A/N: This is another story, and I have no idea whether I'll go on with it or not. I've got some ideas, but they're very vague... If you think I should keep going, they review and tell me, cos I probably won't unless someone says I should. I only thought this up cos a pretty sad oneshot came into my head, and I had to do something a bit happier to balance it out.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot. And my OCs. But besides that, nothing.

Forgotten Years

Prologue

Inara, freed from school due to a public holiday, was surfing the Cortex. Day after day, she was continually surprised at the good, bad, and just plain weird stuff to be found there. Occasionally she could even find something vaguely related to her objective. Her objective being anything to do with other planets, or moons, or spaceships, or adventure, or, put simply, the black. Anything different from her routine, boring life. Unlikely that anything unrelated to the Core worlds could be found, but then everything can be found in the Cortex somewhere. And if anyone could find it, it was Inara. After years of searching and browsing the Cortex, she was an expert. After all, everything will be found somewhere. And you can't stop the signal.

Her eyes drifted up to where those same words were written above her bed, on a large piece of cloth. That phrase had been with her family a long time. Nearly as long as her own name. Inara. How she hated that name, calling it 'old-fashioned', and 'ridiculous'. Her parents said that it had 'history'. Maybe that's why she never liked the subject at school, she figured. Although, she admitted privately, the reason for that was more likely to be the teacher.

Re-absorbing herself into the labyrinths of the Cortex, Inara became lost to the world. That is, until her best friend Davy barged into her room. Actually, make that ex-best friend until he explains himself. Explains himself well.

'What the hell are you doing here? Haven't I told a million times not to barge in, and to call or at least knock, before coming in?!' Inara screamed at him. Although, she said to herself, screaming was probably going a bit far.

'Sorry, didn't know you were having your crazy time,' Davy grinned back, not fazed in the least. 'Never would have come if I did. Oh, and by the way, I did call. And knock. Well, I called anyway. At least half a dozen times, actually. You didn't answer, so I assumed you were doing exactly what you are doing. Surfing the Cortex.' he finished.

'Fine. Alright. So you have a reasonable explanation. I'll quit yelling at you. But...why are you here? Don't you prefer to be outside on a sunny day, as you've told me hundreds of times?' she paused, and added 'I assume you do have a reason, and didn't just get bored and decide to come see me. Right?'

'Don't worry, I got a reason. Although I could have just come to see you, if you'd like.' he said with a cheeky grin. 'But yeah. I actually came to lend you a book.'

'Uh...did I ask to borrow a gorram book? Cos if I did, I don't recall the incident. And I think that I would remember such an incident.'

'So would I, it's that rare. But no, you didn't. I'm gonna lend this to you entirely of my own accord. Yes, yes, I know you dislike books,' he said rapidly to prevent Inara interrupting, but unable to block out her 'Well, yeah, when'd ya figure that one out?' Davy went on 'But this is a good book. You'll like this book. Really, you will.'

He sounded so earnest that Inara just knew there had to be a catch. "What's it about? No, don't give me that look. I demand to be told what that go se book of yours is about before I say anything that could even loosely fit the definition of agreeing to read it. What's it about?'

'Well...itabouthistory...' At a pointed cough from his friend, he grudgingly repeated 'It's about history. Events which took place in the past,' quickly slamming his over his ears.

'What the hell do you mean by trying to get me to read a gorram book filled with gorram history?! You know I hate history! Or at least you ought to, as I've only been telling you so repeatedly for the last five gorram years!' She took a deep breath, and began to go on with her spiel before Davy hastily interrupted her.

'No, no, I swear to you, you'll like it. It's, it's got battles, and, er, guns, and spaceships, and, and everything that you like,' he babbled. Then, gaining confidence from her continued silence, went on 'It's all about the black, and the stuff in it didn't happen all that long ago. Only the 26th century. And besides, there's a guy with your last name in it. You know, Reynolds.' He stopped, triumphant.

'Really? You mean the name actually did come from someone people know?' Ignoring the fact that the last sentence of hers didn't make all that much sense, she kept going with her questions. 'So...do you really, honestly think that I'd like this book? And wouldn't just be wasting my time reading it?'

'Yeah, sure you'd like it. Haven't I been telling you so all along?'

'Alright, I'll try it. Just to keep you happy. Cos I know you'll look at me weird for the next month if I don't, and I don't think I could stand that,' Inara slowly said, joking, but also actually agreeing to read the book.

Inara stretched her arm out, reaching for the book Davy had kept hidden behind his back all this time. Forgotten Years, the title read, by Captain Jonathon Jones. Flipping through the book, which looked fairly old to Inara's eyes, she saw pictures of all sorts of spaceships, and guns, and war memorials. So maybe it would be an interesting read, she quietly thought. Closing the book, she said out loud 'Okay, okay. I'll read it. Now, shoo. If I'm gonna read it, I'd prefer not to have someone looking over my shoulder the whole time. Go have a drink with everyone else. They'll probably be down at the nearest pub, hoping their parents don't know they're there.'

'As you command, your highness. I was gonna go down there anyway, actually, just came to drop this off first. I know you too well to think I wouldn't be able to convince you to try something new,' he grinned, and walked out the door. After a couple of seconds, he stuck he head back round the corner, saying 'Anyway, the book fits in with the spirit of today's public holiday. Speaking of which, there'll be fireworks tonight, if you wanna come. Celebrating Independence Day. Seeya.'

Inara barely heard him, as she settled down on her bed with Forgotten Years, two words only penetrating her thoughts. Independence Day. Yes, her parents were Independents through and through. Since forever. Setting that aside, she opened her new-found occupation to the introduction.

So, do you like it? Please review, even if you think it's terrible. Seeya,

Elemnestra