Chapter 2

Chinese Translations
Ai ya- damn
Baobei- sweetheart

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Zoë Washburne heard the sound of a ship landing and walked outside her small home. She smiled as she saw which ship she'd heard. "Captain!" she called out towards the next house over. "You best get out here!"

After a moment Mal and Inara emerged. The three of them joined up with Kaylee and Simon who'd heard the commotion Serenity made when she landed. The five much aged crewmates shared a feeling of peace that came from knowing your children were home, if only for a short time.

Though it had been many years since he was a little boy, Conor ran into his mother's arms when he saw her walking towards the ship. Though he was taller than her now he rested his head on her shoulder.

"Hey son of mine," Zoë said, kissing his temple lightly.

Conor pulled away. "Hey Ma. How are you?"

"Looking forward to hearing some stories from my boy. Come tell me what you've been up to."

A look of apprehension and uncertainty passed over Conor's features. It was gone as soon as it had appeared but Zoë knew her son and had seen it. "What's the matter Conor?" she asked.

Conor smiled, "Later Ma. I promise we'll tell you later."

Zoë accepted his answer and Conor made his way to greet the rest of his family. He hugged Kaylee, River, and Inara, shook hands with Simon and Mal, and received a friendly punch in the arm from Jayne.

Normally when the children returned to the Haven, the night was spent telling stories, joking, and laughing. But this time, the older generation could tell that there was something on the younger's minds. So as soon as hellos were done Amir, who'd long ago been accepted into Serenity's family, and Jayne built a large fire and everyone sat down.

Mia took care of most of the explanation part. Everyone present had known that one day the issue of Alliance rule in the 'verse would be called into question yet again. And though each parent had secretly wished that their children would not have to live through another war, they all knew that Serenity would have to fight, and her crew along with her.

Later that night, everyone had gone off to sleep but Zoë and Conor. They sat side by side staring into the fire. "You were younger than me when you went to war," Conor said after a long period of silence.

"Yes I was. But I was older than Hobie and Mia and Janey."

"Yeah," said Conor. "They need us. This has to end. Support for the Alliance ain't what it was when you fought. We could win. We have to go Ma."

"I know. But I don't have to like it."

"What would Daddy say if he was here?" Conor asked after another period of silence. "I been thinking 'bout it all day but I don't know."

"That something you often think on?"

Conor nodded.

"Your daddy never liked fighting. I'm sure Mal's told you enough stories for you to know that. But he hated the Alliance as much as any of us, and he fought in the war like the rest of us."

"He fought in the war?"

"At the very beginning. Flew three missions before he was shot down. Spent the rest of the war in prison."

"Mal know this?"

"No. Don't think anyone knows but me and you. He didn't want them to know. Never talked much about it but I know he wasn't treated well in that place. I found out one night after a nightmare woke him."

"Ai ya," Conor said.

"Conor if your daddy were here, he'd tell you that you're a gorram good pilot and that you should do what you think is right. And that's what I say too. I also say that you better watch out for the others. You ain't the captain but Mia and Hobie and Janey, they all been lookin' to you since they were babies and they're gonna be lookin' to you now."

"I know that. It's part of the reason I'm scared of going."

"You're a good man," Zoë said. "You'll do the right thing."

"Would he be proud of me?" Conor asked, his voice soft.

"Proud of you? Baobei, he's your daddy. Of course he'd be proud of you."

Conor reached over and placed his hand over his mother's entwining their fingers. "I'll come back Ma," he said. "I promise."

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