This is my first Firefly fanfic so please leave gentle feedback.

Setting flashes between the "Present" which is about ten years before the Firefly series, and the "Past" which is approximately seven years before that.

Obviously I'm standing on the shoulders of giants here and none of the known characters are mine.

I intend to continue in chapters so, really, I want feedback.

PRESENT

“Hello Mrs. Reynolds.” The words were whisper-breathed into her ear, his lips grazing her jaw line. She felt the warmth of the sun in her heart as she smiled.

“Why, Mr. Reynolds…you actually succeeded in sneaking up on me that time.” She turned to face him and nipped playfully at his chin with her teeth. They held each other in an embrace for several minutes, kissing and giggling, until they were interrupted by an impatient groan.

“You two best stop moonin’ over one another like a couple of newly weds. There is a lot of work to be done and I ain’t doin’ your share just so the two of you can go around gettin' all kissy-faced.”

“Aw hell Mal, lighten up! We are newly weds gorram it! You’re just sore cause your little brother caught himself such a fine woman when you can’t catch more n’ a case of the –“

“Okay! William my love, why don’t you go help Mal bring in the heifers while I finish up with this fence. Then we can all go back to the house for dinner at the same time and no one feels slighted.” Zoe curved her lips and batted her eyes at her husband. Will returned the smile and settled a kiss on her forehead before turning toward his brother.

“Alrighty partner. Let’s go bring down the young ladies. I don’t know what you’d do without that pretty wife of mine defending you all the time…” Will walked out the door and Mal followed behind, smiling.

“I don’t know little brother…guess I’m grateful as hell that you married a woman that doesn’t feel the need to sass me every fifteen minutes like you do.”

Their voices faded as they walked away. Zoe turned to watch them go, saying