Like the drive to the cemetery, the drive back to the estate was completely silent. All three modes of transport were solemn as the Tam’s returned to the estate that now seemed even emptier than before. As the others came onto the grounds and looked at the majestic dereliction of the place, Gabriel was already heading towards the house. He didn’t break stride as he opened the front door and walked straight through the main hall and up the stairs to the second floor. He was already gone by the time Simon, Kaylee and River lead the way for the rest of the mourners.

They each had different reactions to stepping into the Tam estate for the first time. Inara were used to these elaborate estates, but felt slightly saddened at the sense of disarray that the place had. Book and Zoe merely regarded the building as just another place. So did Jayne, but he looked around to see if there was anything worth stealing. Wash, George, Cliff and Keith couldn’t help but feel a bit amazed by the place where Simon and River grew up. Shooter was particularly disappointed in that even with the knowledge of their children’s imminent return, the Tam estate still wasn’t clean. But he merely held his tongue as he came in and headed for the kitchen, hoping to bring out some remotely edible food they could have. The only ones that weren’t impressed with the place was Mal and Johnny. The former rested a hand on his gun, while the latter clenched his guitar handle as they passed the threshold. They had a sense of being in enemy territory, even though there was nothing in the building that posed as an actual treat to them.

“So this is where the enemy sleeps.” Mal said to himself as he looked around the main hall. He ignored the dirty looks that Inara and Zoe were giving him and pretended to look at the veneered carvings. As the rest of them followed River into the living room, Mal trailed behind and began up the stairs to look around and see where the old man had gone.

The rest of them slowly entered the living room. Som