After breakfast, the doctor stammered something apologetic to Shelly, asked Inara to keep an eye on River while she learned to make biscuits, and then moved towards the barn. He wanted to talk to Kaylee’s father and figured it would be better to do it sooner rather than later.

He was surprised to see only Hank bent over a small engine when he entered the barn.

"Where’s Kaylee?" he asked when Hank looked up at him. "I thought she’d be here with you. Did she go into town with Mal and Zoe?"

The older man shrugged. "Don’t rightly know," he muttered, before glaring at the engine in front of him and flexing his fingers."

"Can I help?"

Hank looked up at that, a surprised look flickering over his face. "You ever worked on a Hinkner engine, boy?"

"No, but I’m sure I can try. Kaylee’s been teaching me a bit about mechanics."

"She has, has she? Well, let’s see how much you’ve learned. Come over here – you can hand me my tools as I need them."

Simon moved to the opposite side of the engine, closer to Hank’s tools and glanced at the older man’s swollen knuckles. "Are your hands bothering you?"

"Some days," Hank replied tersely. "Hand me the spanner."

"What did your doctor say?" Simon asked, placing the tool gently in Hank’s outstretched hand.

"Says there’s nothing to be done."

Simon snorted.

Hank’s gaze shifted from the engine to the young doctor. "What?"

"There’s always something to be done. Give me your hand."

The young man’s grip was firm and more callused than Hank expected. He winced when Simon told him to make a fist. "Why would the doc say he couldn’t do anything?"

"Depends." Simon examined Hank’s loose fist with a frown. "He might not have the right medicine. If you were on Osiris or one of the Core planets, we could easily replace the knuckles."

"Well, we ain’t on a Core planet." Hank spoke sharper than he meant to, but Simon didn’t even flinch. "Our doctors gotta make do with what’s available to ‘em – Alliance ain’t too keen on providin’ us with any fancy medicines or treatments."

Simon nodded at that and gently manipulated Hank’s fingers. "So I’ve noticed. Are you having any other pain?"

"Just stiffness, mostly. My fingers don’t bend like they used to."

"Looks like osteoarthritis," Simon finally said. "Fairly well advanced, but nothing that has to be suffered through."

Hank blinked. "What? You mean you can treat it? You can fix my hands?"

Simon shook his head, propping a hip against the work bench. "There is no cure – you need to understand that. There are some treatments we can try though, that will alleviate the stiffness. I can teach you some hand exercises to keep the joints limber and heat therapy would work. Your hands will never recover entirely but we could get them to the point were they’re not bothering you as much."

Hank rubbed his knuckles. "Will I be able to work in the shop?"

"I’m not sure. More than you are now, but I don’t think you could do it full time. You will gain more mobility with treatment, though. If you have some time, I could show you a few hand and joint exercises right now."

"Doc?" Hank was studying him with a puzzled frown. "You already know I ain’t too fond of you."

Simon stopped and almost smirked. "I’m well aware."

"Then why are you trying to help? You ain’t trying to make up for messing around with my Kaylee girl, are you?"

Simon did smile then. " I’m a doctor. It’s what I do."

* * * * *

Deer wasn’t very big, considering it was the capital of Hartford – only a few dozen wooden buildings dotted the main street. Mal looked around and frowned, before heading towards the General Store, Zoe and Jayne behind him. The proprietor of the shop --a short man named Stout – had told them yesterday he’d discreetly ask around for them.

When Mal pushed through the doors, Stout glanced up from the counter where he’d been talking to another man and smiled at him.

"Told you he’d be around soon, Jake. Captain Reynolds –" he waved Mal over, beaming, "this is Jake Hurley; a friend of mine from Anah. Jake is interested in them pups of yours."

Mal grinned at that, holding out his hand and shaking the other man’s firmly. "They’re fine animals," he offered. "All healthy. They’ll make fine breeders when they’ve reached adulthood. We’ve even got proper papers for 'em and everything."

It took Kaylee just over an hour to pack all her belongings into two separate bags. She found herself lingering over this item and that, remembering where she’d gotten it, or from whom. There was so much she hadn’t been able to fit into her luggage. Tools she’d grown attached to that Serenity would need more than she did, books that she was leaving for the Shepherd and River to read, a fairytale dress that couldn’t belong anywhere but Serenity.

