I'm not that much of a tease :-) After this I think its just one chapter to go. It may spawn a sequel I'm not sure yet. Enjoy!

Chapter 7: Strangers and Secrets

Jayne has his shotgun raised as the cargo bay doors open. Malcolm Reynolds is dead. He died six years ago. Probably gorram Reavers. But Reavers weren't that smart. This trap was too elaborate. Niska's men? Last Jayne had heard, they were nowhere near here. He tenses his grip on the gun.

"Get out here you hwoon dahn!" He yells as the ramp drops.

Zoë is backing away, looking afraid. Baby Mal clutched to her chest. Wash looks torn; does he follow her or his curiosity? Zoë was never afraid. He doesn't know what to do. Finally he takes up his gun and stands in front of his family. They're more important than any ship could ever be.

Kaylee grips Simon's hand until her knuckles go white. She staring open mouthed at the ship, before rising to her feet in a trance like state. Simon stands too but won't let go of her hand, even though she's crushing his, won't let her run for Serenity.

"Simon its Serenity! It's her! It really is!"

"Kaylee wait here." He looks at her, blue eyes sharp, and draws his gun. He advances to stand by Jayne.

Kaylee pulls a face but stays put. She knows its Serenity but something tells her to stay where she is. An edge in his voice, a flash in his eyes. Simon is a harder man than the one who told her he loved her all those years ago.

The cargo bay door is getting lower. Slowly, grinding, as though it hasn't been oiled in years. Kaylee winces.

"Serenity, tranquillity, calmness, stillness, grace, peace…we all need peace Simon. Even you," River singsongs at him.

"River ssshh!" he snaps, uncharacteristically, wondering why the drugs aren't working.

"Don't be snapping at River Simon," Jayne butts in without taking his eyes off the door. "Ain't her fault we're gorram crazy for being here."

Inara is staring all wide eyed. Her opulent gown is blowing around her body, wrapping against her legs, and her red lips are moving and no sound is coming out. Maybe it's a prayer, Kaylee thinks. To Shepard Book's God. Dear God…She wonders how it came to be that the good doctor became the first line of defence alongside Jayne. How Zoë is staring afraid and hiding behind Wash. Wonders how they all came to this.

The cargo bay door hits the ground with a heavy thump.

Jayne grabs a second bread roll as the basket crosses the table to Book. He grins and takes a big bite, spitting crumbs onto the table. Inara rolls her eyes at his lack of manners. Simon holds a chair out for Kaylee as she walks over with a bowl of real vegetables. That last job had gone real well. Real vegetables, they're a million times better than protein. She gives him a big smile and sets the bowl down. Then sits and joins in the conversation. One of Zoë's war stories. Not one with maiming. One about Mal's ability to sleep through a mortar attack.

River has pulled her knees up to her chest and is picking at the food with her fingers.

"River don't do that…" Simon starts.

"She ain't bothering no one doc," Mal says from the head of the table. He gestures with a bread roll towards his second in command, "And Zoë you know full well I had concussion that night."

"That's not how she tells it cap'n" Kaylee grins.

Wash laughs loudly. "Yeah sir. She says you had a little too much local wine with local girls."

"Really Mal, you know what happens when you drink with local girls," Inara chided. Implying a lot but saying no more.

"That's why whores is better," Jayne says with a grin.

Inara throws him a sharp look, and Simon rolls his eyes.

"I hate all of you. Next port I'm hiring a new crew." Mal says.

"I love my cap'n," Kaylee leans over and gives him a peck on the cheek.

Mal rubs her hair affectionately. He leans back in his chair and surveys his crew. Life was good, things were going well.

It wasn't him. It couldn't be him. Inara's mind was racing. Her head was swimming. She clasped her hands together to her mouth, feeling her ornate gold rings dig in to her skin.

Jayne's finger tightened on the trigger of the shotgun and he stares in horror at the figure standing at the head of the ramp.

Wash started babbling, "Shen sheng de gao wan! This isn't happening…can't be happening. Not real, not real."

Zoë's face was drained of all blood and she looked like she might faint. Simon's gun arm dropped slowly to his side, pistol just hanging there.

Kaylee looked up at the man before them. "Cap'n?" she murmured before fainting clean away into the dust.

And River just runs forward and throws herself into a surprised man's arms.

Translation Notes

hwoon dahn – son of a bitch

shen sheng de gao wan - Holy testicle Tuesday