Disclaimer: I don't own anything relating to Firefly or to Serenity, those are Joss Whedon's.

A/N: I had the idea for this while watching Serenity late one night. I thought to myself "What does he mean when he says 'I'm a leaf on the wind'?" I came up with a lovely little three chapter story. In this chapter, I came up with Wash's family. I figured he didn't really know his father, and I gave him an older brother and an older sister. This chapter is narrated by his brother. This fic is pre series and also my first Firefly fic, so reviews are greatly appreciated.

The Leaf

1. Mother

She did her best. Used to tell us stories 'bout the stars. I never was too interested, but Wash loved hearin' 'em. I preferred the stories 'bout our father, who he was and where he came from; but those were few and far between.

Mother loved us; we were all she had left. I remember how she used to send us out to fetch the groceries from the store, always sendin' that brute of a dog with us. Said she didn't want nothin' happenin' to us, claimed he'd protect us.

Hell, the only one that brute cared about was Wash, only one of us he liked. Wash named him when he showed up on our doorstep. Just up and called him somethin' and gave him some water.

"Hoban," Mother was the only one ever called him 'Hoban,' rest of us had to call him 'Wash.' "Hoban, sweetheart, get Lemon outa my garden. He's eatin' my flowers."

Lemon, the dumb dog was named Lemon. Leave it to Wash. He said if we ever got another one, he'd name it Lime. And he hoped it was a girl.

We never got another one. We all got older and Ma got sick. Wash sat with her while the rest of us did the chores and bought the food. I once asked Ma why she didn't make Wash help us, but all she did was start quotin' scripture at me.

"Hoban, darling, you're gonna be the best pilot ever, ain't you?" When he was six, Wash climbed up on Ma's lap and told her he was gonna be a pilot, just like his Pop. She laughed, patted him on the head and told him another story. She'd been savin' upfor flight school ever since.

"Of course, Ma."

He read to her, held her hand, prayed with her. Hell, I only had a few spare moments to spend with her 'fore I had to go off and do somethin' else.

"Ma? How're you feelin'"

"I'm all right, Jeffery. You go on and tend to your business, let me rest."

Wash was the youngest, I was the oldest, and we had Karin in between. I didn't understand why Wash wouldn't listen when I told him what to do. I thought that helpin' Ma was doin' her work for her.

"Wash, c'mon. Gimme a hand."

"Not now, I've gotta finish Ephesians 'fore she falls asleep."

Maybe if I'd paid more attention.

"Jeffery? Why don't you and Karin sit with me and Hoban for a spell?"

"Got work to do, Ma. Maybe later."

"Of course, later."

Maybe later. Over and over I said it 'til there weren't no later to have.

"Hoban, sweetheart, you run and get your brother and sister, I got somethin' needs sayin."

"Course, Ma."

Not later, now.

"We're all here now."

"Jeffery?" she took my hand. "Jeffery, you gonna open up that flower shop? Sell all the pretty ones that Lemon don't eat?"

"Of course, Ma."

Just to please a dyin' woman.

"Karin," She switched hands, grasping at Karin. "Sweetie, you marry that rich man you had your eye on."

"Oh, Ma, he don't want nothin' to do with me."

"Course he does, I seen it in his eyes when he comes round." Karin blushed. "'Sides, you gotta take care of your brothers."

"Yes, Ma."

"Hoban." Switching hands again, on to her favorite. I think he reminded her of Pop. "Hoban, you're my leaf. My leaf on the wind. Go out there and soar."

She died. Wash was so young, about to start flight school. I had to my flower shop to open, Karin was getting married, but Wash surprised us all. He kept crackin' jokes and findin' reasons to laugh. I was getting fed up.

"Hoban."

"Don't even try it, Jeff."

"Fine, Wash. You sure you wanna go to flight school?"

"Yes."

"You keep makin' light after Ma's goin', I figured you'd wanna take some time, let it sink in."

"It's sunk. Lemon! Where are ya, boy?"

"Wash, this ain't funny."

"Never said it was."

"Then why do you keep crackin' jokes?"

"Ma always loved my jokes, told me to never stop tellin' 'em."

"So, you wanna waste Ma's money on flight school?"

I hadn't been sure how to bring it up; figured jumpin' right in would be the best way. Kinda like goin' swimmin', only the look in Wash's eye was worse than the rush of cold water.

"She's been savin' for it since I was six."

"Don't leave much for the rest of us, that's all."

He was silent. It was scary when Wash got all serious, and I was startin' to wish I hadn't said anything. Wished I'd just let him go and worried about my flower shop. His gaze caught mine and held.

"You ever look up at the sky and wonder what's behind that multi-colored cloud of gas?"

"Wash…" I tried to sound stern, but my voice faltered.

"Do you?" How in hell was he so calm?

"You know I do."

"Ma gave me a glimpse-"

"Ma never saw past that cloud, she was just makin' it up." I interrupted.

"She gave me a glimpse of what's beyond and I fell in love. She wanted me to see it for myself, and I'm going to."

It was over, nothing left to say. Her leaf was going to soar and no power in the 'verse could stop him.