Don't faint, two chapters in one day. I felt bad since the last one was so short.

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Epilogue

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“Mei mei?” Simon knew she was in her bunk. It was the only place on the ship he hadn’t checked yet.

River smiled at her brother when he reached the bottom of the ladder. That bratty smile that told him she knew he’d been looking for the better part of an hour. She glanced at the small bag he held. “For me?” She already knew the answer, of course.

Simon’s mouth twisted in a wry smile as he sat beside her on her bed. “Just once can you not read my mind?”

She shrugged and set her book aside. “Need better blocks. You’re too transparent.”

Simon scowled at her and impetuously tugged her hair.

Her wide eyed response indicated to him that he’d surprised her and he felt a surge of pride that he’d been able to do something without her knowing about it, even if it was a very childish action. He smiled smugly at her. “There, now I feel better.”

River pouted. “I’m the brat. You’re the big brother who is always right.”

Simon laughed at that and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. “I wish.”

“You were right about going home.” She murmured sadly against his chest.

“For the wrong reasons.”

“We had to see them, to know they still loved us.” River shook her head. “We had to go. I hoped I was wrong. Hoped they wouldn’t come for us. Now – mom and dad – they will be punished.”

“I don’t believe that. Father’s smart, mother is smarter,” he added with a confidence he wasn’t certain he should feel. “They’ll come out okay. They always do.”

River pushed out of his arms. “So do we. Thanks to you.”

Simon smiled sadly and touched her cheek. As they grew older, as experienced changed them, the bond between the siblings stretched and twisted, but it never broke, regardless of how many times they fought or disagreed with each other.

“Would – you have stayed?” Simon asked after a few uncomfortable moments. “Would you have left Serenity and stayed with them?”

She could feel the tension and sadness radiate off him at the thought of her leaving his side. “No.” River shook her head. “But I had to make you think that I would so you would come with me.” She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. “If you didn’t come –“ her voice trailed off for a moment until she took a deep breath and continued. “We needed to see that they do love us.”

Simon’s eyes narrowed. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”

River wrinkled her nose at him. “Who’s the reader here?”

Simon had to chuckle at that. “I know you, mei mei. Now what is it?”

River bowed her head. “If you didn’t come. They would have found Serenity. Found everyone.” When she looked up at him there were tears in her eyes. “They would have killed you. All of you. I wouldn’t have been there to save you.”

A tendril of fear grasped Simon’s heart. And he sat, unmoving for many long moments, absorbing his sister’s words.

After a few uncomfortable minutes, River poked at the velvet bag. “So show me.”

Simon nodded and pulled open the drawstring. Tipping the bag upside down, an old, antique necklace slid into his palm. “This would have been yours one day.”

River poked at the well-made piece with the tip of her finger. “Should give it to Kaylee.”

Simon grinned. “Now, I know that you know what I’m thinking so I don’t even need to say it.”

River’s eyes twinkled. “Yeah, but it is nice to hear it sometimes.”

“I will give Kaylee one of the pieces when the time is right.”

“No better time like the present,” River smiled widely as she held up the heavy platinum chain with tiny rubies affixed into a stylized dragon-shaped setting.

Simon sighed. “Don’t push, River.”

River wrinkled her nose at him, but remained silent.

Simon leaned in and kissed his sister on the forehead before leaving her alone with the only piece of inherited jewelry she would ever own.

~*~

Simon stood somewhat uncomfortably in Inara’s shuttle, fingering the black velvet bag. In the year he’d been on Serenity, he’d only even been in the shuttle less than a handful of times but its opulence in the otherwise less than elegant supply ship was a sight to behold. At one time, it would have made him long for home, now, it was simply a reminder of his past.

“What can I do for you?” Inara indicated with a wave of her delicate hand that he should sit.

“I was wondering if you might do me a favor?”

“Of course, what is it?” She’d seen him holding the bag, and remembered it being one of a handful of items his mother had given to him before they left the Tam estate.

“Might you keep this in a safe place?” he held out the bag to her, its drawstring closed tightly and tied. “I don’t have use for the contents – yet and I would like to keep it out of sight for –“

Inara raised her hand and took the bag. “Say no more.” She could guess that he would rather Kaylee not see the contents. “I have the perfect place. I will keep it until you need it back.”

Simon smiled graciously. “Thank you. I – I don’t know when –“

“I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. It will be here when you need it.”

“Thank you, Inara.” Simon moved toward the door.

“You’re welcome, Simon.” Inara resisted the urge to open the bag. She didn’t need to be reminded of her conversation with Regan Tam to know what was inside. After he’d left, she pulled out a secret compartment and placed the bag into it. She could wait, just like the rest of the crew, for when Simon would need its contents.

THE END