KAYLEE: Shiny! It’s like our own little party down here.

INARA: Well, I hate to dash, but I have some things to attend to. (To Kaylee) I’ll see you later, mei mei.

KAYLEE: Bye Inara!

Inara steps past Simon and Book, then heads up the ladder. Kaylee turns to Simon.

KAYLEE: River was just going to tell me what you were like when you two were little.

SIMON: As interesting as that may sound, I’m afraid you would be very, very bored.

RIVER: Well, there was that time during summer at the lake when...

Simon clamps his hand over River’s mouth, and she gives up.

SIMON: Another time, perhaps.

BOOK: Yes. I’m afraid that we aren’t here for story time today.

KAYLEE: I guessed as much. Lately, nobody has time for good stories no more.

BOOK: Well, you see, my bible has gone missing...again. I was wondering if River may have borrowed it.

RIVER: Didn’t borrow your symbol.

BOOK: Are you sure? Maybe you wanted to make a few revisions?

RIVER: Can’t read it anymore. Untruths and false problems give me headaches.

SIMON: Well, I guess we’ll look for it elsewhere.

BOOK: My apologies for interrupting. If you two need us, we will be picking the ship to pieces looking for it.

Book heads up the ladder. Simon begins his way up.

KAYLEE: (To River) So what happened at the lake?

RIVER: Well...

Simon shakes his head and leaves.

Cuts back to the Bullseye Tavern, where Mal and the rest are taking a seat.

MAL: Rourke, this is my pilot, Wash.

ROURKE: Ah, the so-called expert pilot!

WASH: So-called...never-called...it’s all the same.

They all sit.

MAL: Well Rourke, we’re here. Now let’s get some details about this little test of yours.

ROURKE: Ah, yes. (Removes his glasses to polish them) Well, it is simple enough. I have a little course laid out. Your pilot will need to fly through the course, and finish it before my pilot.

ZOE: So it’s just a race?

ROURKE: Just a race. But I warn you, my pilot is very good. Don’t count him out.

WASH: What will we be flying in? I’m assuming you don’t have another Firefly on hand to match ours.

ROURKE: Z-78s. I have a pair of them: equally matched in speed and maneuverability. They are a little loud, but they’ll get the job done. Have you flown in one before?

WASH: It’s been a while, but yes. I know the craft.

A very loud speeder, most likely a Z-78, is heard landing outside. Rourke gazes at the window.

ROURKE: Ah, that would be Burns, my pilot. He practically lives in that Z-78. Here he comes.

A young man enters wearing a leather coat and an old motorcycle helmet. The faded letters “CW” are seen on the helmet.

ROURKE: Burns, this is Captain Malcolm Reynolds, and his crew.

Burns removes his helmet, showing an extremely surprised look on his face on Wash’s behalf. It is the younger boy from Wash’s picture.

WASH: Da-shiong bao-jah-shr duh la doo-tze.

Cut.

BURNS: Hoban?

Wash rushes forward and embraces his brother, both being very close to tears.

WASH: Colin! Xan tun hua, I’ve missed you!

MAL: (After a pause) Wash, a little explanation would be much appreciated right now.

ZOE: Very much.

WASH: This is my brother.

JAYNE: So...you two are related, Wash?

WASH: Yes Jayne. “Brother” usually indicates relationship.

BURNS: (to Wash) Is he alright?

WASH: In so many words.

ZOE: (clears throat)

WASH: Ah! Thank you, dear. Colin, this is my wife, Zoe.

ZOE: Very happy to meet you Colin.

BURNS: Please, call me Burns...and I’m sorry...did you say wife?

ZOE: That’s right.

BURNS: I don’t know how to put this...were you lost?

Wash pushes him, hard.

BURNS: Kidding. Kidding.

ROURKE: Well, as much as I love to see family bonding, I do believe that there is work to finish.

MAL: You ain’t wrong there, Rourke.

ROURKE: Tomorrow, we shall meet at your ship again. From there, I shall bring you to the course.

