Three Hills loomed large in the bridge window as Hank began the re-entry sequence.

"Got word they're waiting for their cargo, Mal," he said over his shoulder.

"Well, a few more minutes won't do them any harm."

"They could get nasty."

"Tell Jayne to be ready with Vera. That tends to shut people up."

Hank grinned. "Shuts me up."

"Nope, don't think that's possible." Mal walked off the bridge and down the stairs into the bay.

Cyrus Hetter was waiting. "Captain, I would like to speak to you."

"We'll be landing shortly, then you can be away from us heathens," Mal said, crossing his arms. "I'm sure you'll want to scrub us from your saintly skins soon as you can."

"What you think of me is irrelevant, Captain, particularly as I'm sure it is uncomplimentary in the extreme."

"Well, let's just say I doubt you're gonna recommend me to all your friends, and that's a fact."

"Absolutely not. But that isn't what I wanted to discuss." He pursed his lips. "My wife and I have been talking, and we feel it would be wrong if we didn't arrange for the child to have a home."

"What?" Mal doubted he could be more surprised.

"We will take the child," Hetter said. "It is an innocent, and I'm sure we can place it in a suitable home."

Mal shook his head slowly. "Weren't you the one claimed her mother was a whore? A harlot?"

Hetter's lips tightened at being reminded of his own words. "The child will be brought up in a Christian environment, with rules and regulations."

"And beatings if she doesn't behave herself?"

"If the child is wilful –"

"You think I'm gonna hand her over to you?"

Hetter drew himself up to his full height. "You're not the child's father."

"And you don't even care!" Mal was fuming, and about to let his temper out. "You keep calling her 'the child' – she's a little girl."

"Then she will be looked after."

"She will be," Freya said, walking up behind her husband from the common area and putting her hand on his arm. "Only it won't be by you."

"You have no authority … you're not related to the child …" Hetter began to bluster. "I am a pillar of the community, I can force –"

"You can't force anything," Mal said, his voice now deceptively quiet. "This is my boat. If anything, she's mine. My property. And you don't have a say in it."

"You cannot own this child." Hetter was outraged.

Mal couldn't help it. He laughed. "You talk about that in the same breath as saying you're going to … Mr Hetter, if you weren't such a pain in the ass I might consider keeping you just for the entertainment value." Suddenly he was in front of Hetter, barely a breath between. His eyes flashed blue fire. "I wouldn't let you within a mile of that little girl. Or any child. Far as I'm concerned men like you are a disease, and really need wiping from the face of the 'verse. But since I can't do that, I'll just say … get the hell off my ship."

Hetter's lip curled in disgust. "I'm sure the Alliance would be keen to know about your activities."

Mal couldn't believe the sheer stupidity of this man. "Mr Hetter, you really have to learn not to threaten a man on board his own boat. 'Cause it wouldn't take much to have your body disappear."

Hetter swallowed. "You wouldn't."

"I'm sorely tempted." He let the idea sink in. "I won't, but only because I've seen enough death for a while."

Freya relaxed a little, feeling Serenity rock as she settled into her docking port. "Mr Hetter, I suggest you collect your wife and your things and leave," she said softly. "And you even consider telling anyone a damn thing, I will take it on myself to make it known to everyone on Three Hills and the surrounding moons that you personally caused Roxanna to go into seizure and die, leaving her poor child an orphan."

He stared at her, at the total and utter conviction on her face. "They wouldn't believe you."

"Try me."

His mouth worked as if he had words caught in his teeth, but he didn't speak. Instead he turned and strode back towards the guest quarters.

Mal looked at Freya. "Would you?" he asked.

"Try me," she repeated, but in a much gentler tone. "And even if most people didn't believe me, mud sticks."

"Surely does. And I for one wouldn't wanna cross you." He smiled. "Soon as we've got paid we're off."

"Good." Freya wrapped her arms around herself. "I'd rather be out in the nice clean black anyway."

"Cold?"

"Just steeling myself to go and talk to River."

"Good luck."

