It was a calm evening on the planet Haven, the sun just starting to set behind the mountains. William stood some distance from the memorials, giving Zoë all the time she needed to introduce her son to his father.

It was a somber moment. The crew of Serenity stood on the plateau, each quietly grieving. The sound of Kaylee’s sobs were the only disturbance to the silence of the dead.

After a time, Zoë stood and headed back towards the group. William tensed up, as it was now time to face the truth that Book was indeed dead. Something that, until this moment, he had hoped was part of a bad dream.

William turned to face River as she took his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. William could tell that she wanted to smile, but the grief wouldn’t allow it. “Say your goodbyes.” She turned and started walking towards the others. “It’s the only way to be free.”

William strode forward to the stone set aside for Book. There was a holo-projector displaying a few second loop of capture footage. William found his eyes welling up despite himself at seeing it. He took a knee and bowed his head in silent prayer, for Book, the crew, for River. He raised his head, a million and more things to say jumping into his mind all at once. He had so much he wanted to tell him, so many thanks he had to give, but his mind failed him and he couldn’t put any of them into words. He leaned his head against the tombstone and began to cry.

After a few minutes, William was finally able to choke back the tears and he looked up into the holo again, resting his hand just below it on the stone. “I didn’t realize how much I missed you old friend until I found out I’d never see you again.” He said as he rubbed the tears from his eyes. “Funny how that works out, isn’t it?” William chuckled to himself. “’Verse is a darker place without you in it old friend.” William leaned his head on his hand. “I just wish I had gotten a chance for one more lecture, just one. You always knew how to be a son-of-a-bitch.” William laughed to him