The group rises from their seats, and head out the front of the tavern. Jayne is the last to leave, and pauses while passing the window. He seems to be a little disappointed in the lack of breaking that occurred. The group heads out to their transportation.

WASH: (To Burns) So what’s with the “Burns” thing?

BURNS: Well, you always shortened Washburne to Wash. I figured, why not?

WASH: Taking after me...

MAL: More dangerous than he could possibly know. Well, seein’ as how you two have catchin’ up to do, you’re welcome to join us for dinner, Burns.

BURNS: Thank you much, captain. But I was planning on meeting with my folks tonight. Hoban, you coming?

Wash’s manner suddenly becomes cold.

WASH: No, Colin.

BURNS: You can’t still be holding that...

WASH: I said no, Colin!

All look at Wash with a strange glare.

BURNS: Alright then, brother. I’ll see you tomorrow, and whoop you on the course.

WASH: (warming up a bit) Right. I’ll be licking the boot of a teenage punk.

BURNS: I’m twenty-six, Hoban.

WASH: Ah! I’m old!

ZOE: You ain’t old, dear.

Burns hops into his speeder, and flies off.

ROURKE: See you at morning, Captain.

Rourke and his men ride off on horseback. Mal turns to Wash.

MAL: Well, this turned out to be an interesting day, I’d say.

JAYNE: I’m hungry.

ZOE: I’m sure we all are. Inara said she’d fix us up some food while we were out. Hopefully we aren’t too early...

JAYNE: ...or too late.

They climb back on the mule, and head back to Serenity. It cuts to the dining area, where the entire group is assembled around the table, clearly telling the events of the day.

KAYLEE: Your brother? (she pauses) How old is he?

Everyone chuckles, but Simon has a very weak grin, as if it was a forced smile.

WASH: Sorry Kaylee. Even if he was your type, which he might be, I’d never let you suffer the wrath of being with a Washburne.

ZOE: But it’s ok for me to suffer that wrath? (playfully)

WASH: Not what I meant...I...you...and with me...you’re really strong, and pretty, and I love you.

ZOE: Husband of the year material, right here.

MAL: Grub is great, Inara.

RIVER: Protein. Nutrients. Taste is irrelevant.

MAL: Fine, then you can eat when Jayne cooks.

JAYNE: Hey! Now what’s wrong with my cookin’?

MAL: Jayne, I believe every culinary pro in the ‘verse just took offense to calling what you do cookin’.

All laugh. Jayne looks a little offended, but not enough that he doesn’t smile at it. The laughter subsides.

WASH: What about all you? Any of you find relatives hiding in Serenity?

Simon raises his hand jokingly, realizes that everybody knew he would, and slowly puts it down.

KAYLEE: Oh, we just had some story time, with just us gals. Sorry Zoe, you can come next time.

ZOE: Thanks Kaylee.

SIMON: Shepherd Book and I looked around the ship for his bible.

BOOK: (stops eating) Ah, yes. I almost forgot to ask. Has anyone seen my bible? The girls were unable to provide any insight unto its location.

MAL: Sorry Shepherd. ‘Fraid I’d have no use for it anyhow.

BOOK: I understand Captain. And due to such beliefs, I made sure to check if it was holding any uneven tables up as well.

MAL: Well, if any of us sees it, we’ll be sure to bring it back.

WASH: Well, I’m turning in. I need to make sure I don’t fall asleep while flying tomorrow...although Rourke does want me to fly the way I normally do, so I guess being asleep wouldn’t be too far off.

Wash rises from the table. Zoe rises as well.

ZOE: Sir, I’m headed down too. ‘Night all.

Miscellaneous goodnights follow.

Wash and Zoe make their way down to their quarters. This cuts to a shot of them sitting on the bed.

ZOE: Dear, I have waited long enough. There was obviously something that drove you off this world, and your brother seemed keen on talking about it. Now are you gonna tell me?

Wash looks up at her, and, with a little frustration, agrees.

WASH: I guess it’s fair that you know.