She’d wanted to leave something for each of the crew, but she had so little. A fan for Inara, a pretty knife she’d picked up for next to nothing for Jayne, lights for Wash to string in his bunk so he could see the stars even down there, her set of jacks for River to beat the pants off of someone else for a change, a thin piece of metal from Serenity she’d been working into a bookmark for the Shepherd’s bible. For Simon, she left a bullet fragment on a tray on his nightstand, he’d saved her life that first night, and she wanted him to know she’d be grateful the rest of her life.

She didn’t have anything for Mal or Zoe. She didn’t think that they’d mind, both of them held their memories close to the vest.

The last place she visited was the engine room. Her tools lay scattered on the floor under the turbine, where she’d been working on the Viese lock. Darn thing wasn’t catching properly. Sliding under the engine she worked on it and tried to ignore the tears pooling in the corners of her eyes and running slowly down her cheeks.

She had been hoping the job would last all day, but her Pa had been right when he’d said all it probably needed was a new locking pin. She should’ve thought of that herself, but she’d been so excited ‘bout seeing her folks again, it hadn’t even occurred to her. When the locking mechanism finally slid into place, she sighed and placed her palm flat against the underside of the engine.

The metal was cool to her touch and Kaylee wished she could start it, just to feel the thrum of it against her skin. "You be good now," she murmured. "Cap’n won’t take long to find a new mechanic – you make sure you treat ‘em nice. Try not to forget me, though. Ain’t no one ever gonna love ya much as I do."

She lay there a few moments more, before sighing and sliding to her feet. There was no excuse to stay any longer, but she decided to run a few diagnostic tests anyway. She also spent twenty minutes looking at the hammock, before finally deciding that it should stay for the next mechanic to use.

Storing her bags behind the shed, she reminded herself she was making the right choice, no matter how much it would hurt.

Mal shoved his way into the house. "Good news!" he announced. And then blinked.

The kitchen was empty. A pan of biscuits was overturned on the floor.

Mal was filled with foreboding. He drew his gun, stepping around the biscuits as quietly as possible. The window was covered in a sheer curtain and he nudged the barrel of his gun through the fabric enough to look out.

Mal’s eyes widened in alarm. "Zhe shi shenme lan dongxi?" he spat. River Tam stood on top of the fence post, eyes wild, pacing on the incredibly thin railing.

Below her, hands clasped over her mouth in horror, was Shelly Frye.

Mal ran, shoving his gun back into the holster as he muttered inventive curses on River’s hun dan of a brother. Doc was supposed to be watching her, keep her from making a scene.

Inara was trying to calm River down, but it didn’t seem to be having an effect. Mal glanced around and when he couldn’t see Simon, started yelling for him. "Doc!"

River looked directly at him, her hair falling over her face in wild tangles. "You did it," she pointed a shaking finger at him. "You brought them here for death and dismemberment, and for what?"

"I didn’t bring nobody here to die, little one," Mal tried to reassure her, hands held out non-threateningly in front of him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the doctor emerge out of the barn, Hank Frye close behind him.

Mal could tell exactly when the doctor saw them, as he started to run.

"How long has she been like this?" Simon snapped at Inara, stepping past her and lifting his hands up to his sister. "River," he said soothingly. "River, will you come down?"

She pivoted on one foot, leaning forward until she was almost looking her brother in the eyes. Her voice was ragged. "Not until the killing stops."

Simon blinked. "What killing?"

She ignored him, hands running through her hair frantically.

"River." Simon balanced on the lower rung of the fence, hands reaching out to pull his sister closer. "Tell me what is being killed, and I will do everything in my power to stop it." He cupped her face gently as her eyes suddenly filled with tears.

She wavered, her balance starting to Falter. She slipped her hands around her brother’s neck. "Oh, Simon!" she wailed. "He'll make them killers, biters! Brother against brother – whips and chains and rending limb from limb." She buried her face in his neck.

"I know." He stroked her back and rocked her as well as he could with both of them balanced on a fence post.

Shelly and Hank stood back as Simon helped his sister down, leading her over to the stump used for cutting wood. "Now, tell me what’s wrong?" He accepted a handkerchief from Inara with an absent nod. "Whatever it is, I promise I will help if I can."

River sniffed into his shoulder, tears still spilling down her face. "The man," she said, leaning forward earnestly. "The betting man. He wants to turn them into weapons. Why does he want to hurt them? They’re innocent." Her face crumbled again. "Save them…"

"I will," he promised, cradling her back into his chest. "But you have to tell me who is getting hurt."

She raised her face to Mal’s. "He isn’t a good one to sell to. He makes them have sharp teeth."

