Disclaimer: Characters do not belong to me; they are the property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy and Fox.

Feedback is always welcome.

Another AU. Inspired by several of Cassie E’s infernal plot bunnies.

Many thanks to Cassie and Jebbypal for beta-ing for me, along with the late night words of encouragement, opening lines and way to much other stuff to mention. I may be needing to give those two co-writing credits by the time this one is through. ;-)

Chinese translations: Ai Ren - Sweetheart

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Ariel: Late May, 2517

He shut off the cortex screen with annoyed frustration. Talking with his father always did that, especially when it was about his intended bride. And this conversation had been even more frustrating then usual.

It just didn’t seem possible that the boy had done this. Definitely didn’t fit the image of the prissy young man he’d seen each Christmas. But looking back, at this years party he had seemed more…frazzled…then was normal. His parents had their normal cold, superior airs firmly in place. And the girl had been absent yet again.

His gaze moved to the small, framed picture sitting on his desk; it was almost three years out of date now. Sometimes he wondered why he still kept it up there, or why he’d started setting the pictures on his desk in the first place. A new one every year up till this one. Most people thought it was a picture of his daughter, most people he never corrected on the assumption.

It was easier that way. Not that the practice was uncommon in any way, quite the contrary. It was simply unusual to keep reminders of it so handy when the girl was still so young. Unless one preferred them that way. And for whatever reason he had for keeping her picture where he could see it everyday it wasn’t out of some twisted sexual desire. Perhaps some odd, older brotherly protective streak.

With a frustrated sigh he stood and moved to loo