Revised


They were arguing again. She was at the other end of the ship, but she could still hear them. She didn't have to read their minds to know what the issue was. It was always the same. River sighed as she left the bridge. She saw Simon and the captain just outside the engine room.

River could tell where the fight was headed. She knew what was going to happen. She was surprised it had taken as long as it had to come to this point. She passed Kaylee as she went into her room and began packing her things. They were leaving Serenity.

After they left, they would find another ship that would take them to a small moon on the outer rim. The captain would try to keep flying, but he wouldn't be able to find a crew. In time, he would be forced to leave Serenity behind. He would be the last to leave, and the last to return.

***

River had just finished plotting Serenity's course when Will walked onto the bridge. "We should reach Haven in a few days," River reported just as Will had opened his mouth to ask.

"Thank you," he replied. "Dinner's ready, by the way."

"I'll be there in a minute." Will looked out at the stars and smiled. Serenity was flying again. "Job's not done." Will looked over at her. She hadn't taken her eyes off the control panel in front of her. "You're not captain." She was right, of course. Just getting her into space wasn't enough. Serenity needed a captain and it was Will's job to find him.

River, having finished her work, rose from her chair and walked to the kitchen where Simon and Kaylee were waiting. Will walked in after her and got her a plate and some food. After several minutes of silence, Will turned to Simon. "So what is it that you do, Simon?"

"He's a doctor," said Kaylee, her voice full of pride.

"Hmm," replied Will. "A doctor, a mechanic, and a pilot."

"We're a talented family," said River, smiling.

"So I see. How long have you been flying, River?"

"Not long."

After another few minutes spent in silence, Will tried once again to make conversation. "So," he said, indicating Simon and Kaylee, "how did you two meet?"

"I got shot," Kaylee answered with a smile. "Simon fixed me up."

That's one way to make an impression on a woman. thought Will. River started laughing.

After dinner, Kaylee and Simon walked down the hall to the crew quarters while River and Will went downstairs to the passenger dorm. Will's room was directly above River's. "Goodnight," she told him as she closed her door behind her.

River lay awake several minutes later, staring at the ceiling. Will was asleep. River closed her eyes and immersed herself in his dreams.

***

Will followed his father and the rest of the crew to a shipyard. Their ship was never going to fly again, so they had been forced to find a new ship. Will's father had already scoured the shipyard the previous day. Now he was showing his crew what he had found.

Among the many pieces of go se that passed for ships on the sorry excuse of a moon they found themselves on was a firefly. It was called Serenity, and Will thought it was beautiful.

The crew walked up the loading ramps, but when Will reached the cargo bay, he was alone. He was also a year older and was wearing his father's coat. He looked the way he did when River first met him. Behind Will was a group of mercenaries, weapons drawn.

Will turned and the mercenaries opened fire. The bullets flew past him and he could hear screams coming from behind. Turning around again, he saw his father and the rest of the crew fall to the ground, covered in blood.