asked. “For a while,” Simon nodded. “I feel I should be here until things are up and running. Once it’s all set, I’m sure Matthias will be able to run things without me. I guess it will be about six months.” “You sure you’ll be wantin’ to come back after doin’ all this good work?” Zoe went on. “Serenity’s my home, too. I don’t think I would want to live anywhere else. I’m a trauma surgeon, not a psychiatrist. Besides, I’m not sure how long all of you would last without me,” he grinned sideways. “Well, you best not take too long. You’re stealin’ my mechanic, after all. I don’t know if I can trust anyone but lil’ Kaylee here to keep her runnin’ right.” Kaylee’s decision to stay with Simon while he got the center running had been met with much dismay from Mal. “Aww, thanks Cap’n,” Kaylee grinned. “Have you found a new mechanic?” Simon asked. “Yeah,” Mal said with a sidelong glance at Zoe. “Name’s Jason. Young kid, ‘bout your age I’d guess. Got all kinds o’ learning, too.” Zoe smiled and shook her head. “Kid’s sharp as a firecracker, but he,” she jerked her head to the captain, “kept sayin’ that somethin’ just wasn’t right about him.” “Well it wasn’t,” Mal defended. “He didn’t feel right’s all.” “Don’t worry, Mal. I’ll have Kaylee back to you in no time.” “And you best not muck her up while I’m gone, or I’ll muck you up,” Kaylee threatened, poking a finger into Mal’s nose. “Yes ma’am,” Mal responded with mock subservience. They all chuckled heartily. “So, you’ll be heading out soon, then?” Simon asked after the laughter stopped. “Yeah,” Mal confirmed. “Probably tomorrow sometime.” The lightness of the previous moment faded as they all realized this was goodbye. It was only temporary, but they would all miss each other for the time they were apart. “’Bye Inara,” Kaylee swept her into a big hug. “Goodbye, mei mei. Take care of yourself.” “Uh huh. And you take care of the Captain. Make sure he don’t hurt my girl,” she gave Mal another threatening look. “Your girl? She’s my ship,” he protested. Kaylee settled her hands on her hips, then smiled and wrapped him in a hug, too. Simon exchanged another handshake with Jayne. “You turned out all right, Doc,” Jayne grinned. “Thanks. So did you,” Simon grinned back. “Take care, Simon, Kaylee,” Zoe hugged each of them. Simon turned to Mal last, his expression growing a little heavier. “Captain, I have a favor to ask you.” “Shoot,” said Mal. “One moment. I’ll be right back.” Mal watched quizzically as Simon hurried up to the platform. He found his father, and the two held a brief discussion, then disappeared over by the small memorial erected on the stage. When Simon reappeared, he was carrying a small black urn and a little potted plant. All of their expressions turned somber and reverent. “Captain,” Simon said as he returned to the group, “I once asked if you would bring River home.” “I remember it,” Mal said quietly, eyes a little distant. “Would you now, please, bring her home?” Simon offered the urn to the captain. Mal looked at it and then at Simon, a little unsure. “Serenity is where she belongs, Mal. It was more of a home for her than anywhere in the ‘verse. It’s where her family is, and it’s where she would want to be.” He swallowed away the thickness in his voice and managed to add a little lightly, “Besides, what would Serenity do without her albatross to guide her?” This time it was Mal whose eyes teared up. He swallowed heavily and tentatively took the urn from Simon’s hands. “And if you would,” Simon went on, “when you get the chance, would you please remember her with the others. I… I’m sorry I can’t be there to do it myself but… if you could plant this.” He raised the plant which had a star-like blue flower on the end of its stalk. “It was her favorite.” Mal took that as well. He was too overwhelmed to speak for a moment and just shared a meaningful look with Simon. Finally he nodded in assent. Inara gently took the flower from Mal’s hand. “I’ll tend it,” she offered. “Thank you,” Simon said to her. He stepped back from them, Kaylee clinging tightly to his arm. “Well, I guess… zai jian.” They all nodded and murmured goodbyes. Everyone except Mal turned and started walking away. “You know, whenever you get tired of this place, you just send me a wave,” the captain told him. “I’ll do that,” Simon smiled. “All right, then,” Mal nodded, finally offering a crooked smile of his own. He turned, joining the rest of his crew and cradling the urn like it was the most precious thing in the ‘verse. It was just over three months since leaving Osiris when Mal finally found a job that took him out to the Rim. He made a detour to the small comm station moon that once belonged to Mr. Universe. There, in the near-perpetual twilight beneath the five suns of the ‘verse, they erected a small memorial for River right next to Wash. She smiled sweetly in the little holographic capture they had of her, one of only a scant few, taken not long after they had left this place the last time. Inara planted the tiny blue cornflower, which she had nursed and tended since receiving it from Simon. They all stood back and said their respects in silence, to her and to all their fallen friends. Then Mal took a handful of ashes from the urn and let them fall from his hand over the marker. The wind swept them away before they even hit the ground. But that was River. She was just like the wind, graceful as a breeze, and gone all too quickly. Later, before they departed, Mal walked the ship from stem to stern sprinkling her ashes in every corner. He had waited until this moment, because it just did not feel right to do it before. When it was done, he sighed, standing in the foredeck hall. There was a small sense of relief. Things felt just a little more complete now. He looked around with his hands on his hips and nodded satisfactorily. Then he climbed the stairs to the bridge. “Ready to go?” “I think so,” Inara responded from the co-pilot’s seat. It was perhaps the first time he had actually heard her sound nervous. With her experience flying a shuttle, Mal figured it would not be a stretch to teach her to fly Serenity, and he did need a new pilot. Besides, if she was going to be on his crew, she needed a job, other than being his personal Companion. Though he admitted he enjoyed that part a great deal. He settled himself into the helm and started activating his controls. “Zoe, we ready for upthrust?” he called over the intercom. “All set, sir,” she replied from right behind him. He whirled, startled for a second. She grinned. “All right. We’ll be liftin’ off in a minute. Might let Inara get some stick time in.” “Uh oh,” she gave Inara a look of mock panic, then smiled as she left the bridge. “Don’t worry,” Mal said as he powered up the jets. “You know what the first rule of flyin’ is?” he asked Inara, and stopped himself. He glanced slowly at the copilots’ station. For a moment he saw her there, legs curled up on the seat, arms wrapped around them. Her dark hair framed her face as she rested her head on her knees and gazed at him with those intense eyes. She smiled, beautiful, peaceful, happy. Serenity’s lil albatross was still here with them. “Mal, what is it?” The vision was gone, and he was staring at Inara, she giving him an odd little look. “Huh? Nothin’,” he dismissed. “So, what is the first rule of flying?” she asked. Mal smiled at her. “Love.”

(1) Blackmore's Night. "Again Someday." _Fires at Midnight_. SPV Steamhammer, 2001.

bu ping fan- marvelous Xie xie- "Thank you." zai jian- see you soon