"Hold on one second… You trying to tell me that Ol’ Jake is some kind of…" Mal gestured wordlessly, eyebrows raised in a question.

"He hurts things. He doesn’t like warm wet noses and soft fur, he likes blood and pain," River told him earnestly. She stood suddenly, knocking Simon backwards a slightly. "You can't let him! No sale!"

"Now, River," Simon started, understanding in his face. "I’m sure Mal wouldn’t sell them to someone who would…"

"Little Gun does not belong to that man!" She ignored Simon and poked Mal in the chest with one finger. "Little Gun belongs to herself, and she doesn't want to kill her friends!"

Mal studied her face for a moment. "Are you sure?"

She hissed out a yes, striking out at her brother as he tried to get her to sit back down. Shelly drew back in shock. Hank put his arm around his wife protectively as River spun by them.

River nodded in satisfaction, eyes wild. "Feed him to the sharks," she ordered. She suddenly staggered backwards into her brother’s arms, one hand covering her eyes. "Too much death already."

"Got any ideas of a new buyer then, little one?" Mal asked quietly as Simon continued soothing her.

"Someone… anyone. Finn could do it," Simon offered over his shoulder. "He’s good with animals." He turned back to River, speaking softly to her as tears continued to drip down her face. "Shh, mei-mei. Mal won’t let anyone hurt the puppies. You need to stop worrying. Come on – let’s go to the kitchen. You can show me how the biscuit making is coming along."

Shelly and Hank had watched Simon lead River away with wide eyes. "What just happened?"

Mal was brooding in thought, so Inara answered smoothly. "River has been through quite a lot, sometimes she gets a little overwhelmed. Simon is very protective of her."

"Figured he just thought my boy weren’t good enough for his little sister." Shelly twisted her hands in her apron as she stared at the house, shaking her head. "A fancy doctor from the Core. He’s so stuffy and closed up, not like our Kaylee."

Inara turned to look at Mr and Mrs Frye seriously. "Maybe you should ask Kaylee why a man like Simon is riding on a ship like Serenity, when he could be head of trauma surgery on a planet like Osiris."

Hank looked thoughtful. "Does it have to do with his sister?"

Mal snorted at that. "He’s fairly particular about her. For good reason, mostly."

The older man nodded. "Had an aunt that just sorta knew stuff. She always told us when the toilet was gonna overflow. Some folk thought she was a witch but she was just real intuitive. Who did you sell them dogs too?"

"Man by the name of Hurley – we’re supposed to drop them off at Blythe, on Anah – not more than a couple hours flight from here. You heard tell of any illegal dog-fighting on any of Paquin’s moons?"

"No, not here on Hartford," Hank answered thoughtfully. "Although Blythe – it ain’t exactly the most law-abiding of places. Lot’s of gambling goes on there – wouldn’t surprise me in the least. You still gonna take them pups there?"

"Don’t see how I can," Mal sighed. "River and Kaylee would never forgive me if I did that. ‘Sides which, that sorta entertainment ain’t something I hold to. Puts us back at square one, though."

"Whaddaya mean, no sale?" Jayne snorted. "You don’t even know if River was right! Hell, you don’t even know if she was talkin’ ‘bout dog-fights! She never speaks no sense anyway."

"Jayne, Mrs Frye might’ve taken a likin’ to that mouth of yours, but the rest of us got no problem sewin’ it shut." Mal released a puff of air before addressing Zoe’s last question. "Figure we might send out a few feelers, see if we can’t find another interested party."

"And the job waiting for us on Restmore?"

"We do it."

"Haulin’ around a boatful of canines?" Jayne scoffed. "Always thought you were off your rocker, this just proves it."

"I’m sure Simon brought his weave kit with him." Mal glared pointedly at Jayne as they ascended the porch.

All four Fryes were already on the veranda with Simon, River and Inara. It took only a moment for Wash and Book to join them.

"Turns out, our potential buyer had less than breederly intentions for our cargo. Which means we’ll have to start looking elsewhere. Serenity breaks atmo in two hours. Should give us time to get the pups back aboard and make proper goodbyes."

"That seems awful sudden, Mal." Inara looked between Kaylee and Shelly, the elder Frye’s hand resting on her daughter’s shoulder. "Surely we could spare a few more hours."

His mouth pressed into a firm line. "We all got work needs doin’. Including you." Dragging his eyes off Inara, he offered Hank and Shelly a smile. "Won’t be so long next time between visits. You all have been most accomodatin’. Don’t think I can thank you enough."

