Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em'. I'm just playing. No money being made.

This story is set fifteen years into the future from the story I have written called "Big Blue"

AN: This fic is running a bit longer than I anticipated. I usually run about 20 to 22 chapters This one might run a bit over that. No worries though... The Wing's will get theirs in the end.

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Thanks to my Beta, Chris

Cast of characters:

Parents:

Malcolm Reynolds 51

Inara Serra-Reynolds 44

Allan Bryant 68

Zoë Bryant 48

Simon Tam 43

Kaylee Tam 40

Jayne Cobb 52

River Cobb 36

Kids:

Jefferson (Jeff) Reynolds 15

Emma Reynolds 10

Sara Bryant 14

Rebecca Tam 15

John (Jack) Tam 11

Rachel Cobb 8

Jesse Cobb 6

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Heritage-Chapter Eighteen

--------------

Allan gently lifted the new Firefly into the sky of Persephone. Allan had so fallen in love with the Firefly design over the years that,when suddenly there was a demand for mid bulk transports, instead of a whole new design from scratch, Allan bought the production and design license from the now defunct Allied Spacecraft Works and then updated the design to modern standards.

It proved to be a successful decision. Blue Sun already had over one hundred orders for new Firefly's. More than enough to cover the development costs.

While the space frame was identical to the 03's like Serenity. The 04's had many upgrades. Many of which were already installed in the older ship. Things like new bridge displays, better environmental systems, more powerful engines and a larger cargo capacity.

Sara Jane was the second 04 built, the first being the prototype used for certification testing. Allan had always intended for the second ship off the line to be his, in a manner of speaking. Serenity was nearly eighty years old and while she had been upgraded many, many times over the decades, there would come a day when she would no longer be space worthy.

Allan's original plan was to put the new ship into storage until the day came that Serenity needed to be replaced. When Sara had been injured and the hunt for the Wings begun, Allan knew that he needed his own ship again. Serenity needed more crew than he had available without disrupting everyones home life. His friends had worked too hard to build a life for their children to disrupt their lives in that manner.

04's could be run safely with one person if necessary. An 03 Firefly really needed at least three to be safe.

Another 04 was now being built in the yard. That ship would someday become Serenity II.

As soon as Sara turned sixteen next year and got her license, she would be listed as the pilot of Sara Jane. When she turned eighteen and could legally do so, Sara Jayne Bryant would be registered as the official owner and Captain of the ship that bore her name. Even if she only used it to travel back and forth to university. Wherever that may be.

Allan was interrupted in his musings by the sound of his wife entering the bridge. Zoe had taken to making noise when she walked up behind her husband. If she had wanted to, she could have approached silently. The only person Zoe couldn't sneak up on was River.

"Sara resting?" Allan asked.

"Yep, didn't think she would be able to with all he excitement over being given a ship for her birthday." Zoe replied, her voice stern.

Allan groaned inwardly. After sixteen years of marriage, he knew that tone of voice all too well. It was the voice she used when Allan had screwed up.

"Giving her a ship wasn't planned, Dear," Allan began, "This ship was supposed to be Serenity II someday."

"What... Serenity II?"

"Serenity isn't going to fly forever. Mal eventually will need a new ship. If anything, as Jeff and Emma's inheritance... This is my way of paying back what Mal's done for me over the years."

"You... I... gorramit, Just when I'm gonna yell at you..." Zoe sputtered.

Allan grinned, "I go and do something selfless for our friends... again?"

"Yes..."

"Don't worry, I'm having another ship built for the Reynolds family. She should be finished around the first of the year. I'll have her put in storage. Besides, half of the crates in our cargo bay are more upgrades for Serenity. Should keep Kaylee and Becca busy for a few weeks and Serenity flying for another ten years or so."

Zoe grinned, unable to remain even slightly ticked off at her husband, "And the other half?"

"Well, some of it is the rest of Sara's bigger birthday gifts Including the item we discussed a few months ago. The rest is the gear we'll need to nail those bastard Wing's to the wall," Allan said with some anger tinging his voice.

"There's the man I married," Zoe smiled.

"Never went anywhere baby... just got sidetracked running the largest company in the 'Verse."

"I know. Have to admit, I never imagined being a rich woman. Someways I long for the life we had before."

"Eating protein and getting shot on a regular basis?" Allan teased.

"Ha ha," Zoe said deadpan, "I mean, life was a bit simpler then. Get a job, keep flyin."

"I know, baby. I've been thinking along those lines myself. I... I've been thinking of retiring."

"What?" Zoe exclaimed, "Who's going to run the company?"

"Durin. He's got the business savvy, respect of the board and he's a lot younger than me."

"So, he's younger."