"Mal, you want me to load the mule?" Jayne asked, leaning over the catwalk.

The captain looked up. "Yeah. Then you, me and Zoe'll go delivering."

"Shiny." The big man stomped down the stairs. "And Frey? She's waitin' for ya."

---

"River, how are you feeling?" Freya stepped into the shuttle, finding the young woman sitting on the bed cross-legged, her sketch pad on her knees, drawing furiously.

"Odd."

"How odd?"

"97.523%."

Freya leaned on the wall. "I meant in what way."

"Not specific."

"You mean me? No, I suppose I wasn't." She looked at the pad. "What are you drawing?"

"Not sure."

"Can I see?"

"Not yet." River glanced up at her from under her waterfall of hair. "Are you going to sit down or stand there all night?"

Freya smiled. She sounded more normal, at least. Taking the chair by the table she watched River as she changed from a pencil to one of her coloured ones.

"I lost it," the young woman said suddenly. "Who I was."

"I know."

"I was afraid that, if I wasn't Simon's sister, I wasn't anything."

"You are his sister."

"Half. Which half?" She glanced up then went back to her drawing. "Can't be quantified. It's not a leg, or arm, or any other part belonging to a man … just half." She shook her head. "They took what I was. Gave me a number, not a name. Tried to tear me from my brain. If Simon hadn't come for me …"

"He did come."

"But he might not have if he'd known."

"You know that isn't true," Freya said, sitting forward.

"I'm not full blood."

"Hasn't it occurred to you that he feels the same way? That he isn't full blood to you? That he's losing you somehow?"

"He's Simon!" Her voice was suddenly loud, her eyes lifting to glare at Freya.

"Exactly. And you're River. And he would have come for you even if you weren't related at all, because he loves you." She got up and crossed to the bed, sitting down next to the young woman. "I would have. So would Mal. You know that."

"Momma."

"Not your mother, River," Freya said almost with regret, reaching up to tuck a strand of long dark hair behind her ear.

"Love me like I'm yours."

"Oh, that I do."

"Jayne showed me. He anchors me. Keeps me sane." She smiled. "Well, saner. Loves me."

"I know."

River slid quickly across the bed until her head lay in Freya's lap. "Simon loves me too."

"Honey, of course he does."

"My brother."

"Always, River. He's always going to be your brother, no matter what. Even when you eventually go to him and ask him to look after your pregnancy with Jayne."

River giggled, her whole body shivering. "Almost worth it."

"Don't go getting any ideas."

"Not time yet."

"Well … that's good."

They sat quietly for a moment, then River picked up her sketch pad. "I know what this means now," she said softly, handing it to Freya.

She looked at the picture, an image of River looking in a mirror, a thousand other Rivers looking back, caught in the reflection. "And what does it mean?"

"I have to choose who I am. Which one is me."

"And have you chosen?"

"Yes," she said, snuggling back down into Freya's lap. "This one."

---

The drop-off went without a hitch, apart from Jayne having to threaten someone with Vera, blowing a not inconsiderable hole in a wall, but the money was in the small safe ready to be apportioned, and Serenity was back in the black.

"Mal, you mind if I go spend some time with my … with Zoe and Ben?" Hank asked, turning the seat.

"As long as I don't have to do anything more complicated than look pretty and stare out the window, sure."

Hank grinned. "Course is set for Beaumonde, so no … looking pretty should do it. Although I know damn well you can fly this ship almost as well as me."

"Only almost?"

"Definitely."

"As you know, almost I can live with. Go. Go spend time with them. If I need I'll holler."

"I'm sure you will."

Hank stood up, stretching, then headed off the bridge, Mal taking his place. As he reached the bottom step he heard the captain call.

"When're you gonna marry that woman?"

He leaned on the top stair. "Aw, come on, Mal. I'm trying."

"Try harder. Ain't having people living in sin on my boat."

"In …" The pilot gaped. "You gonna tell Jayne that?"

Mal considered a moment. "Sure," he said finally.

"When?" Hank challenged.

"Eventually."

He laughed. "Can I watch?"

