Title: Hell Raising

Rating: PG-13 for mild torture and violence

Pairings: heavy on the M/I, by the nature of the 'verse, references to S/K, Z/W, Jayne/Vera

Setting: 18ish years post-BDM

Summary: “I just wish you would’ve killed the old bastard.” – Inara, War Stories. Eighteen years later, so does Mal.

Set in the same 'verse as Pirate Children, but three years later. Author's Note: This one is darker than the first, but since in my heart I write fluff and family drama, it's probably fairly light compared to most "dark fics". Thank you to everyone who read Pirate Children. Anyone who wants to read this one and not the first should know, first that Wash is still alive but Book didn't survive the BDM. Also, they should know the new characters:

Killian Cobb "Kacey" Washburn

Leila Lee "Lolly" Tam

Abram Derrial "Bubba" Reynolds

Serra Alleyne "Mei-Mei" Reynolds

and their tutor, Alistair "Ally" Caramia, who's been aboard since Serra was born.

Part 1

“Hey-hey! Amnon!”

The postmaster looks up to see two fairly familiar faces, a tiny young girl and her teenaged brother, walking side-by-side, close enough to touch, heads bent conspiratorially.

“Well, if it isn’t the Reynolds children, Trouble and More Trouble.”

“Now, which of us do you think is More Trouble, Amnon? I know the easy answer is me, but Abe has that whole smart thing going on, which I think really tips the scales in his favor.”

She’s shorter than the counter, so her brother lifts her up to sit on the edge, he himself leaning against it.

“Oh, but pretty Miss Reynolds, you have a streak of mischief which has no equal. Are you two here to pick up Serenity’s post?”

The girl grins beautifully at him. “Yup yup. Did I get anything shiny, Amnon?”

“Well, there are several packages addressed to Miss Serra Reynolds. And about as many for Mr. Abram Reynolds. Do we have some recent birthdays?”

“I turned fifteen a month ago,” Abram answers, signing for the crew. “Mei-Mei turned ten last week.”

“Well, happy birthday to you both. Are you going