CHAPTER 1

CURRENT DAY, OSIRIS

River surveyed the room carefully. She quickly acquired her targets. The same targets she dreaded to confront but they furthered the objectives and all objectives were necessary to achieve the goal. Everything is temporary, she reminded herself. Everything here is temporary, she corrected.

The music swelled to a crescendo, revealing her time to move.

She politely excused herself from the throng of male suitors she'd acquired in the short time since her grand entrance. Their frowns and flares of confusion were humorous yet she found the restraint not to giggle. Ladies do not giggle and players must play their parts until the end. The end was far from in reach so she daintily grabbed the hem of her silk gown and approached her first target. She sashayed her hips as she departed just for fun.

The man made eye contact with her and also excused himself from his small party, meeting her half way. He offered his hand and River graciously slid into the slow waltz that was coming from the requisite string quartet. The gathering was elegant yet understated in the way the Core planets had now in being humble. River took a small moment to enjoy her body's sway with a surprisingly capable dance partner, revolting as he was.

"Ms. Tam," he began. "It's such an honor to have you attend our little gathering. I had no idea that you'd accept the invitation." His right hand slid lower onto her back and his mouth approached her ear. "However, I must admit I'm thrilled to have you."

River shivered a bit at the not-so-subtle innuendo and forced a brilliant smile. "Well, Admiral. How could a lady resist." Her gaze swept purposely around the ballroom and landed softly on her additional targets for the evening. "Such lovely company in so perfect setting."

He seemed pleased at the compliment although he interpreted as only a male ego could. "May I call you River?"

River smiled demurely, imitating the smile she had seem Inara use with every high-paying client. "I'd have it no other way," she beamed. "So, Admiral, what progress in gentrifying the Rim? How goes it with your works on Martin?"

The Admiral looked surprised at her unusual line of questioning but soothed his expression to one of a generous patron of the arts. River hated this scene but it was necessary to advance the plot. She gently ran her hand over his shoulder and caressed his neck briefly as added encouragement.

"I must admit it has been more difficult than we originally planned," he said almost petulantly. "Our attempts to enhance the culture have come at quite a cost."

River started slightly. That was ominous to say the least. However, no breaking character now.

"What cost is that, may I ask? I can't imagine any world not embracing the arts."

"Martin is a ranching planet. Its history lies recently within mining," he explained. "Only the communities that have succeeded economically are even remotely interested in such things as museums and operas. It is not a world you could understand, my dear. The Alliance has needed to subsidize many of the ranchers there in order to elevate the income."

River smirked inwardly yet crinkled her brow a bit in confusion. "But that was the plan, correct? Bring prosperity and culture to the Rim. Only then could they assimilate into proper society?"

The Admiral brought his hand even lower and River fought the instinct to punch him in the throat. Fortunately the rush of buried fury raised her blood pressure was interpreted as a girlish blush. Unfortunately that only spurred his exploration of her backside.

"The good news is many of the locals on Martin are enjoying their new prosperity. The new hospital has been established and the increased telecommunication systems have done wonders with expanding their understanding of politics. However, the folks of Martin are stubborn and have yet to be convinced that embracing the Alliance is in their best interest."

River sensed the scene drawing to a close. She needed to just confirm one final fact and plant one more seed. "That's fascinating, Admiral. I'm sure I have no idea of all that's involved. Have they elected a leader?"

The Admiral frowned with such distain that she shivered in anticipation of the answer. "Indeed. Although, that is a problem in itself. A woman of new-found prosperity is currently leading Martin. Unfortunately, she has proven difficult to control…I mean, convince."

"A woman," River exclaimed. "How quaint."

"Yes," he agreed. "Mrs. Cobb and her kin are an unusual lot. She actually is rallying the planet to adopt a congressional form of government! Can you imagine?"

River dropped her hands, surrendering the dance. "I certainly can not imagine! How odd," she declared with insult and enthusiasm. "But you say she is prosperous?"

"Quite," he said. "We have gone to great lengths to feed that sector with cash."

"Well, then," River stated. "Perhaps if she was provided with additional travel opportunities she could see for herself the immense benefits of a civilized culture. The poor woman has probably never been off planet."