"No." Mal made shooing motions. "Go."

"Hey, you called me!"

"And now I'm telling you to go away."

"Make up your mind."

"Don't have to. I'm captain."

Hank shook his head and hurried down the corridor, passing Simon on the way.

"Is he in one of those moods?" the young doctor asked.

Hank nodded. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Simon stepped onto the bridge. "Mal, can I … have a word?"

"Sure." Serenity's captain looked at the young man, saw the lines of strain around his eyes. "You need to get some decent sleep."

"I know. And I will. Soon. Or Kaylee's going to dope me."

"Good girl." Mal smiled in approval.

"Only there's something I need to ask you first. It's been … sort of keeping me awake these last couple of nights."

"You wanna adopt the little girl."

Simon's jaw dropped. "How …" He half-collapsed into the co-pilot's chair.

"You saved her life. Saw how you were with her, doing your best to keep that little body going. Then with the squirt wanting to give up her bed …" Mal smiled slightly. "Didn't take much to work out."

"It's not just me, Mal."

"I know. Figured that too. Kaylee ain't let her out of her sight. And I'm figuring that right now River won't be wanting to be part of your plans for a new baby …"

"I haven't asked, but … probably not."

Mal leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "I'm still willing, but … truth is, Frey's right. It'd be difficult to know any kid Kaylee has is half mine, and not want to be part of his life."

Simon shook his head. "If these last few days has taught me anything, it's that family has nothing to do with blood. And you're a part of Bethany's life, so …"

"Guess you're right."

"And I'd … I'd like that little girl to be a part of mine."

Mal smiled. "Nothing wrong with that."

"So … you're okay with it?"

"You think I was maybe going to put you off the next planet?" Mal asked, his eyes twinkling.

"The … thought did cross my mind. Another child on board, another mouth to feed –"

"Not that much." He let a laugh tumble from his lips. "Simon, so far we've got three kids already, one on the way … I think we can manage." He sat back. "'Sides, if I put you off I lose my mechanic too, and that's be a shame."

Simon smiled. "It would." He glanced down at his hands. "Although knowing Blue Sun are after me … well, I thought you might not take too kindly to that."

"We're not in any more danger than we were before, Simon. In fact, if anything, we're better prepared. Now at least we know who's after you and why." Mal smiled. "Not gonna let anything happen to any of my crew."

"This reminds me a little of when I first came on board. When you told me that if you ever killed me, I'd be awake, I'd be facing you, and I'd be armed."

Mal chuckled. "You remember that?"

"Difficult to forget."

"Well, it still applies. Just maybe not as likely." Mal's blue eyes twinkled.

"Well, I'm just going to go check on the baby before you decide today's the day, so I'll say goodnight."

"Just make sure Kaylee doesn't have a hypo hidden anywhere about her person."

"Oh, I intend to."

As Simon stood up, Mal asked, "By the way, how's my wife?"

"Fine. I checked her over today, and the pregnancy is progressing well. In a little under eight months you'll be the proud father of another bouncing baby."

"Another little girl."

"I can't tell yet."

"Frey can." Mal grinned. "Seems to me we're gonna end up outnumbered on this boat, all the females there are."

"I for one don't mind in the slightest."

"You know, doc, neither do I."

---

"She will be loved," River said quietly from the doorway, careful not to waken Bethany.

Simon looked up from where he was tucking the comforter a little closer around the tiny baby. "Mei-mei …"

"I know you love me. Even though we're not –"

In a moment he had crossed to her, pulling her into his arms. "You're my sister. My beautiful sister. No-one … no-one is ever going to take that away."

She felt her body absorb his warmth, and the last little bit of indecision thawed inside her. "No-one," she repeated. "And now there's another."

Simon pulled back enough to look into her dark eyes. "Will you … mind?"

"About her?" River reached out and stroked the baby's head. "Of course not. She's beautiful."

"Yes, she is."

"I heard voices," Kaylee said, leaning into the room, glancing down at her sleeping child before looking up at her husband and sister-in-law.

