Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan and the kids. they're mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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This story takes place nine years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Takes place five years post “The Bash”

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AN: If you haven't figured it out quite yet, this story arc is a character study and not the usual shoot em' up.

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Thanks again to Woonsocket and Chris for the Beta work

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Relics

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Chapter Eight

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Sylvia awoke a bit stiff and sore, but she felt immeasurably better. Physically anyway. Someone had left clothing for her. Underwear, sweats and a t-shirt. There were even socks and what looked like some kind of athletic shoes. She was wearing a hospital johnny at the moment, and real clothes were just what she needed. Grabbing the bundle she padded to the bathroom across from the infirmary.

After dressing, she was surprised at how hungry she was. Stepping from the bathroom she was nearly bowled over by two small boys. One was obviously a toddler and the other looked to be about six or seven years old. How many kids were on this ship anyway?

“Sorry,” Jefferson Reynolds apologized, “Jack's a bit of a handful.”

“That's okay,” Sylvia replied, “What's your name?”

“Jefferson. You can call me Jeff.”

“I'm Sylvia.”

“You're Uncle Allan's friend.”

“I guess I am. Is Jack your brother?” Sylvia asked, noting both boys’ dark hair.

“Cousins,” Jeff replied.

“Oh.”

“We get that a lot,” the boy grinned.

“Who are your parents?”

“My daddy is the Captain. Jack's daddy is Uncle Simon, the doctor.”

“I understand now,” Sylvia smiled.

“Jeffy,” Jack whined as he impatiently waited by the hatch leading to the cargo bay.

“Gotta go, nice meeting you.”

“You too,” Sylvia said as the boys scampered off.

Alone again, Sylvia looked around. There were what looked like rooms in one direction and a large open space in the other. Where she stood appeared to be a comf