"I know you don't care about my age baby, but I'm going to be sixty nine in four and a half months. We nearly lost Sara because of who I am. I can't go through that again. She's growing up so fast and I don't want to miss a second of that time," Allan finished as he slumped in the pilot's chair.

Zoe smiled and spun the chair around to face her. With a grin, she sat in her husbands lap, "How about we talk about this later. After we've nailed those hundan's for what they did to our girl."

"Deal," Allan smiled.

"You know..." Zoe purred, "New ship... we could christen the bridge..."

"Ewww, Momma!"

Allan and Zoe started at the sound of Sara's voice. Looking behind them, they spotted her in the doorway, Leaning on Olivia's shoulder. The security officer trying to stifle a laugh.

"And what are you doing up young lady?" Zoe asked, trying to regain some composure.

"Apparently keeping my parents from defiling the bridge of my ship..."

"Ain't your ship yet little girl," Allan growled, despite the smile on his face.

"Got my name on the side," Sara pointed out.

"Okay... I'll concede that part." Allan admitted.

"What is it, baby girl?" Zoe asked.

"We're getting kind of hungry," Sara replied, trying to shift some of the blame to Olivia.

"We, huh?" Zoe chuckled as she stood up from Allan's lap.

Allan quickly double checked the autopilot and stood himself, "Come on then, let's check out the galley," he finished with a smile.

Quickly Allan scooped Sara into his arms and carried her down the stairs that Sara had climbed with so much effort and Olivia's help. Carrying her back towards the galley and the one father and daughter activity Allan had missed the most while Sara had been recovering.

Making dinner for his family and friends.

XXXXXXXXXX

It was a five day trip back home to Boros. Zoe and Olivia helped Sara with exercises to strengthen her legs. Meanwhile, Allan and Israel did their best to trace the ransom money paid to the Wing's.

The first transaction was done on Persephone hours after the drop. Almost three million credits had been exchanged for the equivalent in untraceable platinum. The only sensor hit from the nearly microscopic tracking devices embedded with the money came hours later from an alliance patrol ship that got a hit from a freighter leaving Persephone. The ship had been boarded and the only thing found was a box containing several hundred tracking devices. The captain of the freighter had been hired to transport the small box to Londonium by two men that fit the Wing's descriptions.

Another dead end and it proved one thing... The Wing boys weren't stupid.

In the the nearly three months since they had escaped, there had been no sign of Rafe and Johnny Wing.

"They better be on St. Albans," Allan muttered as he surfed the cortex on the bridge.

"They will be, Boss," Israel replied from the co-pilots seat, also searching the cortex, "They show anywhere else and someone will spot em'."

"Simon and River hid out for years," Allan commented.

"Yeah, but they had help."

"True, Mal and Zoe kept them safe," Allan replied, turning back to his research.

The two men returned to silence as they searched the data streams for any sign of the Wing's. Back on Londonium, even more people were doing the same thing both in the Justice Ministry and at Blue Sun. Somewhere, the Wing's would screw up and reveal themselves.

"Boss... Come look at this."

Allan rose and moved to Israel's side. The screen showed ship purchase transactions from the four registered dealers on Persephone.

"None of the public transports report anyone meeting the Wing's description leaving Persephone anytime after the day of the drop. However, there were six vessels sold over the next three days," Israel said.

"Damn... why didn't I think of that?" Allan muttered.

"You've been distracted, Boss," Israel replied.

"Yeah... you're right."

"Something else here. I see that a used Marauder Class light freighter was sold the day after the drop to Richardson Mining from St. Albans for twenty-five thousand platinum."

"Hot damn! That's gotta be them."

"I agree, Boss."

"Call the Navigation Ministry, see if they have a transponder or pulse beacon code on file for that ship. If they do, have Oso get it out to the fleet as well as all Law Force ships." We'll nail the bastards yet."

"Yes, Sir," Israel smiled.

XXXXXXXXXX

The day before Sara's birthday, The ship that bore her name approached Boros, Allan in the pilot's seat, Zoe in the co-pilots seat and Sara sitting on the stairs leading to the forward bridge. On Serenity, this part of the ship was used for computer systems and storage. On the new 04 Firefly's, this space was transformed into a small lounge.

Allan reached up and activated the com system as the familiar blue and white orb that was their home filled the screen, "Boros Orbital Control, this is the Firefly Transport Sara Jane. Inbound for the Serenity pad outside of New Edmonton."

"Firefly Sara Jane, request received, follow the Edmonton Three approach. Weather in New Edmonton is two-thirds cloud cover at fifteen hundred meters, winds are light and variable," replied the controller.

"Edmonton Three approach, Thanks Control," Allan replied, "Zoe? You ready?"