"Been our pleasure. Good to meet the men and women our Kaylee’s been keepin’ in the air."

"Jayne, you and Book get started with the dogs."

The men rose to do as they were ordered, the rest disbanding to make their goodbyes when Kaylee tentatively raised her hand to stop them. "Um, just one more thing."

"Lil’ Kaylee?"

"I wanted to tell everyone…" she swallowed back her tears and straightened her shoulders. "I wanted to tell everyone at once that I’m staying. My family needs me more than Serenity."

There was dead silence for all of a moment before a dozen voices filled the small living space. "You’re not staying, young lady–"

"Oh, Kaylee–"

"I understand, but–"

"But Mal, you said if I was on my best behavior–"

"Broken hands, broken dolls–"

"There must be some way–"

"I won’t stand for it–"

"This is so unexpected–"

"I’ve made my decision," she said thickly, shrugging out from under her mother’s staying hand. "It’s mine to make an’ no one else’s." She turned to face the Captain, but couldn’t manage to raise her eyes to meet his. "I cleaned out my bunk this morning, so I won’t hold you up." She took a deep breath. "I checked over the engine, made sure she’ll run long enough for ya to get another mechanic."

"Kaylee–"

"No!" She couldn’t suppress the tears swimming in her eyes. "My decision is final. I gotta stay here; help my family…" She barely managed to get the words out passed the lump in her throat before she turned and ran out the door, leaving a dozen shocked faces behind her.

After a few moments of stunned silence, Mal shook his head and barked at Simon. "Doc, what were you sayin’ earlier t’me ‘bout Finn bein’ able t’take care of them dogs?"

Simon looked up nervously. "Well, I… I was just saying, Finn is good with animals. He could raise the puppies and breed them. It could be a nice supplementary income for the Fryes."

Hank nodded, catching on. "Boy always did have a knack with animals."

Finn quickly piped up. "Breeding beagles’d be a real good job, when they’re old enough. Ain’t nothing to whelping puppies. It would be easy to sell ‘em too – people are always looking for good hunting dogs around these parts."

Jayne’s brow furrowed. "Wait. We’re givin’ the dogs to ‘em?"

Mal ignored him. "Could be a nice job for you folk. So, you’re interested?"

Hank looked thoughtful. "Jayne’s got a point, captain. We ain’t got the money t’pay for eight pups and still afford their chow."

Mal nodded. "Reckon that might be the case. But we ain’t gonna turn a profit on this one if we don’t find a buyer anyway. Figure you take ‘em, pay us a percentage of the proceeds from your first litter, pay us for any transporting of puppies to new owners we do for you, we could call it even."

Hank glanced to Shelley. "That’d be a lot of dogs," he warned.

Her eyes were sparkling, already decided. "Of course we’ll take them. It’s the perfect thing. Won’t be so hard on your hands and, like you said, it’ll provide a nice supplementary income. We can make this work, Hank. You, me and Finn – we could really make this work."

Mal inclined his head. "Ain’t no doubt in my mind, ma’am. Know you folks’ll take care of them in the right way." His eyes turned to focus on Finn. "What you say, boy? Ready to enter th’world of animal husbandry?"

Finn beamed at him. "Yes, sir."

"Then we got ourselves a deal – and we get to keep our mechanic."

Kaylee didn’t know where she was running to; she just knew she needed to get away before she burst into tears in front of everyone. She could tell by their faces that her announcement had shocked them all. Even Simon’s face had looked a little pale at the prospect of losing her. Normally that kind of outpouring of affection would have made her ecstatically happy. She’d always thought of the crew as her second family and knowing she was leaving them left her with an overwhelming sense of loss.

What other choice did she have, though? Her family needed her, more than Serenity did – more than the crew did. It didn’t matter that she didn’t want to stay – she was an adult now, not a little girl. Wiping at her eyes angrily, she stopped running and straightened her shoulders. She was making the right decision, even though it was a hard one – she had responsibilities to her parents. She couldn’t leave them, when her staying would mean that Pa’s business wouldn’t fail.

When Kaylee finally returned to the farm, Inara, Zoe and Mal were on the porch with her parents, talking quietly. Simon smiled at her from inside the doorway but she could only manage a weak one in return. She clasped her hands together in front of her as she joined him. "Where are the others?" she asked, just as Book and Wash came around the house, River and Finn trailing after them. A puppy was tucked under Wash’s arm, wiggling happily. River was cradling another, laughing as it strained to lick her cheek, no signs of her earlier breakdown the least bit apparent.

