This little ditty was inspired by Jonny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” and my father-in-law. Ten points if you can figure out which character he is. Just kidding, but he is quoted word for word in a couple of places.

The story takes place after The Movie, but the only way you would know it is that a couple of characters are conspicuously absent.

Many thanks to my dear husband for the beta reading. I’ll turn him into a browncoat yet:)

Please let me know what you think. Comments make me feel all warm and fuzzy even when they are critical.

Enjoy -

The cicadas sang a mournful song through the trees of the lush green forest. The young woman’s slender fingers quickly typed a ten digit code into a keypad attached to the big rod iron gate. The only sound was the cool breeze as it brushed her hair away from her face and continued on to gently rustle the leaves on the trees. The gates’ opening was soundless, as were the soft footsteps of the three thieves that passed through it. Moonlit shadows filled the path, allowing the thieves to slip up to the large brick mansion unseen. Every window was dark, not unusual for a house this close to midnight. But the three intruders knew this was not because there were occupants asleep inside. Rather because the owners of this particular house were attending an Alliance sponsored state function, and not scheduled to return for several hours.

Again the slender fingers flew across a keypad typing in the familiar code. The key pad’s red light turned to green sending off a slight click, allowing the three figures to enter through the small door towards the back of the house. The thin fingers of their leader silently pointed out security features to the others as they slipped upstairs to the master bedroom. Her comfort with her surroundings was obvious and was the only thing guiding this mission. The others did like this job, but they were here as a favor to their friend. It was something that had to be done, something that River needed to do for her brother.