"Yes, dear," She replied.

"All yours."

Zoe grinned and took over control of the ship. She hadn't flown in months and needed a reentry to maintain her license. No time like the present.

Gently, Zoe brought the nose up and tilted the engine pods down to slow the vessel. Sara Jane handled just like Serenity did.

Dropping deeper into the atmosphere, Allan grinned. Zoe hadn't lost her touch. She was a very capable pilot. She just didn't have the passion for flying like Allan or Sara did.

It was near nightfall in New Edmonton as Sara Jane approached the city. Streetlights could be seen in the darkening twilight. Allan entered a code into the cortex and in the distance, the lights surrounding the lading pad at Serenity Acres blinked on.

"You want to take it baby?" Zoe asked, "It's bit tight with Serenity parked there too."

"Okay, I've got her," Allan said as he took the controls. With just a bit of a showy flare, Sara Jane gently touched down next to her older sister, Serenity.

"We're down," Allan announced over the com for Olivia and Israel's benefit. After a few moment's of switch flipping, the new Firefly was shut down.

"It's good to be home," Sara said from her perch at the front of the bridge.

"You got that right, Princess," Allan replied.

XXXXXXXXXX

As the ramp lowered, Sara tried to hold back tears as she saw the crowd waiting for her.

With a squeal, Sara was nearly tackled by Becca Tam, Emma Reynolds and Rachel Cobb. The rest of the group waited for the girls to finish the group hug before giving their own welcomes.

"Come on now, girls," Mal grumbled, "Sara just got outta the hospital, don't want to put her back in do ya?"

Reluctantly, the girls disengaged from Sara leaving room for Mal and Inara to welcome Sara home.

"Welcome home, Sara," Inara sniffled. Mal just smiled as Sara gave him a hug as well. Next came Kaylee and Simon along with Jack and Jesse.

"It's so good to have ya' home, Sara," Kaylee blubbered. She couldn't help crying.

Sara sniffled herself, "Thanks, Aunt Kaylee."

"How are you feeling, Sara?" Simon asked, ever the doctor.

Sara wiped her eyes, "Sore, but I'm getting better, Uncle Simon."

"I know you've been poked and prodded for quite some time but once you are ready, I want to give you an examination."

"Okay, Uncle Simon."

River and Jayne were next.

"How ya doin, squirt?" Jayne rumbled with a big grin on his face.

"I'm doin, Uncle Jayne."

"Welcome home, Fledgling," River grinned as she hugged her niece.

"Thanks, Aunt River."

Off to the side, Jeff Reynolds stood apprehensively. Suddenly he felt a shove between his shoulder blades from his father, making him almost stumble into Sara.

"Hey, Sara" he stammered, "I... I like the hair."

As usual Sara took the initiative and pulled Jeff into an embrace. She kissed him once and then smiled.

"I missed you," She said simply.

Jeff relaxed, "Missed you, too," he replied before kissing Sara himself.

Throughout it all, Allan and Zoe stood arm in arm at the top of the ramp, smiles on their faces. It was good to be home.

Zoe walked down the ramp to where Sara and Jeff were standing, "Jeff, Becca? Can you two help me get Sara up to the house?"

"Sure, Aunt Zoe," the teens chorused.

Kaylee had retrieved one of the small utility vehicles from the garage to carry Sara the three hundred yards to the house from the landing pad. Jeff helped Sara into the passenger seat and then hopped into the cargo bed with Becca while Zoe drove the vehicle towards the house, followed by Inara, Kaylee and the rest of their children.

"Mal, Jayne, River? Can I have a word?" Allan asked.

The three nodded and River turned to her children, "Rachel, take Jesse up to the house and get ready for bed. It's a school night."

"Yes momma," Rachel replied, "Come on, little brother."

River kept her smile in place until her children were out of sight. Then her expression grew hard and she looked at Allan.

"I would have killed him."

"No peekin, Kiddo," Allan replied quietly.

"What you talking about, Albatross?" Mal asked.

"One of Sara's doctors used to work for Blue Sun... at the Academy."

"Oh," Mal said quietly.

River then grinned after seeing what Allan had done to the man, "You should have taken Sara's advise and decked him."

"Well..."

"What did ya need us for, Gramps?" Jayne asked.

"We've got a lead on the Wing's. Looks like they bought a ship and headed to some family holdings on St. Albans."

"That ice ball?" Jayne grumbled.

"I know," Allan replied," Long trip too. I have two teams on the way along with Oso and Fred. As soon as Sara is settled, I'll be taking my daughter's namesake here and anyone who wants to go on a little hunting expedition."

"Sounds good ta' me," Jayne replied.

