Mal and Simon were silent for most of the ride to the Cobb property. Strangely enough, it was Jayne who broke the silence.

“Wanna thank you both.... for uh... you know... being understandin' and all,” he rubbed his neck and stuttered somewhat.

“Anyone else would do the same in my place,” Mal assured him. Simon nodded in agreement.

“No they wouldn't.” Jayne said firmly. “You both know I've never really gotten along with either of you two, but uh... I just want ya to know... I think your all right.”

“Well... thank you, Jayne,” Simon said hesitantly.

“Gee... I think I'm gonna cry,” Mal said sarcastically.

Simon grinned, while Jayne gave a half grunt.

When they reached the farmhouse, Jayne tried to convince the Captain that it wasn't necessary for him to come in.

“You might catch somethin',” he muttered as they approached the house.

“Jayne, your mother is dying of cancer. That is not a 'catching' disease,” Simon explained.

“Still...”

“You ain't embarrassed of your family, now are ya?” Mal teased him.

Jayne whirled around to yell at him, but was cut off by someone else's yell.

“Hot dang! If it ain't the prodigal son!” a young man stood on the porch grinning from ear to ear. If it hadn't been for his ear to ear grin and his manner of speaking, Mal would have thought he was looking at a Core gent.

“Mattie, you ole son of a gun!” Jayne dumped his duffle bag into Mal's arms and ran to him.

He picked Mattie clean up off his feet and twirled him around. An older gentleman about the same height as Mattie came around the house. He took one look at Jayne and Mattie and gave an audible cry.

“Jayne!” he practically ran to the giant mercenary. Jayne gave him a big bear hug.

“Pa, look at ya. Ya ain't changed a bit. Still as spry as ever,” he grinned.

He gave a slap on the cheek. “Always sassin' your pa, ain't ya?”

“Come on you two, quit standin' around like two mules starin' at the side of a barn,” Jayne yelled over to Mal and Simon. “Pa, Mattie, this here's Captai