The Admiral considered this in earnest. "Yes, my dear. You certainly have a gift for seeing solutions from a fresh perspective. Perhaps that is due to your extensive Academy training."

River thanked him for the dance and made to retreat. As she retreated, she twisted her head over her bare shoulder in a way that she knew would keep him captivated for her final line.

"Oh, I certainly owe much to the Academy, Admiral. If only there was a way to repay their generosity."

MEANWHILE, ON SERENITY

Jayne rushed to his bunk to retrieve the wave Mal announced over the ship's comm. He dropped down and frowned briefly at how neat his bunk was. It was still strange to have it so tidy but he weren't one to look a gift horse in the mouth. If Mal had the cashy money to hire a housekeeper-slash-cook, who was he to complain. Yup, his laundry sat nicely folded at the foot of his cot as expected. That sure was a plus but he drew the line at Missy puttin' things in their rightful place. Jayne didn't have many secrets no more but if he did they'd be in this bunk and he didn't need no old lady pokin' 'round his private space.

He approached the wave screen and tapped the receive button.

"Ma," Jayne smiled. "Ain't heard from you in a while. How's Martin?"

"Good, good, son. Just callin' to let you know that Matty and I are headed out your way and was hoping we could drop in for a visit," she drawled. "Ain't never seen the ship off the ground a'fore and have a might powerful need to see my baby and his people."

His Ma was visitin'! Now that he thought of it, he didn't even think she'd been off world. "That's shiny, Ma, but ya' sure ya' got the time to be away. Ain't that fancy council goin' to be lost without 'cha?"

"Eh. Humbug," she sparked. "I deserve the rest after all the hubblaloo 'round these parts last few months. Plus, cain't a woman visit the worlds a bit? Lord knows, I got the money now."

Jayne realized that was true. Over the last year he'd been pocketing more and more of the credits he usually sent home. Had been a while he wanted for anythin'. His brother, Matty, was cured from his illness with the new hospital coming into his hometown and his Ma's ranch had been thrivin'.

"Sure, Ma!" Jayne would never deny his mother a single thing. Weren't in his nature. "Everyone would love to see 'ya. Kaylee would be over the moon and you should see Kevin now. He's growin' like a weed."

Ma smiled fondly at the name. Jayne knew she had a soft spot for youngens and Zoe's adopted boy was her favorite. "Cain't wait to spoil that boy rotten. You tell Zoe not to dream of stopping me! I'm the closest to a Nana that boy's got and I'll damn well spoil him iffin I want. It's my right." Her playful enthusiasm dimmed a bit. "Any word on that River girl?"

Jayne's heart skipped a beat with just the mention of her name. He had almost gotten used to it when the crew spoke of her but to hear his Ma say it…well, that was just different. She knew more than most 'bout how he felt, even if he hadn't breathed a word of it to her.

"Nah. Not really, Ma," he sighed. "Seems she's off being the spoiled brat Core debutante she was meant ta' be. Simon tells that she's really 'taken her place', whatever the hell that means."

Jayne watched as his Ma's eyes drifted into what he knew were her thinking mode. "Still somethin' ain't right with all that. Timing's funny, too. Ya' ever notice that, son?"

His body actually shivered from the memory of the last time he done seen the girl. Kissin' on him and whispering nonsense but mostly the kissin' on him. He shook himself free of the moment and grilled his Ma on the details of her visit. He said his goodbyes and sank onto his perfectly made cot.

Things had changed a fair bit since the girl had left. With a heavy sigh, he had to admit that most of the change had been for the better. But Ma was right. Somethin' was funny 'bout all this. Had someone told him a year ago that he'd been swimming in cashy money on a shiny, and legit, cargo ship, that his brother was all healed up and courting some rich rancher's daughter, that his Ma would be rich, powerful AND coming to visit, that he had a cook, a housekeeper, and an apprentice gun hand, he'd woulda called that person a fool and probably punch him in the throat for being a stupid dreamer.

Jayne angrily swept his neatly folded laundry on the floor.

He couldn't shake the feeling everyone on board, and even everyone at home, was getting what they wanted. Everyone but him.