"Is Zoe going?" Mal asked.

"She's going to stay here with Sara while she heals up. I just wanted you to know what was going on."

"Count me in," Jayne replied, "Now that Zoe's back, I can stop runnin the PD fer her."

"I'd go if I could, Da-shu," River stated, "But with the children..."

"I understand, River," Allan replied.

"I'd be goin too if I could, Allan."

"I know Mal. Between Jayne, Olivia, Israel, and myself, we should be all set."

"When you plannin on leavin?" Jayne asked.

"About a week.. maybe more. Depends on what we hear from the Fed Station on St. Albans."

"Let me know... been a long time since Vera came out to play."

"You got it, Jayne."

XXXXXXXXXX

Sara woke bleary eyed at 6:00 AM. She had tossed and turned all night. Awoken by nightmares every few hours. She couldn't understand why. She hadn't had any nightmares all the time she was in the hospital or on the trip home. Only when she was home in her own bed did Sara's own mind betray her.

Over and over, Sara saw herself crashing the ship she had been kept on. Over and over it crashed into a building killing thousands of people and in every dream, Sara walked away unscathed and then calmly walked up to Marion Vorrasi and blew her brains out with her mares leg.

She tried to move her feet and for a moment Sara panicked, thinking something was wrong with her until she noticed weight across her legs. Looking down, her gaze was met by the deep brown eyes of a certain German Shepherd, thumping his tail on the bed and panting.

"Hey, Sammy."

Sam crawled up the bed and gave her a big slurp. A look of unconditional love that only a dog could have on his brown and black face.

"Did ya' miss me, boy?"

Sam's tail thumped harder and Sara thought her eardrums met in the middle of her head from the bark Sam let out.

"Well, since I'm awake, I might as well get up."

With a groan, Sara slid off the bed and to her feet. Grabbing her cane, the teen stiffly made her way to the bathroom.

Sara emerged a few minutes later, after taking her pain meds. With Sam next to her, Sara exited her bedroom and limped to the top of the stairs. Sara huffed in frustration. Her balance wasn't good enough to negotiate stairs by herself yet. But she didn't want to wake her parents.

Sam sat down and looked at her impatiently. Carefully Sara sat down next to the German Shepherd. Suddenly she got an idea.

"I'm such an idiot," Sara muttered to herself before scooting down the stairs on her bottom.

Now downstairs, Sara made her way to the kitchen. She first started the coffee machine and then began rooting through the fridge for breakfast food. Kaylee must have restocked the fridge while they were gone since the milk was still in date and there were fresh eggs.

After a few minutes work, Sara had Bacon going as well as the fixings for omelets.

"And why are you making breakfast when you are supposed to be resting?" Olivia said from the entrance to the living room.

"Cause I'm hungry... and I didn't sleep well."

"How come you couldn't sleep?" The security officer asked.

"Nightmares."

"I see," Olivia replied, "This happen before?"

"Nope," Sara sighed, "Just last night."

"Probably because you let your guard down. You feel safe here."

"I should... It's home..."

"It'll pass, Sara."

"I hope so... I kept crashing the ship over and over, I knocked down buildings and I walked away without a mark on me then I walked up and blew... blew Marion's brains out with my... my gun."

Sara began to sob at that point. Olivia pulled the girl into her arms and held her while she cried.

"Shhh, it's okay Sara. It's not your fault."

"Yes it is... Marion died because of me."

Olivia pulled Sara's face up to meet hers, "No... Marion died because of the greed of the Wing's. Plain and simple. Rafe shot Marion and Shiloh because they were in his way. They planned to crash that ship just so they could kill you, Bridgett and, most likely, your father along with any bystanders who were around. Just so they could escape."

"Olivia's right, Ni-zi," Zoe said from the doorway. Allan standing behind her, hands on her shoulders. Both were dressed in robes.

"Not your fault, Princess," Allan added.

"I feel like it is," Sara replied sniffling.

"I know it does right now, baby girl," Zoe said as she rounded the counter and hugged Sara, "It will pass in time."

"I hope so."

"It will, Sara. It will," Allan said as he also hugged his daughter.

"Okay, Daddy."

"And why is the birthday girl making her own breakfast?" Allan asked, a grin curling his lips.

"Birthday... Oh yeah... It is my birthday, isn't it?"

"Yes it is, Princess. Now sit your behind on that stool and I'll finish things, dong-ma?"

Sara sat down and suddenly realized something.

"Daddy?"

"Yes, Sara?" Allan replied, as he poured the eggs in the pan.

"You said something in Chinese."

"I did, didn't I... guess your old man isn't as dumb as he makes out," Allan grinned.

Sara's laughter was like music to Allan's ears.

TBC