"I was just congratulating Simon on the new addition to his family," River said.

Kaylee's hand flew to her mouth. "You mean the Cap said yes?"

Simon nodded. "He did."

Kaylee ran across the cabin and into his arms. "Oh, Simon!" She was so happy she wanted to yell, and only managed to contain her excitement by holding her breath.

"She's very lucky," River said. "Loving father and mother."

Simon reached out and took her hand. "And loving aunt."

River smiled.

Kaylee let go of Simon and opened a drawer, and when she turned she had a book in her hands. "Freya gave me this. It was Roxanna's. She wanted her child to have it." She held it out to River. "I'd like you to keep it for her. For when she's old enough. Then her Auntie can teach her to read it."

"I'd like that." River took the book, feeling the well-worn cover waiting to tell all sorts of stories. She held it to her breast. "I have to go. Jayne is looking for me." She grinned suddenly, the old River back in her face. "He needs me."

"Course he does," Kaylee said, watching her waft out of the room. "I think she's okay," she added softly.

"I think so."

Kaylee leaned into the crib and lifted the baby out, smelling the sweet scent of the newborn, overlaid with something else. "Looks like you're gonna get a lot more practice changing diapers," she said, smiling at Simon.

"I'll make sure I have enough weaves in stock," Simon said dryly, stepping closer and remembering a thousand punctured fingers.

"No, you got good at it before. It's prob'ly like riding a bike. Once you learn, you don't forget."

"I hope so. Because I was terrible at riding a bike."

The baby stirred, her little arms coming up to her face. "So strong," Kaylee said softly. "Just like her momma."

Simon curled his hand around the baby's head. "And when she asks, we'll tell her about Roxanna. How she fought to stay alive long enough to see her."

"But she didn't."

"I think we can stretch the truth just a little, don't you?"

"I guess." Kaylee ran a finger along a soft cheek. "What about a name?"

"A … well, I hadn't actually thought about that."

"We need to name her."

"Momma?" Bethany had rolled over and was looking up.

"Hey there," Simon said, sitting down carefully on the edge of the bed. "Did we wake you?"

"Little bit."

"Sorry, sweetheart." He looked up at Kaylee holding the baby. "What do you think we should call her?"

"Are we keeping her?" Bethany held her breath.

"That we are," her mother said, then grinned at the joyous look on her daughter … on her eldest daughter's face as she bounced up onto the mattress, standing so that she could see better. "So. A name."

"Jayne?" Bethie suggested, leaning forward.

Simon laughed, taking hold of her waist so she didn't fall. "I don't think so, somehow."

"No. That's a boy's name," Bethany agreed. She smiled. "Hope."

"What?"

Kaylee understood. "You know, I think that's shiny. Hope Tam."

"Hope Roxanna Tam," Simon expanded.

His wife smiled. "Oh, yes. That sounds perfect." She looked back into the baby's blue eyes. "Welcome to Serenity, Hope Roxanna Tam."

---

--

-

EPILOGUE

Elsewhere in the 'verse …

The girl sat in the chair, her hair plastered to her scalp with sweat, the band around her head holding the probes in place.

"How's it going?"

"Nightmares."

"Big ones?"

"Doozies."

"She gonna be okay?"

The man laughed. "Hell, when was she ever okay?"

"So what's she dreaming about?"

"Reavers. Again."

"Seems to be a popular theme."

"Are you surprised?"

"With what they want done? Hell, no."

The girl moaned.

"Readings are off the charts."

"Good brainwaves?"

"Excellent."

"Well, keep an eye on her. Don't let her tire herself out."

"Are you concerned?"

"Of course not. It's just that she's the best we've got."

"Not surprising, though, is it. What with her pedigree and everything."

"You keep talk like that to yourself."

"Why?"

"You know what they say about loose talk."

"No-one'll stop us. We're too valuable."

"She may be. We can be replaced."

"Speak for yourself."

"Anyway, just keep quiet about her family." He stepped closer, moving the lank hair from her face. "And you keep dreaming. You just keep dreaming, Mara Tam."