"Husband?" Zoe questioned upon seeing him. "Is that Vera in your arms or is my space dementia acting up again?"

"It’s the space dementia. Definitely. No puppies here," Wash grinned. "Being landlocked for so long must have triggered it. Guess there’s no help for it. I’m sure once we’re space-born again, these hallucinations of yours will go away. Two… three months, maybe?"

"Wash, I don’t allow pets on my ship," Mal growled.

"Oh, no. Not you too, Captain! Is dementia contagious, Doc?"

Kaylee smiled despite herself and leaned into Simon, "What’s going on?"

"Hmm? I think Wash is trying to trick Zoe into letting him keep a puppy."

"Why is he even asking for a puppy. I thought they were going with you?"

"With us," he corrected with a wide smile, "and they aren’t."

"That’s right," Shelly joined them, sliding her arm around Simon’s waist. It took Kaylee a full moment to absorb that fact before she even heard what her mother was saying. "–came up with the idea. Quite a smart young man you have here, Kaylee-bear, to find a solution to all of our problems like that. Don’t think it was the deal your Captain was quite looking for, but he seems happy with it."

Hank and Mal joined them, leaving Zoe to deal with Wash. "I’m thinking we’re walking away with the sweeter deal, Shelly. My mechanic is worth far more than a few mangy animals. And we‘ll get some pay in due time."

"Could someone please tell me what’s going on?" Kaylee blinked in confusion, looking between her Captain and her mother.

"Your Doctor here," Shelly gave Simon another squeeze, causing a blush to flood his features, "suggested Finn could take care of the pups and that we could breed them. And Captain Reynolds offered to transport ‘em when we got a fair number ready for sale."

"He did?"

"Not the same as working on engines," Hank smiled. "But them things are kinda cute. That type of work is a different reward all on its own."

"You’d really be happy breedin’ dogs?"

"Like to be doin’ something of use again, Kaylee." He smiled. "Don’t you worry none about us. Things play out, we’ll be turnin’ a profit again in a year‘s time. Things’ll be different the next time you come for a visit."

She glanced from her father to her mother. "But… I’m staying."

Mal ignored her, glancing out toward the shop. "Where’s Jayne? Shouldn’t be takin’ him so long unloading those supplies."

"Can’t thank you enough for givin’ us what you had left of the dog food. Should hold us over until we can head into town for more." Hank held out his hand and Mal clasped it firmly.

"Can’t thank you enough for bein’ willin to part with Kaylee again. Couldn’t run my ship without her."

A frustrated growl left Kaylee’s throat. "I ain’t leavin’! Don‘t have to be–"

One moment she was gearing up for a fight, and the next she was upside down, staring at Jayne’s backside. "Jayne!"

He adjusted her so that his shoulder wasn’t digging so sharply into her abdomen. "Hold still, girl. Else I might drop you."

"Jayne!" Kaylee hit his back."You put me down! Right now!"

"Guess that’s our cue to leave," Mal grinned, picking up the bags Kaylee had dropped. "Simon, where’s River?"

"Saying goodbye to Finn," Simon replied ruefully. "She’ll be along in a second."

Clasping River’s hand, Finn had led her around the side of the house, just far enough to be out of sight but close enough to hear if anyone was calling for her. She was leaning against the side of the house, staring down at their joined hands. "River?"

She didn’t reply and instead lifted their hands, her fingers unfolding to press palm to palm with his. "Holy palmer’s kiss."

Finn looked at their hands and then back to her face, his own flaming crimson, "I ain’t sure there’s anything holy about it, but…" His fingers slid along her jaw to tilt her face up to his.

Large doe eyes lifted up to meet his, and she bit her lower lip. "I waited, but I didn’t know what for. Couldn’t remember." A shy smile blossomed on her face, "You reminded me what girls wish for."

Blushing, he shifted his weight, "I ain’t anybody’s idea of a wish, River."

"Mine."

His fingers slid along her jaw to tilt her face up, his words whisper soft just before he kissed her, "Well, I reckon that makes us both a little crazy."

Discuss this episode

Title: Homecoming
Writers: Alianora & Rinny
Executive Producers: Michelle Makariak (Michmak)
& Jen Hook (Mistress Shiny)
Special Edits: Michael A. Haines & Van Donovan
Art: Frodolyn
Head of Animation: TaeRowyn
Proofreaders: Karanina
Dialect Editor: Sophie Richard